One of the biggest party nights of the year includes events and entertainment in Surrey.
New Year's Eve gatherings ring in 2025 on a Tuesday night (Dec. 31) with live music, comedy, dining and more.
In the Cedar Hills area, Donegal's Rock & Irish House welcomes Crush to the stage for another party of killer dance rock played by singer/guitarist Shawn Klatt, guitarist Anthony Della Croce, drummer Scott Young and, filling in for current Calgary resident Kevin Stuart Swain, Headpins bassist Ab Bryant.
"Power, precision and joy" is promised by the band of veteran musicians. "Last show (at Donegal's in October), Ab had three days to learn the whole night (of songs)," Young reported. "These next shows (Dec. 7 also) will be monstrous." Tickets are $22.63 on eventbrite.com, or visit the bar at 12054 96 Ave., Surrey.
With live music on hold again at the Guildford venue, Taphouse offers a three-course menu at a casino-themed party from 5 to 9 p.m. (with choice of starter, main and dessert for $38 plus tax), followed by a DJ on stage and dancing until 2:30 a.m. A midnight balloon drop and snacks are part of the fun for a $17.31 ticket (no dinner) on eventbrite.com.
Taphouse co-owner Owen Coomer says live bands will probably return there in the new year, on select nights. "Got a lot of people who loved it and loved the room, but the cost never justified continuing," he said of a fall experiment of booking bands in the 500-seat bar every Friday, no cover. "There were some bands who didn't even promote or bring in a single individual. Makes you wonder why venues are moving away from that or doing tribute acts with tickets to guarantee the room."
Latin music is the vibe at the Mojito's dance club party with Sonora Kings (nine-member band) and DJ Casanova starting at 9 p.m. A ticket ($25 for early birds) comes with cold buffet, champagne at midnight and party favours. Free parking at the venue, on the northwest side of the former Turf Hotel site, 12411 King George Blvd. Visit mojitospub.com or call 778-223-6936.
Nearby, Brownsville Pub welcomes '80s party-rock band Fast Times on Dec. 31, for $10 cover, 8 p.m. show. Call the pub for table reservations, 604-580-1841. The bar (11940 Old Yale Rd.) is a bit tricky to get to these days, with ongoing construction of the new Pattullo Bridge, so plan accordingly.
In Clayton, Dublin Crossing Irish Pub welcomes Venus & Mars Band to the stage for a $60-per-person party with reserved seating, buffet dinner, live music, party favours and champagne toast at midnight. Tickets must be purchased at the pub, 18789 Fraser Hwy., Surrey, or call 604-575-5470 for details.
Looking for laughs? John Beuhler returns to Yuk Yuk's Surrey on Dec. 31 for a comedy show, $39 a ticket plus tax on yukyuks.com/Surrey. Accurately, the website touts Beuhler's "arsenal of sickly smart comedy," frequently performed at the Elements Casino venue in Cloverdale. Other shows there this month include Harris Anderson (Dec. 6-7), Dan Duvall (Dec. 13-14), Gavin Clarkson (Dec. 20-21) and Patrick Maliha (Dec. 27-28).
Wee ones and families can hop the Christmas train at Bear Creek Park on Tuesday, Dec. 31 (and on other dates this month) during daytime hours, 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., long after Santa has left for the North Pole. Tickets are $11.50 this year, or free for kids aged two and under. The park's Christmas Night Train also runs this month, until Dec. 29 (closed Monday/Tuesday). Click on bctrains.com for details, or dial 604-501-1232.
For holiday skating, Surrey's 25th Winter Ice Palace is open at Cloverdale Arena all month, including Dec. 31 for four 90-minute sessions from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. If a New Year's Day skate is preferred, head there for 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, or any day from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5. As always, the winter-wonderland skates feature festive lights, decorations and music, $5 entry. "Early sign-up opens 72 hours in advance of skating session times," says the event website (surrey.ca/wintericepalace). "Participants must register at least one hour in advance of their desired session time to secure their spot." Call 604-501-5100 for more details.
If movie-going is your vibe, Landmark Cinemas Guildford shows the new Mufasa: The Lion King on Dec. 31 with screenings at 12:45, 3:45 and 6:45 p.m. Released in theatres Dec. 20, the Barry Jenkins-directed animated feature finds Rafiki relaying the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. "Told in flashbacks," the website explains, "the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka, heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny."
