Sneaking out under the low ceiling of the pandemic from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 for the last two New Year’s Eve celebrations has been less than ideal. Fortunately, with vaccines, boosters, rapid virus tests and other safety measures in place, there’s every reason to bridge the last days and minutes of 2022 in upright and in-person fashion.

In the Bay Area at least, most people and presenters of events are mindful that the annual winter flu season and continuing COVID-19 and other viral infections mean some people prefer to continue safety precautions such as masking or participating online or outdoors. One good thing to come out of the pandemic is more hybrid opportunities that offer options for attending.

Keeping in mind safety, variety, and activities appealing to diverse demographics — age, interests, financial situations and other factors — below is a list of suggestions for ringing in the new year; from ha-ha (comedy acts) to harmony (musical performances) to horticultural or high-horizon illuminations (light shows in outdoor settings). Note that some events are held on the days just before or extending beyond New Year’s Eve.

The Alameda Comedy Club will host Eddie Pepitone on Dec. 30 and 31. Owner Patrick Ford said Pepitone, frequently nicknamed “the Bitter Buddha,” is a force of nature whose standup act switches from social rage to self-doubt in a blink.

Shows are for audiences 18 and older, but youths 15 to 17 attending with their parents are also allowed. Pair Pepitone’s sardonic wit with the venue’s surprising, way-above-burgers-and-beer menu and grab onto humor that’ll keep you buzzing all the way into the new year.

Also at the club, a “2022 Send Off With Johnny Steele And Friends” on Dec. 29 will say sayonara to the year with comedy, music and improv from the much-admired Bay Area-based Steele and his buddies.

Lastly in Alameda, USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum officials and staff will ring in the new year Dec. 31 with their annual New Year’s Eve party, the Hornet’s largest fundraising event of the year. The party will be start at 7:30 p.m and will feature 3 O’Clock Jump, an 18-member big band specializing in danceable jazz from the swing era and later.

There will be multiple dance floors in the large, heated hangar bay, a countdown to midnight, food and drink concessions available for purchase, a silent auction and more. Black ties are optional, and plenty of free parking will be available.

Yoshi’s Oakland will feature two New Year’s shows Dec. 30-31 headlined by jazz/R&B sax player Boney James. Arriving with his new 18th studio album, “Detour,” in hand, James continues to push his way up the charts. During a 30-year career, he’s garnered four Grammy nominations, two NAACP Image Award nominations, and seen more than a dozen of his albums land at No. 1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Album lists.

James’ fusion of genres includes blues, soul, roots, classical, art-pop and hip-hop. In Yoshi’s intimate, always-cool vibe space, hustle to hear hot talent because the show Dec. 29 is already sold out. Special tip: the 11 p.m. show on New Year’s Eve offers a champagne toast at midnight.

At the Oakland hills’ Chabot Space & Science Center, free telescope viewing Dec. 30 will open access to stars, planets and the universe. Three high-power telescopes aimed at the sky praise atmospheric wonder, and a “tree top” view of San Francisco Bay from 1,500 feet adds to the spectacular visuals. Weather in Chabot’s location in Joaquin Miller Park is variable, but if the conditions cooperate, there’s no better way to celebrate marvels on the sky from on the ground.

On New Year’s Eve, the space center’s 23rd annual Balloon Drop will feature hundreds of balloons falling from overhead indoors. “Strokes of midnight” unleash the lofty loads at 11 a.m., noon and 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Required tickets include museum admission. With space limited and often selling out, it’s best to purchase tickets soon.

The majesty of mature cacti and large-scale succulents and trees in Walnut Creek’s 2.5-acre Ruth Bancroft Garden fascinates visitors year-round, but the holiday season’s Garden of D’Lights is simply spectacular. Open on Dec. 30 and from Jan. 3-8 in 2023, the garden that was once part of a 400-acre fruit farm features the projection of colorful lights and lasers that illuminate giant agaves, towering yuccas and other dry garden plants during the holiday season.

The after-sunset experience is surprisingly dramatic: dark shadows contrast the bright or sparkly pink, green, blue, gold, red, orange, purple and multicolored lights that transform familiar plants into something resembling underwater or extraterrestrial creatures. It’s not scary but rather is gorgeous, upbeat and self-paced, making it an especially fun holiday outing for families with children.

People looking for a similar light-centric event west of the Caldecott Tunnel could try the Oakland Zoo’s Glowfari, featuring more than 100 animal-themed lanterns, train rides through a magical wonderland and more.

Nearby in Piedmont, New Year’s Eve will arrive at noon, courtesy of the city’s Recreation Department. The annual 1.5-hour celebration at the Piedmont Veterans Memorial Building on Highland Avenue will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 31 and offer music, crafts, a magic show and, of course, a balloon drop and countdown right before noon. Tickets for the family-friendly event are $10 with children younger than 2 admitted for free.

Another outing designed for families with young children is the Bay Area Children’s Theatre’s “Baby Rave at BACT Berkeley Central.” Proceeds from the daytime New Year’s Eve party will support the organization’s education outreach programs that offer free arts education to more than 25,000 children in Bay Area schools. Free matinees and in-school workshops provide students with opportunities to see or perform live theater. The party invites kids (and adults of all ages) to wiggle and go wild with finger-painting, crafts, dancing, snacks and a New Year’s Day countdown and toasts at midday.

Still looking for more adult-style suggestions? Walnut Creek’s Rooftop Restaurant & Bar will host a dinner party (a $95 ticket includes a $75 food-and-beverage allowance plus tax and tip) and, separately, an NYE After Party ($75) featuring DJ Stevieboy, party favors, dancing and a countdown to the ball drop (at actual midnight).

Also in Walnut Creek, the Boundary Oak Golf Course continues an annual tradition with a New Year’s dinner showcasing Chef Craig’s touch on oysters, shrimp, leg of lamb, prime rib, mushroom risotto and assorted salads and appetizers. The $125 ticket in addition to dinner offers champagne, party hats, noisemakers, DJ Jeno with classic and contemporary music for dancing and New Year’s Eve countdowns to East and West Coast ball drops.

Back over in Oakland, catch some last-of-the-year harmony with Anthony Hamilton and Chante Moore at the Paramount Theatre or grab dinner and get slayed by the always impressive Kenny Washington Quartet, this year presenting “A Big Easy Event” at the Sound Room on the city’s Broadway Auto Row.

Lou Fancher is a freelance writer. Contact her at lou@johnsonandfancher.com.

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FYI online

alamedacomedy.com/events/66118
uss-hornet.org/calendar/nye-gala-2022
yoshis.com/events/buy-tickets/boney-james-9/detail
chabotspace.org/calendar/23rd-annual-balloon-drop
ruthbancroftgarden.org/garden-of-dlights
oaklandzoo.org/programs-and-events/glowfari
bayareane.ws/piedrecdeptevents
bactheatre.org/baby-rave
rooftopwc.com
paramountoakland.org/events/detail/anthony-hamilton
bayareane.ws/kennywashingtonNYE