Still a school night

This dreadful year ends on a Sunday. To cater to the families, Visit Sacramento will be throwing the (extravagantly named) New Year’s Eve Sky Spectacular along the Old Sacramento waterfront on December 31. Starting at 6 p.m., there will be kid-friendly games, balloon animal artistry and a magician, who goes by the straightforward name of “Mr. Illusion.” For a quick bite, they’ll have snacks from Outta This World Concessions, What’s Poppin’? Kettle Corn and Rainbow Snow, which serves shaved ice. And if you’re still feeling hungry, Old Sac hosts the most luxe location of Willie’s Burgers (110 K Street) as well as Candy Heaven (1201 Front Street), home of the free samples of saltwater taffy. The band Thunder Cover will score the evening, and fireworks from multiple locations will go off at 9 p.m., so everybody can get their “oohs” and “aahs” before plenty of ZZZs or—if you don’t have to wake up early—alcohol.