The Santa Ana Star Casino includes a family fun bowling center that is open for families on New Year's Eve day. There is typically no cover charge and families receive a complimentary non-alcholic beverage to toast in the New Year throughout the day. Families can begin bowling before lunch and continue until the countdown at midnight or they can simply come in and bowl a few rounds and move on to the next event.
The Bosque Event Center at the Santa Ana Star Casino hosts traditional New Year's Parties. These parties include live music for dancing and a buffet meal for a cost of about $40 per person or $60 per couple. Individuals can choose from an earlier party or a later party to attend and will receive complimentary entrance into the casino's New Year's Eve countdown and a champaigne toast.
The Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort in Rio Rancho offers special New Year's Eve packages each year. The party-only packages include party favors, champaigne toasts and live music for dancing. The party starts at 8 p.m. and lasts until after the midnight countdown. The packages can include staying at the resort for the night for an additional fee. The resort includes a spa, golf course, horseback riding and hot-air balloon rides for additional costs.
Rio Rancho has a number of wonderful local restaurants which offer a special menu for New Year's Eve. Joe's Pasta House requires reservations and offers an inclusive menu with appetizers, main courses, and desserts. The restaurant opens at 4 p.m. and stays open until the last person leaves. The Fat Squirrel Pub and Grille offers a more casual menu for New Year's Eve including pretzels, hot dogs and sandwiches. The restaurant shows the ball dropping in New York and also offers a champagne toast at midnight.