You can ring in the New Year at restaurants and parties in Manteca and Ripon or venture out of town to try something a bit different.
Manteca Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6311 is hosting a New Year’s dinner with dancing at the VFW Hall on Moffat Boulevard on Sunday, Dec. 31, starting with happy hour at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and dancing until 12:30 p.m.  The prime rib dinner is catered by Fagundes Meats while dance music is being provided by Dakota & Johnny & DJ Ozzy.  Included in the price of admission as the dinner, party favors and a midnight champagne toast and all the dancing you can handle. Tickets are $45. For tickets call (562) 458-0735 or the VFW Hall (209) 823-8700. 
Ripon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1051 is hosting a New Year’s dinner with dancing at the VFW Hall at 12455 W. Ripon Road, Ripon, on Sunday, Dec. 31, starting with dinner at 6 p.m. followed by dancing to DJ Tim’s music. The $55 ticket covers a prime rib dinner with all the fixings as well as all drinks from 6 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are available at the post canteen. Call 209.599.6815 for more information.
As for a different way to spend the final hours of 2017 and celebrate the first few minutes of 2018, look no further than the Pacific Ave Bowl in Stockton, which will be host a “Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Bash!”
That’s the theme for Sunday’s family bowling event to welcome 2018.
Pacific Bowl is located at 5939 Pacific Ave., with the New Year’s Eve bash from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. consisting of cosmic bowling, hourly drink specials, free raffle prizes throughout the night, and “Live DJ on the Lanes.”
There will also be a midnight toast with cider included.
Cost is $23 for adults, $20 for league bowlers and $12 for bowlers age 15 and younger.
For more information, log on to www.pacificbowl.com.

In other New Year’s Eve events in the area:
Rosa’s at the Tower Park, 14900 W. Hwy 12 in Lodi, will host a “Party Time” extravaganza consisting of dinner (prime rib, lobster) at 6 p.m., music by Flat Busted (9 o’clock), and champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. Cost is $75 with dinner or a $10 cover charge for those not dining. Information: 209.365.0131.
Whirlow’s at 1926 Pacific Ave. will present “New York, New Year’s Eve Party” from 6 to 10:30 p.m. The red-carpet event will feature live music and dancing by ‘Out N About’ along with appetizers, salads, chicken Francesca, grilled salmon, party favors and champagne toast. Cost is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Information: 209.466.2823.
Mile Wine Company, 2113 Pacific Ave., will feature the music of Geoff & Gayle from 7 to 10 p.m., and DJ Pojo from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.  The New Year’s Eve celebration will begin at 5 o’clock. Information: www.milewinecompany.com.
The Reserve at Spanos Park, 6301 W. Eight Mile Rd., will have “New Year’s Eve 2018” from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., offering up a champagne toast, cash bar, ball drop and dancing, to name a few. Music will be provided by Marquis Entertainment. Cost is $ 50 presale, $60 at the door. Information: 209.477.4653, ext. 28.
Taps Bar-N-Grill, 222 N. El Dorado St., will go retro for 2018 with a ‘70s and ‘80s dress theme. The Throwback Disco Night event will toast the New Year with champagne (bottle service is also available). Information: 209.948.4005.
Fleet Feet at Lincoln Center will have another PJ 2 Mile Run & Walk, kicking off at midnight. This 13th annual family event will offer up hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, and other treats. Raffle prizes featuring more than $2,000 in gift cards and merchandise will follow. Cost is $20 ($25 on Dec. 31). Information: www.fleetfeetstockton.com.
The Deliberation Room at 19 N. California St. in downtown is having a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball. This prohibition-themed restaurant and bar will have drink specials and a midnight balloon drop. Cost is $10 for those in masquerade attire, $15 for those without costume. Information: 209.910.9477.
Click on to www.visitstockton.org for more New Year’s Eve events.