With the New Year quickly approaching, we have listed places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles including some of the best-known locations as well as off-the-beaten path suggestions. With a city as large as Los Angeles, there are many places to sing Auld Lang Syne, raise a glass of bubbles, or take in the spectacle of midnight partiers. From lavish masquerades, to free and open parks, the City offers a range of celebrations for any budget. This list of the essential places to celebrate the New Year in LA is a good place to start planning an unforgettable New Year’s eve with family and friends.
Prohibition NYE at Union Station – $175+
Prohibition NYE is in its 8th year at Union Station and celebrates the New Year in Roaring Twenties-style with theatrical burlesque, live jazz ensembles and DJ sets, and a premium open bar.
The Bungalow – $150+
KCRW presents a Casino Royale-themed evening at The Bungalow in Santa Monica. There will be dancing, casino games, premium hosted bar and more.
L.A Zoo Lights – $74+
Your entire family can bring in the New Year together surrounded by glowing animals, giant glittering snowflakes and dynamic colors at the La Zoo. Enjoy dinner, games, and dancing while waiting to watch a live broadcast of the Time Square ball drop. There will be complimentary champagne for adult and sparkling cider for kids.
Santa Monica Playhouse NYE Show – $69+
Santa Monica’s very own Playhouse puts on a family-friendly musical that includes prizes, sing-a-longs, dancing, and comedy. With two shows at 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., your family can bring in the New Year with complimentary party hats, tiaras, noisemakers, and other surprises. Reservations are required for both show time and can be made online.
Grand Park + The Music Center – FREE
Grand Park’s NYE party is the flagship celebration for the West Coast where families can get together for music, food, and photo booth fun. Watch the countdown be projected on City Hall. This is an alcohol-free event.
Marina del Rey – FREE
Catch one of two firework shows being put on in the Marina del Rey – the first show is at 8:59 p.m. and the second is at 11:59 p.m., ringing in the new year. Take a Hornblower Cruise, grab dinner at one of the waterfront cafes, or hang out at the Glow Party taking place in Burton Chace Park.
Shoreline Village in Long Beach – FREE
Here’s your opportunity to catch fireworks down in the South Bay. Shoreline Village will have live music, fire dancers, and refreshments available for purchase. Watch the fireworks at 9 p.m. from the Nautilus Shell and another at midnight from the Queen Mary.
Santa Monica Pier – FREE
While the Santa Monica Pier doesn’t have any official celebrations or fireworks of its own, the Pier is a great spot to view the fireworks being launched along the coast from Point Dume to Palos Verdes. Head down early and go on any of Pacific Park’s 12 rides, including the famous Ferris wheel where you can see the coast and city-scape from 130 feet over the water. If you miss riding the Ferris wheel for midnight, you can watch the countdown in 90-foot tall numbers from the Pier below. If you can’t venture out, why not live-stream the Pacific Wheel lights as they count down to the New Year – beats watching a rerun of Ryan Seacrest in Times Square! Check out what Pacific Park did previously for the countdown on our Youtube channel.