{"id":480219,"date":"2025-12-30T14:34:18","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T14:34:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/480219\/"},"modified":"2025-12-30T14:34:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-30T14:34:18","slug":"15-things-to-do-this-new-years-eve-in-l-a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/480219\/","title":{"rendered":"15 things to do this New Year\u2019s Eve in L.A."},"content":{"rendered":"

This Wednesday is New Year\u2019s Eve<\/a>, and we\u2019ve been hard\u00a0at work researching the best events<\/a>\u2014from fireworks<\/a> to parties<\/a> to free festivities<\/a>\u2014where you can go to bid a \u201cgood riddance\u201d to 2025. Between pyrotechnic-filled celebrations at theme parks, Downtown music festivals, cocktail parties, comedy shows and even ice skating, there\u2019s something here to fit every need, whether you\u2019re looking to stay out all night or be in bed before the clock strikes midnight (though it\u2019s still TBD how some of these events\u00a0may be affected by the rain predicted in this week\u2019s forecast<\/a>). Whatever your perfect\u00a0celebration looks like, we\u2019ll help you make it a memorable New Year\u2019s. Hello, 2026! (Please be good\u2026)
<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Celebrate at a massive free block party<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Going out for New Year\u2019s Eve can become one of the priciest dates of the year, but thankfully DTLA\u2019s Gloria Molina Grand Park continues to offer an affordable and family-friendly option for the holiday. Flanked by the Music Center and City Hall, every inch of this three-block green space and three surrounding blocks will be covered in culture, including City Hall, which will be used as a 22-story canvas for a countdown projection enhanced with vibrant visuals.<\/p>\n

During this year\u2019s event, which will pay tribute to the resilience L.A. showed throughout 2025, crowds will groove to a soundtrack of DJ-driven tunes and live bands\u2014including rapper Ruby Ibarra, Ceci Bastida and Bardo\u2014across a pair of stages while hitting up a selection of 30 local food trucks (but do note: There\u2019s no alcohol permitted or sold here). While you\u2019re there, get your portrait taken by Community Collage, which is in the process of photographing 40,000 Angelenos for public murals leading up to the 2028 Olympics<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you attempt to drive, you\u2019ll find $10 parking at the Music Center, but taking Metro<\/a> is a much better bet\u2014especially since fares tend to be free for NYE.<\/p>\n

\"EVE
\nPhotograph: Courtesy David Sprague\/Universal Studios <\/p>\n

2. Seek some thrills at a theme park<\/strong><\/p>\n

Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland and Knott\u2019s Berry Farm\u2014called Knott\u2019s \u201cMerry\u201d Farm this time of year\u2014all stay open late and host countdown festivities and fireworks on New Year\u2019s Eve. Disneyland<\/a> has two displays of its \u201cNew Year\u2019s Eve Fantasy in the Sky\u201d show at 9pm and midnight, while Knott\u2019s<\/a> also offers family-friendly swing-dancing lessons and comedy, and EVE at Universal<\/a>\u00a0hosts\u00a0themed parties and live entertainment at Universal Plaza, Springfield and near Jurassic World: The Ride.<\/p>\n

3. Watch a fireworks show<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Theme parks aren\u2019t the only places shooting off fireworks on December 31. You can also catch a couple of free dazzling displays along the water.\u00a0Marina del Rey<\/a> rings in the new year with two pyro-filled countdowns: at both 9pm and midnight (or a minute before, to be precise). While the fireworks are set off near Burton Chace Park (which also hosts a family-friendly \u201cglow party\u201d from 7pm to midnight), all of the restaurants with harbor views should have visibility of the fireworks. Some of the restaurants host ticketed (read: pricey) dinners, so if you don\u2019t feel like spending a lot, we suggest finding a spot along the water and enjoying the fireworks for free.<\/p>\n

Or you can head to\u00a0downtown Long Beach<\/a> to catch its\u00a0waterfront fireworks show at midnight. You can\u00a0glimpse the display from pretty much anywhere near the water, like Shoreline Park and Shoreline Village, and you can expect dinner specials and parties at plenty of local businesses nearby (including the Queen Mary\u2014more on that below).<\/p>\n

Lastly, if you\u2019re up for a trek to Orange County, the annual Winter Fest OC<\/a> in Costa Mesa\u2014a\u00a0holiday event with light walk-throughs, snow play, ice tubing and photo ops aplenty\u2014is hosting its own NYE celebration, staying open late to ring in the new year with DJ sets, tunes from tribute band Queen Nation and a fireworks show at midnight.<\/p>\n

\"Disco
\nPhotograph: Courtesy Giorgio\u2019s Discotheque <\/p>\n

4. Mask up at a masquerade<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry: We mean the fun kind of mask. Several celebrations bidding farewell to 2025 have adopted a masquerade theme this year. Embrace the Eyes Wide Shut\/Fifty Shades Darker vibes with an ornate getup at these mysterious masked balls.<\/p>\n

At the Queen Mary\u2019s Masquerade Soir\u00e9e<\/a>, you can travel between elegant ballrooms and secret speakeasies on the opulent ocean liner, where each deck will be transformed into a distinct experience. Also on board will be roaming performers, fortune tellers, magicians, casino games, burlesque performances and dueling pianos. When the clock strikes midnight, share a New Year\u2019s kiss under a dazzling fireworks display over the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n

In Downtown L.A., Level 8\u2019s Midnight Masquerade<\/a>\u00a0will fill\u00a0the eight venues of the Houston Brothers\u2019 nightlife destination with an immersive world of spectacle and live entertainment, from aerial artists and burlesque dancers to magicians and illusionists to DJs and live bands. Wander throughout the different concepts\u2014including Que B\u00e1rbaro, Lucky Mizu, Mr. Wanderlust, Maison Kasai, Brown Sheep, Mother of Pearl and rooftop bar Golden Hour\u2014there\u2019s even a luchador wrestling match on the lineup. To eat, there will be passed hors d\u2019oeuvres and globally inspired bites, which you can pair with premium cocktails from the four-hour open bar (8pm\u2013midnight). You\u2019ll have to spring for VIP tickets for access to the eighth venue, Sinners y Santos Nightclub.<\/p>\n

The ultra-exclusive, A-list favorite Giorgio\u2019s Discotheque is again popping up at West Hollywood hotel nightclub Sunset at EDITION for a New Year\u2019s Eve Black & White Masquerade Ball<\/a>\u00a0celebrating the end of the year with high-style hedonism. Dance underneath 400 disco balls to a soundtrack from Studio 54 original DJ Nick Siano and Heidi Lawden. Your ticket will get you a welcome drink; if you want, make a whole night of it and start off with dinner at the hotel\u2019s five-star Ardor<\/a> ($275).<\/p>\n

And Maxim once again takes over the Hollywood Roosevelt for the magazine\u2019s Black and White Masquerade Ball<\/a>, transforming the historic hotel into a glitzy winter wonderland for the night. Don your best semi-formal or cocktail attire (required) and masquerade mask (provided upon entry), and walk the red carpet amid celebs and models before enjoying live entertainment, music, photo ops and festive party favors to take home.<\/p>\n

\"Yamashiro\"
\nPhotograph: Kit Leong\/Shutterstock.com <\/p>\n

5. Sip cocktails at a swanky soiree<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

If you still want sexy vibes but don\u2019t want to cover up your NYE look with a mask, there are plenty of other parties you can dress to the nines for. Cocktail attire is required at Skybar\u2019s party<\/a>, which offers a four-hour open bar, plus a midnight champagne toast and skyline views. Given the weather, the pool will be covered and transformed into a light-up dance floor, so you can groove into the new year to tunes by DJ Thurston.<\/p>\n

Nearby, the h.wood Group\u2019s celeb-favored, \u201920s-inspired lounge-slash-supper club Delilah<\/a> will be ringing in the new year in style. Dine on selections from the handpicked \u00e0 la carte menu (buttermilk fried oysters, anyone?) and join in a champagne toast at midnight. (Note: Wiz Khalifa was originally scheduled to perform, but has since had to cancel.)<\/p>\n

You can also welcome 2026 against sweeping views of L.A. from a hilltop perch at Yamashiro<\/a>. The Japanese restaurant\u2014housed inside a historic Hollywood mansion from 1911\u2014will host a bash with a premium open bar and a DJ spinning hip-hop, house and top 40 tunes, capped off with a champagne countdown and party favors.<\/p>\n

\"A
\nPhotograph: Courtesy Insomniac <\/p>\n

6. Get in the groove at a music festival<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ring in the new year with confetti, pyro and thousands of your closest friends at Countdown<\/a>, touted as the largest New Year\u2019s Eve celebration on the West Coast. John Summit, Above & Beyond, Pryda, Madeon and a couple dozen other dance acts top Insomniac\u2019s year-end fest, which moves from San Bernardino to Downtown L.A. this year\u2014the L.A. Convention Center, to be precise. Advance tickets are sold out, but check the fest\u2019s official ticket resale page for a way in.<\/p>\n

The Gatsby-esque Prohibition NYE bash that typically took over Union Station at the end of the year seems to be no more\u2014at least for now\u2014but in its place this year is the also-KCRW-presented Resolutions<\/a>, which will fill the historic train station with a party stretching from 8pm on New Year\u2019s Eve into New Year\u2019s Day<\/a>\u00a0itself. On December 31, hear a three-hour set by Bonobo; the next day, German techno duo \u00c2me, plus Colyn, Jimi Jules and Marsh will perform, accompanied by state-of-the-art production, 10-point sound and visual elements, making for an immersive sonic experience.<\/p>\n

\"A
\n\u00a9DR <\/p>\n

7. Rock out with the Roots<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Justly venerated Philadelphia rap crew the Roots, anchored by Black Thought and Questlove, will take a recess from the Tonight Show stage to bring their jazzy take on hip-hop to L.A. for two year-end concerts at the Walt Disney Concert Hall this New Year\u2019s Eve. KCRW\u2019s Novena Carmel will kick things off with a DJ set and complimentary champagne toast. After the show, you can walk across the street and join the free N.Y.E.L.A.<\/a> celebration at Gloria Molina Grand Park.<\/p>\n

8. Ring in 2026 at a rooftop bar<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gain some perspective with a bird\u2019s-eye view of L.A. at one of these rooftop bars\u2014you might even be able to spot some NYE fireworks from above. Pioneertown-by-way-of-Hollywood Desert 5 Spot is once again hosting its Honky Tonk New Year\u2019s Eve<\/a> celebration, complete with music from country singers Johnny Travis Jr. and Nikki Lane and a live set by DJ Revel. At midnight, you can supplement the five-hour premium open bar and passed hors d\u2019oeuvres with a special tequila toast\u2014who needs champagne?<\/p>\n

Downtown, the Freehand hotel will bring the house down during its Higher Grooves NYE Rooftop Party<\/a> at rooftop oasis Broken Shaker. Local music collectives Made to Move\u202fand LOW Recordings have curated a lineup of artists\u2014agrayb\u00e9, Akumen, Andy Oro, Beggar, Dirt Vibes and Naomi Green\u2014who will be spinning infectious house, disco and electronic music all night long. Grab a handcrafted cocktail and dance with the DTLA skyline as your backdrop. The best part: Entry is free (last year there was a complimentary champagne toast at midnight too).<\/p>\n

Osa Rooftop<\/a>\u2014Pasadena\u2019s new and only rooftop bar, located atop the AC Hotel\u2014is celebrating its first New Year\u2019s Eve with a party, complete with a premium open bar, light fare from the menu of California cuisine, live DJ performances and hillside views. Take note: The hotel sits along the route of the Rose Parade<\/a>, Pasadena\u2019s world-famous New Year\u2019s Day tradition, and is offering a front-row seat to the action, along with a brunch buffet, the\u00a0following morning from 7 to 11am ($125).<\/p>\n

9. Head to\u00a0a celebration with no cover charge<\/strong><\/p>\n

Every bar seems to be hosting some kind of shindig for New Year\u2019s, but often this means you\u2019ll need to buy a ticket that will cost upward of $100 to secure a spot. On the other hand, there\u2019s Angel City Brewery\u2019s<\/a> annual No Cover New Year\u2019s bash, which is going Art Deco this year, ringing in 2026 with gilded glamour and great beer. Dress to impress and show off your fabulous flapper energy at themed photo ops. As the name implies, there\u2019s no cover to attend\u2014just make sure to secure a seat early. You can grab dinner from ACB\u2019s on-site House Made food truck.<\/p>\n

And while most New Year\u2019s Eve parties in L.A. celebrate the stroke of midnight on the West Coast\u2014and a bunch mark the ball drop on the East Coast\u2014Los Feliz\u2019s Big Bar<\/a> celebrates the occasion with 10 countdowns. That\u2019s nine themed cocktails (for purchase) and one complimentary champagne toast at midnight. This year\u2019s \u201cAlice in Oz\u201d theme mashes up two fantasy favorites\u2014Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz outfits are encouraged\u2014and culminates in three cheers with a ruby glass.<\/p>\n

10. Cosplay at Clifton\u2019s Republic<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Any night at the historic Clifton\u2019s Republic is a whimsical, transporting experience, but the storied Downtown destination is upping the whimsy with its NYE Midwinter Monster\u2019s Ball, \u201ca gathering of creatures from every realm.\u201d Soak up the dark fantasy vibes as you dance under the boughs of the three-story faux redwood. Providing the soundtrack will be a lineup of both live music and DJs, including Machinedrum, who\u2019ll be performing a high-energy set right into midnight. Costumes are encouraged but not required\u2014though there will be a cosplay contest with a pretty covetable prize: dinner and an overnight stay at a four-star Santa Barbara hotel, with cash prizes for two runner-ups.<\/p>\n

\"Nikki
\nPhotograph: Luke Fontana <\/p>\n

11. Catch a comedy show<\/strong><\/p>\n

They say laughter is the best medicine\u2014and we could definitely use some cheering up after\u00a0making it through 2025. You\u2019ll be in good hands at a trio of comedy shows taking place December 31.\u00a0Spend New Year\u2019s Eve with A-list comedians including Nikki Glaser, Iliza Shlesinger, Patton Oswalt, Todd Glass and more, who\u2019ll take the stage at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre<\/a>\u2014an epic setting for a comedy show. (The show it starts at 6pm, so you might want to make plans for afterward\u2014luckily the Roosevelt is right down the street.)<\/p>\n

Each year, renowned career-launching comedy troupe the Groundlings puts on a New Year\u2019s Eve Spectacular<\/a>, full of improv and sketches. Add gourmet treats, wine and a traditional champagne toast at midnight, and you\u2019ve got everything you need for the perfect evening. You might even catch a glimpse of the next Will Ferrell or Lisa Kudrow while you\u2019re at it.<\/p>\n

And Dynasty Typewriter\u2019s namesake comedy show Dynasty Tonight!<\/a> brings stand-up and assorted entertainment to the theater, including for\u00a0this NYE show with sets from hilarious comedians\u00a0like\u00a0Aparna Nancherla, Brent Weinbach, Jared Logan, Ashley Ray and Tony Sam. Each ticket includes a champagne toast at midnight.<\/p>\n

12.\u00a0Add some puppets to the party<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

While all of the above celebrations sound amazing, you know what they\u2019re missing? Marionettes. Enter Ron Lynch\u2019s Tomorrow! NYE Party at Bob Baker Marionette Theater. The comedian\u2019s long-running, bizarre variety show\u2014filled with comedy, music and puppetry\u2014returns to the Highland Park theater for a 21+ New Year\u2019s Eve bash. The\u00a0show\u00a0will also feature a TBA lineup of all-star acts and\u00a0culminate with dancing at midnight.<\/p>\n

13. Count down early with the kiddos<\/strong><\/p>\n

If little ones are part of your New Year\u2019s celebration, chances are they won\u2019t be staying up with you till midnight. But there are earlier, family-friendly NYE options that are still lots of fun: Hands-on slime museum and playland Sloomoo Institute is hosting \u201cNoon Year\u2019s Eve<\/a>,\u201d counting down at 11:59am till an epic glittery slime drop cascades into the 350-gallon Lake Sloomoo, a la the Nickelodeon Kids\u2019 Choice Awards.<\/p>\n

And located just blocks from the ocean, Ice at Santa Monica<\/a> brings a bit of winter to the coastal city each year. The 8,000-square-foot outdoor rink on the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue will be\u00a0counting down to East Coast midnight (a.k.a. 9pm) at a family-friendly NYE celebration from 7:30\u201310pm.\u00a0<\/p>\n

14. Go ice skating<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

While they\u2019re not hosting\u00a0dedicated celebrations for New Year\u2019s Eve, there are other local rinks where you can glide and\u00a0spin the remainder of the year away. Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square<\/a> will be open till 10pm\u2014the perfect precursor to\u00a0subsequent Downtown reveling. And L.A. Kings Holiday Ice<\/a> at L.A. Live will be open till 12:30am, in case you want to spend the stroke midnight on the ice itself. Winter Fest OC<\/a> also boasts an ice rink, which you can enjoy before the fireworks show.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\nPhotograph: Time Out\/Michael Juliano <\/p>\n

15. See some pretty lights<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

And last but not least, we love the idea of doing something fun on New Year\u2019s Eve\u2014but being nice and cozy at home before the ball drops sounds\u00a0great too. To that end,\u00a0we have the perfect solution: these festive\u00a0displays that are keeping their lights on into early January.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t gotten the chance this winter, check out Enchanted Forest of Light<\/a> at Descanso Gardens. The interactive, nighttime program sets up illuminated installations around the botanical garden grounds, from luminescent forests to free-standing hands-on art pieces to the whimsical model railroad. It\u2019s open till 10pm on New Year\u2019s Eve. And at South Coast Botanic Garden, Astra Lumina<\/a>, an hour-long Palos Verdes light trail, guides you through nine cosmically mesmerizing installations. Time slots for visiting the celestial-inspired display are available through 8:45pm on New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This Wednesday is New Year\u2019s Eve, and we\u2019ve been hard\u00a0at work researching the best events\u2014from fireworks to parties…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":480220,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5123],"tags":[1582,276,10336,2961,224,5337,18632,1072],"class_list":{"0":"post-480219","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-los-angeles","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-california","10":"tag-categories-things-to-do","11":"tag-la","12":"tag-los-angeles","13":"tag-losangeles","14":"tag-news-events-festivals","15":"tag-things-to-do"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115809017758768080","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=480219"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480219\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/480220"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=480219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=480219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=480219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}