New Year’s Eve events in Los Angeles

Marina del Rey rings in the new year with two pyro-filled countdowns. The waterfront city has fireworks at both 9pm and midnight (or a minute before, to be precise). While the fireworks are set off near Burton Chace Park (which hosts a family-friendly “glow party” from 7pm to midnight), all of the restaurants with harbor views should have visibility of the fireworks. Some of the restaurants host ticket dinners for a pricey cost, so we suggest finding a spot along the water and enjoying the fireworks for free.

Getting out for New Year’s Eve can become one of the priciest dates of the year, but thankfully DTLA’s Grand Park continues to offer an affordable and family-friendly option for the holiday—and one that’s back in-person after a few years of virtual celebrations. Flanked by the Music Center and City Hall, every inch of this three-block greenspace and three other surrounding blocks will be covered in culture, including City Hall, which will be used as a 22-story canvas for a countdown projection.

Travel back to the 1920s for this massive Prohibition era-themed NYE party, set in Downtown’s 1930s Art Deco marvel, Union Station. The handsome station serves as the decadent celebration’s backdrop, featuring a DJ set from Chromeo, a jazz ensemble, burlesque dancers, custom cocktails and champagne. The fabulously dressed 21-plus crowd sets the scene—formal, Roaring Twenties attire is encouraged (think: flapper dresses, feathered headbands, tuxedos, top hats and spats). Stick around for the NYE countdown and dropping of a 60-foot custom ball!

See our photos from Prohibition New Year’s Eve.

Love music festivals and dance clubs in theory, but hate the pretentious clusterf*ckery they offer in practice? You’re just the audience for this low-key dance party, which gives indie pop music buffs a no-frills place to dance that doesn’t feel like a sweaty fashion show. Dance Yourself Clean started in Seattle and now puts on weekly events throughout the country—including this New Year’s Eve show at the Teragram.

Most New Year’s Eve parties in L.A. celebrate the stroke of midnight on the West Coast, and a bunch mark the ball drop on the East Coast, as well. But Big Bar celebrates the occasion with 10 countdowns. That’s 10 different playlists with 10 original cocktails for each hour—and this year’s event is themed to outer space. Admission is free, and though you’ll need to otherwise pay for your drinks, there’s a complimentary champagne toast at midnight (actual midnight).

Go on rides during the day and stick around for a midnight fireworks display at Universal Studios Hollywood’s New Year’s Eve celebration. You’ll find multiple genre-themed party areas around the park (typically in Universal Plaza, Springfield and near Jurassic World: The Ride) with desserts, beer, wine and champagne available for purchase at each.

What kid doesn’t love to go to Disneyland? And on New Year’s Eve, the theme park stays open late (to 2am) and has even more magical happenings. We all know Disneyland does fireworks nearly nightly, but on New Year’s Eve they have a special showing in honor of the new year. Many of the restaurants inside the park also have special events or menus for the holiday, so do your research and get a reservation. You’ll have two chances to watch the fireworks: at 9pm and midnight. Just make sure to book your park reservation ASAP.

Descanso Gardens’ light-up experience ditches the kitsch aesthetic typical at many venues in favor of a whimsical, wondrous, curiosity-driven display that’s among L.A.’s most stunning and, more importantly, most fun. The interactive, nighttime program sets up illuminated installations around the botanical garden grounds, from luminescent forests to free-standing hands-on art pieces.

The on-foot spiritual successor to the old nearby DWP Holiday Lights, most of the displays here are inspired by the zoo’s wild residents (elephants, giraffes, koalas and condors, among them). For New Year’s Eve, the zoo is adding on the option of a family-friendly celebration, with dinner and desserts served in a dedicated area ($90).

Step back into the 1920s—when this swanky DTLA hotel was built—for the Biltmore’s New Year’s Eve celebration. The party in the lavish Crystal Ballroom includes over 40 performers, swing music, dancers, photo ops and themed cocktails—and, this year, some elaborate artistry from the folks at the Labyrinth Masquerade Ball. You can even take a tour of one of the hotel’s century-old speakeasy tunnels. General admission tickets only include a welcome cocktail, so you’ll have to pay out of pocket for the rest of the evening.