Things To Do

41 Awesome Things to do this New Year’s Eve Weekend in L.A. [12-29-17 to 12-31-17]

December 28, 2017 by We Like L.A. Staff

Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome.

Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

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This New Year’s Eve weekend in L.A.(December 29-31) includes the annual public NYE celebration in Grand Park, fireworks in Marina del Rey, Cleopatra’s Ball at the Egyptian Theatre, a Minimal Effort New Year’s Eve party, ‘Noon Year’s Eve’ for kids, Postmodern Jukebox at the Disney Concert Hall,  and MUCH more.

As a special reminder, Metro will be offering free rides for New Year’s Eve. Whatever you decide to do for the evening, be sure to celebrate safely!

Also remember you can always go to our L.A. events calendar page to get an updated rundown of what’s happening around the city.

Enjoy!

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Grand Park NYE 2017

Photo courtesy Grand Park / The Music Center


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Friday December 29th, 2017

1. CHILL Adventure Park returns to the Queen Mary in Long Beach from December 13 through January 7. Come experience ice bumper cars, ice skating, an Alpine Zip Line and more chill themed activities. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. Happening all week. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) Starting December 24, 2017 all Firefighters can show their badge at the ticketing booth for a free Grand Expedition pass, and up to 50% off Grand Expedition passes for their families as well.

2.  Snow Days at Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena continue through this Saturday. Bring the kiddos and enjoy real snow, a winter art installation, cookie decorating, a world dance performance from the group Arte Flamenco and learn about the science of snow.

3. Winter Fest Returns to OC Fairgrounds (Dec. 21 to Jan. 7) will offer an all-new festival of lights, snow summit, winter bounce houses, outdoor ice skating, ice tubing, snowfall and the man of the season, Santa Claus. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 

4. Rockwell: Table & Stage present the unauthorized musical parody of John Hughes classic Home Alone. Happening Thursday through the weekend. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

5. Arturo Sandoval and the LA All Stars come to the Catalina Bar & Grill for a special performance this Friday at 8:30 p.m. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

6. This week Primus comes to The Wiltern for their The Ambushing The Storm Tour. They will play two shows: Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.

7. The Rink in Downtown Burbank returns with a festive ice-skating event from December 14 through January 7. Check for discount tickets while supplies last. Happening all week. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

8. The Holiday Light Festival Train Ride at Griffith Park is a festive one mile ride on the tracks with tens of thousands of lights to get you in the Holiday spirit. Running now through December 23 and then again from December 26 to December 30.

9. Sherman Oaks resident Mike Ziemkowski’s elaborate Christmas themed animatronic characters will return once again with Lights on Display a dazzling light show with a playlist of holiday tunes spun by the beloved DJ Jingles. The show runs every night until January 1, 2018. FREE

10. One of L.A.’s most magical holiday traditions, LA Zoo Lights returns November 17 through January 7 with thousands upon thousands of LED lights glowing up the zoo. For NYE enjoy a dinner buffet, have a carousel ride, dance to DJ-spun tunes and watch a live broadcast of the Times Square ball drop. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

11. Take a Downtown Los Angeles foodie walking tour and savor what the bustling neighborhood has to offer. The tour is three hours long, participants will stop at six popular spots to eat and the tour guide will take folks through the history of DTLA. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

Saturday, December 30th, 2017

12. Insomniac returns to the NOS Event Center in San Bernardino December 30- 31 for its annual Countdown NYE music festival. Now in its fourth year, it has become the largest NYE gathering on the West Coast with over 40 dance-music artists performing, including deadmau5, Porter Robinson, Diplo and Flosstradamus.

13. Pasadena Architectural Legacy Tours is offering two walking excursions this Saturday one in the Pasadena Hillcrest Neighborhood Tour and the other in the Pasadena Playhouse District Tour.

14. Star Wars: The Last Jedi will screen at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood starting this Friday. Experience an intergalactic Laser Lightsaber Show before the movie and check out real costumes from the film up close. Happening all week. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

15. The Grand Chapiteau at Dodger Stadium will be home to Cirque du Soleil’s new big-top show LUZIA. Inspired by the rich culture Mexico, the dazzling acrobatic performance will be heightened by brassy Mexican and Latin American sounds. Happening all week. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

16. The Museum of Failure has landed in Los Angeles at A+D Architecture and Design Museum in the Arts District. Exhibits include some of recent history’s biggest commercial flops, including Donald Trump’s board game, the Harley-Davidson Perfume, the Apple Newton, the Betamax, Google Glass, and more. Check for discount tickets while supplies. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

17. Get into the winter spirit when ICE at Santa Monica returns with a 8,000 square foot ice skating rink. Running November 1, 2017 through January 5, 2018

Sunday, December 31st, 2017

18. Grand Park + The Music Center’s 2018 NYE celebration is one of the largest, most festive (and free!) ways to ring in the new year. Just you and a couple thousand of your fellow angelenos counting down the end of 2017 with music, dancing, large-scale art installations, fireworks in one of the city’s best public spaces. FREE

19. New Year’s Eve on The Queen Mary with Sir Mix-a-Lot will be accompanied by a casino, fireworks and plenty of dancing, drinks and food. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

20. Those strapped for cash can head over to Angel City Brewery for their 4th annual New Years celebration where there is no cover charge. Doors open at noon and live music will begin at 8 p.m. with food and specially beers being served all night. Complimentary Bir Royales will be passed out at midnight to toast the new year.

21. Prohibition NYE transforms Union Station into the glamorous and roaring 1920s. Guests will enjoy theatrical burlesque, live jazz ensembles, DJ spun tunes, a ball drop and a premium open bar featuring champagne and specialty cocktails.

22. “Everyone’s Annual NYE Morning Hike to The Wisdom Tree” returns December 31 for the last hike of the year! Hikers are encouraged to wear black and gold, party hats, and poppers in honor of the New Year’s Eve theme. FREE

23. Spend a festive New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney Concert Hall with the musical stylings of Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox! Renowned for their throwback renditions of current and contemporary hits by the likes of Macklemore, Beyonce, Sia the night one to remember. Dress up in your 1920s best and arrive early to enjoy 10-cent cocktails from the retro speakeasy. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

24. Big Bar will ring in 2018 ten times! That’s right, the Los Feliz bar is going all out celebrating each timezone on Sunday through special themed cocktails and playlists inspired by each region.

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25. Kidspace Noon Years Eve allows kiddos to ring in 2018 at a reasonable hour. The party begins at 10 a.m. and includes a ginormous balloon drop at noon, sparkling cider for toasting, noisemakers, DJ tunes and more.

26. New Year’s Eve Ball at The Edison in Downtown Los Angeles features Parlor Social performing old-time Harlem Renaissance Jazz, stilters gliding through venue and aerialists performing live air stunts. There will also be a DJ, old-timey cocktails and food, alongside Absinthe fairies.

27. Marina del Rey New Year’s Eve Fireworks & Glow Party at Burton Chase Park will ring in the new year twice! One to celebrate the East Coast at 9 p.m. with a broadcast of the 30-second countdown during the Times Square ball drop followed by a ten-minute fireworks display. Round two will include a count down and another ten-minute fireworks display. The entire evening will also include live DJs, dancers, a circuit breaker robot, kids activities, food trucks and more. FREE

28. Plant-based restaurant Crossroads will host a special tasting menu on New Years Eve featuring a six course menu with Champagne and party favors (when the clock strikes midnight.) They’ll also be televising the iconic Time Square ball drop.

29. The 9th Annual Cleopatra New Year’s Eve Ball happening at Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre’s Courtyard will include two indoor themed venues, open bars all night, light shows and DJs spinning a wide range of music. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

30. Minimal Effort is throwing a music fueled party at the historic MacArthur in Downtown Los Angeles.Ring in the New Year with performances by Justin Martin, DJ Tennis, Jimmy Edgar, J.Phlip, DJ Three, Ardalan, Human Resources and more.

31. 80’s themed bar Break Room 86 presents a New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Flash back to the past and enjoy a five-hour premium open bar, and rock out to a live DJ spinning your favorite tunes. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

32. Classic Hollywood Roosevelt New Year’s Eve will have five top DJs, an open bar (five hours), multiple rooms and party favors to ring in the new year in style.

33. Tiki No’s Sunday karaoke night will get a New Year’s Eve theme this weekend. There will be party favors and a champagne toast for the big moment at midnight.

34. Dita Von Teese’s New Year’s Eve Gala Show at the Ace Hotel will bring some serious heat to New Years Eve with some new performances and special guests like Jonny McGovern, Violet Chachki, Dirty Martini and Dita’s high-stepping Vontourage Alek Palinski and Elio Martinez.

35. The Brighter Future NYE Party comes to Culver City featuring an open bar, DJs, local artist showcases, and an interactive photo booth experience.

36. Wolf will host a black-tie bash that includes a six course menu (vegetarian options are available.) Guests will be welcomed with bellinis and move onto oysters, white truffle risotto and much more.

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37. Midnight Along The Riviera happening at the Sofitel will feature DJs spinning top tune in four different rooms, a five hour open bar and more. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

38. Stop by the Shade Hotel in Redondo Beach for a Cuban-style New Year Eve celebration with live entertainment, a Mojito bar, complimentary fedoras, live Cigar Rollers and much more.

39. New Year’s Eve Night Dive at Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific will feature live bands in the Great Hall, DJs spinning in the galleries, contortionists, acrobatics and a confetti countdown.

40. There’s a Rock Horror Picture Show parody happening at the Rockwell: Table & Stage. In A Rocky New Year’s Eve, you’ll enjoy a special New Year’s dinner as Dr. Frank N. Furter and friends dazzle on the stage. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

41. The Raymond & 1886 Bar will host a dance party with cocktails by 1886, food by Chef Tim Guiltinan and music by Heat Maxwell. There will also be a midnight champagne toast, party favors and other entertainment.

BONUS: For even more New Years Eve Happenings check out our Huge List of Things to Do for New Years Eve in Los Angeles.


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