New Years is so exciting! I love being with my friends and family watching the ball in New York City drop. I also love doing something out of the ordinary whether it’s celebrating at my house or going somewhere like Disneyland! Life here in southern California offers great opportunity for having fun, and there’s nothing like New Year’s to bring out the celebration and bring everyone out of their homes to party together. With all the abundance all around it was hard to choose just a few, but here it is, five events you might find exciting! They are open to all ages too!
Universal City’s CityWalk
CityWalk is near the heart of Hollywood and every year they put on CityRockin’ New Year’s Eve! There’s shopping, restaurants, a movie theater, and most importantly live entertainment! CityWalk is awesome because of it’s live bands. On New Year’s they really top themselves complete with an electronic clock countdown and the most amazing amounts of Confetti I have personally ever witnessed in Los Angeles. CityWalk’s party is considered LA’s largest FREE New Year’s Party. A small tip: the line getting out of the parking lot at the end of the evening is very long, so if you have a chance to carpool or take the Metro Red Line that stops at the foot of CityWalk’s hill, go for it.
Downtown Long Beach
Every year the Queen Mary in Downtown Long Beach has a New Year’s celebration. While the celebration on the boat is for people 21 and over, it doesn’t mean there isn’t fun to be had in LB! You can head down to the Waterfront, and gather at the Nautical Shell. There’s live music, face painting, and fireworks that start at 9pm. Restaurants in the area also host some exciting events for Long Beach partygoers. If you sign up fast enough you can also have a sleepover at the Aquarium of the Pacific!
Woodland Hills Ice
We may not have the world’s largest skating rink like the one in Ottawa, Canada, but for a sunny place like California, there are quite a lot of them here. You can find ice skating rinks all around the LA area this time of year, but the Woodland Hills Ice skating rink is said to be one of the most exciting winter traditions in Los Angeles. Their New Year’s Eve Party is from 6pm-1am. It’s $25 to skate, get skate rentals, and eat dinner. You will also get to watch the ball drop at 9pm and then again at midnight! So watcha waiting for? Make plans, get moving, and go skating.
If you’ll still be reeling with ice Skating rush the next morning, head back for their Annual Stroller Skate, where moms bring their little ones in strollers. 8:00am – 10:00am.
Disneyland in Anaheim
Disneyland is considered the place of happiness, but it’s filled with extra happiness during New Years. You can have fun on the rides until 2am while listening to live bands. There are tons of festivities throughout the park including an awesome fireworks show. The popular Disney Christmas parade, fireworks show, and snowfall will also still be there! Here’s a inside look at last year’s festivities.
Hollywood
The El Capitan Theatre is showing TRON now and until January 20th in Disney Digital 3D™ – an awesome idea for New Years, since the El Capitan is famous for taking any movie going outing and making it into a complete experience. Before the movie starts, the audience is treated to a state-of-the-art laser light show, Selected items from the movie are also on display, and before every screening, they will giveaway one pair of tickets to Disney California Adventure™!
Pasadena Rose Parade
Although the parade is on New Year’s Day, you can rest up and drive out there early to catch a spot. The famous Rose Parade features numerous flower-coated floats, student and professional bands, and equestrians. This year’s parade theme is “Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories,” and the grand marshal is Paula Dean. The 122nd Rose Parade will begin Saturday, January 1, 2011 at 8:00 a.m.
Got any ideas for celebrating the new year? I’d love to hear them!