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Best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California: December 29 to January 1
The City of Alhambra "Good Day Dreamin" float participates in the 136th Rose Parade Presented By Honda on January 01, 2025 in Pasadena.
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Jerod Harris
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Getty Images
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Our Picks
Happy New Year! We here at LAist are wishing you all the best for a fun and safe New Year’s Eve. As you’re making those last-minute end-of-year donations, don’t forget to click that donate button so we can keep you in the loop on all the best things going on in L.A. in 2026 and for years to come.
Our friends at Licorice Pizza will surely be hitting the town this holiday week; they suggest checking out Faster Pussycat at the Whisky on Tuesday, or singer-songwriter Rocco Deluca at Zebulon that night. There’s also legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo at the Catalina Bar & Grill the same evening. On New Year’s Eve, you have a wide range of options, including The Roots at Disney Hall, funk band Lettuce at the Bellwether, Mike Posner at Academy LA or El DeBarge at the Blue Note. And, of course, there will be big dance parties all over L.A., from downtown’s free annual extravaganza at Grand Park to Hollywood’s Club Decades.
Elsewhere on LAist.com, Chef Roy Choi tells us the secrets to his Korean taco empire, and you can pick some shows to binge-watch before heading back to work after the holidays.
Events
Kwanzaa Celebration
Monday, December 30, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Expo Arts Center
4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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The African American Cultural Center of Long Beach
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Eventbrite
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Sponsored message
Join the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach (AACCLB) for a vibrant and meaningful Kwanzaa celebration honoring African American heritage. The event will feature a candle-lighting ceremony, dance performances and a traditional Karamu feast.
Rose Parade float decorating
Through Tuesday, December 30
Rose Bowl
1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Thursday, January 1, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Rose Parade
Pasadena
COST: FROM $117; MORE INFO
Ohio State Buckeyes cheerleaders participate in the 136th Rose Parade.
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Jerod Harris
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Getty Images
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Every year, I say I’m going to do it: I’m going to forgo New Year’s and decorate floats very, very early in the morning. I never do, but don’t be like me. Surround yourself with roses and get those floats all pretty for TV! This year, there’s a special float with the theme “Rising Together” to honor the one-year anniversary of the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires. Or grab a ticket — free for fire survivors — and head up to watch the Rose Parade in person on New Year’s Day. Later in the week, on Jan. 2 and 3, there’s Float Fest, where you can check out the elaborate floats after their big hurrah.
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NYELA Celebration + Community Collage
Wednesday, December 31, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Gloria Molina Grand Park
200 N. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Grand Park LA
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The annual fireworks and music celebration, with headliners Bardo and Ceci Bastida, in downtown’s Gloria Molina Grand Park will usher in 2026 in a big way. In addition to music and art, the event features a Community Collage activity with photographer Josh Madson, where attendees can take part in professional portraits — part of Community Collage’s initiative ahead of LA28, where the team “aims to photograph 40,000 Angelenos for future public art murals across the city ahead of The Olympics and Paralympics.”
Santa Monica Beach House New Year’s Eve
Wednesday, December 31, 8 p.m.
1212 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica
COST: $23; MORE INFO
Sponsored message
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Santa Monica Beach House
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Eventbrite
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Missing Burning Man? Celebrate New Year’s Eve with an “After Burn” party on the Third St. Promenade, featuring dance, drink and a party spilling out onto the street.
Jason Bentley’s Metropolis NYE
Wednesday, December 31, 9 p.m. Del Monte at the Townhouse
52 Windward Ave., Venice
COST: $40; MORE INFO
KCRW’s own Jason Bentley will be spinning all night at L.A.’s oldest bar, Venice Beach’s historic Townhouse.
Sponsored message
New Year’s Eve with The Roots
Wednesday, December 31, 7 p.m.
Disney Hall
111 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
COST: FROM $69; MORE INFO
Questlove performs with The Roots during the Back Cove Festival at Payson Park on August 02, 2025 in Portland, Maine.
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Astrida Valigorsky
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Getty Images
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The biggest ticket on New Year’s Eve is for The Roots, fast becoming a Disney Hall tradition. Questlove and friends will get you revved up for 2026 with energy, a big dance party and the best acoustics in town.
Middle Aged Dad Band New Year’s Eve Blowout
Wednesday, December 31, 9 p.m.
Lodge Room
104 N. Ave. 56, 2nd floor, Highland Park
COST: FROM $65; MORE INFO
The Middle Aged Dad Band show is sure to have some celeb appearances, karaoke go-tos, hilarious comedy moments and an all-around feel-good vibe. Embrace your inner (or outer) uncool dad mentality while still staying up till midnight at a show.
Fiorelli Pizza x Imperia Caviar kit
Preorder through Tuesday, December 30
8236 W. 3rd Street, Beverly Grove
COST: $140; MORE INFO
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Courtesy JS2 PR
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Pizza and caviar? On the couch? For New Year’s? Don’t mind if I do. Beverly Grove's Fiorelli Pizza is partnering with Imperia Caviar for a fun DIY caviar pizza kit: a vodka sauce pizza with a side of crème fraîche, truffle potato chips and a full ounce of Imperia's caviar. Pre-order via email (lizg@fiorellipizza.com) or phone (424-466-7161); it will be available via delivery apps on Tuesday, December 30 (while supplies last).
Grand Kiev Ballet
Tuesday, December 30, 7 p.m.
Wilshire Ebell Theatre
4401 W. 8th Street, Mid-City
COST: FROM $44; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Grand Kiev Ballet
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One more Nutcracker to wrap up the year, and this one is special. Acclaimed Ukrainian dance company the Grand Kyiv Ballet has danced through the war and is still able to blow audiences away with its dazzling production of The Nutcracker. Stay in the holiday spirit for a few more hours and enjoy this top-notch performance of Tchaikovsky’s beloved classic.
NYE Hike to the Wisdom Tree
Wednesday, December 31, 7 a.m.
Griffith Park Merry Go-Round, Lot #2
Griffith Park
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
An intermediate hike hosted by 213 Hikers, this early morning walk is not for the faint of heart. Get up early and plan your pre-midnight nap accordingly while making your way to greet the last day of 2025 at the Wisdom Tree in Griffith Park — and maybe make some new friends to kick off 2026 right.
Flow Into the New Year yoga class
Thursday, January 1, 10:30 a.m.
One Down Dog Yoga
2150 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
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Dane Wetton
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Unsplash
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New year, same me telling you to go to yoga and set those 2026 intentions with a solid flow class. This one is at One Down Dog in Eagle Rock, but many local studios are hosting classes that are geared toward getting you out of your head and onto your mat for the new year. Ohm.
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