From decadent dinners to dance parties and family-friendly events, New Year's Eve features something for everyone. (Seriously, and don't forget to check out other options in The Best Things To Do On New Year's Eve In LA No Matter Who You Are). The week also features post-Rose Parade float viewing and free movie screenings.
MONDAY, DEC. 31; 7 and 10:30 p.m.
Pink Martini
Walt Disney Concert Hall -- 111 South Grand Ave., downtown L.A.
The little orchestra -- led by founder and pianist Thomas Lauderdale -- brings the party to WDCH with a mix of classical, jazz, standards and Latin sounds, from Brazilian samba to '30s Cuban dance music. The concerts feature a rare joint appearance by lead singers China Forbes and Storm Large.
COST: $97 - $236; MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 31; 5:30, 7:30 or 9:30 p.m.
NYE 12-Course Tasting Menu
Scratch | Bar & Kitchen -- 16101 Ventura Blvd., Encino
Now this is decadent: The restaurant offers a 12-course tasting menu for up to 12 people only at one of its three seatings. Come 30 minutes before your reservation to enjoy a welcome cocktail, hors d'oeuvres and champagne, and then indulge in dishes including uni, scallop, duck and a5 Wagyu ribeye. The
COST: $250 (a $50 deposit is required); MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 31; 5 - 10:30 p.m.
New Year's Eve at the Waterfront
Rainbow Harbor -- 200 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
This outdoor, family-friendly NYE option features live music and performances, DJs, strolling entertainers and activities for the kiddies, including face painting, balloon artists and a trackless train. The evening ends at 9 p.m. with a fireworks show from the lighthouse peninsula.
COST: Tickets start at $40; MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 31; 6 - 9 p.m.
L.A. Zoo Lights: Family New Year's Eve
Los Angeles Zoo -- 5333 Zoo Dr., Griffith Park
Check out the zoo's holiday light spectacular while enjoying a dinner buffet that includes soft drinks and dessert. Other activities include: a carousel ride, games, DJ dance party, and live broadcast of the Times Square ball drop. Raise a glass to toast the New Year with complimentary champagne for adults (21+) and sparkling apple cider for kids. Cash bar available.
COST: $40 - $69; MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 31; 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.
New Years Eve at Dynasty Typewriter
Dynasty Typewriter -- 2511 Wilshire Blvd., Westlake
The entire theater opens for a multi-room immersive party that includes close-up magic shows, records spinning the lobby, a chance to type (on a real typewriter) out your resolutions, Dyngo Bingo, a midnight toast, after-midnight karaoke competition, seances and perhaps a few improvised surprises, too.
COST: $35; MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 31; 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.
#BOOM! 2019
West Hollywood Park Auditorium -- 647 N. San Vicente Blvd (next to the library), West Hollywood
Party without the "party favors" at the 6th annual alcohol-and drug-free NYE gala. Celebrate safely while indulging in free food, free non-alcoholic drinks and festivities -- including a costume competition and dancing. Costume themes this year are: Glamour, Lady Gaga v. Madonna, Menage A Trio, Hot Mess and Military. Winners will be awarded a prize for every theme. This event is 18+.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 31; 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Two Bit Circus NYE
Two Bit Circus -- 634 Mateo St., downtown L.A.
If fun and games is your idea of New Year's fun, then usher in 2019 at the world's first micro-amusement park that features multi-person escape, story and VR rooms, indie arcades, carny-inspired cocktails and "farm-to-circus" food. Two NYE party packages are available, and both include unlimited game play in the Midway (updated carnival games) and Arcade; two VR/Story room tickets; late night food fare and a midnight champagne toast. VIP tickets include deck seating and access to a private bar.
COST: $75 - $100; MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 31; 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Año Nuevo 2019 NYE Celebration
Treehouse Rooftop Lounge -- 686 North Spring St., downtown L.A.
Celebrate NYE with dancing, an open premium bar and for something a little different -- a live performance from samba dancers. Table and bottle service options available.
COST: $100; MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 31; 9 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Groundlings New Year's Eve Spectacular!
The Groundlings Theatre -- 7307 Melrose Ave., Fairfax
The comedy troupe helps attendees laugh their way into the new year with a hilarious improv show, pre-show appetizers and cocktails, and light bites and a champagne toast and desserts at midnight. Director David Jahn leads the cast, which includes Josh Duvendeck, Chris Eckert, Ryan Gaul, Patty Guggenheim, Kiel Kennedy, Lyric Lewis, Laird Macintosh and Lisa Schurga.
COST: $100; MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 31; 9 p.m.
!!! (Chk chk chk)
The Regent Theater -- 448 S. Main St., downtown L.A.
This great lineup might be lost with all the other NYE choices in town. The dance-punk outfit, led by Nick Offer, headlines with Penguin Prison (a solo live set by Chris Glover).
COST: $32.50; MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 24; 4 p.m. - midnight
Part Time Punks Annual New Year's Eve Party
Moroccan Lounge -- 901 E 1st St., downtown L.A.
Guest DJ Jose Maldonado from Sweet and Tender Hooligans (a Smiths/Morrissey tribute band) provides the soundtrack -- a sing-along-able mix of indie '80s, '90s sounds from Britpop to Glam and post-punk sounds from Bowie, Morrissey, The Smiths, New Order, Joy Division, The Cure, Iggy, the Velvet Underground, Blur, Pulp, Nine Inch Nails, Sonic Youth, The Pixies, My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins etc. Get ready to dance the night away and into the new year.
COST: $20 - $25; MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 31; 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.
New Year's Eve Night Dive
Aquarium of the Pacific -- 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
No, this party doesn't include swimming or diving. Night Dive is an adults-only, late-night party that features local bands rocking out right next to the fish, DJs spinning in the Aquarium's galleries, with cocktails and drinks and bites from food trucks. Main stage performances by Fully Fullwood's Live Reggae, The Sovereign Artist and Manuel the Band. The event is 18+, with alcohol available to those 21+ with valid ID.
COST: $29.95 - $34.95; MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 31; 9 p.m. - midnight
Dita Von Teese's New Year's Eve Gala Show
The Orpheum Theatre -- 842 S Broadway, downtown L.A.
The Queen of Burlesque presents a glittering performance to ring in 2019. Von Teese performs alongside some of the hottest stars and acts in modern burlesque. The evening includes a display of some of her own haute couture: Swarovski-embellished costumes from Catherine D'Lish, Jenny Packham to Elie Saab.
COST: Tickets start at $49; MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 31; 8 - 9:30 p.m.
Game Night!
Geeky Teas and Games -- 2220 Magnolia Blvd., Burbank
The variety show features comedy, music, improv, sketches inspired by the game-playing community. Game Night: It's a variety show AND a reason to put on pants and leave your home. Created and hosted by Laser M Webber and Joseph Scrimshaw, the night features guests: comedian/writer Riley Silverman, comedian Patrick Susmilch, music/comedy duo The Library Bards and dancer Sara Stevenson Scrimshaw who dances an entire movie in five minutes. Reservations encouraged.
COST: $8 - $10; MORE INFO
MONDAY, DEC. 31; until 2 a.m.
New Year's Eve Dinner + Party
Redbird -- 114 E 2nd St., downtown L.A.
There are two ways to party like it's 2019 at Chef Neal Fraser restaurant. First, he's preparing a three-course dinner, with optional wine pairings available, that includes grilled octopus, sweetbreads, smoked tofu, Rabbitchetta and pomegranate panna. There's also a NYE party in the East Room and West Room on the second floor with hors d'oeuvres, a champagne toast at midnight and a DJ spinning tunes.
COST: Dinner tickets start at $130; Party tickets start at $60; MORE INFO
TUESDAY, JAN. 1; 8 a.m.
Rose Parade
Colorado Blvd. -- Pasadena
The parade features four types of entries: Floral-decorated floats, equestrian units, bands and Tournament participant entries. The 5 1/2-mile route begins at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena then travels north on Orange Grove Boulevard and then turns east onto Colorado Boulevard, concluding at Villa Street. If you can't -- or don't want to -- make it to Pasadena in person, then watch it on TV/Funny or Die's platforms because Cord Hosenbeck (Will Ferrell) and Tish Cattigan(Molly Shannon) return for their annual live Rose Parade coverage/color commentary.
COST: FREE - $90 (grandstand seating); MORE INFO
TUESDAY, JAN. 1; 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. and WEDNESDAY, JAN. 2; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Post Parade: A Showcase of Floats
Sierra Madre and E. Washington boulevards -- Pasadena
After the Rose Parade, check out the floats up close. Learn about the design and workmanship that went into each float entry from Tournament volunteers ("White Suiters") on hand. This event takes place rain or shine and early arrival is suggested.
COST: $15 (free for children 5 and younger); MORE INFO
TUESDAY, JAN. 1; 12 - 1 p.m.
59th Annual Penguin Swim
Venice Blvd. at the Ocean -- Venice Beach
Dive into 2019 -- literally -- by jumping into the Pacific for a plunge with friends, family and other people who think it's a great idea to swim in freezing water temps. The Penguin Club, sponsored and run by Southern California Aquatics (SCAQ), holds sign-ups beginning at 11 a.m. Commemorative t-shirts will be available for purchase for $10 at the swim.
COST: $5 - $10 MORE INFO
TUESDAY, JAN. 1; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Rick Bartow: Things You Know But Cannot Explain
Autry Museum of the American West -- 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park
The museum is free and open to the public all day long on New Year's Day. It's the last week to see Bartow's first major retrospective, which closes on Jan. 6. Bartow is a member of the Mad River Band of Wiyot Indians and is considered a leading voice in contemporary Native American art. Also on view at the museum is LA RAZA, which features images from the influential bilingual newspaper of the Chicano Rights Movement, La Raza (1967-1977).
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
TUESDAY, JAN. 1; 11 a.m. - whenever
Bartender's Brunch
Petty Cash Taqueria -- 7360 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax
Walter Manzke's semi-authentic taqueria holds its fifth annual brunch to help revelers continue the fun or for a little hair of the dog to help with the hangover. Enjoy drink specials from guest bartenders, DJ spinning tunes all day and a complimentary champagne toast every hour on the hour.
COST: Varies; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, JAN. 3; 8 p.m.
Vice / The Big Short
The Egyptian Theatre -- 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Director Adam McKay is in person at this American Cinematheque double feature of his films. The night begins with a screening of Vice, the recent release starring Christian Bale as Vice President Dick Cheney and ends with the 2015 film about the housing credit bubble of the 2000s. Discussion with McKay takes place between the two films.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, JAN. 3; 7:30 p.m.
The Upside Screening
Bing Theater at LACMA -- 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire
Film at LACMA presents director Neil Burger's comedy about a recently paroled ex-convict (Kevin Hart) who strikes up a friendship with a quadriplegic billionaire (Bryan Cranston). The film also stars Nicole Kidman, Julianna Margulies and Aja Naomi King. The remake is based on the 2012 French film Intouchables by E�?ric Toledano and Olivier Nakache.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
How are you spending your week? Let us know on Twitter @christineziemba and @LeoHasACat.
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