Don't let the door hit you on the way out, 2020. Ring in 2021 with online parties and countdowns hosted by Snoop Dogg and queens from RuPaul's Drag Race. Attend Grand Park's virtual New Year's Eve fest. Laugh away this year at your pick of comedy shows. Watch online sets from Pink Martini, birthday girl Patti Smith and the Dandy Warhols. Watch the ball drop in NYC all by its lonesome self.
From all of us at LAist, have a safe, socially distant New Year's Eve, and cheers to a better 2021!
The Groundlings Holiday Show
The comedy troupe hosts its annual holiday show via Vimeo On Demand. The sketch and improv special was recorded live and once you rent it, you'll have 48 hours to watch. Directed by Groundlings' Leonard Robinson, the cast includes Leonard Robinson, Lauren Burns, Michael Churven, Samantha DeSurra , Chris Eckert, Patty Guggenheim, Kiel Kennedy and Ariane Price.
COST: $10 for 24-hour rental; MORE INFO
The Dandy Warhols
The veteran alt-rock group plays a show to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their album 13 Tales From Urban Bohemia. The concert film was recorded at the Wonderland Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. Get to the show on time as the pre-show includes a Q&A with the band.
COST: Tickets start at $10 - $12.50; MORE INFO
Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival Holiday Celebration
The LAWTF holds its end-of-year fundraiser with performances by Freda Payne, DeBorah Sharpe-Taylor and by Kamakshi Hart along with a holiday sing-along and a raffle for prizes.
COST: FREE with a suggested donation of $5; MORE INFO
Patti Smith & Her Band: A Live Birthday Performance
Smith continues her annual tradition of holding an intimate concert on her birthday. This year, it's being livestreamed. This show will not be available for rewatch, so you'll have to catch it live.
COST: Tickets start at $10; MORE INFO
Grand Park's NYELA
The West Coast's flagship countdown rings in 2021 with a new format, streaming and broadcasting across the country for the first time. In line with Grand Park's mission to honor L.A. County's cultural diversity, the lineup features underground Latin artists from producer/DJ's Steve Aoki's Dim Mak En Fuego label. Watch Mexican quintet AQUIHAYAQUIHAY, Venezuelan singer Andrekza and recording artist and fashion icon BIA. Gasolina Party's 2DEEP provides Reggaetón beats between sets. Viewers can watch on Fuse or stream on the Fuse YouTube channel, Grand Park's digital channels and on The Music Center Offstage.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
New Years Queens: Goodbye 2020!
Watch 16 artists from RuPaul's Drag Race sashay 2020 away in a marathon New Year's Eve global livestream. The night is hosted by drag icons Alaska, Bob the Drag Queen, Katya, Miz Cracker, Peppermint and Trixie Mattel and features performances by BeBe Zahara Benet, BenDeLaCreme, Boulet Brothers, Divina De Campo, Ginger Minj, Jinkx Monsoon, Jujubee, Manila Luzon, Sharon Needles and Trinity The Tuck. Catch the live countdowns happening from London, New York and L.A.
COST: Tickets start at $49; MORE INFO
Snoop Dogg's Virtual New Year's Eve
Ring in the new year with Doggfather during a live virtual celebration from his compound. Snoop is joined by Bert Kreischer, Rosario Dawson, Jennifer Nettles and Cody Rhodes (from the upcoming Go-Big Show, which debuts on Jan. 7 on TBS). They'll roast 2020 and dance into the new year with music by DJ Cassidy, DJ Battlecat and Fredwreck and a sword-swallowing stunt. Virtual partygoers will also have the opportunity to tour Snoop's Compound including his basketball court, recording studio, casino and arcade room. Expect surprise guests.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Bite LA Holiday
Legg Lake
751 S. Santa Anita Ave., South El Monte
Usher in the new year with a special holiday and sweets drive thru experience. Special NYE treats include party favors, sparkling cider toast, and a virtual music show. The night begins with a cotton plush sno-ball fight with snowmen, a psychedelic gnome village and then a sweets crawl with a complimentary stocking and eight sweets delivered by elaborately costumed characters. Vegan and gluten free options available.
COST: Tickets start at $99 per car ; MORE INFO
Cameron Esposito's New Year's Steve
Dynasty Typewriter presents a night of comedy sets, chats and surprises from the comedian and friends. Plus, there's an early bedtime ball drop for those who want to sleep the rest of 2020 away. Donations via Venmo (@CameronEsposito) will benefit Dynasty and the performers. A Zoom link will be sent with an Eventbrite confirmation.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
NYE Comedy Mega Show 2021
Laugh off the rest of 2020 with an evening of online comedy with Reggie Watts, Fred Armisen, Natasha Leggero, Moshe Kasher, Andrew Michaan and Brent Weinbach. There's a midnight countdown for Central Standard Time (Chicago). Plus a quick East Coast midnight countdown toward the beginning of the show. The night will feature adult content, so probably not suitable for kids.
COST: $10 - $20; MORE INFO
Mike Birbiglia: Working It Out Worldwide Part 5: New Year's Everywhere
Birbiglia's shows are part comedy, part interactive talk show. He's donating 100% of the proceeds from the later New Year's Eve virtual show to six different regional food banks and non-profits (California Association of Food Banks, City Harvest NYC, Feeding South Florida, Food Issues Group NYC, Hyde Park Union Church Chicago and Rhode Island Community Food Bank).
COST: $25; MORE INFO
Pink Martini: 'Good Riddance 2020!'
The "little orchestra" has often played L.A. on NYE. This year, they're bringing their music to a larger audience. The concert was filmed in front of the 35-foot Christmas tree at Pink Martini's World Headquarters in Portland, and the setlist includes their greatest hits and fan favorites. Listen to vocals by lead singer China Forbes with special guest appearances by Storm Large, Ari Shapiro, Edna Vazquez, Jimmie Herrod, Sofi von Trapp and Cantor Ida Rae Cahana.
COST: $15; MORE INFO
Times Square Ball Drop
Want to see probably the strangest NYE in NYC? Watch the ball drop to ring in 2021 to an empty Times Square. Actor and TV personality Jonathan Bennett hosts the show that includes live musical performances, hourly countdowns, stories and celeb interviews. The webcast will be streamed live on multiple websites, including TimesSquareNYC.org, NewYearsEve.nyc, Livestream.com/2021 and TimesSquareBall.net.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
New Year's Eve Desi Comedy Night
Watch top Indian, Pakistani and South Asian comics ring in the new year for a 90-minute show. The lineup includes Nimesh Patel (SNL's first Indian writer), Neel Nanda, Dhaya Lakshminarayanan, Dauood Naimyar, Sureni Weerasekara, Raj Raina and Chai Sharma.
COST: $15 - $35; MORE INFO
New Year's Eve Cocktail and Pizza Making Class
Goldbelly hosts a special NYE class with chef Emily Hyland who has created a pizza and cocktails kit. Make drinks through dessert, including the ingredients to make your own Emmy Squared Detroit-style pizza. RSVP by Monday, Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. PST.
COST: $169; MORE INFO
49th Annual All-new One-time-only New Year's Eve Musical Revue
The Santa Monica Playhouse celebrates NYE a little differently this year as the Actors' Repertory Theatre livestreams a family-friendly Rudie-DeCarlo musical revue with Playhouse alumni from around the world joining the singing, dancing and comedy. The 10:30 p.m. performance features a midnight countdown with the cast.
COST: $20 per family/device; MORE INFO
UnCabaret
Usher out the old year with Beth Lapides' alt-comedy night with guests Alec Mapa, Julia Sweeney, Sandra Bernhard, Kira Soltanovich and Jamie Bridgers. They'll share stories, songs, rants and words of wisdom. Mitch Kaplan and the band provide the soundtrack.
COST: FREE to $100; MORE INFO
2020 Uncaged: Virtual New Year's Eve Bash
Alamo Drafthouse and Legion M team up for a night of virtual games, adventure, karaoke, dancing, poker parties and surprise celeb drop-ins on the hour. The Museum of Home Video presents "Cages Through The Ages." Drac & The Swamp Rats perform a set. Cheddar Goblin, the insult comic, hosts a Mandy watch party at 6 p.m. The NYE party starts at 8 p.m.
COST: $25 - $400; MORE INFO
Who doesn't miss going out to eat or stopping by a bar for a drink? Here are a few options from restaurants and bars as we work our way back toward normal.
