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Staying in town? 11 things to do NYE weekend
The course Sunday.
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New Years Race
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A piece by artist Shannon Rose Rakich that can be seen on a billboard in Hollywood at Cahuenga Boulevard and Selma Avenue.
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The Billboard Creative/Shannon Rose Rakich
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$125,000 worth of fireworks were found in LA
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Phil Walter/Getty Images
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A photograph from artist Hugh Holland that can be seen on a billboard in West Hollywood at Beverly Boulevard and Laurel Avenue as part of The Billboard Creative.
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The Billboard Creative/Hugh Holland
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Staying in town? 11 things to do NYE weekend
This is going to be the best year yet. We can feel it. Here's everything you need to know to ring in New Year's like a pro.
THURSDAY
1. Grand Park
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Bundle up and join thousands of Angelenos at the third annual Grand Park New Year's Eve bash. Despite the "cold" temps, approximately 50,000 people are expected to come out for live music on three stages, including performances from indie pop band Hunter Hunted and Afro-Latin combo QUITAPENAS. There will also be art installations, a photo booth and food trucks. Meanwhile, the countdown will be blasted on City Hall. Pro tip: The party ends at 1 a.m. and no booze is allowed. Warm up at a local bar afterwards. We suggest Spring Street or Golden Gopher.
When: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday
Where: Grand Park | MAP
Price: Free
2. Saved By The '90s
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Grab your flannel and get excited for a night of throwbacks. End 2015 while dancing to the tunes of your favorite pre-millennium bands. Saved By The 90s, also known as "the world's awesomest '90s party," is coming to Westlake's Bootleg Theater. Expect old-school tracks from Britney Spears, Weezer, Blink-182, Green Day and the Backstreet Boys. You know you want to ring in the new year with this healthy dose of nostalgia.
When: 9 p.m. Thursday
Where: Bootleg Theater | MAP
Price: $10 | Purchase tix
3. Noon Years at Kidspace
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Little ones usually don’t make it to midnight for the New Year’s count down, so the folks over at Kidspace Children’s Museum are hosting a Noon Year's instead! Bring your tykes to create noisemakers, see the ginormous balloon drop and toast cups of sparkling cider. Pro tip: Live music from the Boo Hoo Crew starts at 11:30 a.m.
When: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday
Where: Kidspace Children's Museum | MAP
Price: $11 for adults and kids | Free for children under 1
4. Fireworks in Marina del Rey
$125,000 worth of fireworks were found in LA
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Phil Walter/Getty Images
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Sponsored message
Marina del Rey will ring in 2016 with a spectacular 10-minute fireworks show over the harbor. Get to Burton Chace Park early to watch the East Coast broadcast its New Year’s Eve Live show from Times Square. At 9 p.m., the Marina del Rey sky will light up with a dazzling fireworks show.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Chace Park | MAP
Price: Free | Parking is $8
FRIDAY
5. The Billboard Creative
A piece by artist Shannon Rose Rakich that can be seen on a billboard in Hollywood at Cahuenga Boulevard and Selma Avenue.
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The Billboard Creative/Shannon Rose Rakich
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"I want to stop traffic with art," wrote artist Mona Kuhn, who curated this edition of the Billboard Creative. It's the last weekend to view art pieces on billboards around Los Angeles. Some have already come down, but a handful are still viewable through Jan. 3. The billboards feature works from these emerging artists and can be seen in Hollywood and West Hollywood. Before you cruise around, download the ArtMoi public art app to find outwhich ones are still up. Search the curated section and scroll through the art for dates.
When: Now through Sunday
Where: Locations in Hollywood and West Hollywood
Price: Free
6. Live racing at Santa Anita
Put on a floppy hat and spend New Year's Day at the races. Try your luck at betting, and cheer on your favorite steed with $1 beers and hot dogs. The first post is at 12:30 p.m., with nine races scheduled for the day.
When: Gates open at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Santa Anita Park | MAP
Price: $5 general admission; $10 club house; $4 parking | Purchase tix here
SATURDAY
7. Dog Cafe is happening
Remember L.A.'s very first pop-up dog cafe that opened for a bit back in January? Well, it looks like its got a permanent location in Silver Lake. It's closed on New Year's Day but will be open for cuddles throughout the rest of the weekend. Here's the deal: Admission is first come, first-served; there's a $10 entry fee, good for one hour of doggie time. That also includes one beverage of your choice. Find everything you need to know on the cafe's Facebook invite. Pro tip: Want to adopt a pup? The cafe says a contact form will be available here soon.
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 2 through Jan. 5
Where: The Dog Cafe | MAP
Price: $10
8. Explore the Arctic
The Annenberg Foundation and Explore.org have expanded the Pearls of the Planet installation to include a large-scale video installation with 100-foot-long polar bears roaming the walls at 2nd Street and Santa Monica Boulevard. The main exhibit over in Century City at the Annenberg Space for Photography features a zen den with a live cam of the arctic; that's open through mid-January. Pro tip: Share pics on social media with the hashtag #explorepearls.
When: Santa Monica installation will be up 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. now through Sunday | Annenberg Space for Photography is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; it'll be open until 3 p.m. on NYE and it will be closed on New Year's Day
Where: 2nd Street and Santa Monica Boulevard in Santa Monica | MAP | Annenberg Space for Photography Skylight Studios | MAP
Price: Free | Parking validation is $3.50 Wednesdays through Fridays and $1 on weekends.
9. Trading Post 1908
Weekends are for shopping! After nursing your Friday hangover, start fresh Saturday with hours of antiquing at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Trading Post 1908 will feature antiques, vintage and handmade goods. There will also be food trucks and live music.
When: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Honda Center | MAP
Price: General admission is free | Early bird tix are $5 via Groupon
SUNDAY
10. New Year's Race
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New Years Race
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Whether your resolution is to run a marathon or just get active, this evening race will kick your butt in gear. The New Year’s Race takes you through downtown L.A. and Echo Park with a series of runs: A half-marathon, a 5K, a 10K and even a kids fun run. Take your marks on Sunday evening starting at 4 p.m. with the kids run, followed by the 5K and 10K at 6 p.m. and the half-marathon at 8. There will be a beer garden and food vendors at City Hall for those who just want to hang. Pro tip: Find info on road closures here.
When: Various times Sunday
Where: The start line is located at Grand Park in front of City Hall | MAP
Price: Vary depending on the race | Register
11. Batman and Munster
The late George Barris is the creator of famous cars like the Munster Koach and the 1966 Batmobile. This Sunday, the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood will pay tribute to the designer with two 1966 films that feature his work: "Batman" and "Munster, Go Home!"
When: 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Egyptian Theatre | MAP
Price: $11 | Purchase tix here
What'd we miss? Let us know on Twitter at @kristenlepore and @kellie_gal.
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Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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