Celebrate New Year's Eve in Los Angeles with Your Family
As the clock winds down to the end of 2023, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll spend New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles. From family-friendly events like the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show in DTLA to a four-course dinner and tournament, you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate the coming year with the kiddos. So take a look at some of the best family-friendly things to do in LA on New Year’s Eve 2023 and start planning your perfect night! Most of these events start early so that if your kids have to be in bed before midnight, they can still have plenty of time to spend the last hours of the year with you!
Family-Friendly New Year's Eve 2023 Events
200 N Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
December 31, 2023
8:00 pm - 12:30 am
Join the West Coast’s largest free New Year’s Eve event at Grand Park N.Y.E.L.A! The celebration features the park’s signature 3D countdown art show projected onto L.A.’s iconic City Hall, leading revelers into 2024. Enjoy performances by La Doña and La Verdad Band while indulging in delicious foods from 30 of LA’s Favorite Food trucks. Alcohol is not permitted, and the event will happen rain or shine. Don't forget to check the weather reports and bring appropriate rain gear, but remember, umbrellas are prohibited in the park.
5333 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027
December 31, 2023
6 pm - 10 pm
Celebrate the new year in style with express entry to L.A. Zoo Lights, a dinner buffet that includes soft drinks and dessert, a kid-friendly dance party with games, a live broadcast of the Times Square ball drop, and a toast with complimentary champagne for adults (21+) and sparkling apple cider for kids.
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
December 31, 2023
Till 2 am
Join the grandest New Year's Eve celebration in Hollywood at Universal Studios Hollywood's EVE event on December 31. Revel until 2 am and immerse yourself in a day filled with exhilarating rides, captivating shows, and various attractions. Extend the excitement well into the night with multiple party zones offering music, dancing, fantastic photo opportunities, and the option to purchase drinks. Conclude the festivities with a spectacular midnight countdown celebration accompanied by dazzling fireworks. Make this New Year an unforgettable experience! Platinum Pass Members with valid access on 12/31/23 won't require a separate event ticket for EVE admission.
309 Palm St #A
Newport Beach, CA 92661
December 31, 2023
Various Times
Experience Newport Harbor in full holiday décor aboard one of the decorated vessels on a holiday lights cruise on New Year's Eve. View multi-million-dollar estates and vessels all decked out with thousands of lights. Departure times are 5:30 pm, 7:00 pm, and 8:30 pm, and they are roughly 75 minutes in length. Holiday Light Cruises start at $20 per person.
Pretend City
29 Hubble
Irvine, CA 92618
December 31, 2023
9:30 am - 3 pm
Step into a world of early New Year celebrations with an exciting global countdown at this lively event. Grab your tickets online to ensure a spot in the afternoon session, promising an unforgettable experience. Join the worldwide festivities as the clock ticks down with confetti countdowns, including the Member's Countdown at 9:30 am featuring Thailand & Laos, followed by Pakistan's celebration at noon, and a stylish New Year's moment with Bucharest, Romania at 3 pm. The anticipation builds, so don't miss the chance to revel in the joyous festivities and welcome the New Year with flair! 🎊
11800 Foothill Blvd.
Sylmar, CA 91342
December 31st
9 am - 6 pm
On December 31, take the entire family to Discovery Cube Los Angeles for the popular Noon Year's Eve event! The event features Sip and toast, apple cider, and ginger ale, your favorite science exhibits, a mega balloon drop at 3 pm, a dance floor with live music DJ, and much more fun! Guests will be able to make their very own Sparkler fireworks to help ring in the New Year! Tickets are $5 for Members and $22 for Non-Members ($15 General Admission + $7 Non-Member ticket price).
Santa Monica Playhouse
1211 4th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
December 31, 2023
10:30 am & 7 pm 1
From finger-snapping 40s jazz to foot-stompin country rock, Jewish patter songs to romantic ballads, this show has it all! Add champagne, sparkling apple juice, hats, tiaras, noisemakers, streamers and surprises and you have a not-to-be-missed New Year’s Eve celebration. There are two shows on New Year's Eve. The 10:30 show features a midnight meet ’n’ greet with the cast.
The early-bird 7:00 pm celebration offers everything that the later show does and is a great way to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the entire family, letting the kids have a real New Year’s Eve treat and get home at a reasonable hour or kick-off an evening of after-theatre dining and celebrating! $39.50 for adults; $24.50 for kids 12 and under; $34.50 for Students, Teachers, Senior, and Military.
Burton Chase Park
13650 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
December 31, 2023
8:59 pm & 11:59 pm
Ring in the new year with a fun fireworks display that will light up the sky over the water! Shot from the South Jetty, the 20-minute show begins at 8:59 p.m. and another at 11:59 p.m. and can be viewed from anywhere in the Marina. Popular viewing spots include Burton Chace Park and Fisherman's Village. This event is FREE and open to all ages.
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
December 31, 2023
8 pm–1 am
Dive into 2024 at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s New Year’s Eve Night Dive! Start the new year with the fish as you boogie to the tunes of Loud as Funk playing live in the Great Hall, DJs spinning in the galleries, a silent disco, and karaoke- all leading up to the confetti countdown at midnight!
Snap a pic in the roaming photo booth, grab a drink from the cash bars, or enjoy a tasty meal in Café Scuba before visiting with all your favorite animals. Plus, you never know what surprises are in store at Night Dive! Doors open at 8:00 p.m., countdown is at midnight, but the party won’t stop until 1:00 a.m.
7600 Beach Blvd
Buena Park, CA 90620
December 31, 2023
7:30 pm
Pirates Dinner Adventure is one of the most popular attractions in Orange County, with live theater, food, and fun for the whole family. Would-be pirates of all ages take part in an epic and interactive dinner show that is sure to leave you with a full belly and tales to tell! Behold amazing swordplay, aerial artistry, and acrobatics while enjoying a sumptuous pirate feast. There is a 7:30 pm show on New Year's eve, which continues till 9:30 pm.
7662 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park CA 90620
December 31, 2023
5 pm & 7:30 pm
Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament is a family dinner theater featuring staged medieval-style games, sword fighting, and jousting. Queen Maria Isabella welcomes you to dine with her and her royal court. Medieval Times’ noble guests feast on garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, herb-basted potato, the dessert of the Castle, coffee, and two rounds of select beverages. There are 5 pm and 7:30 shows on New Year's Eve.
532 South Olive Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
December 31, 2023
Various Times
Skate your way into the new year and enjoy the rink while it is here for a limited season. The Holiday Ice Rink will be open on New Year's Eve till 10 pm. Surrounded by art, lively activity and the impressive city skyline, our outdoor ice rink lets you enjoy entertainment and ice skating in Los Angeles under the sun and stars.
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
December 31, 2023
Winter Fest Orange County transforms the OC Fair and Event Center into a winter wonderland with oversized holiday decor, more than a million lights, and endless opportunities for memory-making. Enjoy the magic of the holiday season with past Winter Fest OC favorites as well as all-new activities! Winter Fest OC is open for New Year's Eve, and is a perfect place to ring in the new year!
Virtual
December 31, 2023
6:00 pm EST
Join the tradition of watching the Times Square Ball Drop with a commercial-free, webcast coverage starting at 6 p.m. (EST). The first New Year’s Eve Ball lowering celebration atop One Times Square was in 1907 and has become a universal symbol of the New Year, watched by millions around the world.
8039 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park, CA 90620
December 31, 2023
Get ready for an epic New Year's bash at Knott's Merry Farm! With dazzling fireworks, live entertainment, and extended hours on December 31st, bid farewell to 2023 with style. This enchanting celebration invites everyone to join the park-wide party, offering a front-row seat to the spectacular countdown to 2024.
Packed with family-friendly activities, from hilarious comedians to live bands and swing dancing, this stress-free night promises a memorable way to usher in the New Year. Grab your party hats and noisemakers as Knott's lights up the sky at midnight with a breathtaking fireworks display, marking the beginning of a fantastic 2024. It's the perfect setting for creating new traditions and making lasting memories with loved ones!
1313 Disneyland Dr
Anaheim, CA 92802
December 31, 2023
Experience the most magical time of year with celebrations throughout both parks on New Year's Eve. Behold the magic of the holidays as festive fireworks, stirring music and a sprinkling of snow bring the season to life.
Shoreline Village, Long Beach
December 31, 2023
5 pm– 10 pm
This free family-friendly celebration takes place at Rainbow Harbor. Enjoy live music, a photo booth, face painting, interactive games, arts & crafts, food, jugglers, and stilt-walkers. At 9 p.m., the sky will light up for an East Coast countdown with a fireworks spectacular from Rainbow Harbor’s lighthouse peninsula!
140 Richmond St.
El Segundo, CA
December 31, 2023
9 pm
Join the Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration at Old Town Music Hall with renowned theater organist Mark Herman. Enjoy a mix of short films featuring music, dance, and other entertaining tidbits.
One LEGOLAND Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
December 31, 2023
Join in the festivities and celebrate the New Year early with rides, activities, and a whole lot of fun. Celebrate with an early fireworks display illuminating the sky and welcoming in 2024.
125 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
December 31, 2023
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Ring in the new year in your comfiest attire on Sunday, December 31 with a special Noon Year’s Eve pajama party for all ages. Enjoy a museum-wide celebration while you interact with MOXI’s exhibits and enjoy themed activities. This fun event will include a lively countdown to 2024, confetti, noisemakers + a dance party.
28690 Mercedes Street, Suite 201
Temecula, CA 92590
December 31, 2023
11:00 am - 12:30 am
Get ready for an all-day New Year's Eve extravaganza that's set to be a blast! On December 31st, the festivities kick off at 11 am and keep going until 12:45 am (21+ after 6 pm). Dance your way into 2024 with a fantastic lineup featuring DJ beats, midnight bubbly, and specialty drinks. Enjoy live performances by Peter Torres, Damn Dirty Apes, and Dellinger Entertainment throughout the day.
Refuel at Food Truck Alley featuring The Mac Truck and Devilicious. Crush Club Members, savor exclusive glass and bottle discounts. Plus, glide into the holiday spirit at the Peltzer Ice Rink with multiple skating sessions. With wine tasting available until 5:30 pm and various entertainment options, it's a celebration you won't want to miss!
709 E. Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA
December 31, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Experience the beauty of the floral floats along with spirited marching bands and high-stepping equestrian units along the 5 1/2 mile route down Colorado Boulevard. The Rose Parade presented by Honda, begins at 8 am on January 1, 2024! But the night before is just as much a part of the experience. Rose Parade attendees camp out on the sidewalks the night before for a party in Pasadena.
Happy New Year!
