Where to Celebrate New Year's in Los Angeles
Event Guide to Welcome 2026 and the best places
The time has come to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome the New Year.
Many choose to spend New Year's Eve creating visualization posters, setting goals and objectives for the coming year, sharing family rituals, or simply resting. But many others prefer to welcome 2026 with a big celebration, and the City and County of Los Angeles have a wide variety of events to ring in the New Year in style. From masquerade balls and champagne to an evening filled with music, food, and community, these New Year's Eve events have attractions for the whole family. Gloria Molina Grand Park: One of the biggest free New Year's celebrations has to be the one that takes place in downtown Los Angeles at Gloria Molina Grand Park. Every year, families and friends come together in the heart of the city to celebrate the New Year in a big way, and this year is no exception. Two stages will be set up where DJs and performers will play music to keep you dancing all night long. On December 31, starting at 8 p.m., you can enjoy a City Hall light show, interactive art installations, cultural performances, and hands-on activities for all ages. You can also be part of the immersive Pop-Up Portrait Studio, which transforms portraits into collective murals that celebrate a sense of belonging. Created by renowned photographer Josh Madson.
Fireworks and Masquerade Party in Long Beach
If you'd like to spend New Year's Eve in a more relaxed way, find a spot in downtown Long Beach to watch a fireworks show by the ocean at midnight on December 31. You can see it from practically anywhere near the water, such as Shoreline Park. Some of the nearby local businesses, like the Queen Mary, will be celebrating with events such as their masquerade ball. Enjoy an evening of live music, dazzling performances, casino games, and spectacular fireworks as the clock strikes midnight.
Celebration in Marina del Rey
Not near Long Beach? No problem. Enjoy another free event in Marina del Rey. To celebrate the New Year,The Department of Beaches and Harbors will host a New Year's Eve party with fireworks and lights. This free, family-friendly celebration will take place at Burton Chase Park from 7 p.m. until after midnight. Get ready for a fun-filled and energetic evening with music, food, magic shows, and face painting. There will also be interactive performers, light-up robots, and much more. Angel City Brewery: Welcome the New Year with some swing in your steps and plenty of flavor. If you love to dance and are in party mode, you'll want to head to Angel City Brewery, where they'll be hosting a big celebration. The evening will combine the golden glamour of Art Deco with cumbia rhythms, festive hits, and great beer, and admission is free. They'll have a live cumbia band playing, starting at 7 p.m., and a DJ keeping the party going until the early hours.
We Want Reggaeton
If you like Bad Bunny, Ivy Queen, and the greats of reggaeton, then you must attend the We Want Reggaeton New Year's Eve event at the club called Catch One in Los Angeles. The night will be filled with reggaeton music, and at midnight, the ball drop with confetti.
Pete Escovedo and Family
The legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo will offer two concerts, one on the 30th and another on New Year's Eve, at the Catalina Jazz Club. Pete Escovedo is an artist who broke down the barriers between smooth jazz, salsa, Latin jazz, and contemporary music. Enjoy a romantic evening with your partner.
The Rose Parade
For millions of people around the world, the Rose Parade is an iconic New Year's Day tradition. The parade runs for a little over 5 miles along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. It features four main types of participants: floats covered in colorful flowers, equestrian units, marching bands, and tournament participants. This year's theme is "The Magic of Teamwork." The theme celebrates the sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing that, by working together, we can achieve far more rewarding results than we could individually—a message needed now more than ever. The parade celebrations begin at 8:00 a.m. on January 1st, and you can attend in person or enjoy the television broadcasts.Light-up robots and much more.
Angel City Brewery
Welcome the New Year with some swing in your steps and plenty of flavor. If you love to dance and are in party mode, you'll have to go to Angel City Brewery, where they'll be hosting a big celebration. The night will combine the golden glamour of art deco with cumbia rhythms, festive hits, and good beer, and admission is free. They'll have a live cumbia band playing, starting at 7 p.m., and a DJ keeping the party going until the early hours.
Queremos Reggaeton
If you like Bad Bunny, Ivy Queen, and the greats of reggaeton, then you should attend the Queremos Reggaeton New Year's Eve event at the club called Catch One in Los Angeles. The night will be filled with reggaeton music, and at midnight, the ball will drop with confetti.
Pete Escovedo and Family
Legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo will perform two concerts, one on December 30th and another on New Year's Eve, at the Catalina Jazz Club. Pete Escovedo is an artist who broke down the barriers between smooth jazz, salsa, Latin jazz, and contemporary music. Enjoy a romantic evening with your partner.
The Rose Parade
For millions of people around the world, the Rose Parade is an iconic New Year's Day tradition. The parade travels a little over 5 miles along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. It features four main types of participants: floats covered in colorful flowers, equestrian units, marching bands, and tournament participants. This year's theme is "The Magic of Teamwork." The theme celebrates the sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing that, by working together, we can achieve far more rewarding results than we could individually. A message that is needed now more than ever.
The parade celebrations begin at 8 a.m. on January 1st, and in addition to attending in person, you can also enjoy the television broadcasts.

