New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles: Top picks for the best ways to ring in 2018
Staff Editor on
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Here’s our select list of New Year’s Eve happenings in and around L.A. Got another favorite? Leave a comment …
Free (and alcohol-free)
► The fifth annual N.Y.E.L.A. in downtown’s Grand Park brings Dexter Story and the All-Star New Year’s Eve Band, the Beat Junkies and more to three musical stages, along with 3D video mapping, art projections, food trucks and much fun. A family affair.
► Two rounds of fireworks, face painting and other family fun will turn up at Marina Del Rey’s Glow Party at Burton Chace Park. Info.
► First Night Fullerton in the Orange County city’s downtown area will be a family-oriented celebration with live music and more.
Rock picks
► Three SoCal favorites — Chicano Batman, Hanni El Khatib and Thee Commons — mix ’n’ match styles at the Fox Theater Pomona. Tickets, $35.
► Nick Waterhouse counts out 2017 with a whole lot of soul at the Moroccan Lounge. Tickets, $45.
► Resurgent power-pop heroes the Flamin’ Groovies ring in the new year at the Bootleg Theater, along with Matt Hollywood & the Bad Feelings and GospelbeacH. Tickets, $22.
► Germany’s VNV Nation greet 2018 with uplifting electronic anthems at the Regent Theater. Tickets, $40.
► Pedro the Lion — reuniting after 10 years — will play the Observatory, opening for Third Eye Blind. Tickets, $49.50.
► New Orleans flair with Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue at the House of Blues Anaheim. Tickets, $55.
► Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band play L.A. for the first time since 2010 when they visit the Lodge Room. Sold out, but you might get lucky?
► And New Year’s Eve is the rare chance to see long-running SoCal luminaries the Blasters in a small room — they’re at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon. Tickets, $25 and up.
Special event picks
► Dress to impress, Roaring Twenties-style, at Prohibition NYE at Union Station, where Goldroom has your soundtrack. Open bar. Tickets, $175.
► From the minds of Burger Records and Gnar Tapes comes Gnar Year’s Eve, where Cosmonauts, White Fang and Bud O.D. get crazy at the Standard Hollywood. Tickets, $25.
► Rage with Dirtybird Records co-founder Justin Martin, underground hero Maya Jane Coles and many more in four rooms at Minimal Effort NYE, at the MacArthur (fka Park Plaza). Tickets, $69 and up.
► Party for a cause at the NYE Party to Cure Parkinson’s Disease, which brings Billy Joe Shaver, Norm Macdonald, Swamp Dogg and Guitar Shorty to the Roxy Theatre. Tickets, $51 and up.
► At Disney Hall, it’s Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, two shows worth. Tickets.
► KCRW’s Jason Bentley DJs a big tent party outside the Bungalow Santa Monica. Open bar. Tickets, $150.
Electronic/club picks
► Dillon Francis’ IDGAFOS NYE doesn’t give a … hoot. His big bash goes off at the Shrine with Whethan, Valentino Khan, Yung Pinch and Team EZY. Tickets, $74.50 and up.
► Englishman Gareth Emery definitely gives a hoot — he does an extended NYE set at Exchange. Tickets, $55 and up.
► Markus Schulz gives a hoot, too — he goes open to close at Avalon. Tickets, $80 and up.
► It’s a heavyweight night of rap as Ty Dolla Sign, Wiz Khalifa and YG take over OHM Nightclub. Tickets, $60 and up.
Other dance picks
► Dance Yourself Clean heads up the party at the Teragram Ballroom. Tickets, $35.
► Get footloose and hit the photo booth at Hollywood Prom with the Puscie Jones Revue at Boardner’s. Tickets, $20-$25.
► Bootie LA will get things all sweaty at Resident. Tickets, $20 and up.
► Bubblegum hits will be the fare at the Candi Pop Dance Party at the Satellite. $15-$20.
► Celebrate My Chemical Romance, pop-punk and 2000s-era anthems at Club Y2K: My Chemical New Year’s Eve at the Echo. Tickets, $10.
► Jose Maldonado and Xian Vox DJ at Part Time Punks at the Echoplex. Tickets, $15.
For a full list of Sunday night events, see our weekly show post
Another dance night is by Club Underground at the Grand Star in Chinatown at 943 N Broadway, from 9:30PM until 2:00AM. Their website has presale tickets for $10, and $20 at the door. They are playing indie music downstairs and 80’s music upstairs. Their DJs include Larry G., Alex Transistor, and Kaos Ray.