(This article may or may not contain affiliate links. What does that mean?)
Nope, it's not happening. The crowded living room full of friends, hugging and kissing each other over goopy, sugar-filled desserts and salty, crunchy snacks. Drinks that may or may not leave you feeling a bit queasy the next morning. Well, the drinking part may still be happening but New Year's Eve 2020 is being celebrated differently around Los Angeles and the world.
Even the Times Square ball won't drop after 113 years of gliding down to light the new year. Its last hiatus being during the dim-out periods of World War II in 1942 and 1943. Health officials worry that a Times Square packed with hundreds of thousands of people reveling with those outside their own household may cause a problem or two a few days down the line.
So, what's a fun-loving mom to do? Not to worry! Other fun moms have banded together to rescue your family's New Year's Eve in Los Angeles (and beyond).
Watch the Grand Park's NYELA
With all the new safety guidelines and restrictions, Los Angeles is committing to keep everyone as safe as possible by bringing the party to your living room. Legendary DJ, Steve Aoki's label, Dim Mak En Fuego, presents a virtual party for Grand Park's NYELA hosted by DJ Eddie One and Jessica Flores who will introduce cutting edge artists that include Mexican R&B group AQUIHAYAQUIHAY, Venezualan singer Andrekza, and a guest performance by BIA. Gasolina Party's 2DEEP will fill time between sets by mixing beats. Steve Aoki will finish the set after the countdown to the new year.
Photo Courtesy of NYELA
"The world is ready to turn up this New Year's Eve! And I'm excited to celebrate with The Dim Mak En Fuego family and partner with Grand Park and Fuse to ring in the new year, around the world, in a whole new way, with music that transcends languages and cultures," Aoki said in a statement.
There are even At-Home-Party-Kits you can buy from their website!
Photo Courtesy of NYELA
The event takes place starting at 11 p.m. PST on Dec. 31 and can be viewed on Fuse, the Fuse YouTube channel, Grand Park's digital channels and on "The Music Center Offstage."
Take a Plunge Into Noon Year's Eve 2020
The Aquarium of the Pacific is hosting a Noon Year's Eve virtual celebration on December 31st at 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. "Create a fish party hat, meet a live Ambassador Animal, and dance your way to the Noon Year's countdown with the Pacific Pals puppets." Tickets are $5 and are available online.
Photo Courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific
Tournament of Roses Still Smells Sweet
Well, the good news is you won't have to endure the freezing cold to cheer on your favorite floats this year. Instead, the Tournament of Roses, which has proceeded faithfully every year since 1890, except again for WWII, is going virtual. The Tournament of Roses said in a news release the new year's day programming will include "live-to-tape musical and marching band performances, heartwarming segments related to the Rose Parade, celebrity guest appearances, special Rose Bowl Game football highlights, equestrians, spectacular floats from years past, a behind-the-scenes look into the making of a float and you will have a chance to be part of the show," it said. However, it didn't say how. Although the bands from across the country won't get to perform in person, and many of the students who have already been asked to come back for 2022 will have graduated, they will still get to participate in a virtual performance of 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' lead by a surprise conductor," the release said. Get your blanket and your hot chocolate.
Photo Courtesy of Tournament of Roses
Don't Miss: 5 Can't Miss Tips for Traveling with Kids during COVID
Take a Walk in a Neon Garden
GLOW at the South Coast Botanic Garden is sure to make your new year brighter. Walk through the intricate gardens, lit up in creative combinations, to take back a zen interior from the magical exterior. Hours are limited and only go until 5pm, perfect for an afternoon NYE family activity. And if you can't make it on NYE, no worries, it runs until January 10. Advance ticket purchases are required and are $24.95 for member and $34.95 for non-members. Children 4 and under are free.
Photo Courtesy of South Coast Botanical Gardens
Don't Miss: 6 Tips to Plan a Safer Family Holiday Reunion
Hot Wheels Monster Truck Ultimate Drive-Thru
Got a car lover in your family? Then you'll have to check out the Hot Wheels Monster Truck Ultimate Drive-Thru. From their website: Journey into a one-of-a-kind, contactless experience where the world of Hot Wheels comes to life right outside your windows! Drive through this LARGER THAN LIFE showcase of everyone's favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, specialty Monster Trucks, Garage of Legends vehicles, robots, and more! EVERY ticket purchase includes a Hot Wheels 3-Car Pack and one FREE digital photo memory of your experience! They're closed NYE but open on NYD. Held in the Toyota Arena in Oxnard, it's $50 PER CAR ONLINE $60 Per Car At Gate - The promo code KIDS10 ($10 off weekday and weekend passes) will be valid until January 10, 2021
Photo Courtesy of Hot Wheels
Happy to hear that most of the celebrations were virtual. But what a bummer that there wasn't a Tournament of the Roses parade, at least not in Pasadena. 😢 The Neon garden looks cool, I'll have to drive up and check it out.
I know such a bummer! But at least they tried to make the most of it. Hope you get to see the garden!
I appreciate the candidness about the situation we're in and the recommendations for other fun (and safe) activities we can enjoy! I've recently done one of the illumated gardens and it was a fan (and socially distant) evening out so I love that you suggested it. Thanks for sharing your experiencse and recommendations for a safe and socially distant celebration!
my pleasure! Thanks for reading and happy new year!
Oh that Neon Garden looks sweet…we are in town for a few more days, going to take my mother-in-law there, she loves gardens!
Oh good! I'm sure she'll love the fun twist then!
The whole of last year has been bizarre, including the new year celebration. But it's great to see how people are adapting and embracing the new norms. Love all these virtual experiences to usher in the new year in LA.
With 2020 the worst year for many of us, it is okay to celebrate the New Year and hope that 2021 is a lot better. I have extended family based in LA and maybe in the near future we can visit them and do these activities you've recommended.
Any local travel plans this coming week?
Sounds like quite a few safe options that ring in the New year. And fun too. The monster truck one sounds like an adventure. I loved the Neon park thing too. Here is to a great 2021
Noon Year's eve sounded like a great way to make the day a bit different from all of the years! I wish I had known! Hot wheels monster truck ultimate drive through?! My son would love this! Happy 2021
So many virtual ways of celebrating NYE in LA. Loved the Hot Wheels Monster Truck one the most. The Neon Park also seemed very interesting. It is heartbreaking to know the Times Square Ball did not happen this year but thanks for the other options for kids to have a great time in NYE.
So cool that there is a lot to do for the kids to still find the good behing being at home during this time. I have a few nephews that would love to know about this!
New Year's Eve was definitely different, and I love that you can do these no matter where you are. Although, being on the East Coast, that would have been SUPER late for me. Ha! The drink kits seem so fun no matter the time of year, and it's SO smart when places do stuff for kids at noon. I even have a hard time staying up until midnight!
These are great ideas! It would be really cool to take a walk in the neon garden. Happy to know that small children are free of charge.
Great tips for families with children. I have not heard about Neon Garden before. It seems to be a perfect idea for a family activity. Also, Hot Wheels Monster Truck Ultimate Drive-Thru seems great and fun for a whole family.
Wow there are so many things to do in LA at New Year's Eve. It looks you had done a lot on New Year's Eve. Neon Garden really looks very beautiful with those colorful illuminations. My sons would love those Hot Wheels Truck Ultimate Drive-Thru.
Looks like there are tons of fun things to do around LA in the New Years. Love all the festivities it entails even if we don't have kids. We'd probably enjoy these activities ourselves too!