New Year's Eve in Southern California has it all. Whether you want to ring in 2012 partying with 10,000 of your closest friends, sharing an intimate dinner with someone special, meditating for personal growth, or honking party horns with the kids, we have found an event for you:
Big parties
Together as One The gargantuan shindig moves from the L.A. Coliseum and takes on an all-star lineup of entertainment, including Diplo, Chromeo, Duck Sauce and more. The night culminates with a multimedia countdown and fireworks display. Oak Canyon Park, 5305 Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. General admission, $70; VIP, $150.
White Wonderland New Year's Eve Gala Giant's "Big Time" event has merged with Insomniac to create a party so huge it had be extended into a two-day festivity. Live talent includes Paul Van Dyk, Kaskade, Dada Life and more. Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Kantella Ave., Anaheim. 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday. $100-$250. http://www.giantclub.com.
Big Bang 2012 More than 5,000 revelers are expected to attend Hollywood's most expansive New Year's Eve celebration, which includes a slew of celebrity DJs, dancers and live performances from Cobra Starship and Lupe Fiasco. Hollywood & Highland entertainment complex, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $75-$125. (323) 461-9800. bigbangnye.com.
New Year's Eve Celebration Party in style aboard the historic Queen Mary ocean liner, with seven onboard parties and styles of music, including jazz, '70s, '80s, even a dueling piano sing-along. Includes party favors, dancing and a midnight fireworks display. Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $99. (818) 566-1111. http://www.queenmary.com.
Cleopatra's New Year's Eve Ball Celebrate 2012 in style along the Walk of Fame in the beautiful Egyptian Theatre courtyard. Enjoy DJs spinning dance tunes, balloon drop, confetti blast, a giant LED light show and much more. Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. $85.
Las Palmas Block Party One ticket allows revelers entry to the Hip Hop party at Las Palmas, the House Music scene at Premiere Supper Club and the rock stage at Angels and Kings. Each club will have a midnight countdown. Las Palmas, Premiere Supper Club, Angels & Kings 1716-1724 N. Las Palmas Blvd., Hollywood. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. General admission, $75 advance; VIP, $125.
New Year's Eve Gala The South Bay's largest New Year's Eve party brings Vegas-style entertainment to the coast. DJs spin house, hip-hop, top 40 and electro, plus aerialists, dancers and performers, not to mention a high-tech midnight countdown show. Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $45-$65. (323) 378-5207. http://www.maxentertainmentgroup.com.
Black and White Masquerade Ball The evening's festivities feature music by DJ Frankie, laser light show, complimentary hors d'oeuvres 9-10:30 p.m., and the mandatory midnight champagne toast. Masks and cocktail attire required. Wokcano, 1413 5th St., Santa Monica. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Advance tickets, $40; New Year's Eve, $50. (310) 497-6324. http://www.wokanonewyear2010.eventbrite.com.
Vivid New Year's Eve The official Vivid Entertainment New Year's Eve party, with Mark Lewis, Armen, Anthony Shah, Angeline, Blackliquid and Gago spinning house and progressive, plus an outdoor tent of mash-ups and hip-hop by DJ Sklyler. Plus hundreds of porn stars. Ecco Ultra Lounge, 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. 9 p.m.-4 a.m. $40. http://www.eccohollywood.com.
Downtown Long Beach New Year's Eve The high-energy street party will encompass two square blocks and features live music by Wayward Sons and Love Fool, covering hits from the '70s, '80s and the '90s. At midnight, fireworks from the Queen Mary will light up the sky. Intersection of Pine Avenue and Broadway, Long Beach. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Advance tickets, $10; New Year's Eve, $15. http://www.downtownlongbeach.org.
In the clubs
Bootie LA New Year's Eve Mash up your New Year and party like it's the end of the world. Bootie LA celebrates 2012 with a balloon drop, free champagne toast at midnight and free "Best of Bootie 2011" CDs. The Echoplex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Advance tickets, $20; at the door, $30. (213) 413-8200. http://www.attheecho.com.
New Years Eve on the Rooftop Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the glittering lights of downtown L.A. at this highflying dance party. Xo Chic and Droog will be fueling the action with DJ sets. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight. The Standard, downtown L.A., 550 South Flower at 6th Street. 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Free with rsvp to droog.la@gmail.com. (213) 892-8080. standardculture.com.
Hollywood VIP Pass Maximize your New Year's Eve choices — and avoid the interminable entry lines — with this VIP pub crawl, which allows revelers entry to between five and eight happening club parties, depending on the ticket purchased. Clubs include Geisha House, Red Room, Egyptian Theatre courtyard, ecco, Playhouse After Hours and the Las Palmas Block Party. Hollywood Area. 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. $125-$150. http://www.ournightlife.com
New Year's Eve Twenty Twelve KCRW DJs Garth Trinidad, Aaron Byrd and Valida provide the dance inspiration on the poolside patio beside two covered pools-turned-dance-floors. Includes premium open bar and Latin-influenced appetizers and "street" tacos prepared by executive chef Tony DiSalvo. Viceroy Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. $175. (310) 260-7500. http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/newyearseve.
NYE at Elevate Lounge DJ Eddie Boy, the recent winner of KISS-FM's best local DJ competition, provides the thumping beats that fuel the action on this 21st-floor dance party. Special live performance by D-Rock Drums, complimentary champagne toast at midnight and plenty of free party favors. Elevate Lounge, 811 Wilshire Blvd., downtown L.A.. Pre-sale tickets, 9 p.m. $40. (213) 623-7100. http://www.elevatelounge.com.
Carnevale di Venezia: The Playhouse Masquerade Masks are encouraged at this masquerade inspired by the shindigs thrown by Italian royalty of yore. Thumping house music from DJ duo Manufactured Superstars, aerialists and free-flowing champagne conspire to make it modern. Playhouse Nightclub, 6506 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. $125. playhousenightclub.com.
Times Square New Year's Eve Pretend you're in the Big Apple for one night only, with New York City food carts and an all-star cast of DJs provide big beats to heat up the dance floor. Not to mention a ball drop at the stroke of midnight. Glow Lounge, 4100 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $30. (310) 448-4815. http://www.glow_bar.com.
