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New Year’s Aboard the Queen Mary
You’ll need to leave the kids at home for this 21-and-over celebration aboard a majestic ocean liner from the Golden Age of Trans-Atlantic crossings. Permanently berthed in Long Beach, the Queen Mary features multiple kinds of entertainment in its many public spaces decorated in homage to favorite films like The Godfather, Mambo Kings, and Avatar. Entertainment includes country music dancing in the Royal Salon, salsa in the Queen’s Salon, swing in the Grand and Windsor Salon, and close-up magic on the Promenade Deck. Have dinner at any of the ship’s restaurants and book a cabin so you can party like it’s 1939. You’d better be on the top deck at midnight if you want to catch one of Southern California’s best firework displays right over the water.

First Night in Fullerton
Go easy on the pocketbook with the free celebration of the arts in downtown Fullerton . This annual alcohol-free bash welcomes the entire family to enjoy food vendors, and games. Fireworks punctuate the festivities at midnight.

Theme Parks
Better get into Anaheim’s Disneyland early for their Fantasy In The Sky celebration or save some time by staying at one of the resort’s three hotels. They’ll be plenty to do at the park with lots of dancing and surprise musical performers. But you’re here for the fireworks show, which is set to popular Disney music. Walt Disney himself commissioned this light display way back in 1958 but it’s been updated with the latest pyrotechnic effects and audio systems. You’ll get two chances to enjoy the spectacle: at 9 PM and midnight.

Over at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, the Sky Cabin rises 200 feet to the top of the K tower to signal special lighting effects for counting down to midnight. When the cabin reaches the top, fireworks light up the sky. Before then, the park will be full of family-friendly entertainment, including an 80s party band at the Calico Mine Stage, magic and comedy at the Wagon Camp, and toe-tapping tunes at the Birdcage Theater. Collect your complimentary party hat and horn at the Livery Stable.

New Year’s Eve at Burton Chase Park
Another freebie, this time in Los Angeles County, gives you two chances to celebrate the New Year at Marina Del Rey. You get a live screening of the ball drop count-down from New York’s Times Square at 9 p.m., complete with a 10-minute fireworks show. Then when midnight comes to the West Coast, you get another 10-minute fireworks display. You can watch from the park or hang out at the many restaurants and bars overlooking the Marina.

Coming Home Safely
With the fireworks and festivity, it’s easy enough to overindulge in drink. At that point, you don’t want to risk driving back home. If you can’t get a sober friend to take you, the next best thing is to call AAA’s Tipsy Tow service at 1-800-400-4222. They’ll tow your vehicle and give you a ride home, all for free up to a specified distance. You don’t have to be a member of AAA to use this service.

If you want to know how to celebrate New Year’s Eve or any other holiday from your new abode, why not contact us, your California new home builders.