Southern California theme parks ring in New Year’s Eve with rides, music and fireworks

Shortly after the Christmas gifts are unwrapped and the holiday feast is consumed the same question arises every year: What are we going to do for New Year’s Eve?

Fortunately, Southern California theme parks have you covered. Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld San Diego and Legoland California all have festivities planned for those looking to ring in 2024 with thrill rides, live music and midnight fireworks.

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Whether it’s swing dancing, live rock bands, DJ dance parties, stand-up comedy, magic acts, dueling pianos or champagne toasts, there’s something for everyone in the family at SoCal’s amusement parks on New Year’s Eve.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s on tap at local theme parks on the last night of 2023:

Disneyland

Disneyland will ring in the new year with “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks at 9 p.m. and midnight. Main Street U.S.A. in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle is often jam-packed hours before the clock strikes midnight with visitors waiting for the nighttime spectacular. Additional fireworks viewing locations can be found in the plaza in front of It’s a Small World and the Fantasmic viewing area along Rivers in America.

New Year’s Eve festivities at Disneyland will feature countdown parties with DJs throughout the park. Details on the party spots will be posted to the Disneyland website and app in the days before the celebration.

Disneyland will open at 8 a.m. on New Year’s Eve and stay open until 2 a.m.

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Disney California Adventure

Disneyland’s sister park is usually far less crowded on New Year’s Eve.

Disney’s Festival of the Holidays will offer live music and dance performances until 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve.

Disneyland’s fireworks show will be visible from DCA — but without the projection show that accompanies the nighttime spectacular. The “World of Color — Season of Light” water show will play on Paradise Bay at Disney California Adventure at 7 and 8:15 p.m.

Disney California Adventure will open at 8 a.m. on New Year’s Eve and stay open until 1 a.m.

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Knott’s Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park will stay open late on New Year’s Eve with live music, comedy, dueling pianos, dance lessons and midnight fireworks.

Midnight Hiatus will play pop and rock music on the Calico Mine Stage with DJ Howly spinning dance music in between sets.

The PianoMania dueling piano duo will wage a head-to-head musical battle on the Boardwalk BBQ stage.

Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies, who performed for more than two decades at Disneyland’s Golden Horseshoe Saloon as Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, will play the open-air Wagon Camp Theater.

The Jitterbug Pop Swing Band will take over the Boardwalk Ballroom with the Jitterbug Jumpers and dance instructors on hand to keep the dance floor hopping.

Comedian Chipper Lowell will tell family-friendly jokes and perform magic in the Bird Cage Theater.

Knott’s will open at 9 a.m. on New Year’s Eve and stay open until 1 a.m.

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Universal Studios Hollywood

The annual in-park  celebration at Universal Studios Hollywood will ring in the new year with DJs, dancing and midnight fireworks.

The New Year’s Eve celebration takes place at multiple party hub locations throughout the park.

Specialty food, desserts and cocktails will be sold throughout the evening party as well as beer, wine and champagne.

Universal will open at 8 a.m. on New Year’s Eve and stay open until 2 a.m.

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Legoland California

Midnight comes early at Legoland California with the New Year celebration long before the kids’ bedtimes.

The New Year’s Eve countdown party starts at 6 p.m. “Kid Standard Time” at the Carlsbad theme park includes live music and fireworks.

Countdown dance parties will be held in Lego Movie World, Fun Town, Pirate Shores and the main entry hub with dancing, singing and pop music.

Legoland will open at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Eve and stay open until 7 p.m.

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SeaWorld San Diego

The San Diego marine park will celebrate the final night of the year with a champagne toast and special New Year’s Eve fireworks show at 9 p.m.

SeaWorld closes at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

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Six Flags Magic MountainMagic Mountain will not host a New Year’s Eve event.

The Six Flags amusement park in Valencia closes at 9 p.m. on Dec. 31.

All New Year’s Eve events at Southern California theme parks are included with the cost of admission.