Christmas and Chanukah may be over, but you can still squeeze in one more theme park holiday celebration before 2023 arrives – New Year’s Eve!

, 5-4-3-2-1… Happy New Year at SoCal Theme Parks!

Disneyland’s calendar for Dec. 31st shows the park’s plans include a New Year’s Eve Countdown Celebration at “it’s a small world” (7 p.m. to 1 a.m.) and Rivers of America (7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.) plus New Year’s Eve Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks Spectacular at 9 p.m. and midnight (we also expect some special entertainment), but more information is supposed to be announced the day of in the Disneyland app. However, Disneyland Resort reservations are currently unavailable for Dec. 31, 2022 – and most Magic Keyholders are blocked – so if you don’t already have confirmed plans to ring in the new year at the Happiest Place on Earth, you‘re going to need another option.

Thankfully, Southern California is rich with theme parks (and other family-friendly New Year’s Eve events), so here’s where you can ride a coaster, eat a churro, see the Grinch, and celebrate the arrival of 2023.

New Year’s Eve at Knott’s Berry Farm

No reservation is required to celebrate the New Year at Knott’s Merry Farm with fireworks, live entertainment, and extended hours from 9 a.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1.

In addition to Merry Farm’s seasonal performances throughout the day, the park-wide New Year’s Eve party features extra entertainment, including a midnight fireworks display – complete with celebratory party hats and noisemakers.

New Year's Eve at Knott's Berry Farm

Knott’s New Year’s Event entertainment includes:

  • Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies at the Wagon Camp Theatre – These four country boys from deep in the hills of Anaheim are the best entertainment this side of the Santa Ana freeway.
  • DJ HowLy at the Calico Mine Stage – Bring the party to the farm on New Year’s Eve with music and dancing.
  • The Peanuts next to the Calico Mine Stage – Pose for pictures with the Peanuts gang in their favorite party outfits.
  • PianoMania Dueling Pianos at Boardwalk BBQ – Two talented musicians go head-to-head in a musical battle.
  • Mic Dangerously and the Royal We at The Calico Mine Stage – Pop and rock music to have you dancing in the aisles
  • Chipper Lowell at the Bird Cage Theatre – a family-friendly comedy, magic, and audience participation show.
  • Jitterbug Pop Swing Band and the Jitterbug Jumpers in the Boardwalk Ballroom – The band provides the tunes, and you bring the moves (dance instruction included).

And since every New Year’s Eve celebration should include a celebratory meal, Spur’s Restaurant is serving up a special New Year’s Eve Buffet (including party favors and a champagne toast) from 4-10 p.m. Prices are $60 for adults and $30 for kids ages 3-11. No reservations required.

Knott’s Merry Farm also includes the Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas ice skating show, the heart-warming musical Best Wishes at the Camp Snoopy Theatre, A Christmas Carol and The Gift of the Magi, 1885 in Bird Cage Theatre, and a nightly snow and glow experience in Ghost Town.

Knott's Merry Farm

Knott’s Merry Farm For the Holidays – It’s All HERE!

Knott’s New Year’s Eve celebration is included with regular daytime admission. Tickets are $65 online ($99 at the gate) via our discount link. Click here to purchase tickets.

EVE at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating the arrival of 2023 from 9 p.m. on Dec. 31 until the wee hours of the morning (2 a.m.) on Jan. 1. The special park-wide event includes music, dancing, fireworks, and access to select rides and attractions – and the best part is it’s all included with theme park admission.

New Year's Eve at Universal Studios Hollywood

Even though guests can spend the entire day in the park, EVE officially begins at 9 p.m. with entertainment hubs featuring pop, rock, hip-hop, EDM, and Latin music. Plus, photo ops, a selection of food and beverages for purchase – including desserts, champagne, beer, wine, and cocktails – and, when the clock strikes midnight, a fireworks display will light up the sky (enhanced with a snowfall and confetti).

New Year's Eve at Universal Studios Hollywood

New Year's Eve at Universal Studios Hollywood

One-day Universal Studios Hollywood tickets for Dec. 31 are $139 for adults and $133 for kids ages 3-9; one-day tickets with Express Pass are $309 per person age 3+. The Express Pass includes one-time express access to each ride (excluding Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge if open), attraction, and seated show. All rides and attractions will close by 1 a.m. Click here to purchase MiceChat discounted tickets.

The holiday festivities at Universal Studios Hollywood will also still be in full swing on New Year’s Eve, so in addition to the EVE festivities, parkgoers can enjoy Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (with “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts  Castle” projection show), and the Grinchmas Who-bilation featuring the Who-ville Whos and You Know Who.

Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood Holiday Guide & Fun News!

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at the Old Globe Theatre, San Diego

Speaking of the Grinch…

His may be a Christmas story, but the Mean One is loitering a bit longer at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego’s Balboa Park, with performances of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at 5 p.m. on weekdays and at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekends (including New Year’s Eve). The show closes on Dec. 31, 2022.

The charming and whimsical musical (and 25-year San Diego holiday tradition) is based on the classic Dr. Seuss book and includes the songs “Santa for a Day,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and “Welcome, Christmas (Fah Who Doraze),” the well-known Who-liday carol from the animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at The Old Globe Theatre
Andrew Polec as The Grinch, Tyrone Davis, Jr. as Young Max, and Steve Gunderson as Old Max in Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Photo by Rich Soublet II)
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theatre
Andrew Polec as The Grinch with the Who ensemble in Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Photo by Rich Soublet II)

The family-friendly show has a running time of one hour and 25 minutes with no intermission. Tickets range from $59 to $99 for adults and $49 to $89 for kids ages 3-17. Click here for details.

New Year’s Eve at SeaWorld San Diego

Guests at SeaWorld San Diego can welcome 2023 on Dec. 31, 2022, with the park’s Christmas Celebration during the day filled with shows, animals, and rides – including the all-new Emperor (the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in California) – followed by an after-dark New Year’s Eve celebration with lights, music, and a special New Year’s countdown and fireworks show at 9:00 p.m. (all included with park admission).

New Year's Eve at SeaWorld San Diego

But wait! The first annual SeaWorld San Diego New Year’s Eve Family Bash will take place from 6-9 p.m. in the Nautilus Pavilion. This separately-ticketed VIP party includes all of the above PLUS appearances by favorite Sesame Street friends, live entertainment, party hats, specialty cocktails and beer for purchase, and a tapas-inspired food menu, all leading up to private fireworks viewing (with a champagne toast for adults and sparkling cider for kids).

One-day SeaWorld San Diego tickets are $64.99 per guest age 3+ online ($109.99 at the gate). A Ticket + All-Day Dining Bundle is $104.99 per guest online ($159.99 at the gate), which includes one entrée, one side, or one dessert plus a fountain drink every 60 minutes. The New Year’s Eve Family Bash tickets are $49.99 for adults and $29.99 for kids. Click here for details.

Kids’ New Year’s Eve at Legoland California

As the self-proclaimed theme park built for kids, Legoland California hosts the ultimate kid-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration where “Midnight” comes at 6 p.m., so kids can party like it’s 2023 without missing their bedtimes, all included with park admission on Dec. 31

New Year's Eve at Legoland

Fun Fact: The park’s famous “early fireworks display” looks like Lego bricks are exploding in the sky, thanks to cool Legoland glasses.

One-day Legoland California tickets are $119 $98 per guest age 3+ for Legoland only and $129 $119 per guest for a Legoland + SeaLife Aquarium hopper via our discount links here for more information.

Family New Year’s Eve at L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow

If you’re looking for a smaller-scale but still family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration, the Los Angeles Zoo’s annual holiday Zoo Lights event transforms the zoo into an immersive wildlife-centered experience with spectacular illuminated lantern sculptures of animals, blooming flowers, towering trees, and much more.

LA Zoo Lights 2022
Photo by Jamie Pham

LA Zoo Lights 2022

A special New Year’s Eve ticket includes express entry to L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow, a buffet dinner with soft drinks and dessert, a kid-friendly dance party and games, fun photo ops, and even complimentary champagne for adults/sparkling apple cider for kids to toast the New Year (cash bar also available). They’ll even be showing a live broadcast of the Times Square ball drop from New York City).

LA Zoo Lights 2022

Tickets for L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow are $39 for adults and $32 for kids ages 2-12. Entry times are 6 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. (L.A. Zoo Member discount available). Family New Year’s Eve at L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $100 for adults and $75 for kids ages 2-17 (yes, you read that right… 17!) Click here for details.


Discount Disney Theme Park Tickets & Hotels!!!

, 5-4-3-2-1… Happy New Year at SoCal Theme Parks!
The Disney100 celebration is coming up. Time to start planning!

MiceChat brings you the BEST theme park ticket, hotel & package deals! (You’ll find extra nights free, big discounts, and special offers as well).

Check out the latest offers for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Knott’s Berry Farm:

If you live in Southern California, there’s a very special ticket offer for you that runs from January 9th through May 25th: 

(MiceChat works with Get Away Today to provide you with the best theme park travel deals and we may make a small commission on any sales made through our links)


Let’s Hear From You!

How is your family celebrating New Year’s Eve this year? Are you among the lucky Disneyland 12/31 reservation holders, or are you planning to ring in 2023 at a different theme park? Maybe you’re just going to stay warm and cozy at home (possibly even with a pre-midnight bedtime) – that’s my plan! No matter how you celebrate, we wish you and yours a very happy New Year and all the best for 2023.

, 5-4-3-2-1… Happy New Year at SoCal Theme Parks!

Sharing is caring!

Samantha Davis-Friedman
Samantha was born and raised in Southern California. She spent ten years working in television production; however, her English degree from UCLA was finally put to good use in 2011 when she began writing about family travel and theme parks. She has enjoyed sharing her adventures with readers ever since.