Los Angeles, California

This city boasts a New Year's Eve celebration for every taste and budget, from massive street parties to black tie affairs to all-night bars. LA prefers to keep things close to their hearts and frequently keeps party details hidden till the last minute. Club crawls, in which a single ticket allows you beyond the velvet rope at various clubs, have become a popular way to spend New Year's Eve.

There are several things to do in Hollywood alone, and there is a strong acceptance of people from all walks of life. The annual Cleopatra's New Year's Eve Ball at Hollywood's Egyptian Theatre is always a hit, with a DJ spinning the hottest music, an LED light show, and a balloon drop and confetti blast to kick off the new year. One of the city's free events takes place in Grand Park and beyond, where stages with live entertainment and food vendors are set up.