LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The COVID-19 pandemic and a winter surge in infections will tone down celebrations of New Year's Eve in Los Angeles County tonight, but some alternative programming will be offered for those looking to celebrate, and there are still chances for some in-person festivities.
The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors will present a pair of free fireworks shows in Marina del Rey, with the pyrotechnics fired from the marina's south jetty.
Burton Chace Park, a traditionally popular viewing spot for Marina del Rey fireworks, will be closed to the public to prevent any large gatherings, but county officials said the fireworks will be visible from locations throughout the marina, as well as Venice and Dockweiler Beach.
The fireworks will be launched at 8:59 p.m. -- coinciding with the New Year on the East Coast -- and again at 11:59 p.m.
Fireworks will also light up the sky at midnight on the Long Beach Waterfront, in a show presented by the Downtown Long Beach Alliance, Shoreline Village and the city. The show is free and can be seen from spots in the waterfront area.
The annual New Year's Eve celebration at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles -- which traditionally attracts tens of thousands of revelers -- has been reduced to a no-live-audience event. The event was originally going to be scaled down anyway, open only to invited front-line workers and first responders.
But with COVID cases surging, even that plan was scrapped.
Instead, the Music Center will present a celebration that will stream on Grand Park's YouTube channel and broadcast on Fuse. Kinky will headline the program, with musical performances also planned from Esty and DUCKWRTH.
The program will begin at 11 p.m.
West Hollywood's annual #BOOM! Alcohol- and Drug-Free New Year's Eve Event has also been forced away from an in-person format due to COVID. The gathering has been rebranded #BOOM@ In Your Living Room!, becoming a live- broadcast party for people who register online at boomweho.com.
The event will be hosted by drag artist Salina EsTitties and feature music by djquinnc, along with live music, celebrity guests, music videos and a countdown at midnight.
The pre-show will begin at 9:30 p.m., with the main event beginning at 10 p.m.
For those still hoping for a big in-person event, Universal Studios Hollywood is moving ahead with its annual EVE celebration, which is included with the price of park admission, is a park-wide celebration that begins at 9 p.m. and offers extended hours until 2 a.m.
Multiple ``entertainment hubs'' will be set up around the park, featuring live music and DJs.
The event will be highlighted by a New Year's Eve countdown and fireworks display at midnight.