Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites - Kids Kaleidoscope

Grand Park NYE—In the heart of Los Angeles, you can spend the evening ringing in 2018 with performances and large-scale animated projections plus plenty of food and music for everyone. This year’s party is set to start at 8 p.m., so we recommend going early with kids and sneak them home to bed before it gets too crowded. Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., Downtown LA. Event details.

Luzia—Cirque du Soleil’s newest show, takes place at Dodger’s Stadium. Like in a waking dream, LUZIA takes you to an imaginary Mexico, where light quenches the spirit and rain soothes the soul. Shows on New Year’s Eve take place at 1 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. Dodger’s Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., Elysian Park. Event details.

Eastside

Family New Year’s Eve Party at the LA Zoo—The LA Zoo is hosting a Family New Year’s Eve party. Celebrate the coming of 2016 in style with “skip-the-line” express entry to L.A. Zoo Lights, dinner buffet, soft drinks, complimentary champagne for adults, sparkling apple cider for kids, dessert, a ride on the Zoo’s hand-crafted conservation carousel, crafts for youngsters, DJ dance party, cash bar and live broadcast of New York’s Times Square ball drop at 9 p.m. LA Zoo, 5333 Zoo Dr., Griffith Park. Event details.

Zimmer Children’s Museum Balloon Drop—In honor of the upcoming year, the Zimmer is embracing all that is 18, and there will be balloon drops hourly from 11:18 a.m. and 3:18 p.m. in the museum. While you countdown to the countdowns, you can create your own sparkly noisemakers and party accessories. The Zimmer Museum, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Event details.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens at the El Capitan Theatre—The Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.This is the place to see it! Shows play all day but get your tickets early. They’ll sell out. El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Event details.

Westside/Beach Cities

ICE at Santa Monica—Skate into the New Year at one of the coolest spots in town. Just blocks from the beach, ICE isn’t quite open ‘til midnight, but you can ring in the year at noon or East Coast time on the rink. Admission plus skate rental is $15. ICE at Santa Monica, 1324 5th St., Santa Monica. Event details.

Magicopolis NYE Show—Want a magical New Years Eve? Following a comedic stage show of illusions, partake in pizza, popcorn, and sparkling cider (or champagne!) to toast the New Year. The 9 p.m. show is suitable for young ones ages 5 & up. Reserve ahead (tickets are $75 per person) for seats, requisite noisemakers, hats, a magic class and souvenir bag of tricks. Magicopolis, 1418 4th St., Santa Monica. Event details.

San Gabriel Valley

Rose Parade Behind the Scenes—Take your tots to get an up close and personal look at the floats that will be featured in the parade in the morning as they get their finishing touches. Watch in wonder and awe as flowers, fruit, seeds, bark and grasses are expertly applied to the floats. Kids 5 and under are free. The Rose Palace, 835 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Event details.

Kidspace Balloon Drop—For kids that still enjoying an afternoon nap, ring in the ‘Noon’ year with live music, streamers and baby bubbly (a.k.a. sparkling cider). This Kidspace tradition features a countdown and festive balloon drop at high noon and a performance by Clint Perry and the Boohoo Crew. Partygoers are encouraged to arrive early to make their own party hats and noisemakers. $11 per person, open until 3 p.m. Kidspace Children’s Museum, 480 North Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena. Event details.

Grinchmas at Universal Studios—We find the City Walk NYE celebration a bit of a crush with kids, but you can head over during the day to play with Sally and the Grinch and kiss Grinchmas, er, Christmas farewell for another year. Take part in a Whoville sing-a-long, photo ops with Grinch and his dog Max, story time with Cindy Lou-Who, cookie decorating and more that will let you soak up every last drop of holiday spirit and then collapse in bed, exhausted and ready for a New Year. Universal Studios, Universal City. Event details.

Long Beach

Disney on Ice Presents Follow Your Heart—Follow your heart straight to adventure at Disney On Ice! Celebrate true friendship with all the gang. Make unforgettable memories with all your Disney friends when Disney On Ice presents Follow Your Heart skates into your hometown!. Long Beach Arena, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Event details.

LEGOLAND’s Brick Drop—Midnight comes early in the LEGO world…Kids’ New Year’s Eve gives Times Square a run for its money with the early bird ball, er, LEGO drop! The countdown to the 6 p.m. Brick Drop: a humongous Lego block plunges 22 feet, culminating in a crowd-pleasing pyrotechnics display that the whole family can watch wearing party hats and special fireworks watching glasses. LEGOLAND, 1 Legoland Dr., Carlsbad. Event details.

New Year’s Eve at Disneyland—Mickey and his pals are celebrating New Year’s Eve, with “Ring in the New Year” fireworks spectacular at 8:45 p.m., and the “Fantasmic!” spectacle at 9 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. All the ‘usual suspects’ will be on hand, including the newest members of the Disney Family (think Jedi and Sith), so don’t forget your camera. Disneyland, 1313 South Disneyland Drive, Anaheim. Event details.

Knott’s Berry Farm NYE—Knott’s Berry Farm has something for the entire family this New Year’s Eve with Snoopy, a variety of dance music, a family-friendly comedian magician, and more. All this plus a day spent riding Knott’s rides, enjoying all the attractions and a Midnight Fireworks Show makes it a great way to spend the last day of 2017. Knotts Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park. Event details.

Medieval Times—Party like it’s 1099! Celebrate time moving forward by going back in time. Action-packed sword fights, a beautiful princess, elaborate costumes and even a magnificent Andalusian stallion performing without rider…add in a dinner you can eat with your fingers, and you’ve got an evening your kiddos will adore. Showtimes are at 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m. & 9:45 p.m. Medieval Times, 7662 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Event details.