The 16 BEST Things To Do On New Year’s Eve In Orange County

Mark the final hours of 2022 with these fun activities!

Wondering what there is to do in Orange County on New Year’s Eve?

Making plans for New Year’s in the OC and searching for what to include in your itinerary?

Looking for the best events and activities to celebrate New Year’s with your loved ones?

We got you!

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Orange County

The new year is almost here! 

Check out our list of the best ways to ring in 2023. 

From fun activities to great food options, there’s something for everyone on this list. 

So get ready to party like it’s 2023!

The top New Year’s Eve events in the OC

Orange County is home to some of the most exciting New Year’s Eve events. From fireworks parties to ice skating events and even a bowling shindig, there’s something for everyone.

Fireworks and parties at Disneyland

Disneyland transforms into a festive wonderland, with Disney characters dressed in their holiday best and exciting activities galore!

Enjoy thrilling rides like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as you wait for the fireworks display and the NY countdown.

With its vibrant atmosphere and amazing attractions, Disneyland is the perfect place for a magical New Year’s Eve with friends and family.

Noon Year’s Eve at the Pretend City Children’s Museum

If you’re planning a New Year’s Eve celeb with your kids, Noon Year’s Eve at the Pretend City Children’s Museum is the perfect event!

It begins around 9:45 in the morning and ends in the late afternoon/early evening – perfect timing for a kiddies’ party!

One of their interesting events is celebrating the new year as it makes its way around the world, with four different countdowns coinciding with the new year in Bangladesh, Dubai, Athens, and London.

Kids will also have the chance to make their own fireworks with paint and paper and take part in a Brazilian tradition of playing in blue water and throwing white flowers on the surface.

Overall, a wonderful chance for young children to learn new things, like how time changes as one moves around the world while having a fun time!

New Year’s Eve on the Lanes at Bowlero Tustin

Celebrating New Year’s Eve at Bowlero Tustin is an absolute must! 

From their epic blacklight bowling lanes to their delicious food options, you can’t go wrong. 

With two different packages (including a family package) to choose from, everyone in your group will have an awesome time ringing in the new year together.

Knott’s Berry Farm holiday season celebrations

Park-goers of all ages can enjoy NYE at Knott’s Berry Farm through their end-of-the-year event. 

From seasonal shows like ‘Home for the Holidays’ to magical dancing toys and dazzling snow on an elaborate, transforming wintertime stage, there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

Head over to see the beloved ice show featuring Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang and professional ice skaters, or indulge in unique holiday dining options like crispy breaded turkey balls filled with stuffing and sweet cranberry sauce. 

Incidentally, Knott’s is a great weekend destination. Here are some other non-Disneyland weekend attractions in Orange County.

Dave & Buster’s Family New Year’s Eve 2022

Looking for a family-friendly NYE party with a difference? Head for Dave & Buster’s at the Spectrum Mall in Irvine!

Their NYE package includes delicious appetisers, dessert, soft drinks, as well as unlimited video game play and a video ball drop. 

Celebrate with your loved ones at this one-of-a-kind event!

Skate your way to 2023 at the Holiday Skate Center

Ring in 2022 with a night of family-friendly fun at Holiday Skate in Orange! 

Enjoy hours of rolling around the rink, complete with skates, pizza, hats, horns, and plenty of contests, prizes, and giveaways. 

And don’t miss out on the chance to watch the ball drop at midnight!

“Celebrating Family & Friends” at Rancho Santa Margarita

Ring in the New Year with a family-friendly celebration – Celebrating Family & Friends in Rancho Santa Margarita’s Central Park. 

Fun for all ages, you can look forward to live music, games, inflatables, and more at this magical event.

Along with New Year’s, this celebration also commemorates Rancho Santa Margarita’s anniversary of being incorporated as a city (which took place on January 1st, 2000).

Tee 2023 off at the San Juan Hills Golf Club

Celebrating New Year’s Eve at the San Juan Hills Golf Club is an amazing experience you won’t want to miss. 

The Club provides some of the best views in the area, with stunning vistas of rolling hills and lush greenery. 

As you take in the scenery, be sure to join in on the festivities with live music, late-night bites, sweet treats, and souvenir photos that await you!

New Wave NYE Countdown at the City National Grove Of Anaheim

Kick the celebrations off in style at City National Grove of Anaheim’s Countdown Party with live performances by legends from the ’80s, such as Patty Ryan and JOY & Gazebo.

Relive fond memories with classic hits such as Hello, I Like Chopin, and so on.

You can also look forward to music from Generation Jazz as the final countdown moves closer.

Other ways you can spend New Year’s Eve with your loved ones in Orange County

Not particularly drawn to pre-planned parties? Prefer celebrating on your own through fun and thrilling activities?

Fret not; we’ve got some of the best ones lined up for you to choose from!

Watch the sun set on 2022 from a beach

Celebrating New Year’s Eve with loved ones on a beach in Orange County is an unforgettable experience. 

Watching the sun set into the Pacific Ocean as 2022 fades away with your closest friends and family is truly magical. 

The fresh ocean breeze, the sound of waves crashing against the shoreline, and the glistening horizon make for a picturesque backdrop to celebrate this special moment. 

Make sure to take along blankets, chairs, and some festive decorations to add a bit of sparkle! 

One can even enjoy traditional firework displays marking the start of the new year from nearby spots around Huntington Beach or Newport Beach – perfect for an evening full of fun, laughter, and joy.

Have a birthday coming up? Beach birthdays are among the top birthday party ideas in the OC.

Have an escape room adventure with your loved ones

Team up with your loved ones and head for our Tustin escape room.

Choose your adventure – would you rather go for a spot of urban exploration in an abandoned NYC subway station, or is examining a house for clues on the mysterious vanishing of an eccentric person more to your liking?

Next, hop aboard the Intrepid Express – a “train” that will take you to your adventure site.

As the train rolls up to your destination, you’ll be led into the escape room itself.

With the clock ticking down, can you work as a team to spot and solve clues on the way forward and find your way out before you’re out of time?

Good luck…and remember, all may not be as it seems!

Nearby restaurants for a delish NYE dinner!

• Right across the street from us, you’ll find Terra Mia Pizzeria.
• Taps Brewery is right down the street and remains open till 9/10ish.
• Chocolate Bash is a fun nearby dessert shop, open till midnight/1 am.
• The District shopping center is a short walk away, where you can check out –
• Casa del Sol Mexican Food with live music and food.
• Red Robin is best known for its burgers and fries.

Lucille’s BBQ with a Southern-inspired menu and craft beers and cocktails.

See off 2022 at Golfland Anaheim

Golfland Sunsplash in Anaheim offers a fun and exciting way of celebrating New Year’s Eve with the entire family.

With its wide range of attractions, including mini-golf courses, go-karts, bumper boats, laser tag, an arcade, and much more, there’ll be plenty of ways for everyone to keep busy and have a blast.

They also offer great food and drinks to keep you all energized and excited.

Feel on top of the world at Santiago Peak

Want to enjoy New Year’s Eve amidst the beauty of nature? Maybe get an early start on your “get in shape” New Year Resolution? 

Hiking to the top of Santiago Peak for New Year’s Eve is a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature and get ready for a new year. 

You can take in amazing views from the peak, which sits at an elevation of 5,687 feet, while watching the sunset over Southern California. 

On the way up, you’ll also pass by some of the most stunning wildflowers in the state. 

And when you reach the summit, you can witness the New Year’s fireworks from a totally unique and memorable vantage point.

Experience 2022 slipping away at The LAB Anti-Mall

With its ensemble of established brands, small businesses, and local tradespeople, The LAB at Costa Mesa should prove a rewarding visit on New Year’s Eve.

From record shops to thrift stores and from vegan restaurants to coffee and donut outlets, there’s something for everyone down there.

Walk the pathways, marvel at the art installations, and catch eclectic musical performances as the hours tick down to 2023. 

It’s a great place to grab one-of-a-kind New Year gifts for your near and dear ones as well!

Go on 2022’s final shopping spree

If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Orange County, why not go shopping? 

There are plenty of shopping centers and boutiques to explore throughout the county, from South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa to Fashion Island in Newport Beach. 

You can find everything from high-end designer stores to small independent shops. 

Shopping is a great way to enjoy the festive atmosphere while expressing your individual style.

After all, what better way is there to start the new year than by treating yourself (or someone else) to something special?

Check out of 2022 with a dive through the skies above Orange County!

You’ve heard this before:

Believe it or not, I’m walkin’ on air

I never thought I could feel so free

Flyin’ away on a wing and a prayer

Who could it be?

Believe it or not, it’s just me.

Now feel it, in real life, with your loved ones as you bid adieu to 2022 with a skydive!

With some of the best drop zones and instructors in the country, it’s no surprise that we are a popular destination for thrill-seekers.

Take the plunge and experience the rush of diving through thousands of feet in the air.

This will be a New Year’s Eve that you won’t quickly forget!

The top New Year’s Eve activities in Orange County – a final word

Whether you’re looking to party it up or keep things low-key this New Year’s Eve, Orange County has you covered. 

From attending one of the numerous NYE parties to untangling mysteries in an escape room and skydiving with your family and friends, we’ve put together a list of 16 of the best things to do on December 31st. 

How are YOU planning on ringing in 2023? Let us know in a comment below!