Top 7 parties and events in Los Angeles to ring in 2015

Wednesdays aren’t normally a big party night, but the final hump day of the year will be the most festive day of the week as people say “goodbye” to 2014 and “hello” to the new year.

To help you make plans for New Year’s Eve, we’ve put together a list of 11 things to do on Dec. 31, from energetic dance parties to concerts and street parties, to family events and even a cruise.

1.THE QUEEN MARY
The ship’s New Year’s Eve bash is all about celebrating the many voyages of the cruise liner with a party on board that will re-create places it has visited, including Italy, France, Spain, Greece and the U.S., with live music, DJs, drinks and dancing from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Spain, for example, will be represented in the Salon with a Spanish flamenco lounge, tapas, sangria and live music from the Gypsy All Stars. The ship’s Sports Deck will represent Greece with busts of Grecian gods and re-creations of Greek ruins serving as decorations for an LED-lit dance floor with electronic dance music. The U.S. will be represented with a Central Park party on the Sundeck. The general ticket gets you on board and allows you to party hop, but VIP will get you into additional parties and a limited number of free drinks.

2.SAINT POCKE
Just before the release of its sixth album, Santa Cruz-born reggae/rock/metal band the Expendables will put 2014 behind it with a few new tunes at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach.

The New Year’s Eve concert is for the 21-and-older crowd and will include songs from the band’s upcoming album “Sand in the Sky,” which is set for release Jan. 13. Doors open at 8 p.m.

3.LONG BEACH STREET PARTY
Fitz and the Tantrums will headline a Long Beach street party that’s expected to draw more than 12,000 people to the downtown area.

The celebration will take place along three blocks of Pine Avenue where there will be three music stages, a dozen bars, food and DJs. Besides the headliners, there will be performances from several other bands and a drag show. There will be a midnight countdown and tons of dancing. The party is from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

4.GRAND PARK
Watch out Times Square, the countdown at the Downtown Los Angeles park will be even grander this year with a New Year’s Eve celebration three times bigger than last year’s inaugural bash.

The Music Center, which programs events at the park, announced that this year’s event will include the entire 12-acre park and the adjacent street, from Temple to Second streets and Grand Avenue to Main Street. There will be enough room for about 50,000 people at the free event, which will include a 3-D projection that will cover two sides and 22 stories of City Hall, three stages for live music and DJs, and 30 food vendors.

This is a dry party, however, so no alcohol is sold or allowed. The celebration is from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

5.SANTA MONICA PLAYHOUSE
The repertory theater’s “Annual One-Time-Only New Year’s Eve Musical Revue” is a popular all-ages New Year’s Eve event centered on a musical revue that includes 1940s jazz, country rock and ballads.

The show includes a buffet, Champagne and party favors. There are two shows, which are very kid friendly, at 6 and 9:30 p.m. Those who attend the late version will get to meet the cast after the show.

6.SPORTSMEN'S LODGE
There’s an age requirement for the New Year’s Eve party at the the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, but it’s not 21 and older. The L.A. Singles Society’s New Year’s Eve Boomer Blast is for singles and couples who are 40 years old and older.

The night will include live music from the Donald Dean Band and the Sidetracs Band and a three-course dinner. But be warned, wallflowers will not be tolerated: There will be two dance hosts walking around asking people to dance.

7.HORNBLOWER CRUISES
Cruise into 2015 on a yacht around Marina del Rey. The more than three-hour cruises include music, dancing and Champagne, and there are options to book one with a four-course meal or another with just appetizers. All boats leave from Marina del Rey Fisherman’s Village Marina and go a short distance from the marina.