by Paul Lines

Created on: December 26, 2007   Last Updated: November 21, 2010

New Year's Eve in L.A. As is to be expected from what many consider to be the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas welcomes in the New Year in an extravagant style, mixing firework displays and celebrations with a host of shows and parties that feature some of the world's best known celebrities.

The strip itself is closed to traffic during the celebrations, as approaching half a million people are expected to crowd the streets to join in the fun. The main free party will take place in the strip itself, with dancing and drinking from noon on the 31 December through to the dawn of New Year's Day. There will be fabulous firework displays launched from the rooftops of many of the hotels along the Strip, providing a multi-coloured tapestry across the sky. This year's theme is 'The best is yet to come,' featuring big band and swing tunes as accompaniment. Another street party, although this one will cost around $60 plus tax, is that provided by the Freemont Experience, which includes performances from the Doobie Brothers and The Bangles.

Across the myriad of unique venues that Las Vegas has to offer there will be party and show experiences to suit all tastes, with both musical and other types of entertainments, all at varying costs. Musically, the whole range of age and genre is catered for. For the younger audience, there are performances from Mariah Carey and Earth, Wind and Fire at the Venetian, Whip It at the South Point, Jay Z and Friends at the Palazzo and Goo Goo Dolls at the Mandalay Bay House of Blues.

Those who prefer to spend their New Year's Eve in the company of the more established and mature stars are also catered for. There are performances from B B King at Buffalo Bill's, New Year's Eve with the Rat Pack tribute band at the Gold Coast Nevada Ballroom, Back Street Boys at the Hard Rock, Tony Orlando at the Cannery and Debbie Reynolds at South Point's Grand Ballroom.

Perhaps one of the most spectacular events of the night will be the evening with David Copperfield at the MGM Grand with a special Midnight Balloon dropping into the auditorium to mark the dawning of the New Year at midnight. Alternatively, why not try the Rio Voodoo Lounge, where you can party on floor fifty-one above the fireworks, or look out for one of the sidesplitting comedy shows.

If you want to party with the girls, you can choose from a night at Caesar's Palace hosted by Pamela Anderson, or Luxor's LAX nightclub in the company of bad girls Paris and Nicky Hilton. For the ladies, Kevin Federline is also hosting a party, this one being at the Treasure Island's Tangerine Lounge and Nightclub.

In addition to the entertainment at all of the above, many other establishments throughout Las Vegas offer wining and dining facilities throughout the night, most with a midnight champagne toast included in the price. For those who do not want to wait until midnight, there is even a celebration at noon on 31 December provided at the South Point Grand Ballroom, with performances by the Las Vegas Tenors.

The above are just a few of the fabulous shows and parties on offer. Las Vegas New Year celebrations will certainly live up to its reputation of extravagance and choice of partying, many with special themes. From the free to the expensive there will be entertainment and partying that will cater for all tastes and wallets. One thing guaranteed is that, after the night in Las Vegas, you will not remember much of New Year's Day.

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