The New Year’s Event celebration includes music and DJS, as well as a countdown-to-midnight art show projected onto Los Angeles City Hall. (photo courtesy of grandparkla.org)

Embracing the theme “Power of One,” Gloria Molina Grand Park’s NYELA will ring in 2026 with an unforgettable experience on Wednesday, Dec. 31, for thousands of Angelenos and visitors. The West Coast’s largest free New Year’s Eve party will pay tribute to the resilience L.A. showed throughout 2025, celebrating the bravery of those who uplift communities, defend values and build a brighter future that reflects L.A.’s beauty, diversity and strength.

The five-hour, alcohol-free celebration includes locally grown, globally known music artists and performers and an unrivaled lineup of talented DJs. From hip hop and house music to psychedelic rhythms, nearly every music and dance genre is showcased on two stages at Gloria Molina Grand Park, powered by The Music Center. The ultimate New Year’s Eve party will crescendo with the park’s signature countdown-to-midnight art show projected onto L.A.’s iconic City Hall.

“Gloria Molina Grand Park’s NYELA reminds us that change doesn’t begin in crowds – it begins with one person, one act, one spark of courage. The ‘Power of One’ is about believing that each of us can shape the future we want to see,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center. “Our individual journeys can transform entire communities when we pursue our paths with hope and determination. I invite all Angelenos to join together to usher in the new year as one powerful community because our collective creativity, compassion and courage keep L.A. County soaring.”

The event’s “Power of One” theme is inspired by the monarch butterfly, an unwavering symbol of migration, transformation and ancestral courage. Festival attendees will see butterflies and their pulsing wings depicted in the park’s countdown-to-midnight art show. Produced by A3 Visual, the dazzling projection mapping show includes additional vibrant visuals such as shifting cityscapes and waves of color that ripple with energy.

“Like the monarch butterfly that migrates across borders driven by the hope to survive and thrive, that same courage defines Los Angeles today – a proud county of immigrants whose individual contributions and collective efforts continue to shape generations,” said Robert Gonzalez, director of Gloria Molina Grand Park. “With Gloria Molina Grand Park’s NYELA, we honor the brave, resilient and ever-evolving spirit of Angelenos, as we renew our commitment to building a community where everyone belongs.”

Gates open at 8 p.m. and the event ends at 1 a.m. Gloria Molina Grand Park is located at 200 N. Grand Ave. For information, visit grandparkla.org/nyela.