{"id":191,"date":"2008-12-08T09:27:35","date_gmt":"2008-12-08T15:27:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/12\/new-years-eve-in-las-vegas-celebrities-fireworks-and-more\/"},"modified":"2016-12-17T14:43:05","modified_gmt":"2016-12-17T20:43:05","slug":"new-years-eve-in-las-vegas-celebrities-fireworks-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/12\/new-years-eve-in-las-vegas-celebrities-fireworks-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas: Celebrities, fireworks and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Lasvegashotels\"<\/a> By E.C. Gladstone<\/em><\/p>\n

New York may have Times Square, but no entire city is quite utterly devoted to celebrating New Year\u2019s Eve like Las Vegas<\/strong>. Not only are there more star-studded, over-indulgent, all-night-long parties here than can possibly be counted, but the entire Strip is closed to traffic for a midnight fireworks display<\/strong> that every year tries its darnedest to beat the last.<\/p>\n

On top of that, the Mirage<\/strong><\/a> volcano<\/strong> is said to be hosting an event that may well turn out to be historic, if things go as planned.<\/p>\n

But I\u2019m getting ahead of myself. Coming in for the crazy New Year’s Eve weekend? Here are some of the top shows, clubs and events you may want to consider:<\/p>\n

ENTERTAINERS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some of the biggest names performing at Las Vegas hotels<\/strong><\/a> include Fergie<\/strong> in the Venetian<\/strong><\/a> Ballroom (hosting the countdown at Lavo<\/strong> in the Palazzo<\/strong><\/a> afterward); Kid Rock<\/strong> at the Pearl in the Palms<\/strong><\/a> (hosting and DJing upstairs at Playboy Club afterward); DJ Paul Oakenfold<\/strong> at Rain (also Palms); Pink<\/strong> at ex-husband Cary Hart\u2019s Wasted Space rock club (Hard Rock Hotel<\/strong><\/a>) and Akon<\/strong> at House of Blues (Mandalay Bay<\/strong><\/a>)\u2026 Or, if you\u2019d rather, step back in time with Sha Na Na<\/strong> at The Cannery (two shows), Jerry Vale<\/strong> at Eastside Cannery, or Tony Orlando<\/strong> at South Point<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Vegas favorite David Copperfield<\/strong> also is performing at MGM Grand<\/strong><\/a>, and if you\u2019re itching to get your evening started, many popular Strip shows are offering special early performances, including all of the Cirque Du Soleils<\/strong> (matinees between 4-6 p.m.) and a 7 p.m. performance of MGM\u2019s tastefully sexy Crazy Horse Paris topless revue\u2026<\/p>\n

CELEBRITIES<\/strong><\/p>\n

What would Vegas be without celebrity-hosted club parties? Ringing out their star-making year, The Hills stars Heidi Montag<\/strong> and Spencer Pratt<\/strong> bring their \u201creality\u201d show to Christian Audigier (TI<\/strong><\/a>), while Kim and all the Kardashian clan sets up on the VIP stage at LAX (Luxor<\/strong><\/a>), Ashley Simpson<\/strong> and Pete Wentz<\/strong> do the proud parent party at Pure (Caesars Palace<\/strong><\/a>), Carmen Elektra<\/strong> counts down at TAO<\/strong>, Denise Richards<\/strong> makes things less complicated (let\u2019s hope!) at Prive (Planet Hollywood<\/strong><\/a>), Usher<\/strong> brings love into the club Bank, (Bellagio<\/strong><\/a>) and New Kids\u2019 Donnie Wahlberg<\/strong> and Danny Wood<\/strong> take a flyer at JET.<\/p>\n

PARTIES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Needless to say, every place with a great view of the Strip will be celebrating as the fireworks go off\u2026Stratosphere<\/strong><\/a>, with the highest view in town, is offering a variety of packages for its 108th floor observation deck and Top of the World restaurant<\/strong>, including one that offers unlimited thrill rides (a great combo with champagne!) and several dining options\u2026 Ghostbar<\/strong>, 55 floors up at Palms<\/strong><\/a> is sure to be a hot ticket\u2026And with or without Fergie, Lavo<\/strong> is a sure bet with one of the best patios on the Strip and a classy club inside. Another hot tip would be to check out XS<\/strong>, the new megaclub at Wynn Resort\u2019s Encore<\/strong><\/a>, which is bound to have a VIP crowd.<\/p>\n

OTHER GREAT STRIP VIEW RESTAURANTS\/CLUBS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mix<\/strong> at THEHotel<\/strong><\/a> (Mandalay Bay), Voodoo Lounge<\/strong> (Rio<\/a><\/strong>), Prime<\/strong>, Yellowtail<\/strong> (both Bellagio<\/strong><\/a>) as well as the Bellagio\u2019s Fontana lounge<\/strong> (where local legend Dian Diaz<\/strong> performs), Social House<\/strong> (TI<\/strong><\/a>),  Mon Ami Gabi<\/strong> and the Eiffel Tower<\/strong> restaurant (both Paris<\/strong><\/a>). Planet Hollywood<\/strong>\u2019s Hawaiian Tropic Zone<\/strong> has one of the roomier Strip-side party patios, and probably one of the best deals ($50 general admission, $125 with open bar, $1200 Strip-side tables) including a free buffet with admission\u2026 Diablo\u2019s Cantina<\/strong> (Monte Carlo<\/strong><\/a>), with another great view, has a comparable offer.. And while we\u2019re talking \u201crelative\u201d values, the Mirage\u2019s Revolution lounge<\/strong> has a 10-midnight open bar for $75 dollars, while Oakenfold\u2019s Perfecto club<\/strong> at Rain — which would be a white-hot ticket in any other city — thanks to the competition here, is also a deal for dancers.<\/p>\n

A WORD TO THE WISE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Considering the madness that happens on Vegas New Year’s Eve<\/strong>, you may feel it\u2019s well worth it to spring some extra cash for VIP treatment — and of course, there are any number of VIP packages available (the best bets probably being the all-access deal at Palms<\/strong><\/a>, and Fergie\u2019s concert\/club combo at Venetian<\/strong><\/a>\/Palazzo<\/strong><\/a>). I\u2019d also strongly suggest remaining in one well-chosen spot from 8 p.m. until after midnight — should you be so inclined, it would be a lot easier to move to another party around 2 a.m. Don\u2019t worry, they will just be getting started!<\/p>\n

Insider Tip:<\/strong> On the budget end, Red Rock Casino<\/a><\/strong> lounge favorites Zowie Bowie<\/strong> are coming to the Strip for a special performance at the Monte Carlo brew pub.<\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n