A GUIDE TO NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATIONS

Orange County folks in search of a way to celebrate the New Year’s arrival have a variety of choices among area hotels and restaurants, from black-tie formals to country-Western hoedowns, plus a holiday blowout especially for seniors.

Some New Year’s Eve celebrations are already booked solid, but many have room for more revelers. Following is a list of some of the available offerings. (Note: some prices quoted include tax and gratuity, others do not. Also, some events have dress codes. Check when making reservations.)

Anaheim Hilton and Towers, 777 W. Convention Way, Anaheim. Five-course meals with wine, a champagne toast and party favors are offered in two hotel restaurants: Hastings is $70 per person; Pavia is $80 per person, which includes a live band and dancing. Live entertainment will be featured in the Pulse Lounge from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. $25 cover charge per person. Information: (714) 750-4321, Ext. 590.

Balboa Pavilion, 400 Main St., Newport Beach. The familiar landmark overlooking Newport Bay will feature a buffet dinner, followed by dancing to music by the Charles Butler Band. $23 per person. Information: (714) 673-4633.

Courthouse Restaurant, 2 Hutton Centre Drive, Santa Ana. A package featuring a six-course dinner, wine and cocktails, a midnight champagne toast, party favors, entertainment and dancing is offered. $150 per couple. Information: (714) 540-8615.

Crazy Horse Saloon and Steak House, 1580 Brookhollow Drive, Santa Ana. The Crazy Horse offers dancing to live country-Western music, complimentary champagne with meals, and party favors. Normal menu pricing for dinner; no cover charge for saloon. Information: (714) 549-1512.

Disneyland Hotel, 1150 W. Cerritos Ave., Anaheim. A six-course dinner at Granville’s will be followed by a party with dancing, open bar, champagne and party favors at the hotel’s Pavilion Lounge. Prices per person are $79 for the dinner, $49 for the party and $119 for both. Sgt. Preston’s Yukon Saloon and Dance Hall will feature its floor show, “Yukon Follies,” continuously from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. $5 cover charge includes party favors at midnight. Country-Western music will be offered at the Wharf Bar and piano entertainment at the Mandarin Lounge--no cover charge. Information: (714) 778-6600, Ext. 1215.

Emerald Hotel, 1717 S. West St., Anaheim. The evening begins with a private cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, followed by a six-course dinner in the Pacific Room and live jazz and big-band entertainment until 1 a.m. Wine, champagne, party favors and a door prize drawing included. $100 per person. Information: (714) 999-0990, Ext. 7285. Reservations are limited.

Four Seasons Hotel, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. Dinner will be offered in two dining rooms: 6 p.m. seating is still available for the Cabana Cafe at $50 per person; 6 and 9 p.m. seatings are open for the Pavilion, which features a four-course dinner with wine and champagne at $150 per person. Dancing and entertainment will be offered in the Conservatory Lounge: included with dinner, $30 cover charge for others. Information: (714) 759-0808, ask for holiday reservations.

Hotel Meridien, 4500 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. The Cafe Fleuri will serve a five-course dinner at 8 p.m. with entertainment and party favors. $80 per person. Two dinners will be served at Antoine: a three-course dinner with live jazz and a 6 p.m. seating is $70 per person; a five-course meal with live jazz and a midnight champagne toast is $140 per person for an 8:30 p.m. seating. A package including a dinner party and overnight accommodations at $270 per couple is fully booked, but late cancellations are possible. Information: (714) 476-2001.

Irvine Hilton and Towers, 17900 Jamboree Blvd., Irvine. There will be two seatings at Morell’s. The 5:30 p.m. seating will include a four-course meal, wine and admission to the Zot dance club. $60 per person. The 8:30 p.m. seating features a six-course meal, wines, party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and dancing to a jazz trio. $125 per person. In Le Cafe, a 5 p.m. seating includes a buffet dinner with champagne. $25 per person. An 8:30 p.m. seating includes a buffet, party favors, wine, champagne and dancing to a jazz trio. $45 per person. Zot will feature dancing, a dessert buffet and champagne toast at midnight. $25 entrance fee. Special room rates available. Information: (714) 863-3111.

Irvine Marriott Hotel, 18000 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. The hotel offers an evening in the Grand Ballroom that includes a four-course dinner, open bar, party favors and dancing to a 10-piece orchestra. $210 per couple; $275 per couple with accommodations. Information: (714) 553-0100.

Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Tennis Club, 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. In the Pacific Ballroom, there will be dinner, dancing to a contemporary group and a big band, wine, cocktails and a champagne toast, party favors and a continental breakfast at 1 a.m. $225 per couple. Information: (714) 640-4000, Ext. 6104. Dancing, hors d’oeuvres, party favors and a champagne toast are offered in the Main Brace ($20 per person) and in the View Lounge ($95 per couple). Information: (714) 640-4000, Ext. 6230.

Newporter Resort, 1107 Jamboree Blvd., Newport Beach. Orange County’s Big Band Dance Society offers an evening of dinner and dancing with Howard Reynolds and his band in the Plaza Ballroom. $75 per person. Information: (714) 548-0932. In the Jamboree Cafe, guests will enjoy a five-course dinner, a bottle of champagne and entertainment by the Shelley Moore jazz ensemble. $70 per person. Information: (714) 644-1700, Ext. 582.

Pinafini, 580 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa. The nightclub offers a buffet all evening, complimentary champagne, party favors, entertainment and dancing. $12 at the door, $10 in advance. Information: (714) 241-7504.

Red Lion Inn, 3050 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. The Red Lion package includes overnight accommodations, a bottle of champagne on arrival, a cocktail hour, a dinner with filet mignon and scampi, dancing to ‘50s and ‘60s rock by Jerry and the Jets, a midnight champagne toast and party favors. $199 per couple. Information: (714) 540-7000.

The Ritz-Carlton, 33533 Shoreline Drive, Laguna Niguel. Several options are available at the resort hotel. The Ballroom will be the site of a black-tie six-course dinner and dance with the Barry Cole Band. $175 per person. An eight-course meal will be offered in the Dining Room from 6 to 11:30 p.m. $115 per person. The first seating for a six-course dinner in the Cafe is still available. $45 per person. Fully reserved: the second seating in the Cafe and a dinner and dance in the Club Bar and Grill. Information: (714) 240-5008.

Saddleback Inn, 1660 East 1st St., Santa Ana. The inn’s restaurant will offer a special menu, entertainment in the lounge, party favors and champagne. Menu prices range up to $16.95 per person. Information: (714) 835-3311, Ext. 624.

Sheraton Hotel--Newport Beach, 4545 MacArthur Blvd. A New Year’s Eve package for seniors 50 years old and older includes an open bar, prime rib dinner, champagne and party favors, dancing, overnight accommodations, buffet breakfast in the morning and free tennis, pool and spa. $149 per couple. Information: (714) 833-0570.

Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel, 666 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa. A six-course meal with entertainment, party favors and a champagne toast is offered at Alfredo’s. $70 per person for the 6 p.m. seating; $95 per person for the 8:30 p.m. seating, which includes dancing to a five-piece band. Information: (714) 540-2500. An after-performance party for the audience of the Pacific Symphony concert at the Orange County Performing Arts Center will be held in the Ballroom. Information: (714) 556-2787.