Places to Toast the Start of the New Year : Festivities: Holiday celebrations range from dancing on Catalina to concerts and comedy.

Say goodby to 1994 and hello to 1995 with a variety of activities for all ages. Here is a list of festivities available to ring in the New Year.

Dances

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art presents its New Year’s Eve Ball from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The black-tie event will feature music and dancing, buffet, cocktails and champagne plus a private viewing of exhibitions, including “Annie Leibovitz: Photographs 1970-1990.” Tickets are $75 for museum members, $100 for non-members. A portion of each ticket is tax-deductible. Information: (213) 857-6150.

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LACE/Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions presents “Last Chance to Dance!” New Year’s Eve Party, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at APLA/AIDS Project Los Angeles, 1313 N. Vine St., Hollywood, entrance on Homewood. No-host bar. Tickets are $19.95 general, $17.95 LACE members, and are available in advance or at the door. Information: (213) 957-5135.

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The Queen Mary New Year’s Eve Party begins at 8 p.m. with admission $35. Dancing, favors and parking. The Queen Mary is at the end of the Long Beach Freeway, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the box office. Information: (310) 435-3511.

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Catalina Island’s 23rd Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration in the Casino Ballroom accompanied by the big-band sounds of Art Deco and his Society Orchestra. Tickets for this black-tie event are $100 per person and include buffet dinner, a split of champagne, dancing and party favors. Information: (310) 510-1520.

Amusement Parks

Knott’s Berry Farm presents “Praise ‘95, Jubilation,” from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. with Christian rock bands and fireworks at midnight. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 on the day of the event. Information: (714) 220-5200.

Family/Community Events

First Night, 6:30 p.m. through midnight. Pier and Hermosa avenues, Hermosa Beach. Live music, featuring jazz, rock, classical styles, interactive theater, art exhibitions, dancing and a Mardi Gras-style procession at midnight. Admission is $8 in advance, $10 day of event, children under 12 are free. Information: (310) 374-3813.

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The Sierra Club’s fifth annual Welcome in the New Year Hike in the Santa Monica Mountains. Hikers of all ages are welcome and should bring $3 (single dollar bills), goodies, champagne, cups, and optional flashlight/lantern. Wear a jacket and comfortable shoes for the easy-to-moderate five-mile walk. Meet at 9:30 p.m. at Trailer Canyon fire road in Pacific Palisades. Information: (310) 479-5717.

Concerts

Legendary Motown divas Martha Reeves, Mary Wilson and Gladys Horton reunite at the Gate, 643 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the package are $275 per person and include a four-course dinner, party favors, balloon drop and champagne. Seating is limited; advance reservations are recommended. Information: (310) 289-8808.

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Anita Baker at the Universal Amphitheatre, 9:15 p.m., 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. Tickets are $100, $80 and $55. Information: (818) 622-4471.

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Queen Ida and Her Zydeco Band highlight a Cajun New Year’s Eve Celebration at 9 p.m. at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Tickets are $50 and include authentic Cajun/Creole cuisine from Aunt Gusseye’s Place in Pasadena and a champagne toast at midnight. Information: (310) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310.

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Eddie Money plays two shows at the Galaxy Concert Theatre, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana. Tickets are $25 for the 7:30 p.m. show and $50 for the 10 p.m. show. Available from Galaxy Theatre box office or through Ticketmaster, (714) 957-0600.

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Chris Isaak at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $25; a second show at 10 p.m. is sold out. Tickets available at the box office or through Ticketmaster. Information: (714) 496-8930.

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Greg Allman and Friends at the Ventura Concert Theatre, 265 Chestnut St., Ventura. Two shows; ticket prices are $20 for the 8 p.m. show and $35 for the 11 p.m. show. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the box office. Information: (805) 648-1888.

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“Legends in Concert,” Don Sweeney’s 17-piece Orchestra and comedian Martha Jane from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at the Normandie Casino and Showroom, 1045 W. Rosecrans Ave., Gardena. Tickets are $40 and include two drinks, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Information/reservations: (310) 352-3428.

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Reggae Boat Party, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Seaport Village, 140 Marina Drive, Long Beach. Tickets are $50 and include a four-hour cruise on a 300-passenger, two-level yacht, live reggae music, two drinks, buffet, party favors and fireworks show at midnight. Information: (310) 498-0091.

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Etta James at the Strand, 1700 Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Tickets are $65 and are available through Ticketmaster or at the box office. Information: (310) 316-1700.

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Joshua Redman Quartet, featuring Christian McBride at Catalina Bar & Grill, 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. Tickets are $95 each and include a five-course dinner, party favors and champagne toast at midnight. Seating is at 7:30 p.m. Information: (213) 466-2210.

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New Year’s Jazz at Indian Wells, at the Stouffer Esmeralda Resort & Hyatt Grand Champions, 44-600 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells. Featuring music, dancing and 23 bands. The event kicks off Dec. 29 at the Stouffer Esmeralda Resort with a free day of music and entertainment from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. A three-day jazz pass is available for Dec. 30-Jan. 1 at $130. A one-day pass for Dec. 30 is $35. Admission to the New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. is $75, and an additional $45 includes the buffet. A one-day pass for Jan. 1 is $35. Information: (310) 799-6055.

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Herbie Hancock, Gary Busey, Licorice, China Club All-Stars at 8 p.m. at the Hollywood Athletic Club, 6525 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Cover charge is $40. Dinner options are available for an extra price. Information: (213) 962-6600.

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Moby, MixMaster Morris, Young American Primitive, Carl Craig Techno-Rave, 9 p.m. to sunrise. National Orange Show Complex, 689 S. E St., San Bernardino. Information: (213) 960-5077, (714) 647-1994, Tickets are $20 advance and $25 day of the event through Ticketmaster or at the box office.

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Bang Tango, Filthy Lucre at the Coconut Teaszer, 8117 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Information: (213) 654-4773. Tickets are $10.

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Popa Chubby Band at B.B. King’s Blues Club, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., 100 Universal Center Drive, Universal City. Hors d’oeuvres, party favors and champagne toast at midnight. Reservations recommended. Information: (818) 622-5464. $75 per person.

Gilby Clarke at the Hard Rock Cafe, 9 p.m. 8600 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, Information: (310) 276-7605. Free.

Dinner

Medieval Times New Year’s Eve Spectacular begins at 9:30 p.m., at Medieval Times Restaurant, 7662 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Tickets are $55 and include buffet, sit-down feast, party favors and champagne toast at midnight. Tickets and reservations are available through Ticketmaster or call (800) 899-6600.

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New Year’s Eve Gala at Hamlet Gardens, 1139 Glendon Ave., Westwood. Dinner, dancing, live band, party favors and a complimentary bottle of champagne are included in the $100 per person price. Seating is from 9 to 11 p.m. Information: (310) 824-1818.

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At the Hollywood Athletic Club, on Universal CityWalk, 1000 Universal Center Drive, Universal City, dinner at 7 p.m., $50 per person and unlimited pool for $100; limit six persons per table. Dancing, D.J. and two complimentary drinks at 9 p.m. for $25 per person. Information: (818) 505-9238.

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L.A. Gourmet Restaurant’s New Year’s Eve Party features the sounds of David Whitfield & His Band, two seatings, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 21830 Nordhoff Ave., Chatsworth. Admission is $80 per couple for the first seating, $125 per couple for the second. Reservations required. Information: (818) 882-7600.

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Cafe Santorini and Rococo Supper Club, 64 W. Union St. and 70 W. Union St., respectively, Pasadena, feature live music, dancing and champagne toast. Prices from $15 to $25 per person. Reservations required. Information: (818) 564-4200 or (818) 564-4201.

Comedy Clubs

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Ice House, 24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, with comedian Ron Pearson plus special guests. From $35 to $45 per person, including admission, party favors and champagne toast. A two-drink minimum is not included in the price. Reservations required. Information: (818) 577-1894.

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At the Comedy Store, 8433 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, shows begin at 8 p.m. in the Original Room, featuring continuous comedy. The Main Room show begins at 9 p.m., featuring the Best of the Comedy Store. Ticket prices from $25 to $40. Information: (213) 656-6225.