Why spend New Year’s Eve the same old way?

First there’s the booze, then the binge and finally the morning after. If New Year’s Eve is so much fun, why does it culminate in so many close encounters with porcelain? After years of unabashed drinking and its consequences, it’s understandable that some people would want to swear off this year-end ritual.

It isn’t just recovering alcoholics. Many abstain for health or philosophical reasons -- pregnancy, for example, or a budding interest in Buddhism. Others say no because they have families; an alcohol-free New Year’s is simply safer. Whether it’s a family-oriented street fair, a sober dinner-and-dance party, a mountain hike or some new, personalized ritual you create with friends, there are a variety of ways to celebrate the New Year.

Sierra Club hike leader Rick Recht is one who has given up traditional celebrations.

“I’d go to New Year’s Eve parties and there would be cigarette smoke blowing in my face, a boombox in one ear, people just slurping down alcohol, lights glaring in my face, and I’d come out with a headache saying, ‘I thought I was supposed to be having a good time here,’ ” says Recht, who started taking hikers into the Santa Monica Mountains 13 years ago to celebrate the New Year with food, music and a midnight cheer.

“I wanted to give people an alternate way to enjoy New Year’s without the booze,” he adds, “but still have a great time.”

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Hangover-free New Year’s Eve

The 13th Annual Welcome in the New Year Hike & Festival: Participants take a short hike into the Santa Monica Mountains, where they will share food, music and a midnight cheer. Meet at 10 p.m. at Chastain Parkway East and Via Las Palmas in Palisades Highlands. (310) 479-5717. $8 per adult; $4 for age 12 and younger.

The Alcoholics Together Center in Silver Lake: Clean and sober dance for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual communities 1773 Griffith Park Blvd., L.A. Suggested donation: 5 p.m. $3-$5. (323) 663-8882.

Club Freedom: The Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Prevention Program hosts its fifth annual event from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.. 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood. Free. (323) 860-7389.

First Night Fullerton: Fullerton’s 12th annual event for families, with bands, street performers, a petting zoo and midnight fireworks, runs from 7 p.m. to midnight. On Harbor Boulevard between Commonwealth and Chapman avenues. Free. (714) 738-6545.

Celebrating Family & Friends New Year’s Eve: Roving entertainers, visual arts, musical entertainment and food from local vendors. At Central Park in Rancho Santa Margarita. 5 p.m. Free. (949) 635-1800, Ext. 258.

The Meeting Place: A New Year’s Eve barbecue with live bands from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. 1115 W. Orangethorpe, Fullerton. $5. (714) 738-9108.

Alcoholics Anonymous: For information on events in and around L.A., call (323) 936-4343.