How to ring in ’09 on the Strip

On New Year’s Eve, the Las Vegas Strip will once again be transformed into a giant block party. About 300,000 people are expected.

Revelers, however, will need to be strategically positioned to see the aerial display. Instead of being shot from the rooftops of various resorts the fireworks will be launched from atop parking garages.

“These fireworks are going to be 300 feet closer to people on the Strip,” says Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events.

The downside is that only people in certain locations on or near Las Vegas Boulevard will have a good view. Information on those sites will be available online ( www.ap2009.com) beginning Tuesday.

The result, according to Christenson, is that “the Strip might be more crowded than it ever has been.”

A reminder that the Strip becomes a giant pedestrian mall on New Year’s Eve, beginning about 6 p.m. The Las Vegas Monorail will be the only public transportation operating. Trains will be running until 3 a.m. Jan. 1.

Beyond the fireworks, here’s a sampling of ways to ring in 2009:

* When it’s just 1 p.m. in Vegas, it’s already midnight in Moscow, so start the celebrations early with an afternoon concert by composer/conductor/pianist Keith Thompson. He’ll perform at the Liberace Museum. Cover $17.50; (702) 798-5595, www.liberace.org.

* Party where no one’s ever partied before. XS, the nightclub inside Steve Wynn’s new Encore resort, opens its doors for the first time at 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve. Prices vary by seating, size of party; (702) 770-0097, www.wanttickets.com.

* Pop stars -- and proud new parents -- Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz will be hosting revelers at Pure. This club at Caesars Palace overlooks the Strip -- and the fireworks; general admission $200, which includes midnight Champagne toast; (702) 731-7873, www.purethenightclub.com.

* For a real treat, consider dining at Joel Robuchon’s namesake restaurant at MGM Grand. The only Michelin three-star restaurant in Vegas will have a prix-fixe, eight-course holiday menu, featuring black truffles, for $600 per person; (702) 891-7925.

* Hip-hop your way into 2009 with singer-songwriter Akon. He’ll perform in a show that begins at 11 p.m. at the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay. (702) 632-7777, www.hob.com.

* Want to ring in the New Year without the crowds? Palms Place will arrange a private party for you and 10 friends in a penthouse. The price is $25,000 and includes accommodations in the penthouse (and four additional suites), plus brunch on New Year’s Day; (702) 932-7777, www.palmsplace.com.