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Travel & Experiences

New Years events in Las Vegas

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. Beyond the fireworks, here's a sampling of ways to ring in 2009. -- Jay Jones Pictured: The Winter Lights Festival at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas.

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.

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

-- Jay Jones

Pictured: The Winter Lights Festival at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas.  (Brian Jones / Associated Press)

Liberace concert

Liberace concert

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.  (Isaac Brekken / Los Angeles Times)

Party with Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz

Party with Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz

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 is $200, which includes midnight Champagne toast; (702) 731-7873, www.purethenightclub.com.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Dine at Joël Robuchon

Dine at Joel Robuchon

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.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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