This year has been a bummer to say the least and a lot of people are ready to tell 2020 to leave already. But, of course, with the coronavirus pandemic there arent any big live parties going on to celebrate the end of 2020.

But there are online ways to celebrate the end of the year and welcome a hopefully better new year ahead.

Here are five online New Years events being put on by local organizations.

Details: This one is for the little ones as the aquarium streams a program on Zoom that will include craft lessons to teach kids how to create things such as fish-shaped party hats. Theyll also meet some of the animals who live at the aquarium and take part in a Noon Years Eve countdown with the help of a group of puppets. Parents will need to prepare by having craft supplies like paper, crayons, markers, tape, yarn and string ready. The Zoom party costs $5 per family.

When: 11:15 a.m.-noon Dec. 31

How to watch: On Zoom. Buy tickets at tinyurl.com/ybyobfec

Details: Usually thousands of people party at the downtown L.A. park on New Years Eve. While thats not happening this year, people can party and dance at home because Grand Park is teaming up with one of the hottest DJs around for its eighth annual celebration. Grammy-nominated DJ Steve Aoki will headline a 90-minute music and dance party featuring performances by artists on his new Dim Mak En Fuego label, including Mexican quintet Aquihayaquihay and Venezuelan singer Andrekza. Plus, DJ 2 DEEP will mix beats between sets. The events midnight countdown will still take place with 3D animation graphics at City Hall.

When: 11 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Dec. 31

How to watch: @GrandParkLosAngeles on YouTube and Facebook, Fuse TV, grandparkla.org.

Details: Because everyone could use some inner peace after this crazy year, the Shambhala Meditation Center will host a meditation celebration on Zoom. One Zoom room will be the dubbed the Silence Room, which is for quiet meditation. But because we could all use some socializing too, there will be another Zoom session in the Celebration Room, where you can chat with others as you take a break from finding inner peace. The online retreat will be led by meditation instructors, so no prior experience is needed. The Center is asking for $20 donations but is accepting whatever people can pay.

When: 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 31

How to watch: Register at la.shambhala.org

Details: Theres a sour grapes joke here somewhere, but we couldnt come up with one, so instead heres this: Temeculas drop dont stop just because of the pandemic. Yes, the citys annual event is dropping online starting with a virtual concert at 7 p.m. featuring cover bands Shoot 4 Tuesday followed at 9:15 p.m. by Undercover. Like it does in normal years, the Grape Drop will happen virtually at 9 p.m. and again at midnight.

When: 7 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31

How to watch: Facebook @TemeculaParksandRec

Details: End the year with a few laughs as Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank hosts a night of comedy. There are a couple of New Years Eve show options starting at 10:30 p.m. with the Yoo Hoo West Coast show, featuring several young comics and a countdown to midnight. This show costs $39. Then theres The Virtual West Coast New Years Eve Live Stream show starting at 11 p.m. with performances by Noah Copfer, a regular performer at Flappers and the Ice House in Pasadena, as well as comedian and real-life doctor Laura Hayden. Tickets are $25 for this one.

When: 11 p.m. Dec. 31

How to watch: flapperscomedy.com

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5 ways to celebrate New Years Eve online with local events during the coronavirus pandemic - San Bernardino County Sun