In addition to nursing hangovers, the most celebrated event in California is the Tournament of Roses and Annual Rose Parade in Pasadena. Most will not attend the event, though they'll be able to watch it on television.

Local participatory events include polar and pier plunge events in which participants head for the beach and get wet in the cool, cool ocean. See the ocean temperature chart for beaches in California. The temperatures will range in the 50's mostly. Not as warm as the Florida shores, the water will not be cold like the Russian polar bear plunges that require cutting a hole in the ice, then diving into subzero temperatures. California has it pretty easy. For the upcoming year, January 1 isn't representative of the host of events, festivals and fairs that you'll be seeing on the calendar. January wraps up the outdoor ice rinks, nutcracker ballets, holiday parades, boat parades and tree lighting ceremonies. In upcoming months you'll notice a shift to food events, craft fairs and county fairs. Get ready for the California season of funshine.

ANAHEIM - Disneyland's Holiday Celebration includes Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks show, Santa’s Reindeer Round-up, A Christmas Fantasy parade, Haunted Mansion Holiday and It’s a Small World holiday. Events run through Jan. 4, 2009. Time: Daily, evenings. Location: 1313 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA.

BRENTWOOD - Holiday on Ice. Outdoor seasonal ice rink offers outdoor fun. Twinkling outdoor light-filled rink under a big tent. Time: 2:30 -10:30 p.m. Cost: $10; $5/skate rental. brentwoodholidayonice.com

CAYUCOS - 29th annual Carlin Soule Memorial Polar Bear Dip held at the Cayucos pier. Location: Cayucos Pier, Cayucos, CA. cayucoschamber.com

CORONADO - Skating by The Sea. Location: 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA.  Call: 800 Hotel Del or  (619) 435-6611

DEL MAR - Holiday of Lights Drive-Thru Display. Largest animated show on the West Coast features over 400 displays. Time: 5:30 to 10 p.m.; Fri & Sat open till 11 p.m. Cost: $14/ car (up to 5 people). Location: The Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA. Call: (858) 755-1161. sdfair.com

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Pier Plunge - Location Pacific Coast Highway at Main Street. Time: Approx. Noon.

LOS ANGELES - Reindeer at the Zoo. See Santa, make reindeer antlers and see live reindeer at this holiday event each weekend through December. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $7-12 (kids 2 & under free). Location: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA. Call: (323) 644-4200. lazoo.org

LOS ANGELES - Downtown on Ice. Holiday ice rink is an annual event with free concerts and paid ice skating at temporary rink constructed at Pershing Square near the Civic Center. Rink is open daily through Jan. 19, 2009. Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Cost: $6/ adult, $3 child 4 to 12, free age 3 & under. Location: Pershing Square 532 South Olive Drive Los Angeles, CA. Call: (213) 847-4968. laparks.org

PASADENA - Tournament of Roses and Rose Parade.

REDONDO BEACH - Seaside Ice Rink. Public Skating.  Time: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cost to skate: $12 - 14. Location: Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA. Parking at 181 N. Harbor Drive Call: (310) 318-6300. seasideice.com

SAN DIEGO - Skating by the Sea. Hotel del Coronado resort offers outdoor ice-skating overlooking the Pacific! Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.;  2 to 5 p.m. & 6 to 9 p.m. Cost: $20/adult; $15/child age 10 & under; matinee session: $15/adult; $10/child; Skate Rental: $5. Location: 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado Island, CA. hoteldel.com
SAN JOSE - Downtown Ice skating rink. Location: Circle of Palms, 170 S. Market St., San Jose, California. Call: (408) 279-1775 ext. 45. sjdowntown.com

SANTA MONICA - Resolution Festival  Call 310-474-4832 or go to www.resolutionfest.com
PASADENA - Tournament of Roses Parade. Beginning at 8:00 a.m. Following the Rose Parade at 2:00 p.m. (PST), the 92nd Rose Bowl Game, call (626) 449-ROSE.
VENICE BEACH - Venice Penguin Swim Club New Year's Dive. Join this lively group for its 46th annual dip. They go into the ocean at Noon. Call: (310) 390-5700.

WALNUT CREEK - Downtown Walnut Creek on Ice. This seasonal ice skating rink offers holiday exercise and fun in a beautiful outdoor setting. Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cost: $11 - 15. Location: Civic Park, Clay Arts Parking Lot, Walnut Creek, CA. Call: (925) 935-7669. iceskatewalnutcreek.com

December 31, 2008  <  January 1, 2009  >  Jan. 2, 2009

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