Last year - the first time a New Year's Eve celebration was offered at Grand Park - organizers expected about 8,000 people to attend. They were blown away when 25,000 people showed up.

County officials say the stars have aligned to make Grand Park a central gathering place akin to Times Square in New York. Downtown Los Angeles has been through a decade of revitalization and an expanded Metrorail system can bring more people downtown from more corners of the city.

The celebration will include local bands and DJs entertain crowds from three stages and a 10-minute animated film to be projected on City Hall during the final countdown.

The Music Center commissioned the film from Hollywood animation and design agency yU+co. It was designed to capture and reflect common L.A. moments, like fighting freeways and marveling at the rain.

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Admission is free to Grand Park. The MTA will run expanded, free service on New Year's Eve.