NEW YEAR AT LAS VEGAS

Most people walking along the Strip were dressed in street clothes, but several tourists who visited CityCenter's new Aria resort were decked out in fancy floor-length dresses or black suits.

The complex was abuzz with activity as Eve Nightclub at Crystals, and Gold Lounge and Haze at Aria officially opened their doors.

Two girls from Jakarta, Indonesia, sat in a pocket park between Aria and Crystals waiting for a table at new CityCenter restaurant Besos.

"We've never celebrated New Year's here," said Stella Hartanto, 21, who attends the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. "I've heard it's the best."

Both she and her friend, Vindriani Lukito, 20, who attends Purdue University in Indiana, were giddy with excitement about the fireworks show.

Although Lukito didn't have a New Year's resolution, Hartanto had a practical one.

"I'm going to graduate soon, so probably, it's to find work," she said, laughing.

At Crystals, a line had formed outside the entrance of Eve with eager club-goers curious about the new addition to Las Vegas' nightlife. They also wanted a glimpse of the club's celebrity owner, Eva Longoria Parker.

Areeya Richle, a new Las Vegas resident and transplant from Vancouver, was one of many patient partiers waiting outside. Richle said his group members knew someone who was able to get them in.

"We're hanging out in here for a while and then watch the fireworks on the Strip and hopefully come back," Richle said Thursday night.

Earlier in the evening, some visitors made the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign their first stop before heading up the Strip. With an Elvis impersonator on hand, out-of-towners had all the elements of a classic Las Vegas photo op.

A group of friends from New Jersey walked from their room at Tahiti Village to snap a photo before the New Year's festivities. The Las Vegas trip had been two years in the making, Charmaine Hamza said.

"We're all 21 now and we're celebrating our 12 years of best friendship," said her friend, Felicia Clark. "It's a sister vacation."

Clark said they were heading to Encore's XS and were ready for the $75 cover charge. As for their New Year's resolutions, the girls said they hoped to nurture their long-standing friendship.

"One of us moved away but she's moving back so we're hoping to all become closer and let our bonds grow stronger," Hamza said.

Thiago and Silvia Dutra, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, also stopped by the sign to take pictures before beginning their evening.

"We think it will be a nice place to celebrate the new decade," Thiago Dutra said. "We think it's the best place to be for New Year's."

The couple normally visit the beach with friends on New Year's Eve, but this year they decided to try something new — fireworks and a private party on the Strip.

"And getting drunk, of course," Dutra said.

A slew of celebrities made appearances up and down the Strip, including Pete Wentz at Jet; 50 Cent at Pure; Eva Longoria Parker at her nightclub, Eve; Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas at LAX; and Christina Aguilera at Tao.

New Year's Eve concerts included performances by the John Mayer Trio at the Joint, Robin Thicke at the Bank and Maroon 5 at the Pearl. A red carpet was laid out for guests at LAX at the Luxor.

Jose Montano, 26, of Orange County, Calif., was sipping a bright orange, 190-Octane drink from a giant cup when he walked back to meet two friends outside LAX.

"We just want to have fun, man," he said. "I just want to hang with the boys."

Efren Camare, 28, of Orange County, was sitting across from the club's entrance with his friend, Raymond Chaidez, 25, also of Orange County.

At midnight, "I'm going to be giving my homies high fives and hugs for a happy new year," Camare said. "It has been a lousy year. We're ready for the next one."