Now that the holiday season has arrived, San Diego’s hotels, restaurants and casinos alike are wrapping up plans for both Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties. And despite the recession, September’s tragic events and security changes, organizers expect a willing public to take part in the celebrations. While a few office parties have been canceled; overall, the hospitality industry reports San Diegans are ready to greet the season and move on to a new year.

At Downtown’s San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina, New Year’s restaurant packages are doing very well, reports Jim Tallman, director of restaurants. The hotel’s Yacht Club Restaurant & Bar has expanded its annual New Year’s on the Bay party into an adjoining room. The $180-per-couple event features a four-course dinner package; accompanying room rates are $129 bay view and $109 city view.

“We find that most people take the hotel room, and we encourage people to take the hotel room,” Tallman says.

The Marriott also offers a dining party in its Molly’s restaurant, with five-course holiday menu, a champagne toast upon arrival, party hats and favors at $150 per couple.

Tallman says the hotel will have a disc jockey in its south tower lobby and a live jazz and blues band in the north tower so both hotel guests and guest of either of the two parties can dance.

“I think this year we’re celebrating a little bit more on a grander scale,” Tallman says. “This year there are dances are in two towers as opposed to no dances last year. I am feeling positive — the packages are good, there are some exciting room rates, and we’re looking forward to moving on from this year and celebrating the new year.” Tallman has heard that his customers are ready to relax and celebrate, and adds the hotel’s Christmas party banquets also are doing very well this year.

“It’s a hard time right now but most people could use a little cheer,” says Shae Geary, director of public relations at Carlsbad’s Four Seasons Resort Aviara. Geary says the resort’s holiday season is shaping up great and has kept the staff busy.

“In some areas, some companies have scaled back or decided not to have Christmas parties,” Geary says. “Others think it’s a good thing to celebrate. For the most part, we’re still busy. Our dining outlets and restaurants are very busy for our Christmas dinner and our New Year’s Eve party.”

Geary says the main change in this year’s holiday event experience is security. “Because of things that have happened, security is looking out for things they didn’t last year. Other than that it’s the same experience you’d have in years previous.”

The Four Seasons offers three packages on Dec. 31. New Year’s Eve in the Grand Ballroom is a black tie-optional party with a four-course dinner, dancing and swing/big band group The Wayne Foster Orchestra. The $225 per person event includes tax, gratuity, open bar and reserved seating and runs from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

In its Vivace dinner restaurant, the resort offers a 5:30 p.m. seating with a three-course menu at $75 per person, and an 8:30 p.m. seating with a four-course menu and glass of champagne at $105 per person.

“This year, we’re doing the same things we usually do, because we offer the same services and amenities to our guests no matter what’s happening,” Geary says. However, she expects this holiday the resort will see more local residents rather than visitors, and more people who drive in rather than fly.

“We’ve had some tremendous demand,” says Kim Pang, vice president of food and beverage at Alpine’s Viejas Casino. “We’ve got a lot of return people who had their parties here last year are having them here again this year.” Pang says the casino has not experienced a lot of canceling of office Christmas parties, and the staff is looking forward to a good year.

“Ideally every holiday season we cater to our casino patrons. We haven’t done anything different this year.” As part of its special treatment for party patrons, Viejas will provide roundtrip transportation for groups of 35 or more. The group receives casino fun books including $2 off matinee bingo, 15 percent off in the casino gift shop, and a two-for-one buffet or entree special at the Sunrise Diner. Advance reservations are required.

On New Year’s Eve, Viejas will host a public party in its Dreamcatcher Showroom at $75 per person. Pang says the party will feature a large hors d’oeuvres assortment, champagne toast, party favors and dancing with disco-funk band Stayin’ Alive. A shuttle is available from the Country Inn about three miles from the casino, which will provide a discount to partygoers if they mention the Viejas party with their dinner reservation.

The newly opened Golden Acorn casino also plans a New Year’s party featuring $16.95 to $21.95 dinner entrees at its Golden Grill restaurant and a musical group performing American and Latin songs starting at 9 p.m.

A third casino, Barona, hosts the Moulin Rouge Extravaganza on New Year’s Eve, a free property-wide event from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

“People who attend will receive free nonalcoholic beverages, party favors, and a countdown toast with sparkling cider,” says Shawn Dewey, director of special events and promotions. Inspired by the “Moulin Rouge” film released this year, the party consists of five stages of live entertainment, Vegas-style variety acts, Can-Can and ballroom dancers, and Elvis and Marilyn impersonators, and culminates with a Lady Marmalade production with 52 performers. Guests may purchase food from one of the casino’s restaurants or walk-up eateries.