With the impending clock striking midnight on New Year's Eve, many of us experience a surge of festivity and anticipate the year ahead. The countdown is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not only to celebrate with those you care about most but also to start the new year off right. On the other hand, because most parties are aimed squarely at adults, there’s the added expectation to research a New Year's Eve bash that's suitable for the entire family. (After all, not everyone wants to brave a crowded street to see a famous ball drop well after bedtime.) Naturally, many destinations are pivoting to promote more laid-back New Year's Eve celebrations and allowing different age groups to say goodbye to the old year and hello to the new one in some way.
- One rather newish way to fit everything in is “Noon Year's Eve”; the fun event provides a kid-friendly alternative to the normal late-night shenanigans or street parties. Instead, these New Year's celebrations occur during the day and may feature a more relaxed confetti, balloon or ball drop. In colder climates, there may be an ice rink or snow tubing among other family activities. That way families can enjoy the excitement of the countdown and welcome the new year without having to stay up until the wee hours of the morning. If you want to spend New Year's Eve locally, you might want to check out your local library or park to see if they offer any afternoon or early evening events. Often they're free or low-cost, but make reservations in advance if necessary.
- Many of AAA's popular destinations appear on this list, ranging from the River Thames in London to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom near Orlando, and offer things to do if you want to travel for New Year's Eve. For instance, Edinburgh's Hogmanay festival in Scotland and the well-known fireworks display in Australia's Sydney Harbour are two cultural spectacles that offer a suitable option for a family-friendly New Year's. In the United States, Boston's First Night event is a long-standing tradition, especially if you know where to go. Chicago is always a timeless destination with winter sports and attractions for all ages. In Tampa, the refurbished Armature Works with its shops and food vendors puts a spin on NYE celebrations with Noon Year's Eve. In Atlanta, the Peach Drop exemplifies Southern charm, while in California, Buena Park has themed entertainment choices in a theme park setting. Each family event offers an exciting grand finale, allowing the changeover into the next year to be a more reasonable adventure for those traveling with kids.
Since many of these kid-friendly options are found in well-known destinations, don’t drop the ball (so to speak) on travel planning: Book ahead to ensure there's space available for your nearest and dearest. In the meantime, let this article be your pass to the best New Year's Eve events and activities guests of all ages should enjoy.
1. Atlanta, Georgia
The Peach Drop is an iconic New Year's Eve celebration held annually in Atlanta, Georgia’s capital city. This event, which kicked off in 1989, is open to all ages, and there’s plenty of food and beverages available for purchase on-site at Underground Atlanta. Attendees can expect a lively atmosphere with live entertainment starting at 7 in addition to the main spectacle, aka, the descent of an 800-pound fiberglass and foam peach, inspiring a flurry of confetti and a midnight fireworks show.
2. Buena Park, California
Knott's Berry Farm is located in Buena Park, California, near Anaheim and Huntington Beach. The theme park hosts a family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration, included in daily admission, that transforms the entire area into a giant party. Guests attending this event can anticipate the lengthy festivities — from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. the following day — featuring live entertainment, festive music and festive essentials like hats and noisemakers, all culminating in a spectacular show of fireworks.
3. Boston, Massachusetts
First Night in Boston not only ushers in the midnight Boston Harbor Fireworks annually but also employs this wide-ranging treasured annual tradition across the city, including Boston Common, the city's central park. Highlights include concerts and scenic ice sculptures, which showcase the ingenuity and ability of local artists while also bringing a touch of magic to places like Boston Common and City Hall. Last but not least, there are no admission fees or special passes or badges needed to enter most First Night events, making it affordable for the whole family.
Note: For families with young kids, Boston Common provides a peaceful alternative to the raucous celebrations in Copley Square. To avoid the crowds on the subway and to get to the Common in time for the kid-friendly fireworks show at 7 o'clock, families should consider staying nearby.
4. Chicago, Illinois
Choose a novel way to ring in the new year while admiring the breathtaking city skyline. 312 Cruises' afternoon sail includes standout views, entertainment and, of course, fireworks. For the younger kids, Wonder Works Children’s Museum offers a fun family affair in nearby Oak Park, Illinois. Celebrate the "Noon Year" with activities like a photo booth, balloon drop, costumed characters and arts and crafts with special events tickets to the children's museum; the exciting countdown comes twice with a balloon drop at both 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. — well before bedtime. After all, there's a wide range of fun things to do in the Chicago area, but smaller New Year's Eve parties are great for families because they are usually less hectic and packed.
5. Edinburgh, Scotland
Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year's celebration, is a large outdoor festival celebrated in Edinburgh, Scotland, that draws revelers from all over the world and tops off with fireworks. This multiday festival, known as one of the world's best New Year's Eve festivities, features a torchlight parade, concerts and kid-friendly attractions. The Bairns New Year Revels, an afternoon-ticketed event with live performances and ceilidh dancing, allows families with young children to enjoy their own Hogmanay experience.
6. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Harbour Town hosts a popular New Year's Eve party every year — with not one but two famous ball drops. One is at 7, while the other is at midnight. There's also live music and food vendors galore — perfect if you want a lavish dinner or just a great family-friendly event. At the attraction, visitors can learn about the history of Hilton Head Island as they climb the 114 steps of the Harbour Town Lighthouse, which was built in 1863. In addition to family events, this seaside town is perfect for the holiday season because of all the fun things to do there, like beachgoing, golfing, dining and shopping.
7. London, United Kingdom
In this capital city, there are plenty of family-friendly New Year's Eve events to choose from, but one to remember is the daytime kids rave hosted by Supa Dupa Fly at Market Halls at 9 Holles Street. The kid-friendly dance party is an exciting way to celebrate the New Year from noon to 4 for families with young children (and parents who miss going out). If you don’t care for loud celebrations at all, families can opt for a New Year's Eve river cruise, particularly a Galaxy Cruise package that includes a meal followed by a cruise to see London's renowned fireworks display from the River Thames.
8. Lake Buena Vista, Florida
As one of the best family getaways in general, Walt Disney World theme parks dazzle year-round, including during New Year's Eve break, allowing families to watch fireworks explode and ring in the new year. The Magic Kingdom in particular provides numerous kid-friendly activities and fun events. On Dec. 30-31, guests can enjoy musical parades and meet their favorite Disney characters. Even though the park is bustling around this time, many families find it to be a delightful and memorable way to spend New Year's Eve outdoors, and there are Walt Disney World Special Event Tickets available for anyone needing after-hours cheer. Guests should, however, book New Year's Eve activities in the theme parks well in advance (especially at EPCOT), expect crowds, and arrive early.
9. Sydney, Australia
Sydney Opera House is a landmark setting — and a must if you're Down Under on New Year's. You can even book for a Sydney Opera House New Year's Eve Opera Performance or Gala tickets. Alternatively, don't miss the opportunity to book a family-friendly cruise for New Year's Eve in Sydney, Australia, which will provide bragging rights and a holiday to remember. Companies like Fantasea offer child-friendly activities, delectable food and front-row views of the opera house and other scenic views, whereas Harbour City Ferries provides a more affordable option from Circular Quay, Wharf 5, with a spectacular view of the world-famous Sydney fireworks.
10. Tampa, Florida
Armature Works, a historic and active waterfront building in Tampa's Heights District, contains a mix of eateries, shops, bars and lounge areas. On New Year's Eve, it’s the site of a family-friendly Noon Year's Eve celebration, which begins in the morning and includes a countdown to noon with a colorful daylight smoke fireworks display, bounce houses, games and kid-friendly acts. A plus for families, Armature Works is easily accessible via the Tampa Riverwalk and convenient water taxi services, making it a popular choice for an accessible and exciting New Year's experience.