Family Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebrations
When the Christmas lights fade and the holiday season is coming to an end, there’s still one final bash. New Year’s Eve is one of the largest annual parties and cause for celebrations across the US.
New Year’s Eve parties and events are thrown across the country to celebrate the ringing in of another year. New York City’s Times Square, New Orleans’s French Quarter, Las Vegas’s Strip are all famous for their New Year’s celebrations. But if you’re not looking for a raging bar scene but for family-friendly festivities at a low price I’ve got some suggestions for you. These cities offer great places to visit over the New Year’s holiday. They also offer activities for kids and adults alike to enjoy on New Year’s Eve.
Sacramento, California
New Year’s Eve Sky Spectacular lights up the skies above Old Sacramento with bright colors and flashes.
This free celebration is open to everyone and features activities for the whole family to enjoy.
New Year’s Eve Sky Spectacular offers kid-friendly children’s programming that includes Sacramento’s premier 3D Game Theater, balloon twisting and face painting, and live music by Hipwaders, dinner specials, hot food and drink vendors, and a variety of other colorful, street entertainment.
There will be strolling superheroes, balloon artists and a face painter from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
Additionally, stick around until 9 for the fireworks display!
For more information, check here
Tacoma, Washington
Ring in the New Year with a celebration of the arts and creativity at this family-friendly, non-alcoholic event in Tacoma, Washington.
In its 20+-year history, First Night Tacoma has developed a reputation as a safe, exciting, family-friendly alternative to traditional New Year’s celebrations. It features programs and performances, especially for kids.
Enjoy giant puppets, fire dancers, music and dance and free admission (with your First Night button) to the Museum of Glass, Tacoma Art Museum and the Tacoma Children’s Museum, free skate rental at Franciscan Polar Plaza. See the website for a full list of events—
See the website for a full list of events—First Night Tacoma
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Head to Santa Fe for one of the most unique lighting shows in town! GLOW features thousands of lights all aglow throughout the Botanical Garden, including our newest garden section, Ojos y Manos. Grab a friend or bring the family (kids 12 and under are FREE!) and enjoy a hot beverage by the fire, traditional (and untraditional!) holiday music, delicious food and drink, do a little holiday shopping in the Garden’s Gift shop and be bedazzled by a special laser light show designed for this year’s GLOW.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City’s downtown offers three nights of family-friendly music and festivities at a low price. Dec 26th to Dec 31st, Salt Lake City comes to life with EVE Winter Fest, a multi-day celebration with concerts, DJs, grown-up drinks and engaging activities for kids and families. Discover everything that downtown Salt Lake City has to offer with one all-access pass— for more information.
Oahu, Hawaii
One of the last places in the world to enter the New Year, Hawaii! New Year’s Eve in Oahu, Hawaii is sure to be a party worth waiting for. Oahu offers a variety of New Year’s Eve activities in a gorgeous, tropical paradise.
There’s a family-friendly fireworks show at Waikiki Beach. For more information click here!
San Antonio, Texas
Celebrate San Antonio! With live music on three stages, carnival games and rides and delicious festival food, San Antonio’s downtown fiesta in Hemisfair Park is the place to celebrate the New Year.
The party begins at 5pm and continues through the midnight Valero Fireworks Extravaganza off of the top of the 750-foot Tower of the Americas.
Admission is free and open to the public. For more info visit this site!
Raleigh, North Carolina
First Night Raleigh is the annual celebration of art and the New Year in downtown Raleigh. This year’s party is celebrating “North Carolina Firsts” and it has something for everyone. Don’t miss the visual center of First Night Raleigh with the Fantastical First Night Ferris Wheel! Take a spin 90 feet in the air atop the gondola-style Ferris Wheel and this year they’ve added the Sizzler—an update of the classic Scrambler ride. This was one of the first rides at the NC State Fair!
Best of all, ring in the New Year at the “Countdown to Midnight” with the famous Raleigh Acorn Drop and fireworks! Check here for more information.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston’s community celebration, “Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston,” offers a non-alcoholic and family-oriented program to celebrate the New Year. The citywide, free program has something wonderful for everyone—comedy, African dancing, many forms of music including classical, gospel and jazz, children’s activities and so much more. The festivities take place at Marion Square, December 31st starting at 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Admission is free! Click here for more info.
Hershey, Pennslyvania
On December 31st, head to the sweetest town in America to ring in the New Year. This family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration is a great place to ring in the New Year.
At midnight a giant Hershey Kiss drops, you know instead of the traditional ball drop. The festivities begin at 9 pm and last until midnight.
You can find out more information about this event on the official website.
When the clock strikes midnight on December 31, where do you plan to be?
Lori
Tuesday 20th of December 2016
Good list of ideas for New Years Celebration! We are planning to be in the Midwest for New Year's Eve. Lots of celebrations in the area! Happy New Year!!
Jess
Friday 16th of December 2016
So great! Thanks for sharing!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Leah
Wednesday 14th of December 2016
Fun! Thank you for linking up with Literacy Musings Monday.
Mother of 3
Sunday 11th of December 2016
Great suggestions but I must say our preferred family new year's eve celebration is a quiet night at home with take out, games and movies.