From festive dinners to townwide First Night celebrations, there are plenty of ways to ring in 2026.
December 30-31
Countdown to New Year’s Celebration!
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, New York City
Kick off the new year early with inspirational music, a dance party and a ball drop. Come dressed in wearable art of your own design, and take home a family time capsule.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
First Night at Casino Pier
Casino Pier, Seaside Heights
The Family New Year’s Eve Daytime Celebration includes interactive shows, entertainment, arcade games, food and drinks, a balloon drop, prizes, and fireworks at 5 pm.
New Year’s Eve Parties
United Skates of America, Jackson Twp.
Stitch, Angel and Sonic will be part of the Noon Year’s Eve Party in the morning. An afternoon New Year’s Eve Party on the rink is followed by a Family New Year’s Eve Pajama Party in the evening.
Kids New Year’s Eve Party
The Office Tavern Grill, East Hanover
The party starts at 4 pm, with party favors, face painting and a buffet. And 6:30 pm, the ball drops during an apple cider toast.
Mini Midnight
The Funplex, East Hanover and Mt. Laurel
The early countdown glow party will have a DJ, LED robot, kid-friendly drinks, and a bloon drop before bedtime.
Noon Year’s Eve
Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Pt. Pleasant
Mermaids and princesses will meet the kids, plus animal shows will take place throughout the afternoon.
Noon Year’s Eve
Renault Winery Resort, Egg Harbor City
As part of the season-long Vintner Wonderland, there will be ice skating, food trucks and a sparkling cider toast during the day.
Noon Year’s Eve: Asteroid Drop
Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, Mantua Twp.
When the clock strikes noon, watch an asteroid drop down into the quarry to celebrate the end of one era and the start of another. Keep the celebration going with a high-energy dance party, noisemaker making, crafts, activities, a New Year’s Resolution Tree, and access to the museum’s exhibits.
New Year’s Eve Celebration Concert
Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, Trenton
Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey will perform a program that includes Strauss’s Blue Danube and Bizet’s Carmen, featuring mezzo-soprano Barbara Rearick. A Champagne reception featuring live jazz performed by members of the orchestra follows the main concert.
Noon Year’s Eve with Rock & Roll Playhouse
SOPAC, South Orange
Kids will get to see a concert by The Rock and Roll Playhouse while snakcing on chicken fingers and juice boxes. There will be a cash bar for adults. There’s an afterparty, too.
Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
Every year, members of the Strauss Symphony of America and dancers from Europaballet St. Polten in Austria join a cast of international ballroom dancers on the stage on NYE.
NYE Balloon Drop Bash
iPlay America, Freehold Twp.
Kids will get party favors, photos with Mickey and Minnie, prizes and giveaways before the ball drops in City Square at 2 pm. Plus, kids eat free at The Bistro until 3 pm. Or, come back at 7 pm for the Best NYE Family Celebration.
New Year’s Eve Bubbly Bash
Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven (LBI)
David Clark returns to the stage to ring in the New Year with two shows of Billy Joel hits.
M&M’s Ball Drop
Hackettstown
This sweet celebration has an M&M’s Ball Drop at midnight after a NYE festival in the heart of downtown.
Noon Years Eve
Renault Winery, Egg Harbor City
As part of Vintner Wonderland, kids will get beads, kazoos, and other accessories to get into the party mood. You can go ice skating, grab a treat from the food truck, and warm up with a huge hot chocolate. At 12 pm sharp, a sparkling cider toast will ring in 2026, 12 hours early.
First Night New Year’s Eve
Ocean City
There is a full schedule of entertainment leading up to fireworks at midnight.
First Night Morris
Morristown
The bash spreads across multiple venues for dozens of performances and film screenings.
Dave & Buster’s New Year’s Eve Party
Dave & Buster’s, Freehold
The Countdown Celebration is a family-friendly New Year’s countdown with party favors, from 4 to 7 pm. The Late Night Party is from 9 pm to 1 am, with a live DJ.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show
JFK Boulevard Beach, Sea Isle City
The fireworks will start around 8 pm.
First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration
Ocean Grove
Entertainment takes place all day, leading up to fireworks at midnight.
Shadows of the 60s: A Holiday Tribute to Motown
Stafford Twp. Arts Center, Manahawkin
Listen to the music of The Supremes, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and The Temptations as the cover group sings Christmas favorites.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Avalon
There will be music, crafts, a DJ dance party, face painting, trivia games, balloon art, and visits with Mickey & friends at Surfside Park, followed by a display of lights from the 30th Street beach, and fireworks seen from the 35th Street beach.
Cuban NYE Party
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, Tropicana Atlantic City, Atlantic City
Kick off 2026 with Latin flair with an early a la carte Cuban dinner; with a dinner and celebration package including a four-course prix-fixe meal, DJ dance party, Champagne toast and party favors; or with a late-night party.
PFAPA Fun Squad Noon Year’s Eve
Atlantic County Fairgrounds, Mays Landing
This fundraiser for the Atlantic County 4H Children’s Developmental Programs and the Autoinflammatory Alliance is a children’s event with a balloon drop at noon. Bluey and Bingo-inspired characters, breakfast from iHOP, dancing, games, a giant playroom, sensory play, face painting by Happy Daisy Face Painting, DJ Luke, and Characters4U will be part of the celebration.
NYE at Charlie’s Place
Charlie’s Place, Waldwick
New Year’s Eve kicks off with a Family-Friendly High-Energy Party, featuring an à la carte menu, kids’ mocktails, a 6 pm ball drop, and a festive countdown with giveaways. Dinner service after includes an à la carte dinner menu with sparkling wine and two New Year’s Eve cocktails per guest. The night continues with the Charlie’s Place New Year’s Eve Party, featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, and live music by Wet Bandits.
Noon Years Eve
IceLand, Hamilton Twp.
End the year on the ice during the afternoon skating party.
Noon Year’s Eve
American Dream, East Rutherford
The mall’s youngest shoppers can welcome the New Year early with a daytime celebration at Nickelodeon Universe, including a special countdown to Noon.
NYE Fireworks Spectacular
Chelsea Avenue Beach, Long Branch
Head to the beaches of Pier Village for fireworks at 9 pm.
NYE in Hammonton
Town Hall, Hammonton
The Drug Alliance will hold an early NYE celebration where families can play games, make crafts, eat food and count down to a confetti drop at noon. Call a babysitter and come back at night for the Downtown Hammonton NYE Bash, where there will be music, dancing, fireworks, and the famous Giant Blueberry Drop at midnight.
NYE Kid’s Party
The Shannon Rose Irish Pub, Clifton and Ramsey
There will be a DJ, dance party, and toast with sparkling cider at 7 pm, which coincides with the ball drop from Dublin.
New Year’s Eve at The YardÂ
Bally’s Atlantic City
You can get tickets for a premium package with an open bar and hors d’oeuvres, or attend with a cash bar. The night will feature live music, a festive party atmosphere and $15-minimum blackjack tables.
New Year’s Eve Celebration
Nola’s Bar & Lounge, Ocean Casino Resort, Atlantic City
There will be a premium hosted bar, plus a free glass of Champagne for the big toast at midnight.
New Year’s Eve at Hotel SoJo
SoJo Spa Club, Edgewater
Celebrate NYE overlooking Manhattan from the heated, rooftop infinity pool. Your hotel stay includes a New Year’s toast with poolside snacks, NYE party favors, an in-room welcome gift, Champagne and truffles delivered to your room, late checkout, free valet parking, and access to the entire SoJo Spa Club.
New Year’s Eve
618 Restaurant, Freehold
Step into the new year with elevated cocktails and dishes, live music by JSoul, and 2026 vibes.
Bergen County Winter Wonderland
Van Saun County Park, Paramus
Come for ice skating, carnival games, ice carving and a chance to take pictures with Santa at the North Pole. Tickets give you access to the zoo, carousel and train.
RoofTop at Exchance Place
Exchange Place, Jersey City
A live DJ and entertainment keep the energy high all night as you over look the NYC skyline on NYE. The Terrace offers a 3- or 4-course prix fixe dinner if you prefer a seated experience.
NEW YEAR’S EVE AND DAY
Broadway Through the Ages
NYE: Westfield High School Auditorium, Westfield
NYD: Sieminski Theater, Basking Ridge
Maestro David Wroe, orchestra members, soloists from Broadway, and dancers from Dance Theatre of Harlem will swing to favorites from America’s Great Songbook.
New Jersey New Year’s Signature Cruises
Lincoln Harbor Marina, Weehawken
Stay inside the cozy, heated cabin for your meal, and then go upstairs to the open-air deck for dazzling sights of the NYC skyline. There will be a chef-curated buffet, open bar, entertainment, music, games and dancing.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg
The Family Party at Minerals Hotel includes a buffet and entertainment. A buffet and open bar accompanies a live band at the Canyon Buffet. There will be an open bar and DJ in the Emerald Ballroom. Restaurant Latour will serve an elegant 7-course dinner. Springs Bistro will serve a 3-course dinner during live entertainment. The Biosphere Bash includes a DJ and dancing, plus premium open bar. Make a resy for a 3-course dinner and DJ dance party at Crystal Tavern. Kites Restaurant will have dinner specials with a wine pairing. Kites will hold a DJ dance party with a cash bar.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
First Day
Ocean City
Kick off the first day of the year with the First Day 5K Boardwalk Run, discounts during the Shopping Extravaganza, and a polar plunge during First Day at the Beach at Music Pier.
New Year’s Day Brunch
Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg
There will be an elaborate buffet you can chow down on while listening to live music.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
These NJ Restaurants Will Serve Up Your New Year’s Dinners
Where to Take a Hike in New Jersey
85 Things to Do Indoors in NJ
