Thinking about doing something different with the kids to ring in the new year? We’ve rounded up some fun ways to spend New Year’s Eve below!
If you have little ones who won’t make it to midnight, try a countdown clock that allows kids to celebrate before hitting the hay. Netflix has a few countdown programs, like Skylanders Academy: New Year’s Eve Countdown, a minute-long episode that allows kids to count down to midnight with the show’s characters. You can also read them an NYE-themed book like Happy New Year, Spot! by Eric Hill, a story about a dog named Spot who isn’t old enough to stay up until midnight but finds a way to celebrate early.
Check out your local bowling alley. Many are having early NYE parties and it’s great fun and close to home, too.
Consider creating things with your kids that signal a brighter new year, like making and displaying luminarias outside your home. You can also make DIY noisemakers out of household items like food containers, coffee containers and rice. Don’t forget to celebrate with something sweet, like these peppermint bark cookies that combine chocolate and candy cane bits into a treat that’s easy to bake with your kids.
If you’re thinking about a night out with your crew, here are some family-friendly events that will keep everyone entertained until the moment 2025 rolls in:
New Year’s Eve Bash & Giant Blueberry Drop
Hammonton
Eat, drink and shop in the downtown district before the free outdoor celebration at Town Hall that includes fireworks and the Giant Blueberry Drop.
First Night
Casino Pier Arcade, Seaside Heights
The events for the early Kids’ New Year’s Eve Celebration include a magic show, meet-and-greets with costumed characters, the Rizzo’s Wildlife World of Animals show, a dance party with the Ice Sisters, a countdown to New Year’s balloon drop (at 4:30 pm) and fireworks (at 5 pm).
New Year’s Eve Blast With M&M’S
Main Street and High Street, Hackettstown
There will be live music, food and activities for everyone in the family – including the M&M’S ball drop at midnight. You can shop, dine and stroll along the Hackettstown Business Improvement District.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks & Celebrations
Throughout New Brunswick
Spend the last night of the year with hours of live music, fireworks, and the signature midnight toasts. Come to Monument Square Park at midnight to watch a fireworks display.
Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
Although Vienna is a few hours ahead of us, their singers, dancers and orchestra will be stateside to ring in the new year.
New Year’s Eve Signature Dinner Cruise
Lincoln Harbor Marina, Weehawken
Countdown to midnight about the boat, which tours the Hudson and East rivers.
Ring in 2025 Early
Dave & Buster’s, Wayne
From 4-7 pm, you and your family can eat from the banquet buffet, play arcade and video games, hang out in an exclusive party space, watch a video of the ball drop, and toast to “midnight” with ginger ale.
First Night
Downtown Morristown
The Green becomes a stage. Everyone is invited to an alcohol- and substance-free celebration of arts and culture that will feature more than 70 performances, a film festival and a countdown to midnight with fireworks.
New Year’s Eve Parties
Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg and Vernon Twp.
There are a dozen different celebrations at the Grand Cascades Lodge and Minerals Hotel, including parties, elegant multi-course dinners, family parties, buffets, The Biosphere Bash, a Rockin’ Eve Family Party, a Kites DJ Dance Party, and Champagne Chalet.
First Night
Ocean City
Every year, the NYE event has more than 70 events taking place across 20 venues. Don’t sleep in on New Year’s Day, because you can bring the family to First Day At The Beach, too.
Noon Year’s Eve
United Skates, Jackson Twp.
Stitch, Mario and Poppy will stop by while you roller skate. Admission is includes a slice of pizza, small drink, noise maker, dancing with the characters, and a NYE countdown at noon. Or come by later in the afternoon for the Best of 2024 Skate Party.
New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance
Suzanne Patterson Center, Princeton
Central Jersey Dance will present all kinds of dance music, plus an international buffet dinner.
Renault Winery, Egg Harbor Twp.
As part of Vintner Wonderland, bring the kids for a magical New Year’s Eve Countdown at noon. You all can ice skate, warm up inside a heated igloo, order from the food trucks and shop the market.
iPlay America, Freehold
The family-friendly party includes access to the VIP suites, TopGolf Swing Suites, rides, DJ music and more.
Late Night New Year’s Eve
Dave & Buster’s, Atlantic City
You and the kids can explore the arcade for hours on end.
Shannon Rose
Clifton and Ramsey
The Kids Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Party is from 4-7pm. Families can celebrate the ball drop in Dublin and enjoy activities including a DJ dance party, bagpipers, and a celebratory toast. The New Year’s Eve Party at the Pub (for adults) starts at 9 pm with live music, and then a Champagne toast at midnight.
Holiday in the Park
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Close out the theme park’s 2024 season with a special NYE party, complete with entertainment, lots of glittering lights, seasonal treats and fireworks.
Noon Years Eve
Sea Life Aquarium, American Dream, East Rutherford
As part of the Twinkling Tides celebration – where the holidays are spent under the sea with thousands of lights under the sea – there is a Noon Years Eve celebration in the Ocean View exhibit. Look for Scuba Claus and ask for a map for the Coldwater Creature Scavenger Hunt.
New Year’s Eve Package
Lucky Snake Arcade, Showboat Resort, Atlantic City
There will be go-kart races, the xd Dark Ride, mini golf, roller skating and arcade games.
New Year’s Eve Parties
Sheraton Hotel, Parsippany
Westin Governor Morris Hotel, Morristown
Hanover Marriott, Whippany
The New Year’s Eve NJ party will consist of a 5-hour premium open bar, 3-course dinner, live band entertainment and live simulcast of the New York Times Square ball drop at midnight.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Ring in the new year with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and Count von Count during the dazzling “C…is for Celebrate!” New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show. For an extra-special treat, join Count von Count and more Sesame Street friends during The Count’s Countdown to New Year’s Celebration Dine.
Patriots Week Civil War Flag Unveiling
The New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
Although this is not an event specific to NYE, it’s an annual tradition where five flags from the Civil War will be unveiled to the public.
Noon Year’s Eve
Sloomoo Institute, New York, NY
At 11:59 am you will count down to noon (instead of midnight) and take part in a confetti celebration with lightweight iridescent and crunchy bingsu beads that everyone will get to toss in the air to make magic together to welcome in 2025. The family-friendly spin on NYE celebrations includes dozens of gallons of glittery slime headed straight for Lake Sloomoo to celebrate the New Year.
There’s a house in Jackson Twp. that has been dropping their own version of the Times Square ball every year for the last 10 years – to view the magic, visit our Instagram page.
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