At the Engeman Theater, join Jenny and Frosty on an adventures as they try to save the town of Chillsville. Photo courtesy of the theater
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Enjoy a 19th-century version of Christmas at Old Bethpage Village. Photo courtesy of Old Bethpage Village Restoration
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Fifth Street in Ronkonkoma is aglow with Christmas lights during the holidays.
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LuminoCity returns to Long Island's Eisenhower Park. Photo courtesy LuminoCity
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LuminoCity returns to Long Island for its fifth year at Eisenhower Park. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
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Santa is hanging at the Milleridge Inn this December. Photo courtesy of Milleridge Inn
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Take in Hicks Nurseries' Animated Christmas Story for free this holiday season. Photo courtesy of Hicks Nurseries
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Luminous, Long Island's only drive-in laser light show, takes visitors on a one-hour journey through a world of stunning lights and music. Photo courtesy of the event
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Your kids will use golden tickets to board the Polar Express Experience in Port Jefferson.
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Find the perfect tree for your family at Santa's Christmas Tree Farm.
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During Christmas in NYC, Midtown Manhattan is chock-full of glittery eye candy. Photo by Ally Noel
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All aboard a festively decorated Polar Express train ride for some holiday magic and memories. Photo by Gwendolyn Tundermann
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Bounce! in Syosset is a trampoline adventure destination that includes a toddler playground for younger kids. Photo by Jennifer Voit
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The Vanderbilt has a planetarium, an expansive mansion, and a museum, making it a great place to explore on a rainy day. Photo by Kristen Markel
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Discover the trails at Quogue Wildlife Refuge for a day of free, outdoorsy fun. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
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Learn to surf at Montauk's SurfLuca or another surf school. Photo courtesy of the school.
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Babies 2 and younger can pet the goats, alpacas, and ponies for free at Fink’s Country Farm.
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Enjoy the engaging exhibits at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
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The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
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New Year's Eve Weekend 2024 on Long Island: Balloon Drops & Noon Year's Eve

Celebrate counting down to the new year at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
Celebrate counting down to the new year at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
12/29/23 - By Jaime Sumersille

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island on New Year's Eve weekend to ring in 2025? From fireworks to drone shows to balloon drops, here are our top activities to add to your list this holiday weekend.

Close out the year with some good, old-fashioned family fun. Marvel at a free holiday train display in Ridge or Babylon. Or wear your favorite pajamas and immerse yourself in a world of Grinchy mischief and holiday cheer at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

New Year's Eve falls on a weekday, but you can pick whatever time works for your family. Ring in Noon Year’s Eve at the Long Island Explorium or Long Island Children's Museum. Or combine your celebration with a meal at the Fishes and Wishes New Year's Eve Dinner at the Long Island Aquarium, which includes meet and greets with cute animal ambassadors. 

Of course, through the new year, folks can frolic through LuminoCity's Sweet Dream illuminating display at Eisenhower Park. Bonus: Mommy Poppins readers receive 20% off tickets with code MPNY20.

Happy 2025 Long Island families, from all of us at Mommy Poppins. We can't wait to keep exploring with you in the new year.

More Things To Do on Long Island This Week With Kids

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Top Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids

LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival at Eisenhower Park

East Meadow
Through Saturday, January 4, 2025
LuminoCity returns to Long Island for its fifth year, setting up this season's show, titled Sweet Dream, at Eisenhower Park. Sweet Dream delivers a state-of-the-art production that brings art, light, and color to life through remarkable displays. READ MORE

Solstice Workshops at the Vanderbilt Museum

Centerport
Thursday, December 26-Friday, December 27
During the holiday break, kids in grades k-4 can attend the "Solstice Workshops: See Show, Make a Winter Lantern" event at the Vanderbilt Museum. READ MORE

Candlelight Evenings Holiday Show at Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Old Bethpage
Thursday, December 26-Sunday, December 29
Enjoy the holidays in a place where the clock is always turned back to the 19th century. The evening features a candlelight procession each night. See chestnuts roasting on an open fire, broom making, visit Santa, and more.  READ MORE

Frozen Jr. at Studio Theatre

Lindenhurst
Thursday, December 26- Sunday, December 29
The heartwarming holiday show Frozen, Jr. is an outing for the entire family at Studio Theatre Long Island. READ MORE

The Nutcracker at Ballet Long Island

Ronkonkoma
Friday, December 27-Saturday, December 28
Audiences at Ballet Long Island's Nutcracker will marvel at this ballet. Follow Clara as she embarks on a journey filled with brave soldiers, dancing snowflakes, and excitement. READ MORE

Celebrate Kwanzaa at LICM

Garden City
Friday, December 27
During Kwanzaa, many African-American families get together to give thanks and enjoy the blessings of family. At the Long Island Children's Museum, learn about Kwanzaa's rich traditions and make your own crafts to join in the festive fun. READ MORE

New Year’s Craft Extravaganza at the Long Island Maritime Museum

Sayville
Friday, December 27
Bring a blanket or towel and get comfortable at the the Long Island Maritime Museum. Make New Year's Eve wishes and create lighthearted crafts while listening to some festive stories.  READ MORE

A Very Grinchy Pajama Party at the Cradle of Aviation Museum

Garden City
Friday, December 27
Wear your favorite pajamas and immerse yourself in a world of Grinchy mischief and holiday cheer at the Cradle of Aviation Museum during the holiday break. READ MORE

Holiday Family Artmaking at Nassau County Museum of Art

Roslyn
Saturday, December 28
Inspired by the art on view in the exhibition Red: Renoir to Warhol, children and their adult caregivers can create together in a fun, relaxed environment. READ MORE

Frozen Jr Musical - Live On Stage! at The Showplace

Bellmore
Saturday, December 28-Monday, December 30
Celebrate the winter season with the cast of Frozen Jr, playing live on stage at the Bellmore Movies and Showplace! Frozen Jr. brings Elsa, Anna, Olaf and the magical land of Arendelle to life onstage. READ MORE

Happy Hanukkah at LICM

Garden City
Sunday, December 29
Get ready for Hanukkah at the Long Island Children's Museum by learning all about dreidel. Discover the game’s history and rules and decorate your own dreidel to take home.  READ MORE

Noon Year’s Eve at the Long Island Explorium

Port Jefferson
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Gather your little ones for a morning filled with excitement, creativity, and festive fun at the Long Island Explorium. This unique "Noon Year's Eve" event offers an unforgettable experience for kids and their parents to ring in the New Year together, well before bedtime! READ MORE

Harlem Globetrotters at Nassau Coliseum

Uniondale
Tuesday, December 31
The Harlem Globetrotters bounce into the Nassau Coliseum on December 31, just in time to close out 2024. Catch all the dunks, alley-oops, looooong shots, magic, history and laughs on the court.  READ MORE

Countdown to 12 at Long Island Children's Museum

Garden City
Tuesday, December 31
Get ready to blast off into 2025 at Long Island Children’s Museum’s annual “Noon” Year’s Eve Celebration, Countdown to 12! This family-friendly event lets visitors experience all the New Year’s Eve fun on a schedule designed just for kids — and their exhausted parents.  READ MORE

Family Noon Year's Eve Party at United Skates of America

Seaford
Tuesday, December 31
Skate into the new year with this mock countdown Noon Year's Eve party at United Skates of America. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Celebration at Dave & Buster’s Locations

Westbury & Islandia
Tuesday, December 31
Head to one of two Dave & Buster's locations on Long Island for a pre-midnight New Year's Eve celebration that includes unlimited gaming. READ MORE

Fishes & Wishes: New Year's Eve Celebration at the Long Island Aquarium

Riverhead
Tuesday, December 31
Ring in the New Year at the Long Island Aquarium's Fishes & Wishes New Year’s Eve celebration. READ MORE

Dinosaur Carnival at The Center for Science

Rockville Centre
Through Tuesday, December 31
Step right up and get your ticket to the Dinosaur Carnival at The Center for Science. The event makes the holiday break an ideal time to celebrate everything roar-tastic. READ MORE

Holiday Train Display at Longwood Estate

Ridge
Through Tuesday, December 31
Santa visits the Longwood Estate for a holiday event on December 7, with train display fun, hot chocolate, photos and sleigh rides.  READ MORE

Holiday Model Train Exhibit at Town of Babylon History Museum

Babylon – FREE
Through Sunday, January 5, 2025
The Town of Babylon History Museum and Babylon Town Historical Society features an interactive 240-square-foot model train display highlighting historic points of interest from around the Town of Babylon.  READ MORE

The Happy Elf at The Argyle Theatre

Babylon
Through Sunday, January 5, 2025
The Happy Elf is a musical comedy that follows Eubie, the happiest elf at the North Pole. More than anything else, Eubie longs to be a part of Santa's sleigh team. Watch this holiday tale unfold on The Argyle Theatre stage. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Family Theatre at Studio Theatre Long Island
Town of Babylon History Museum
The Argyle Theatre at Babylon Village