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New Year's Eve Weekend 2023 on Long Island: Balloon Drops, Noon Year's Eve, First Day Hikes

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 2024? 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. This New Year's Eve weekend you can pick whatever time works for your family to catch a skate and balloon drop at Gr8Skates or ring in Noon Year’s Eve at the Long Island Explorium. 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. Celebrate a day early at the New Year's Eve Bash at CMEE. And then start 2024 off on the right foot with a First Day Hike at Jones Beach State Park.

Happy 2024 Long Island families, from all of us at Mommy Poppins. We can't wait to keep exploring with you in the new year.

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Top Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids

Celebrate the Holidays at PaleyLand: Three Kings Day

NYC – Midtown West
Select dates through January 7, 2024
Celebrate the end of the holiday season with Three Kings Day festivities at The Paley Museum. Limited gifts to the first children who arrive; souvenir photos with the Three Wise Men; screenings include Dora Saves Three Kings Day; 5 floors of winter wonderland and photo ops; art & crafts activities; free cocoa, and more!  READ MORE

Barnaby Saves Christmas at Theatre Three

Port Jefferson
Thursday - Saturday, December 28-30
Join Santa, Barnaby, Franklynne, and all of their friends for a holiday treat. The littlest elf and his reindeer friend set off on their journey to save Christmas, meeting some new friends along the way and learning the true meaning of Christmas, Hanukkah, and the holiday season. READ MORE

Dinosaur Carnival at The Center for Science

Rockville Centre
Thursday - Sunday, December 28-31
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

School Break Workshops at Science Museum of Long Island

Plandome
Friday, December 29
During these holiday workshops offered by the Science Museum of Long Island, learn something new and engaging while spending time on the museum's lush grounds in Plandome. READ MORE

Holiday Model Train Exhibit at Town of Babylon History Museum

Babylon – FREE
Friday - Sunday, December 29-31
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

Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus Katy Perry & Disney Bingo at American Beauty Bellmore

Bellmore
Saturday, December 30
Challenge your quick witted Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus Katy Perry & Disney skills during a few rounds of bingo at American Beauty in Bellmore. Doors open at 12pm. Order up some lunch and get ready to mark that bingo card. Prizes will be handed out for winners. < /p> READ MORE

Magical Manifest at Connetquot River State Park Preserve

Oakdale
Saturday, December 30
Learn about the historic and cultural associations certain plants and herbs held according to people of the past in their day to day lives. Then assemble your own magical manifest jar as a perfect aid for accomplishing your New Year's resolutions. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Bash at CMEE

Bridgehampton
Saturday, December 30
Join the Children's Museum of the East End for a family-friendly New Year’s Eve party. During this daytime celebration kids create noisemakers, share resolutions for the upcoming year, and mark the end of 2023. READ MORE

Countdown to 12 at Long Island Children's Museum

Garden City
Sunday, 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

Holiday Trail of Lights at the Smithtown Historical Society

Smithtown
Daily through December 31
Step into the holiday spirit by walking the dazzling Holiday Trail of Lights at the Smithtown Historical Society. Its beautifully illuminated pathway features festive holiday trees from the tree contest, sparkling lights, and whimsical decorations.  READ MORE

The Happy Elf at The Argyle Theatre

Babylon
Daily through December 31
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

Noon Year’s Eve at the Long Island Explorium

Port Jefferson
Sunday, December 31
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

Farmingdale Village New Year's Eve Celebration

Farmingdale – FREE
Sunday, December 31
Welcome in 2025 with a family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration on the village green in Farmingdale. Enjoy live music at the gazebo and sip free hot cocoa while waiting for the ball to drop earlier than midnight! READ MORE

Family New Year's Eve Balloon Drop at Gr8Skates

Shirley
Sunday, December 31
Watch the balloons drop at Gr8Skates in Shirley during a family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration. Multiple sessions are offered all day long. READ MORE

Fishes and Wishes New Year's Eve Dinner

Riverhead
Sunday, December 31
Animals like to party, too! Ring in the new year with the family at the Long Island Aquarium. Enjoy dinner and dessert, a mock midnight toast, and more. READ MORE

First Day Hike at Jones Beach State Park

Wantagh – FREE
Monday, January 1, 2024
Winter visitors are welcome at Jones Beach. Kick off the new year with a short walk along the shoreline with great views of the seals in the bay.  READ MORE

Harlem Globetrotters at UBS Arena

Elmont
Monday, January 1, 2024
The Harlem Globetrotters, presented by Jersey Mike's Subs, bounces into UBS Arena on January 1, just in time to ring in 2024. READ MORE

Huntington Holiday Spectacular

Huntington – FREE
Daily through January 1, 2024
Stroll through the streets of downtown Huntington, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland. The nightly festivities include twinkling lights, ice carving, Santa, and other  surprises. READ MORE

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