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New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, and Other NYC Celebrations for Kids

The ball drops at noon at CMOM! Photo courtesy of the museum
The ball drops at noon at CMOM! Photo courtesy of the museum
12/22/23 - By Drew Kristofik

New Year's Eve is almost upon us, and there are lots of ways to ring in 2024 in New York City with kids. We've rounded up the city's best family-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations and none include standing in a crowded Times Square to watch the ball drop. Our family-friendly picks include seeing the New Year's Eve fireworks from aboard a cruise around Manhattan, a daytime Noon Year's Eve dance party in Staten Island, and even a special Big Apple Circus performance. However you welcome the new year, we hope it's a blast.

You can find even more seasonal fun in our Holiday Guide for NYC Families, and be sure to check out our post on 35 fun things to do over Christmas vacation.

As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses and times. And keep in mind: Really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.

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Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza hosts a festive New Year's Eve celebration for the whole family. Photo by Andrew Gardner
Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza hosts a festive New Year's Eve celebration for the whole family. Photo by Andrew Gardner

New Year's Eve Celebrations in NYC for Families

New Year's Eve Extravaganza at the Children's Museum of Manhattan

Upper West Side
New Year’s Eve is all day long at CMOM! Ring in 2024 in style by wearing wacky hats of your own design and making some noise with your own New Year’s noise makers!   READ MORE

Prehistoric New York

Inwood – FREE
Spend New Year's Eve afternoon going back in time, instead of forward! The Urban Park Rangers lead families on a hike through Inwood Hill Park, discussing the lay of the land in prehistoric times. Learn more about which prehistoric species may have been found in this area during different periods. READ MORE

Noon Year’s Eve Dance Party

Snug Harbor, Staten Island
The Staten Island Children’s Museum hosts its very own special Noon Year’s Eve dance party, complete with party favors and a special countdown! Get your groove on to celebrate the coming new year.    READ MORE

Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt

Sunset Park, Brooklyn – FREE
Say cheese for the New Year. A guided hike through Sunset Park hopes to challenge your photography skills as you work to complete a photo scavenger hunt. Bring your own digital camera or smartphone. READ MORE

Big Apple Circus: Hometown Playground at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
For its 47th anniversary season, Big Apple Circus: Hometown Playground celebrates the joy, wonder, and amazement of New York City. This show's theme celebrates the diverse neighborhoods and unique landmarks that make NYC like none other in the world. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve Slime Drop

Soho
Sloomoo Institute—Soho's museum of slime—invites visitors to celebrate the new year with slime drops at noon on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. While you're there, walk over 350 gallons of slime in Lake Sloomoo, craft a custom slime of your own, ane enjoy the rest of the interactive fun. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Fireworks Cruise Aboard Eclipse

South Street Seaport
Hop aboard the Eclipse for stunning nighttime views of the Gotham skyline, and see the Statue of Liberty illuminated by a rainbow of fireworks. Drink complimentary champagne, feast on delectable finger sandwiches, and dance the night away. READ MORE

Central Park New Year's Eve Fireworks

Central Park – FREE
Central Park's 15-minute-long New Year's Eve fireworks take flight at the stroke of midnight. The show, put on in conjunction with the NYRR Midnight Run, is visible to the general public south of 72nd Street. READ MORE

Prospect Park's New Year's Eve Fireworks

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn – FREE
Brooklyn's most spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration returns to Prospect Park's iconic Grand Army Plaza. Quintessential Playlist provides a live concert before the fireworks. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Ball Drop

City Island, Bronx–FREE
The City Island Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Harlem Yacht Club, presents a New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, welcoming 2024 and overlooking the water!    READ MORE

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