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New Year's Eve Weekend in Boston with Kids: Countdown to 2026

New Year's Eve Weekend 2025 in Boston is bursting with New Year activities to ring in 2026! First Night Boston photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.
New Year's Eve Weekend 2025 in Boston is bursting with New Year activities to ring in 2026! First Night Boston photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.
12/30/25 - By N Ferreira

Ring in 2026 in Boston's at one of these festive New Year's Eve weekend events! From the dazzling First Night Boston 2026 celebration—featuring artistic performances, evening fireworks, and a pyrotechnics show—to kid-friendly fun like Bessie’s Rockin’ Noon Year’s Eve in Acton and the Boston Children's Museum’s Happy Noon Year’s Eve, there’s something for everyone. Whether staying up late or celebrating early, we've rounded up the best ways to welcome the new year with family and friends!

Need more family fun ideas? Check out our full events calendar, subscribe to our free newsletter, and keep tabs on our Facebook page. Whatever you and your family decide to do, we here at Mommy Poppins wish you a healthy and happy 2026!

More Things To Do in Boston this Week with Kids:

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New Year's Weekend 2026 is your last chance for holiday lights at many Boston venues.Photo by Troy B. Thompson Photography, courtesy of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
New Year's Weekend 2026 is your last chance for holiday lights at many Boston venues.Photo by Troy B. Thompson Photography, courtesy of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

Things To Do New Year's Eve Weekend in Boston

First Night Boston 2026

Boston—FREE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Since 1975, Boston’s First Night has been a New Year’s Eve celebration of artistic performances, the wonders of the season, and the beginning of a new year. In keeping with this fantastic Boston tradition, the First Night celebration will open 2026 with an array of performances.  READ MORE

Happy Noon Year at the Children's Museum!

Boston
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Join the Boston Children's Museum in saying goodbye to 2025 and welcoming in 2026. Rather than staying up until midnight, the Children's Museum will welcome the new year at noon. READ MORE

Bessie’s Rockin’ Noon Year’s Eve

Acton
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Get ready to shake, rattle, and roll into the New Year by making party hats and noise makers! Come decked out in festive pajamas and stick around for the countdown to 12:00 (noon) with a Noon Years’ Eve ball drop. READ MORE

NYE on the Waterfront: Ice Sculpture Stroll & Celebration

Boston—FREE
Wednesday, December 31, 2024
Boston Harbor Now is proud to present the annual New Year's Eve on the Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll, with multiple ice sculptures on display. READ MORE

Anchored in Traditions: December School Vacation Week

Charlestown
Through Friday, January 2, 2026
Visit the Museum, share holiday traditions and participate in family-friendly activities during December School Vacation Week.There will be a host of all-ages activities happening in the museum's award-winning galleries all week long! READ MORE

New Year's Celebration

Boston
Wednesday, December 31 -Thursday, January 1, 2025
Ring in the New Year with Boston Baroque. Music Director Martin Pearlman leads Boston Baroque's orchestra in a sparkling program.  READ MORE

250th First Flag Raising in Somerville

Somerville - FREE
Thursday, January 1, 2026
This year's milestone 250th anniversary expands the traditional military ceremony to reflect better the full diversity of people whose labor, courage, and aspirations shaped the Revolution. READ MORE

Bright Nights at Forest Park

Springfield
Through Sunday, January 4, 2026
Travel through a dazzling wonderland of over 750,00 lights at Bright Nights at Forest Park. This three-mile drive-thru spectacular features festive scenes, iconic characters, and peaceful gardens, all illuminated for a joyous holiday experience.  READ MORE

Vacation Week Palooza: Peter Rabbit by Pumpernickel Puppets

Brookline
Thursday t0 Friday, January 1-4, 2026
Meet adventurous and naughty Peter Rabbit, who, against his mother's wishes, ventures into Mr. McGregor's garden for a taste of his favorite vegetable treats. READ MORE

Free Family Days at 14 Boston Museums

Multiple Locations
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Students and families, join us for Boston Family Days! Explore a collection of local museums for free on the first and second Sundays of each month, thanks to a partnership between the MFA and the City of Boston. READ MORE

Night Lights: Dazzling Gardens at New England Botanic Garden

Boylston
Last Weekend
Through January 4, 2026
Enter an illuminated world where the stars of the botanic garden shine, and where sparkling experiences and one-of-a-kind light displays inspire joy that lasts all year. It’s a celebration of nature like never before seen—bright, bold, and full of dazzle. READ MORE

Paint On Stage! Kids Paint Day

Beverly
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Kids take the stage – with paint. Paint on the historic Larcom stage and let your kids' creativity shine. Kids ages 5-14 will join local artist and instructor for a fun, encouraging, and inspiring paint day. This session features a cozy winter scenery painting with little birds.  READ MORE

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