Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy all across the Bay Area this weekend. Photo by Najee Tobin, courtesy of Museum of the African Diaspora
MLK Weekend 2026 in San Francisco: 11 Great Things to Do With Kids
Enjoy dancing and dining fun for free at Thrive City. Photo courtesy of the Chase Center
100 Fun Free Things To Do in San Francisco with Kids
Photo by Dnaiel Gorosteita via Pexels
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in San Francisco with Kids Guide
There's so much to see and do in San Francisco with kids. Cable Car by Vasile Cotovanu via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
3 Days in San Francisco with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
​Riding a cable car is a must when in San Francisco! Photo by Gina Ragland
Guide To Riding San Francisco Cable Cars with Kids: Everything You Need to Know
The Yard in Brentwood. Photo credit: Copyright © 2024 The Yard
19 San Francisco Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat
Kiddos will love the arched drum bridge. Japanese Tea Garden photo by Nicole Findlay
Visiting Golden Gate Park with Kids: Everything You Need To Know
Explore the City by the Bay. Photo courtesy of Gina Ragland
GUIDE
San Francisco Visitors' Guide for Families
Climb iconic sculptures and structures at Koret Children's Quarter in Golden Gate Park. Photo by Mike Liu, via Flickr 2.0
Best Playgrounds in San Francisco
San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf is packed with things to do for kids of all ages. Photo by xiquinhosilva, via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Fisherman's Wharf with Kids in San Francisco: 24 Best Things To Do
Have a dino-mite time at The Lawrence. Photo courtesy of The Lawrence Hall of Science
The Lawrence Hall of Science with Kids: A Parent’s Guide
SF limits those tween and teen eye rolls! Photo by Max Whittaker, courtesy of Visit California
40 Things To Do in San Francisco with Teens and Tweens That They'll Actually Enjoy
Enjoy dancing and dining fun for free at Thrive City. Photo courtesy of the Chase Center
100 Fun Free Things To Do in San Francisco with Kids
Discover culture and cuisine when strolling through Chinatown with kids in San Francisco. Photo by Nicole Findlay
Chinatown with Kids: 18 Best Things To Do in Chinatown, San Francisco
Hike amongst iconic landmarks. Photo courtesy of Nicole Findlay
Family-Friendly Urban Hikes in San Francisco
See giant redwood trees is an experience every family should have.
Best Places to See Giant Redwoods in California: A Family Travel Guide
Admire the hundreds of animals at the Oakland Zoo. Photo courtesy of the Oakland Zoo
Oakland with Kids: 34 Best Things To Do in Oakland, CA
The Bay Area Discovery Museum has the most stunning view of any kids' museum. Ever. Photo courtesy of the Museum
100 Things To Do in San Francisco With Kids Before They Grow Up
Channel your inner artist at Marin MOCA's Family Day on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Marin MOCA
Three Kings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and More Great Things to Do in San Francisco This Weekend with Kids
Enjoy the holiday pageantry of Fairy Winterland at Children's Fairyland. Photo courtesy of Children's Fairyland
Christmas Weekend 2025 in San Francisco: Top Things to Do With Kids and Families
Noisemakers and party hats make the evening feel festive from the start! Photo by Ivan Samkov via Pexels
How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve With Kids at Home: 22 Parent-Tested Ideas
Channel your inner artist at Marin MOCA's Family Day on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Marin MOCA
Three Kings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and More Great Things to Do in San Francisco This Weekend with Kids

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

Count down to Noon Year's Eve at Bay Area Discovery Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
Count down to Noon Year's Eve at Bay Area Discovery Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
12/30/25 - By Sandra Lee

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area over New Year's Eve weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for New Year's Eve weekend.

It's time to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome 2026. The kids are still on school break, toys are being played with—or moving to the donation/regifting pile—and the holidays are winding down. The Bay Area has grand events planned for New Year's weekend—from early celebrations for the little ones to midnight coutdowns for older kids.

Kids will love the Noon Year's Eve at the Bay Area Children's Discovery Museum in Sausalito, which starts bright and early in the morning, and at the Hiller Aviation Museum. End the year with amusement rides and a late-night celebration with midnight fireworks on New Year's Eve at Gilroy Gardens. 

More Things To Do in San Francisco Bay Area This Week with Kids:

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

All aboard the holiday train for a New Year's ride around town. Photo courtesy of Roaring Camp Railroad
All aboard the holiday train for a New Year's ride around town. Photo courtesy of Roaring Camp Railroad

New Year's Eve Weekend Events in San Francisco and the Bay Area for Kids

New Year's Train at Roaring Camp

Felton
Through Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Ring in the new year aboard the New Year's Holiday Train. Ride vintage train cars beautifully decorated with holiday lights through the streets of Santa Cruz. Light-up hula hoopers and a live DJ will keep spirits bright and help bring in 2026 right. READ MORE

Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at Hiller Aviation Museum

San Carlos
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Head over to Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos for a fun, family-friendly Noon Year's Eve party! Activities include live music, face painting, magic shows, a puppet show, and three balloon drops at noon.  READ MORE

Annual Balloon Drop at Chabot

Oakland
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Count down to 2026 around the world with balloon drops at 11a., 12pm, 3pm, and 4pm at the Chabot Space and Science Center. With drop times for 5 and under and 6-12, this family-friendly event is a great way to celebrate the New Year. READ MORE

2025 Grand Finale at the Lawrence Hall of Science

Berkeley
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
The annual family-friendly celebration to ring in the new year is back at the Lawrence Hall of Science. Confetti canons go off every 45 minutes, so register early and get in on the fun.  READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at Bay Area Discovery Museum

Sausalito
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is hosting a Noon Year's Eve party, complete with a dance party and a countdown with an epic ball drop. Then, enjoy all the winter-themed spaces and activities around the museum for the rest of the day, including iceless skating. READ MORE

Thrive City Winter Wonderland: Kwanzaa & Noon Year's Eve

San Francisco—FREE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Chase Center rings in the new year with a Kwanzaa celebration, with music, arts and crafts, treats, and a countdown drop at noon. The Rock and Roll Playhouse will feature music from Fela Kuti, and Winter Wonderland is open for all the holiday fun.  READ MORE

New Year's Eve Celebration at Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Gilroy Gardens is hosting a grand New Year's Eve celebration for families of all ages to welcome 2026. Enjoy the park’s exciting rides, North Pole Nights holiday fun, and a DJ dance party with specialty appetizers and drinks. Then join the countdown to midnight and our big fireworks show over Coyote Lake. READ MORE

Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!

Santa Rosa
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
The Peanuts gang is hosting a New Year's party, complete with fun crafts and a showing of Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! on the big screen. Kids of all ages can enjoy two balloon drops, a baby balloon drop (for kids 4 and under) at noon, followed by another one at 3pm. READ MORE

Bouncy Ball New Year

Novato—FREE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Head to downtown Novato to celebrate the end of 2025 at this FREE, family-friendly event. More than 209,000 small bouncy balls are dropped onto the street from a ladder truck 40 feet in the air with a countdown at noon. Kids get a souvenir hard hat and can collect as many bouncy balls as they can carry.  READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve Celebration at Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

San Jose
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Celebrate the arrival of 2026 with the whole family by participating in the “countdown to noon across time zones” with family hugs, a lively celebration, and the museum’s version of the famous ball drop in Times Square with plenty of confetti.  Make a party hat and snap a commemorative photo. At the ball drops, shout-outs will be given to different countries and what people in those countries might be doing at that time. Special guest performance by Choo Choo Soul. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland at Children's Creativity Museum

San Francisco
Through Sunday, January 4, 2026
Stars, snowflakes, and holiday lights join winter-themed activities throughout the Creativity Museum during the annual Winter Wonderland celebration. Special holiday movies will also be presented in our Creativity Theater on select days, including The Polar Express, Smallfoot, sing-along Frozen, and more.  READ MORE

Family Astronomy: Discovering the Whole New Worlds of Exoplanets

Oakland
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Dive into the wonders of exoplanets—distant, mysterious worlds beyond our solar system. Learn how scientists detect planets orbiting other stars and imagine what life is like on these faraway worlds. Through interactive activities, kids and adults will imagine what it is like to stand on one of these strange new worlds.This engaging experience is perfect for curious families and budding space explorers. READ MORE

The Physics Show

Los Altos
Saturday, January 3-Sunday, January 4, 2026
A fun science show for kids, The Physics Show teaches families about the laws of nature. Exciting demonstrations and information for kids 5 and up, this 75-minute show is for both little and big kids alike.  READ MORE

Circus Bella's Kaleidoscope at The Crossing

San Francisco
Through Sunday, January 4, 2025
Circus Bella returns to San Francisco with its new indoor seated show. The original 90-minute circus features international acts, local favorites, and the Circus Bella All-Star band. See daring acts to feats of wonder, to the engaging delight of our clowns. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Sandra Lee
Sandra Lee is the community publisher and social media manager for Mommy Poppins Bay Area. With nearly a decade of writing in the parenting space, she’s passionate about helping parents create unforgettable memories with their kids. Her work has appeared in Tiny Beans, Zulily, and more. When she's not exploring or creating content, you’ll find her baking or practicing her hip-hop moves.
Recent Articles By Sandra Lee:
Read more articles by Sandra Lee.