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New Year's Eve Weekend 2024 in San Francisco: Balloon Drops, Noon Years Eve

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
12/25/24 - 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 2024 and welcome 2025. 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, from early celebrations for the little ones to a traditional bell ringing. 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. The annual Bell-Ringing Ceremony takes place at the Asian Art Museum. End the year with amusement rides and a late-night celebration with midnight fireworks on New Year's Eve at Gilroy Gardens. 

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Ring in the new year at the Japanese bell ringing ceremony at the Asian Art Museum. Photo courtesy of Rafu Shimpo
Ring in the new year at the Japanese bell ringing ceremony at the Asian Art Museum. Photo courtesy of Rafu Shimpo

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

Bill Graham Menorah Project: Union Square Menorah Lighting

San Francisco - FREE
Nightly, December 25, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Celebrate the annual Chanukah Festival of Lights in Union Square with the lighting of the Menorah. The 8-day event draws thousands of visitors to San Francisco, as well as artists and community leaders from the Bay Area.  READ MORE

Fairy Winterland

Oakland
Thursday - Monday, December 26 - 30, 2024
December sparkles at Children's Fairyland for the return of Fairy Winterland, a tradition for over 20 years. See twinkling lights, Santa Claus leading the Festival of Lights Parade, special performances like tap dancing penguins and trees, a wishing wall, complimentary hot chocolate or cider, and more Don't forget to drop your letter to Santa in the special mailbox!  READ MORE

New Year's Train at Roaring Camp

Felton
Thursday - Tuesday, December 26 - 31, 2024
Bring in the new year aboard the New Years 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 2025 right. READ MORE

39th Annual Japanese New Year’s Bell-Ringing Ceremony

San Francisco
Sunday, December 29, 2024
The Asian Art Museum is ready to ring in the New Year with a 2,100-pound, 16th-century Japanese temple bell. The ceremony includes a purification ritual and chanting of the Buddhist Heart Sutra. Then it's open to the public, giving families the chance to leave behind anything negative from the previous year. READ MORE

Chanukah Celebration & Helicopter Gelt Drop

Petaluma - FREE
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Chabad's 10th annual celebration is a family-friendly event! Featuring a helicopter gelt drop, jelly donuts, hot latkes, live Chanukah music, the world's biggest dreidel, crafts, an interactive menorah game, and raffles! READ MORE

Nutcracker Sensory Friendly Performance at War Memorial Opera House

San Francisco
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Families with kids of all abilities can enjoy the beautiful Nutcracker Ballet on a special night.  The relaxed environment allows children and adults of varying physical and cognitive abilities to experience this magical holiday tradition in a safe and comfortable atmosphere. READ MORE

Glow in the Dark Chanukah Celebration in Burlingame

Burlingame - FREE
Sunday, December 29, 2024
It's Chanukah in Burlingame with family fun! Help build a dreidel, get creative with glow-in-the-dark arts and crafts, enjoy hot latkes and jelly doughnuts, take a selfie with the dreidel mascot, hear some live music, and see a gelt drop.  READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at Bay Area Discovery Museum

Sausalito
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
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 like iceless skating!  READ MORE

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

San Francisco - FREE
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
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
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Gilroy Gardens is hosting a grand New Year's Eve celebration for families of all ages to welcome 2025. Activities include a Charlie Brown and Snoopy dance party, live music, a photo booth, unique food items, and fireworks at midnight.  READ MORE

Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!

Santa Rosa
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
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 enjoy two balloon drops, a Baby Balloon Drop (for kids 4 and under) at noon, followed by another one at 3 p.m. READ MORE

Bouncy Ball New Year

Novato - FREE
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Head to downtown Novato to celebrate the end of 2024 at this free, family-friendly event. 23,000 small bouncy balls are dropped onto the street from a ladder truck 40 ft. 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
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Celebrate the arrival of 2025 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 lots 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

Holiday Windows at Macy's Union Square

San Francisco - FREE
Daily through Sunday, December 31, 2024
The cutest San Francisco tradition is back at Macy's. The Holiday Windows, featuring adorable, adoptable kittens and puppies will be on display daily. Snuggle with one of the SF SPCA's Animal Assisted Therapy ambassadors on select days, and bring blankets, toys, towels, and flat sheets to the donation station.  READ MORE

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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.
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