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12 Best New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, and Other San Francisco Celebrations for Kids

See the snowfall on New Year's Eve! Photo courtesy of Gilroy Gardens
See the snowfall on New Year's Eve! Photo courtesy of Gilroy Gardens
12/22/24 - By Sandra Lee

New Year's Eve celebrations in the San Franciso Bay Area are as unique and spectacular as the city we live in. Your family can ring in 2025 with everything from fireworks at Gilroy Gardens to a New Year's train ride at Roaring Camp. And for little ones with early bedtimes, there are a bunch of Noon Year's Eve parties throughout the Bay Area from Sausalito to San Jose. 

In true San Francisco style, New Year's Eve events celebrate the many cultures on New Year's Eve, including Kwanzaa and a Japanese bell-ringing ceremony. However you celebrate, grab those noisemakers, and start the countdown—Happy 2025, everyone! 

The festivities don't end with the New Year's Eve! Many holiday events and activities in the Bay Area continue after January 1. New events are added to our San Francisco calendar every day, so check it frequently to find a perfect family outing over Christmas vacation in San Francisco. 

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Pop in for the balloon drop on Noon Year's Eve at the Hiller Aviation Center. Photo courtesy of the center
Pop in for the balloon drop on Noon Year's Eve at the Hiller Aviation Center. Photo courtesy of the center

Best New Year's Eve Celebrations for Kids in San Francisco

New Year's Train at Roaring Camp

Best Train Ride
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

Best 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

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

Best Kwanzaa Event
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

Bouncy Ball New Year

Best Free New Year's Event
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

Annual Balloon Drop at Chabot

Best Balloon Drop
Oakland
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Count down to 2025 around the world with balloon drops at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. at the Chabot Space and Science Center. With drop times for the 5 and under and 6-12, this family-friendly event is a great way to celebrate the New Year! READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at Bay Area Discovery Museum

Best Noon Year's Eve Event in North Bay
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

Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at Hiller Aviation Museum

Best New Year's Eve Concert for Kids
San Carlos
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
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

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

Best Noon Year's Eve Event in South Bay
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

Noon Year's Eve at Happy Hollow

Best Toddler New Year's Eve Event
San Jose
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Countdown to 2025 with the little ones at noon at Happy Hollow. Starting at 11 am, families can enjoy activities like a ventriloquist and magic show, activities, scavenger hunt, crafts, food, and more. Countdown with a lowered disco ball and confetti blast at noon.  READ MORE

New Year's Eve Celebration at Gilroy Gardens

Best Fireworks Show
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!

Best Family Movie Event
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

2024 Grand Finale at the Lawrence Hall of Science

Best Confetti Launch (every 45 minutes)
Berkeley
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
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

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