New Year’s Eve is the party night of the year, but what about when bedtime is hours before the Big Ball Drop? Of course, you can always celebrate with a party with family and friends. But if you want to get out, here’s a list of family-friendly events in Bucks County, Philly and the surrounding areas on December 31. Celebrate the end of 2023 and start of 2024 with your kids and get them in bed on time.
Bucks County Public Libraries
New Year’s Eve falls on a Sunday this year, so the libraries are closed. However, several locations are hosting events on Saturday the 30th so you can get some celebrating in a little early!
Quakertown: Crafts, dance party, and a countdown to noon! (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
Warminster: Lolly Hopwood will visit for a interactive Noon Year’s Show! (11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)
Northampton: Dance party countdown to noon. (11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)
UNO Pizzeria Bensalem
801 Neshaminy Mall, Bensalem
Seatings at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. $12.99 per kid. Includes make your own pizza (or alternative kids meal), NYE craft, party favors, ginger ale toast and a balloon drop.
We Rock the Spectrum Northeast Philadelphia
We Rock the Spectrum is an indoor sensory gym with a variety of swings, climbing features, trampoline, zip line, imaginative play toys, and more. There’s a special party on New Year’s Eve from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where kids can enjoy all the usual activities available during open play; plus, there will be treats, favors and a balloon drop. Reservations are required and cost $30 per child. $25 for siblings.
12357 Academy Rd., Philadelphia, 215-904-6280, werockthespectrumnortheastphilly.com
Altitude Trampoline Park Feasterville
Jump into 2024 at Altitude’s Noon Year’s Eve party from 10 a.m. to noon. Tickets are $35 per person and include a slice of pizza, party favor and balloon drop. There will also be a DJ. If your kids just want to jump without the extras, the trampoline park reopens to the general public at 12:30 p.m. and stays open until 5 p.m. Make reservations online.
1045 Bustleton Pike, Feasterville, 215-357-5867, altitudefeasterville.com
Christmas House King of Prussia
Get in one more Christmas outing for the year. Christmas House is a fully immersive, indoor walk-through of all things Christmas. The sights, sounds and smells all come to life in more than 10 different themed rooms such as Buddy the Elf, The North Pole, and more. Spend as long as you want (45 minutes is the average) and take tons of pics. You can even have a snowball fight in the first ever Snow Room. (Word is it’s actually snowing in there.) Christmas House tickets are available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on December 31. Tickets can be bought online at $24.99 for adults and $19.99 for kids ages 3 to 13. (Note that it’s in a new location this year!)
Andorra Shopping Center, 701 Cathedral Road, Philadelphia, 717-918-2195 christmashousekingofprussia.com
Crayola Experience
Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience runs through January 7 with exclusive holiday activities including helping Santa save Christmas as you go on a themed adventure, meeting a singing snowman and tree friends, and taking a photo with a life-size snow globe. On New Year’s Eve, there will be Colorful Countdowns at noon and 2 p.m., a silent disco dance party from noon to 2 p.m., and NYE themed crafts. You can also enjoy the usual hands-on activities such as naming and wrapping your very own crayon, climbing through a Crayola themed playground, making wax molds, and much more. Crayola Experience will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
30 Centre Square, Easton, 610-515-8000, crayolaexperience.com
Arnold’s Family Fun Center
Arnold’s hosts an annual Kids New Year Celebration. Admission is free and includes a HUGE balloon drop at 4 p.m., a DJ dance party (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and a magic show by The Ridiculous Nicholas from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Most guests will want to upgrade and buy a VIP Pass ($35) which includes 1 go kart ride, 1 game of laser tag, 1 game of bowling, 1 round of mini golf, an arcade card, and 2 slices of pizza plus a beverage.
2200 West Drive, Oaks, arnoldsffc.com
LEGOland Discovery Center Philadelphia
A LEGO fan’s paradise located inside Plymouth Meeting Mall, LEGOLAND Discovery Center has their Holiday Bricktacular celebration through New Year’s Day. On New Year’s Eve, they’re hosting a Noon Year’s Eve Celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a group dance party, complimentary noise maker, sparkling apple cider and a LEGO Ball Drop. Buying tickets online first guarantees admission and also saves a few dollars. Legoland Discovery Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 31. Tickets start at $28.99.
If you haven’t been to LDC before, read THIS BLOG POST for info.
500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, 267-245-9696, legolanddiscoverycenter.com/philadelphia/
Longwood Gardens
Christmas is the most magical time of year to visit Longwood Gardens with 500,000 twinkling lights, spectacular fountain shows, more than 100 Christmas trees, and much more. Kids will especially love the outdoor miniature Garden Railway where Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends rumble along nearly 500 feet of track while surrounded by foliage and lights. From 4:30 until 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, there will be a variety of live music performances throughout the grounds. Longwood Gardens is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Timed tickets are required. Reserve ASAP, as there are very limited tickets still available.
1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, longwoodgardens.org
Playpad Bucks
Two hours of open play with a New Year’s Eve twist! Kids can climb through the indoor playground, play with puppets, blocks and other toys, play make-believe in the miniature town and more. Grab some necklaces, hats, noisemakers and 2024 glasses and pose by the photo backdrop and decorations. There will also be a craft, snack, juice toast and balloon drop. Plus a GLOW dance party! Reservations are required. Tickets are $35 per child, $30 for additional siblings.
860 Town Center Dr., Langhorne, 267-568-2348, playpadbucks.com
Peddler’s Village and Giggleberry Fair
Peddler’s Village goes all out for the holidays with more than one million lights strung around the trees, restaurants, and more than 65 locally owned shops and boutiques. While you’re shopping and eating, stop by the annual gingerbread display to drool over this year’s competition entries. Peddler’s Village is also home to Giggleberry Fair, an indoor family fun center with an indoor obstacle course, carousel, arcade games, and a toddler zone. Peddler’s Village and Giggleberry Fair are both open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Rte. 263 and Street Rd., Lahaska, peddlersvillage.com
PEEPSFEST at Bethlehem SteelStacks
You’ve seen ball drops, balloon drops … but what about a PEEP drop? This annual Bethlehem New Year’s Eve tradition is an outdoor festival full of family-friendly activities that culminates with the descent of a 400-pound PEEPS chick and fireworks. Tickets are $5 per person and include a goodie bag and a coupon to redeem a free s’mores kit for all kids under 12. There will be activities, crafts, live musical performances and more. You can also purchase a $20 ticket upgrade if you want to ice skate. Ice skating sessions are at 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The festival is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on both December 30 and December 31 with the PEEP drop at 5:35 p.m. both nights.
789 E. 1st St., Bethlehem, 610-332-1300, steelstacks.org
Romp n’ Roll
Toddlers and little ones 5 and under can have some New Year’s Eve fun of their own with 4 different countdown play session times running from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Each 45-minute party includes playtime in the gym, activities led by Romp n’ Roll instructors, a balloon drop and bubble dance party. Tickets are $40 per child, $35 for Members. Pre-registration is required.
2856 W. Moreland Rd., Willow Grove, 610-580-0442, rompnroll.com
Sesame Place
Stroll through millions of lights, watch a holiday-themed show with music and dancing, and soar and spin on rides – all with a Sesame Street twist. Sesame Place is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on December 31. Reservations aren’t required to visit the park or eat quick service, but you’ll need to book in advance if you want to go to New Year’s Eve Sweet Treats event. It takes place at 5:10 and includes a spread of desserts and beverages, and a meet and greet with Count von Count for $20 per person. (For an extra $10, you’ll get reserved viewing for the fireworks afterword.) Fireworks are at 6 p.m. and can be viewed from the Oxford Valley Mall and other nearby parking lots even if you’re not in the park.
100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, 215-702-3566, sesameplace.com
Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular
New Year’s Eve is the final hurrah for Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular. This year, the attraction moved from Oaks to FDR Park in South Philly. Tinseltown is an outdoor holiday experience with 1.2 million lights, an ice trail, a 160-foot ice slide, food and drinks, and more. Tickets start at $29.99 for adults and $23.99 for children and teens ages 4-17, kids 4 and under are free. Tickets that night are available for entry times 7-8, 8-9, or 9-10 p.m.
FDR, 1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, next to the Sports Complex, tinseltownholiday.com
LumiNature at Philadelphia Zoo
See the Philadelphia Zoo in a whole new way during LumiNature. The zoo is lit by over a million lights with highlights including a 40-foot-tall penguin that glows with different designs, a 25-foot-tall pink flamingo tree, a 100-foot aquarium tunnel with enormous jellyfish and more. Buy your reserved time tickets online. Time slots start at 5 p.m. and end at 7:15 on December 31.
3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, 215-243-1100, philadelphiazoo.org
Funzilla
Enjoy the usual Funzilla fun PLUS a magic and bubble show, games, photo ops, face painting, and a balloon drop at 7 p.m. Party is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Everyone attending must have a ticket. Children at $35. Adults are $10.
500 Lincoln Highway, Fairless Hills, 215-488-7352, funzillapa.com
Kidology
Noon Year 2024 party! Includes free play in the playspace gym, New Year theme crafts, including a confetti sensory bottle, balloon fun, dance party, donut snacks, and an apple juice toast at 12 p.m. $30 per child/$25 for siblings. Adults are free, but please limit to 1 parent per child.
If you want to know more about Kidology, I have a post about it HERE.
928 Jaymour Road, Southampton, 215-330-4116, Buy Tickets HERE
Treehouse World
Ring in the New Year with a Twiggy drop at noon. Tickets are $28 and includes tree climbing, tomahawk toss, ziplining and tree houses. Last date to purchase this special event pass is Christmas Day.
1442 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, 484-329-7853, treehouseworld.com
Rivers Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks
The main event in Philadelphia each year is the fireworks on the Waterfront with shows at both 6 p.m. and midnight. The first fireworks show is titled Brilliance and features music from composers John Williams and Hans Zimmer. Penn’s Landing is one of the most popular (and free) places to gather to watch the show.
Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia
Adventure Aquarium
Adventure Aquarium is home to over 15,000 aquatic animals. Spend the day learning about hippos, sharks, turtles, penguins, sea stars, jellyfish and more. A few of the most popular attractions include the shark tunnel, shark bridge, stingray “beach club” where you can touch and feed the stingray, and the kids’ zone with interactive activities. The aquarium closes at 5 p.m., but if you stay in the general area to grab a bite to eat, you can get a great view of the 6 p.m. fireworks over the Delaware River.
1 Riverside Dr., Camden, 844-474-3474, adventureaquarium.com
Battleship New Jersey
Watch fireworks over the Delaware River from the historic deck of the Battleship New Jersey. There will be music, food concessions, and a cash bar for adults. Board the battleship anytime after 4 p.m. to take a tour and join the party before the 6 p.m. fireworks. Tickets are $10 and proceeds go to the on-going restoration of the Battleship. Parking is $10.
62 Battleship Place, Camden, 856-966-1652, battleshipnewjersey.org
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Get the absolute best views of the fireworks along with other party perks by purchasing tickets to RiverRink NYE Party on Ice. Your $57 ticket includes ice skating admission and skate rental, live entertainment and interactive activities, one free Ferris wheel ride, soft drinks and water, and food from Chickie’s & Pete’s, Black Iron BBQ and Skelly’s Pizza. Cash bar. You also get access to the arcade and fire pits. The party is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. If you skip skating, you can buy a spectator ticket for $47. Prices increase after December 15.
101 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, 215-922-2FUN, delawareriverwaterfront.com
Dave & Buster’s Franklin Mills
Eat, play and toast to the new year. Dave & Buster’s is hosting a family-friendly early New Year’s Eve celebration that leads up to a special video countdown and ginger ale toast and 6 p.m. fireworks on the Waterfront. Tickets are $52.90 and include an appetizer buffet, cinnamon sugar churros, and unlimited soda, coffee or tea. Plus, you’ll receive a $20 Power Card with unlimited video game play. The party starts at 4 p.m. Get tickets and read more HERE. Plymouth Meeting is hosting the same event!
1995 Franklin Mills Circle, Philadelphia, 215-904-2596, daveandbusters.com
Franklin Institute
December 31 is one of the last days to experience Franklin Frost, the Franklin Institute Holiday Celebration featuring a 25-foot-tall celestial-themed tree, three train sets and multiple photo opportunities. Franklin Frost is included with general admission, so you’ll get to see all the Franklin Institute favorites like the Giant Heart and Fels Planetarium too. The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, 215-448-1200, fi.edu
Franklin Square
Enjoy everything that Winter in Franklin Square has to offer, plus some special additions for New Year’s Eve. Now in its 11th year, the Electrical Spectacle Light Show is a show with music and more than 200,000 lights. The show is centered around the Franklin Square Fountain and runs every 30 minutes starting at 5 p.m. Play a round of Chilly Philly Mini Golf, take a spin on the carousel, and grab a bite to eat and sit by the fire pits. There will be crafts from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. leading up to the “Square Drop” from atop SquareBurger. You can also watch the 6 p.m. fireworks on the Waterfront from Franklin Square.
200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, 215-629-4026, historicphiladelphia.org/franklin-square
Macy’s Center City Christmas Light Show and Dickens Village
December 31 is the last day this season to see the Christmas Light Show at Macy’s. The show features songs and stories like The Nutcracker and Frosty the Snowman illuminated by 100,000 lights and backed by sounds of the famous Wanamaker Organ. On New Year’s Eve, you can watch it at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. If you plan to go to Macy’s that day, make reservations to walk through Dickens Village – an animatronic retelling of A Christmas Carol. Reservations are free and open up 5 days in advance.
1300 Market St., Philadelphia, 215-241-9000, macys.com
Please Touch Museum
Countdown to noon at Please Touch Museum with performances Two of a Kind, Give and Take Jugglers, Monarch Dance Academy, and more. There will also be a DJ and a special appearance by the museum’s mascot, Squiggles. New this year, there will be two timed sessions with limited capacity. Choose from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Both th emorning and afternoon session will end with a New Year’s Eve ball drop with confetti in Hamilton Hall. If your want a quieter experience, the balloon drop will also be livestreamed on the lower level. Reservations required. Tickets are $25 with special pricing for Members and EBT cardholders.
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, 215-581-3181, pleasetouchmuseum.org
Shady Brook Farm Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show
While the walk-thru attractions and wagon rides aren’t open on New Year’s Eve, you can still drive your own vehicle through Shady Brook’s famous light show between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Save money by purchasing online in advance. Tickets start at $40.
931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, 215-968-1670, shadybrookfarm.com
Diggerland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show
Drive a course through America’s only construction theme & water park to witness lights, holiday displays, tunnels, and their own radio station to fill your car with holiday spirit! $34.95 per vehicle. Purchase tickets online and enter anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ, diggerlandusa.com
Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags’ Holiday in the Park celebration features a 5-story tree, dazzling lights, holiday themed shows, firepits, and more. On New Year’s Eve, there’s also a fireworks show! The park is open from noon to 8 p.m. on December 31.
1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson, NJ, 1-732-928-2000, www.sixflags.com
Sweet Mini Moments 