New Year’s Eve typically makes you think of popping champagne and staying up late with friends, but when you add kids into the equation, it becomes a little harder to figure out how to celebrate!
Luckily, there are family-friendly events around Austin on Dec. 31, 2024, where kids can ring in the New Year too. And lots don’t involve staying up late at all — have you been to a Noon Year’s Eve before, which happens at 12 noon instead of 12 midnight? Here are some celebrations you can bring your kids to and celebrate the end of 2024 and start of 2025.
Check back as December goes on — I’ll add more events as venues announce details!
In This Post
Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Events
Austin’s New Year at Auditorium Shores
This annual free event is family-friendly if your kids can stay up until midnight (or you can leave before the new year of course!). It takes place from 7 pm to midnight at Auditorium Shores, ending with a countdown and firework show at midnight. You can find the schedule on their website, but you can see performances from DJ Mel, Angélica Rahe, Gina Chavez, and Third Eye Blind!
New Year’s Eve Balloon Drop at Pins & Wheels at Playland
Here are some balloon drops happening in the afternoon/evening! Pins & Wheels at Playland will have balloon drops at 2 pm and 5 pm.
General skate is open from noon to 6 pm, plus a DJ and party favors. Entry is $14 (all children must be paid for on New Year’s Eve).
ABBA New Year’s Eve Party at Suds Monkey
Head to Suds Monkey brewery starting at 3 pm for a family-friendly NYE celebration, with a balloon drop at 6 pm! It’s ABBA themed and there will be lots of dancing, as well as games, food and drinks.
New Year’s Eve at Redbud Icehouse
This kid-friendly restaurant (with play area) will host an all-day NYE hangout, with games, music and countdowns every hour, so you can celebrate whenever makes the most sense for you!
St. Elmo NYE
Both locations of St. Elmo Brewing are holding New Year’s Eve parties from 11 am to 6 pm! There will be live music and DJs, face painting, and a free champagne toast and balloon drop at 4 pm.
Noon Year’s Eve Events
Noon Year’s Eve at Terrazas Branch Library
The Terrazas Branch of the Austin Public Library (at 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St) will have crafts, dancing and snacks before a balloon drop at noon. Best for kids 8 and younger. 11 am to 12:30 pm.
Noon Year’s Eve Storytime Celebration at Yarborough Branch Library
Hear a story and make a wishing star, firework art and noisemaker at the Yarborough Branch of APL (2200 Hancock Dr.). At noon, there will be bubbles and a balloon drop! 10:30 am to noon.
Thinkery New Year’s Eve Celebration
Of course Thinkery would know how to celebrate NYE with kids! There are tons of fun activities to take part in, and a big balloon drop that kids will love — the floor will be covered in bubble wrap to make it extra fun! For really little ones, there is a baby balloon drop that is sensory-friendly with bubbles and floating scarves.
Other activities include crafting your own New Year 2025 accessories, making DIY confetti, and playing in the sparkle lab.
There are two time slots: 9-11 am or 1-3 pm. Tickets are $30 for members (on sale Dec. 9) and $35 for non-members (on sale Dec. 16).
Noon Year’s Eve at Laura’s Library
Celebrate the New Year with a concert by Mr. Will and a countdown to noon! Dancing and fun starting at 11 am.
Indigo Play Noon Year’s Eve
No reservations needed at this Noon Year’s Eve party (included with general admission). Enjoy games from 11 to noon, a balloon drop at noon, and then free pizza afterward! Kids will also love the sparkling juice, while grownups have a champagne toast.
Pikopye’s Town Noon Year’s Eve Balloon Drop With Bluey
Spend 9 am to noon playing at this adorable indoor play town — one of our favorites! There will be free play, cookies, a balloon drop at 11 and a dance party with Bluey, as well as a toast with sparkling wine (non-alcoholic option).
Tickets are $45/child and $10/adult.
Pinballz Noon Year’s Eve
From 10 am to 1 pm on New Year’s Eve, celebrate with a family-friendly party at Pinballz Arcade (all locations). $15 ticket gets you a $10 game card, arts and crafts, a countdown to noon and a balloon drop! There will be separate balloon drops for different age groups to make sure even the littlest kids have fun.
Cedar Park Public Library Noon Year’s Eve Party
Join the party at the Cedar Park library for dancing and a countdown to noon. From 11 am to noon.
The Hive Noon Year’s Eve
Celebrate Noon Year’s Eve in South Austin at the Hive with music from Strawbitty Yops, crafts and a countdown with bubbly drinks for kids and grown-ups! Tickets are $10 for 1 adult and 1 child; $15 for 2 adults and 2 kids; $5 for additional adults; and $3 for additional kids.
Looking for other ideas for what to do in December? Start here. Or check out these free holiday events.