Best Family Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebrations in So. Cal!
photo credit: Jon Sullivan
Are you looking for a family-friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration to take the kiddos to this year? If so, then SoCal Field Trips has got you covered! In fact, if you attend one of these events you might just be able to tuck your children in before the ball drops at midnight in Times Square!
Please visit each individual celebration’s website for pricing, times and location.
THE INLAND EMPIRE:
12/31 – Annual New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade at Snow Summit, Big Bear
New Years Eve guests will be treated to a torchlight parade, which will serpentine down Miracle Mile run at Snow Summit. A spectacular sight to see as 100 skiers and snowboarders carry torches down Miracle Mile to weave a mysterious path of light to ring in the New Year.
12/31 – New Year’s Eve Grape Drop, Temecula
Ring in 2015 Temecula-style at the annual Grape Drop with an east coast (9pm) and west coast (midnight) countdown. The celebration offers live bands, activities for kids including a party jump & face painting plus the ice rink will be open until 1 am. Patio heaters and some chairs provided. Bring jackets to keep warm and extra chairs for extra seating.
12/31 – Pennypickle’s Workshop New Year’s Event at Noon, Temecula
Celebrate the New Year Pennypickle-style at noon instead of midnight! You won’t want to miss the Professor’s very special party for those too young to stay up late. Be sure to purchase your tickets early as space is limited. The Workshop will only be open on Dec. 31st from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for this amazing event.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY:
12/31 – Downtown Long Beach Waterfront Family Friendly Celebration, Long Beach
Beginning at 5 p.m., Downtown’s waterfront amphitheatre will come alive with a flurry of activities. Live bands including the return of swing band, Phat Cat Swingers, will energize the crowds throughout the night. And children’s activities including face painting, balloon artists and a trackless train will keep the whole family entertained. At 9 p.m., the sky will light up for an East Coast countdown with a ten minute fireworks spectacular. This event is free for the entire family!
12/31 – Zimmer Children’s Museum New Year’s Eve Party, Los Angeles
10 – 9 – 8… let the countdowns begin at The Zimmer Children’s Museum! Decorate your own sparkly party accessories and noisemakers as you ring in 2015. The balloons drops at 11:15 am, 12:15 pm, 1:15 pm, 2:15 pm and 3:15 pm. That’s 5 balloon drops in one day!
12/31 – Kidspace Children’s Museum Noon Year’s Eve Party, Pasadena
From 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, ring in the “Noon” year at Kidspace with live music, streamers, sparkling cider, and a balloon drop. Arrive early to make party hats and noisemakers, dance to the music of Clint Perry and the Boohoo Crew performing 11:30 am, and countdown to the “noon” year at 12:00 pm. Early arrival is highly recommended.
12/31 – Discovery Cube LA’s Noon Year’s Eve Party, Sylmar
Celebrate the New Year at Discovery Cube’s “Noon Year’s Eve” party! Ring in 2015 with a countdown, hats, streamers, and a ginger ale toast. Party while the sun is still up with kids and parents while also taking part in learning stations themed around celebrating the coming New Year.
ORANGE COUNTY:
12/31 – Knott’s New Year’s Eve Celebration, Buena Park
Join the SoCal Field Trip Family as we ring in the New Year at Knott’s Berry Farm! Knott’s New Year’s Eve Celebration is the perfect family friendly event to get your New Year off to a good start. It is a fun and safe option for families who also enjoy ringing in the New Year together. The party lasts from 10am until 1am. Extended park hours, live entertainment, and a fireworks display are all included in the price of regular park admission.
12/31 – Fountain Valley Skating Center’s New Year’s Eve All Night Skate, Fountain Valley
Ring in 2015 at Fountain Valley Skating Center, where you and your family can skate and play games all night. Gather your friends and pillows, and prepare to be entertained. Admission includes a hot dog and soda, and a doughnut after 6 a.m. Wednesday, 9 p.m. – Thursday, 7 a.m. $20 per person.
12/31 – Pretend City’s Noon Year’s Confetti Countdown, Irvine
Twas’ the day before New Year’s and all through the city the citizens are stirring and buzzing about! With sparkling streamers and festive party hats this is one celebration you won’t want to miss. Activities of the day will include:
- Sensational Story Time: Twas’ the Night Before New Year’s will be the featured story of the day. See if your little can find some inspiration to stay awake until the strike of the New Year!
- Smart Art: New Year’s Resolution – This colorful art project will be your opportunity to create a family new year’s resolution. This promise will be one that you make to your family as a whole to be better and help others.
- Music & Movement: New Year’s Eve Confetti Countdown– This countdown is for the kids! Countdown the new year and celebrate every two-hours beginning at noon with a special rockin’ rollin’ dance party! Streamers, blowouts, noise makers, and confetti will make this the party of all parties!
- Confetti Countdown: 12 pm, 2 pm & 4 pm
12/31 – First Night Fullerton New Year’s Eve Party, Fullerton
“First Night” is Fullerton’s annual New Year’s Eve party, offering family oriented, alcohol-free activities at numerous locations in the streets, sidewalks and buildings in Fullerton’s historic downtown. The smooth sounds of James Intveld will usher families into the New Year as the main stage performer. Show times will be at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 p.m.
12/31 – The Children’s Museum at La Habra New Year’s Noon Party, La Habra
Join The Children’s Museum at La Habra for a New Year’s Noon Party with a dance party with DJ Mike (11-12 pm), festive hat making, face painting, an exciting countdown to 12 o’clock with a spectacular balloon drop! Reservations required. Regular admission applies.
12/30 & 12/31 – Discovery Cube OC’s Noon Year’s Eve Party, Santa Ana
Celebrate the New Year at Discovery Cube’s “Noon Year’s Eve” party! Ring in 2015 with a countdown, hats, streamers, and a ginger ale toast. Party while the sun is still up with kids and parents while also taking part in learning stations themed around celebrating the coming New Year. Come dressed as your favorite superhero!
SAN DIEGO COUNTY:
12/31 – Kids’ New Year’s Eve at Legoland, Carlsbad
“Midnight” comes early for families at Legoland celebrating the new year together without missing their bedtimes. Legoland re-creates the Times Square ball drop with a giant Lego brick falling 22 feet in the air, Grammy-nominated artists and special celebrity guest who will lead the countdown for San Diego’s largest Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party! Join in the festivities with party hats and special glasses for viewing fireworks. The party concludes just in time for the big countdown at 6 p.m. with a fireworks display illuminating the sky.
12/27 – Pajama Jam, New Year’s Family Night Out at The New Children’s Museum, San Diego
A family fun New Year’s Eve celebration…on Dec. 27! Parents can enjoy the museum’s exhibits, hosted bar, and silent auction while kids jam out in their jammies. PJs are optional. Children’s activities include games, dancing, art activities, and ringing in the new year with a countdown balloon drop.
VENTURA COUNTY:
12/31 – Skating Plus’ New Year’s Eve Daytime Party, Ventura
The clocks will be set back ahead of time so that kids can ring in the New Year together with an awesome balloon drop! Admission also includes hats and horns, games and prizes. Time: 12 pm – 4 pm.
Happy New Year’s!
Jilleen
Disclosure: This post is for informational purposes only.