12 New Year’s Eve Parties Fit For The Whole Family

istock-506347176The final days of 2016 are upon us and that means one thing–time to find out how you will be ringing in 2017. New Year’s Eve parties aren’t just for college kids and twenty-somethings anymore–there are plenty of fun and exciting family events in the city. For clans with older kids, there are parties that go through midnight, while little ones can celebrate earlier in the day and still get to bed on time. Check out our list of favorites below and pick the one that’s right for you!

Pre-Midnight Parties

New Year’s Eve at CMA

10am – 3pm

If you and your kids won’t last until midnight, party earlier in the day at the Children’s Museum of the Arts in lower Manhattan. Kids will get the opportunity to make their own party hats and animate fireworks displays in the media lab! Make sure you’re there for the countdown to the New Year at noon. Have your fun, and then get some rest that night!

Children’s Museum of Manhattan New Year’s Programming

Throughout the day on December 30th and 31st

Over the final two days of 2016, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan in the Upper West Side will have a series of fun programs. Arts and crafts fans will love the opportunity to make a silly hat and glasses combo to wear as the clock ticks down, while some parents might need ear plugs after their children make noisemakers. From 2:30 to 4 on the 31st, there will be a dance party with DJ Chela, and finally, there will be an early ball drop culminating in the late afternoon for all ages.

Brooklyn Bowl’s New Year’s Eve Family Bowl and New Year’s Day Family Bowl

11am – 5pm on New Year’s Eve, 11am – 8pm on New Year’s Day

Brooklyn Bowl offers day-time bowling fun for the whole family on December 31st and January 1st. There will be food and drink from Blue Ribbon, including their famous fried chicken, jumbo sandwiches, and French bread pizzas. Brooklyn Bowl has all sorts of great music and entertainment while you bowl in one of the coolest places in Brooklyn, on 61 Wythe Avenue.

New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace 2016

7pm – 9pm

If regular New Year’s parties seem too excessive and wasteful, your family might enjoy a quieter, more meaningful way to welcome 2017. Founded in 1984 by Leonard Bernstein, this concert is about joining together with your community in appreciation of all that you have, and nurturing hope for a better new year. This year’s concert will feature a musical response to the tragic shooting in Orlando in June, as well as spirituals from African-American composers. The concert takes place at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine.

Through Midnight

New Year’s Eve Bike Ride and Outdoor After Party

Rides begin between 9:45pm and 10:20pm; meet at Belvedere Castle at 11:45pm

Anyone who loves to get moving, even after dark, will love this bike ride and party. Groups will meet at three places south of Central Park and everyone will ride up to Belvedere Castle. Dress up in your most festive biking gear and bring your loudest noisemakers! Whole families often attend, including pets!

New York Road Runners’ Midnight Run

Party starts at 10pm and the run begins on the stroke of midnight

If you want the exercise but biking through city streets isn’t your thing, join the Midnight Run. Taking place in Central Park, the run will be four miles long and lined with spectators and volunteers. At 10pm, the festivities begin with a dance party at Rumsey Playfield for runners and their guests – there will be face painting for all ages. As a bonus, runners who finish the race, as well as volunteers, will receive credit to the 2017 TCS New York Marathon.

Coney Island Fireworks Spectacular

Festivities begin at 9pm

Visit one of New York City’s most famous sites and ring in the New Year with a fantastic fireworks display on the beach. There will be music and giveaways galore, and performers from Coney Island will entertain and amaze you and your family as you enjoy the final hours of 2016. Don’t miss the 8,000 LEDs on the Parachute Jump!

 New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Prospect Park

11pm – 2pm

Celebrate the 150th year of Prospect Park with this fireworks display. You can see the fireworks from all over the park, though the best places include Grand Army Plaza, the Park’s West Drive and along Prospect Park West. Bring a blanket and make an evening of it–celebrate with food, watch the fireworks, and welcome the New Year.

New Year’s Eve Family Cruise

Boats depart at 9:20pm and 9:30pm, boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure

Welcome in the New Year on the waves! Hop on a cruise along New York’s waterways with food, drinks, and games for kids of all ages. When the clock hits 12, you will get to enjoy New York City’s famous fireworks spectacular from the water: a truly unique view. Boats depart from Pier 16 on 89 South Street. There are several security rules so make sure you read them ahead of time.

The Countdown Bus

6pm to 1am

If you want to celebrate without the little ones, don’t get a babysitter–get your kids a spot on the Countdown Bus! Beginning at 6pm with boarding and dinner, the bus will drive throughout Brooklyn, stopping for a movie, holiday lights tours, and hot chocolate! Then the kids will get to count down to midnight with their friends, before parents can pick them up beginning at 12:15am. Ages four and up are welcome, boarding takes places at 110 Schermerhorn street.

All Day

Celebrate 2017 on the lanes with Bowlmor AMF

Times vary

If your family loves bowling, you can party before, during, or after the big midnight party. Bowlmor AMF, which features bowling lanes all over the city and tri-state area, has an option to make a reservation during the day on either December 31st or January 1st, or bowl right through the ball drop with parties at 9pm on New Year’s Eve. Either way, you get hours of unlimited bowling, food for the whole family, and champagne for the adults. Start the New Year off with a strike!

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TADA! Youth Theater

<div> <p dir="ltr"><strong>TADA! Youth Theater Summer Camps (July 10-August 25, 2023)</strong> Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! TADA! is excited to be back in person with our popular Week-long Musical Theater Summer Camps!  Every week your child will:</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <ul> <li>ENGAGE IN MUSICAL THEATER TRAINING</li> <li>CREATE, REHEARSE & PERFORM AN ORIGINAL MINI- MUSICAL</li> <li>EXPLORE THEIR INTERESTS AND IDENTITY</li> <li>SHARE THEIR VOICE AND BE HEARD</li> <li>RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED ATTENTION AND SOLO OPPORTUNITIES</li> <li>EXPERIENCE ENSEMBLE-BASED INSTRUCTION BY TWO PROFESSIONAL NYC TEACHING ARTISTS</li> <li>MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH NEW FRIENDS</li> </ul> On the last day of camp, we invite friends and family to attend the debut of your child’s original mini-musical!<br /> <p> </p> <p dir="ltr">Limited spots available! All of our classes take place in-person at 15 W. 28th Street (between Broadway & 5th) and culminate in a final sharing for an invited audience.  </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>For more info or to register for our Summer Camps, visit our website <a href="https://tadatheater.com/summercamps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/summercamps/&source=gmail&ust=1682524227382000&usg=AOvVaw1jPPuT0S0YVPJg0I1oXofv">HERE!</a></strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Looking for a sample class before registering?</strong> Join us Saturday, June 3rd for an in-person sample class, Q&A, and the best discount of the summer!  Registration required to attend! </p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong>For more info. or to register for our Summer Open house, click <a href="https://tadatheater.com/open-house/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/open-house/&source=gmail&ust=1682524227382000&usg=AOvVaw2CheiFLQooj66wqzmTeKCc">HERE!</a></strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong>No child should be turned away because of their inability to pay. </strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://tadatheater.com/financial-assistance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/financial-assistance/&source=gmail&ust=1682524227382000&usg=AOvVaw1-oTxJlL31iv2yEG3kUDrj">Financial Assistance available. </a></strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Questions?</strong></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Email us at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[email protected]</a></strong></div> </div> <div> <div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

New Settlement Community Center

<p>Offering a host of healthy, fun and exciting programs for children ages 6 months and up, including ballet and hi-hop dance with Alvin Ailey, group and private swimm classes, mixed martial arts, youth technology, piano, violin and guitar lessons, and more.</p>

New York Society of Play Summer Camp and Classes

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Summer Game Camp</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">There are many who do not feel safe sending their children back out into the world with summer camp, this year. To serve those parents and keep the children connected and stimulated during this challenging time, we are offering NYSP Digital Summer Camp. The name of the game with NYSP Summer Camp is community. We have made a large effort to make our camp feel like a living space, with features including –</p> <p dir="ltr">- Role-Playing games familiar and new, led by our master storytellers!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Enriching electives such as Chess, World Building, Character Acting, Crafts, Drawing, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Discussion and media screening rooms during lunch!</p> <p dir="ltr">- A digital campus!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Moderated chat hours!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Join us for a summer of games, friends, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">Mon - Fri 10am - 2:30pm</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Roleplay Expeditions: Dungeons & Dragons</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our Dungeons & Dragons games. Our game masters have pre-made character sheets, so you'll be able to start playing the game right away! We adapt the rules of traditional Dungeons & Dragons to make them more approachable to children of various ages. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! </p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Public games meet once per week, with different groups every time. Private games meet 1 to 2 times per week with the same group of kids. Since the players and the storyteller in the group are consistent, this enables us to tell epic tales of adventure together!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Dungeons & Dragons Junior</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our drop-in Dungeons & Dragons games. Our Dungeons & Dragons Jr. game provides a D&D storytelling experience without character sheets. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! A great way to introduce young children to D&D so they can eventually move onto the main game.</p>