45 “Noon Year’s Eve” and Other Local NYE Events for Kids

The countdown is on for 2025! Celebrate at these kids’ New Year’s festivities with bubbles, music, bounce houses, and countless other ways to enjoy some family-friendly fun to close out the winter holiday season. “Noon Year’s Eve” is a popular way to let kids count down to 12 o’clock without having to stay up way past their bedtime (and, perhaps, yours).

Many of these events ask for advance registration, so we recommend making your plans early, before registration fills up. We’ll be updating this list as it gets closer to the new year. Check back for more events!

This article is sponsored by DuPage Children’s Museum. You are going to love Bubble Bash! Don’t wait to get tickets though; this one sells out.

Noon Year’s Eve and Other NYE 2025 Events for Kids

NYE Celebrations in the Western Suburbs

Teenie Weenie New Years Eve Ball (Carol Stream)
December 27, 2024 | 10:30am – 12:30pm
Kids 8 and under can party hearty with a DJ, bounce house and more, including a balloon drop at noon. Registration closes on December 26th.

Noon Year’s Eve Eve Party (Wood Dale)
December 29, 2024 | 10:30am – 12:00pm
Dance, make crafts, and finish with a balloon drop. Register in advance.

New Year Storytime and Craft (Westmont)
December 30, 2024 | 10:00am – 10:45am
Visit the Westmont Public Library for New Years Eve festivities.

New Year’s Eve Baby Bash (Willowbrook)
December 30, 2024 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Register in advance for a spot at this NYE celebration for your littles.

Noon Years Eve (La Grange Park)
December 30, 2024 | 11:30am – 12:15pm
Register in advance for fun with the La Grange Park Public Library.

Noon Year’s Eve Party (Wood Dale)
December 30, 2024 | 11:30am – 12:15pm
Make a craft and listen to stories with the Wood Dale Public Library. Register in advance.

Noon Year’s Eve (Warrenville)
December 30, 2024 | 11:30am – 12:15pm
The Warrenville Public Library is hosting a special NYE-themed storytime. Register in advance.

Noon Year’s Eve Party (Aurora)
December 30, 2024 | 11:30am – 12:30pm
Visit the Santori Library for storytime and a balloon drop.

New Year’s Beach Ball Drop Pool Party (Aurora)
December 30, 2024 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Make a splash at the Vaughn Athletic Center’s indoor pool to ring in the new year. Register in advance for a discounted rate or the day of.

Bubble Bash: A Kid-Friendly New Year’s Eve at the DuPage Children’s Musuem (Naperville)
December 31, 2024 | 9:00am – 1:00pm
Enjoy all that the museum has to offer in this annual Bubble Bash NYE party. Activities include bubble science displays, musical performances, making wearable art, and two countdowns. Tickets required.

Happy Noon Year (Montgomery)
December 31, 2024 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Run, jump, climb, and celebrate 2025 at Oswegoland Park District’s celebration. Register in advance.

New Year’s Eve Countdown to Noon (Downers Grove)
December 31, 2024 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Dance, snack and enjoy the balloon drop. Register in advance.

NYE Pajama Party (Naperville Yard)
December 31, 2024 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Inflatables and games, with a noon countdown. Purchase tickets in advance for discounted admission.

2024 New Year’s Eve at Wonder Works Children’s Museum (Oak Park)
December 31, 2024 | 10:00am – 2:00pm
Ticketed timeslots will include a balloon drop, photo booth, and much more. Purchase in advance to ensure participation.

Family New Year’s Eve (Warrenville)
December 31, 2024 | 10:30am – 12:30pm
The whole family is invited to celebrate the New Year in style at this event, featuring party favors, snacks, music, and more.

Children’s New Year Celebration (Orland Park)
December 31, 2024 | 10:30am – 12:30pm
Register in advance for giveaways, dancing, and more.

Noon Year’s Eve (Lemont)
December 31, 2024 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Register in advance for a morning of fun with the Lemont Park District.

Noon Year’s Eve Party (Woodridge Public Library)
December 31, 2024 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Register in advance for this celebration which includes a balloon drop.

Noon Year’s Eve Party (St. Charles)
December 31, 2024 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Celebrate the end of 2024 with the St. Charles Public Library.

Noon Year’s Eve Party (Wheaton)
December 31, 2024 | 11:00am – 12:30pm
Dance 2024 away with the Wheaton Public Library

Noon Year’s Eve Skate (Oak Park)
December 31, 2024 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Skating activities and games, with a noon countdown.

Family New Year’s Eve Bash (Aurora)
December 31, 2024 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Dance, jump, make crafts, and enjoy the balloon drop at noon. Must register in advance.

Noon Year’s Eve (Geneva)
December 31, 2024 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Join the Geneva Public Library for storytime and a balloon drop.

New Year’s Eve Kiddie Countdown (Fox Valley Mall, Aurora)
December 31, 2024 | 11:00am – 12:30pm
Visit the mall for face painting, festive activities, and a balloon drop.

Kids New Years Eve Party (JoJo’s Shake Bar, Naperville)
December 31, 2024 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Enjoy group dining and special activities, including specialty shakes. Reservations recommended as it will fill up.

Countdown to Noon Year: Noon Year’s Eve Party (Naperville)
December 31, 2024 | 11:15am – 12:15pm
Say goodbye to 2024 at the libraries.

Noon Year’s Eve (Downers Grove Public Library)
December 31, 2024 | 11:30am – 12:00pm
Celebrate with a dance party

Noon Years Eve (Clarendon Hills)
December 31, 2024 | 11:30am – 12:30pm
Register in advance for pizza, BINGO, and prizes.

Anita Dee New Year’s Eve Family-Friendly Afternoon Cruise (Chicago)
December 31, 2024 |  1:00pm departure
All-ages afternoon cruise with live DJs and skyline views, full bar. No food will be served. $20-35/ticket.

New Year’s Eve Family Party at Enchanted Castle (Lombard)
December 31, 2024 | 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Advance reservations required for unlimited activities and buffet.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks (Navy Pier, Chicago)
December 31, 2024 | 11:50pm – 12:00am
See Navy Pier’s annual fireworks display live in person.

NYE Celebrations in the Northwest Suburbs

New Year’s Eve Around the World (Park Ridge)
December 28, 2024 | 10:30am – 12:00pm
Travel around the world to foods and traditions to ring in the new year. Register in advance.

New Year’s Eve-Eve (Downtown Mount Prospect)
December 30, 2024 | 9:00am and 11:00am seatings
Register in advance for NYE fun.

Noon Year’s Eve Party (Park Ridge Public Library)
December 30, 2024 | 10:30am – 12:00pm
Activities in the program rooms, followed by a balloon drop. Entrance tickets will be distributed before the drop.

Noon Year’s Eve Celebration (Schiller Park)
December 30, 2024 | 11:30am – 12:00pm
Register for fun with the Schiller Park Public Library.

Noon Years Eve (Franklin Park Public Library)
December 30, 2024 | 11:30am – 12:30pm
Celebrate with hats, balloons and plenty of noisemakers.

New Year’s Eve Scavenger Hunt and Craft (Palatine)
December 31, 2024 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
Drop-in programming at the Palatine Public Library.

Almost New Year’s Disco (Arlington Heights)
December 31, 2024 | 10:00am or 11:00am
Arts and crafts, dancing and more at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.

Noon Years Eve Party (Palatine)
December 31, 2024 | 10:30am – 12:00pm
Save on admission by registering early for this fun-filled party with the Salt Creek Rural Park District.

Noon Year’s Eve Ball (Barrington)
December 31, 2024 | 10:30am – 12:30pm
Register for dancing, games, music, and a noon year’s toast.

Noon Year’s Eve Celebration (Schaumburg Township Library)
December 31, 2024 | 10:30am – 12:00pm
Play games and enjoy a balloon drop at noon.

Happy Noon Year (Wheeling)
December 31, 2024 | 11:00am – 12:15pm
Enjoy sparkling juice, glow sticks, games, and a giant balloon drop. Register in advance.

Noon Year’s Eve (Rolling Meadows)
December 31, 2024 | 11:00am – 12:30pm
Register in advance for games and activities to ring in the noon year.

Anita Dee New Year’s Eve Family-Friendly Afternoon Cruise (Chicago)
December 31, 2024 |  1:00pm departure
All-ages afternoon cruise with live DJs and skyline views, full bar. No food will be served. $20-35/ticket.

Family New Year’s Eve Party (Des Plaines)
December 31, 2024 | 2:00pm – 4:30pm
Enjoy games, music, inflatables, and more. Register in advance to reserve spots.

Family New Year’s Bash (Elk Grove Village)
December 31, 2024 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Register for ice cream, dancing, a balloon drop and so much more.

Ice Skating and Fireworks at Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District (Rosemont)
December 31, 2024 | 11:00am – 1:00am
Enjoy fireworks display at midnight, with late hours for skating.

NYE Celebrations in Chicago

Blue Man Group will be hosting family-friendly New Year’s Eve performances on Tuesday, December 31 at 1pm and 4pm. These shows feature early “midnight” countdowns after the show complete with party hats, noisemakers and a special performance of “Auld Lang Syne” by the Blue Men. Other festivities include pre-show face painting where children will be transformed into members of Blue Man Group’s band.

New Years Eve Events Hosted in 2023

These organizations hosted events in 2023, but have not announced their 2024 plans as of October 14. Check their website for the most up-to-date information.

• Noon Year’s Eve Party (Berwyn Public Library) – December 28, 2023
• Family Maker Workshop: Goodbye, 2023! (Mount Prospect) – December 28, 2023
• Noon Years Eve (Little Fox Clubhouse, Yorkville) – December 30 and 31, 2023
• Noon Year’s Eve Party (Playroom Cafe and Playroom Cafe Two) – December 31, 2023
• Noon Years Eve Bash (Elmhurst Fire Department Station #2) – December 31, 2023
• Noon Year’s Eve (Get Air) – December 31, 2023
• Donut Kill My Vibe Noon Years Celebration (Go Brewing, Naperville) – December 31, 2023
• New Year’s Eve at Fox Bowl (Wheaton) – December 31, 2023
• ZooLights: Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve (Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago) – December 31, 2023
• Noon Year’s Celebration (La Grange Public Library) – January 2, 2024

Ideas for Celebrating New Year’s at Home

Whether you want to be super safe or simply party in your pajamas, here are some ideas for celebrating at home this year.

• Take a “trip” to another country and celebrate their midnight! Adjust a clock to that time zone, and do some research about that country’s particular NYE tradition (if they have one). Bonus points if you have a native dish prepared!
• Look backward before you move forwards: celebrate special moments and memorable achievements from 2023. Think about what 2023 brought to your family’s life and look at throwback pictures. You could even make a time capsule for a year to come!
• A few years ago, we created activity bags with mini countdowns because we knew we wouldn’t make it to midnight. Fill them with silly string, bubbles, minute-to-win-it type games. The kids couldn’t contain their excitement to open each bag.

• Game night is always a winner. A few years ago, Jamie’s family did a New Year’s Board Game Tournament; everyone goes into the new year feeling like a champion. Decorate silly trophies or medals, award one another with prizes — or just pick each person’s favorite game and play it. Don’t forget to toast the winner with a favorite bubbly beverage!
• Elementary-aged kids and older might enjoy creating a “bucket list” of things to do in the new year. It’s always nice to have exciting ideas and activities to look forward to — especially when everyone gets to contribute.
• Get outside for some fresh air. Check out our favorite outdoor spaces (you may want to double-check holiday hours).

Taking the holidays one day or week at a time? No need to stress — our kid-friendly events calendar is updated all the time and ready to help! Or, check out our 2024 Holiday Guide.