Every year has its ups and downs and now is the time for reflection and preparing for a fresh start. Celebrate with the kids at these family-friendly events in the Chicago area.
Pre-New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Pre-New Year’s Eve Party, Little Beans Play Cafe, 1809 W. Webster, Chicago
- Saturday, December 30 from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
- $30 for 1 child, $50 for 2 children, $65 for 3 children. Purchase tickets online.
- DJ, dancing, mocktails, & a countdown with balloon drop. Price includes pizza for child and up to 2 adults.
Noon Year’s Eve Countdowns
Noon Year’s Eve Bash at Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview
- Two sessions: 8:30 am-11:00 am & 12:30 pm-3:00 pm
- $23/person for members, $33/person for non-members. Children under 1 are free. Tickets can be purchased online.
- Dreamtree Shakers performance (morning), DJ (afternoon), party hats & horns, dancing, family photos, and confetti drop at noon.
Bubble Bash 2017: Walk on the Wild Side, DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 North Washington Street, Naperville
- 9:00 am-Noon
- $20/member, $25/non-member. Online registration available.
- Jungle-themed activities including a fluorescent firefly sky, fort building, African drums, and confetti countdown at noon. There will be a quiet jungle room and a quiet countdown for sensitive visitors.
Bricktacular Balloon Drops, Legoland Discovery Center, 601 Martingale Road, Schaumburg
- 9:00 am-7:00 pm
- Included in general admission: $19.95 at the door; $14.99 online.
- Music and balloon drops at Noon, 3:00 pm, and 6:00 pm.
- 10:00 am-Noon
- For ages 1-6 years old
- $10 for residents, $15 for non-residents in advance; $15 for residents, $20 for non-residents the day of the event.
- Inflatables, riding toys, play areas, & balloon drop at noon.
- 10:00 am-2:00 pm
- $10/person; $5 for members. Children under 1 are free.
- Crafts, activities, and countdown with balloon drop at noon.
- 10:30 am-12:15 pm
- General admission applies: $14.95/person. Members and children under 1 are free.
- Crafts, dancing, and countdown at noon.
Noon Year’s Eve Balloon Drop Party, 1095 Pingree Road, Crystal Lake
- 10:30 am-11:30 am, Noon-1:30 pm, and 1:00 pm-3:30 pm
- $12/child
- Jumping, refreshments, party hats and noisemakers, and a balloon drop.
Family New Year’s Eve Party, Vaughn Athletic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail, Aurora
- 11:00 am-1:00 pm
- $10/person (under 2 free) in advance by December 30 at Noon; $13/person day of event. (Day of event admission does not include snacks or party favors.)
- Inflatables, games, dancing, and balloon drop at noon.
Wonder Works New Year’s Eve Party, Wonder Works, 6445 W. North Avenue, Oak Park
- Noon-5:00 pm.
- $10/person; $3 for members.
- Food, games, singing, crafts, dancing.
Evening New Year’s Eve Countdowns
Countdown to Fun at the Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main Street, Rockford
- 12:30 pm-4:30 pm
- General admission applies: $8/person.
- Crafts, art, confetti. Hourly countdowns to celebrate the New Year around the world.
Fireworks at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago
- Fireworks at midnight
- Free
- Winter WonderFest open until 8:00 pm. Admission fees apply.
- Festivities begin at 5:30 pm with a countdown at 6:00 pm.
- Balloon artists and free hot cocoa.
- 3:30 pm-6:00 pm
- $16/child, $10/adult
- Bouncing fun, rock wall, pizza & drink, indoor petting zoo, countdown with ball drop, hats & noisemakers.
Winter Carnival: New Year’s Freeze, Glenview Ice Center, 1851 Landwehr Road, Glenview
- 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
- $8 per person; $4 for skate rental.
- Ice skating, balloon twister, and a kiddie toast at 7:00 pm.
Pinstripes’ New Year’s Eve Celebration, Pinstripes in Chicago, Northbrook, South Barrington, and Oak Brook
- Balloon drops at 8:00 pm and midnight
- No cover charge, but reservations recommended. Bowling, food, & bocce courts available for purchase.
- Complimentary party favors.
Zoo Year’s Eve at Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield
- Countdown at 8:00 pm.
- General admission and parking fees apply. $19.85/adult, $14.50/child 3-11, children under 3 free. Admission purchased online is discounted by $1. $12/parking.
- Music, games, party favors, and a countdown at the Holly Jolly Theatre. Crafts and kid-friendly countdown (designed for kids 6 and under) at the Hamill Family Play Zoo.
