Chicago Area New Year’s Eve Events for Families 2017

Balloons & streamers - New Year's Eve Events for Families in the Chicago Area 2017

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 Party1095 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 Museum711 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 Pier600 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 CelebrationPinstripes 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 Zoo3300 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.

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