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23 New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, and Other Chicago Celebrations for Kids

Bubble Bash New Year's Celebration. Photo by Rick Beato for the Dupage Children's Museum
Bubble Bash New Year's Celebration. Photo by Rick Beato for the Dupage Children's Museum
12/23/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for New Year's Eve celebrations in Chicago without the late night? Most kids and some adults can't make it up until midnight in typical New Year's Eve celebrations. That's why lots of Chicago area kids' venues have put together events to celebrate Noon Year's on the last midday of the year. Many have even created New Year's Eve celebrations with multiple time slots to avoid crowding and maximize fun. Celebrate with bubbles at DuPage Children's Museum, enjoy roller skating in Mundelein or on the South Side, or bowl or play bocce to end 2022 at Pinstripes locations in Streeterville, Oak Brook, South Barrington or Northbrook. Or, play whirlyball in Naperville or Lincoln Park or see a performance of the Blue Man Group in Lakeview.

Celebrating New Year's on your own? Try out one of our winter day trips from Chicago, or check out one of our favorite locations for snow tubing or ice skating in the Chicago area. Fill in the time in between with some suggestions from our top things to do during winter break roundup.

 

Pre-New Year's Eve photo courtesy of Little Beans Cafe
Pre-New Year's Eve photo courtesy of Little Beans Cafe

Eve of the New Year's Eve Celebrations on December 30 in Chicago

Noon Year's Eve Palos Heights

Palos Heights
Little revelers who can't make it to midnight can watch the ball drop at noon at the Palos Heights Recreation Center. Festivities include crafts, games and food. READ MORE

Teenie Weenie New Year's Eve Ball

Carol Stream
Kids who are too little to stay up until midnight can count down to a noon balloon drop at this party for parents and children. Activities include a bounce house, games, crafts, and a balloon drop. READ MORE

Pre-New Year's Eve at Little Beans

Evanston
Kids can ring in the new year early with a DJ, pizza, punch and play. A countdown to a balloon drop, complete with New Year's Eve swag, will round out the event. READ MORE

Skokie Park District Noon Year's Eve

Skokie
Celebrate the Eve of the Eve in Skokie with dancing, games, prizes, and crafts. Kids can also play in the Exploratorium, which will be open for event attendees only. READ MORE
New Year's Eve Family Party at Enchanted Castle. Photo courtesy of the event
New Year's Eve Family Party at Enchanted Castle. Photo courtesy of the event

Things to Do on New Year's Eve with Kids in Chicago

SOLD OUT DuPage Children's Museum Bubble Bash 2022

Naperville
Kids can ring in the new year with their choice of bubbles, confetti, a music launch or a quiet countdown at the DuPage Children's Museum'sAnnual year-end celebration. At the event, kids can enjoy creating wearable art, DIY confetti poppers, or 2D or 3D bubble wands. They can visit Sensoryland, take part in a fluorescent adventure, or visit the photo booth. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Family Party at Haunted Trails Burbank

Burbank
Ring in the New Year at our New Year’s Eve Family Party on Saturday, December 31st - from 6 pm to 10 pm! Guests will enjoy our famous New Year’s Buffet including soft drinks and dessert plus each paid guest receives $25 in Game Play, 1 Lazer Frenzy Challenge, Party Hats and Favors plus a Balloon Drop, New Year’s Toast, and Countdown Celebration!  READ MORE

New Year's Eve Family Party at Haunted Trails Joliet

Joliet
Ring in the New Year at our New Year’s Eve Family Party on Saturday, December 31st - from 6 pm to 10 pm! Guests will enjoy our famous New Year’s Buffet including soft drinks and dessert plus each paid guest receives $15 in Game Play, UNLIMITED Indoor Rides & Laser Tag, Party Favors plus a Balloon Drop, New Year’s Toast, and Countdown Celebration! READ MORE

New Year's Eve Family Party at Enchanted Castle

Lombard
Ring in 2023 at Chicago’s Greatest New Year’s Eve Family Party on Saturday, December 31st from 6 pm to 10 pm! Guests will enjoy our famous New Year’s Buffet including soft drinks and dessert plus each paid guest receives $15 in Game Play, UNLIMITED Select Video Games, 4 Hours of UNLIMITED Go-Karts, Laser Tag, Miniature Golf, Bumper Cars, Catapult Thrill Ride and Quest II Adventure Playland plus a Balloon Drop, Party Favors, New Year’s Toast, and Countdown Celebration. Event is $46.95 per guest and advanced reservations are required. Early booking is recommended. All... READ MORE

New Year's Eve Family Lunch Cruise

Downtown
The whole family can celebrate New Year's eve at a kid-friendly time aboard the Spirit of Chicago for a New Year's Eve lunch cruise.  READ MORE

Ring in the New Year at Pinstripes

Streeterville, Oak Brook, Northbrook, and South Barrington
Bowling, bocce, dinner, live music, and balloon drops at 8pm and midnight help families ring in the new year at Pinstripes. Reservations are encouraged. This event will take place at Pinstripes locations in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, Oak Brook, South Barrington, and Northbrook. READ MORE

Children's Museum in Oak Lawn's Noon Year's Eve

Oak Lawn
Learning and partying go hand-in-hand at the Children Museum in Oak Lawn's Noon Year's Eve party. This pajama-themed event encouraged children to dress up in pajamas while they play throughout the museum. Instead of a balloon drop, a countdown will take place over the loudspeaker so kids can celebrate the New Year from wherever they are in the museum. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at Wonder Works

Oak Park
Dress up in something sparkly and celebrate New Year's Eve at Wonder Works children's museum. The event features New Year's crafts, parachute games with pretend snow balls, and a disco ball scavenger hunt. Kids can take home a New Year's Eve crown and beaded necklace. READ MORE

Family New Year's Eve Warrenville

Warrenville
Bounce houses, a DJ, snacks and party favors welcome families to the recreation center gym for Warrenville Park District's New Year's Eve party. A balloon drop at noon welcomes the new year. READ MORE

Happy Noon Year Party in Glenview

Glenview
Celebrate Noon Year's Eve with inflatables, games and activities. The event concludes with a balloon drop at noon! READ MORE

Deerfield Noon Year's Eve

Deerfield
Count down to noon at Sachs Recreation Center with a DJ, dance party and games! The event ends with a balloon drop at noon. Kids must be accompanied by a non-paying adult. READ MORE

City Kid Theater Company New Year's Eve Party

Glenview
Pizza and karaoke kick off a fun New Year's Eve for Glenview kids. The countdown toast will include poppers and silly string to ring in 2023. READ MORE

Dakota 94 Noon Year's Eve

Edgebrook
Families can select a time slot to party before midnight on New Year's Eve in Edgebrook. The event includes today's music, a kids' buffet, and a drink ticket for parents. More times will be available in 2022 to allow more families to party! READ MORE

Noon Year's Skate Party and Balloon Drop

Mundelein
Celebrate New Year's Eve by roller skating at Just for Fun Roller Rink in Mundelein. Thousands of balloons will drop from the ceiling after the countdown to noon. READ MORE

Blue Man Group Chicago’s New Year's Eve Performances

Lakeview
Blue Man Group invites guests to celebrate the New Year with four festive New Year’s Eve performances Saturday, December 31 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Briar Street Theatre (3133 N. Halsted). Families with young children can take advantage of Blue Man Group’s early performances at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. 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. READ MORE

WhirlyBall Family Fun New Year's Eve Party

Naperville and Lincoln Park
Have fun playing WhirlyBall and Laser Tag with your family leading up to the New Year. A pizza lunch buffet and unlimited games will provide fun for all ages. READ MORE

Family-Friendly "Cheers Heard Around the World" at SafeHouse Chicago

River North
Families can ring in the New Year with "Cheers Heard Around the World" at SafeHouse Chicago from 4pm - 9pm on New Year's Eve. If your little spies have an early bedtime, they can celebrate the New Year with cities around the world at SafeHouse. Every time a new city like London and Paris rings in 2023, SafeHouse will have a toast! READ MORE

First Night Evanston

Evanston
This annual Evanston event returns to an in-person format in 2022. The Evanston Township High School Jazz Band will play every hour to count down to midnight in different time zones. A mentalist and more musical performers will round out the family friendly fun. READ MORE

Family New Year's Eve at ROOTS Pizza

Lincoln Square and Old Town
Visit Roots Pizza in Lincoln Square for Quad City style pizza, mozzarella sticks, and a toast (with or without alcohol for grown-ups). Two seatings are available at 4-6 p.m. or 7-9 p.m. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Kids Countdown Skate or Bowl

South Side
Enjoy a fun, family-friendly bowl or skate at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and Family Entertainment Center. Plenty of games and a character parade will be included before the countdown. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Palos Heights Recreation Center
Oakton Community Center
Haunted Trails Family Entertainment Center
Haunted Trails Family Entertainment Center & Picnics
Enchanted Castle Family Entertainment Center
The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn
Warrenville Recreation Center
Just for Fun Roller Rink Mundelein
First United Methodist Church Evanston
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Park and Family Entertainment Center