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New Year's Eve Weekend 2022 in Connecticut: Holiday Parade, Kid Parties, and First Night

New Year's Eve parties for Connecticut kids are happening all weekend long! Countdown to Noon Celebration photo courtesy of the Niantic Museum
New Year's Eve parties for Connecticut kids are happening all weekend long! Countdown to Noon Celebration photo courtesy of the Niantic Museum
12/28/22 - By Ally Noel

It's New Year's Eve Weekend 2022 in Connecticut! As we near the finish line of another holiday season, we start 2023 with celebrations on New Year's Eve and think about all that we want to do next year. We have some great ideas for ringing in the New Year with kids. Activities include a torchlight parade in New Hartford, First Day Hikes in Canton, and watching eagles soar over the Shepaug Dam. If you're not quite ready to let go of the Christmas spirit, this is the last weekend for the annual holiday festivities in New Haven and Mystic.

See all our picks for New Year's Eve Countdowns, First Night and other Connecticut celebrations kids. And, for those inclined to stay in this year, see our 15 Ideas for Celebrating New Year's Eve at Home with Kids.

To make sure that you don't miss any of the fun, subscribe to our weekly newsletters and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Read on for our highlights of events happening this weekend, and check our frequently updated daily event calendar for even more ideas.

More Things To Do in Connecticut this Week with Kids:

 

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Get the party in without sacrificing bedtime this New Year's Eve! Photo courtesy of Stepping Stones Museum
Get the party in without sacrificing bedtime this New Year's Eve! Photo courtesy of Stepping Stones Museum

Things To Do New Year's Eve Weekend 2022 in Connecticut

Home for the Holidays 10th Annual Families United in Newtown Benefit Concert

Newtown - Friday, December 30, 2022
Join for a night of magical holiday music followed by light refreshments. Families United in Newtown, F.U.N. is a local 501c3 that provides individuals with special needs, and their families, social opportunities in a caring environment through a monthly themed meeting. READ MORE

Bald Eagle Viewing at Shepaug Dam

Southbury - December 31, 2022 & January 1, 2023
The Shephaug eagle viewing site is open for another season. Specialists with telescopes will be available to help viewers spot eagles and other birds of prey. READ MORE

Christmas in Connecticut

East Haddam - Friday, December 30, 2022
Goodspeed invites you to spend a very merry Christmas in Connecticut! Smart Housekeeping columnist Liz Lane, a famous expert on marriage, cooking and homemaking, is asked by her publisher to host a war hero for Christmas dinner at her renowned Connecticut farmhouse. The only problem? She can’t cook, she isn’t married and she lives in a tiny New York apartment. Based on the classic 1945 Warner Bros. film, this World Premiere musical comedy is a delightfully cheerful way to celebrate the holiday season! READ MORE

Harlem Globetrotters - Bridgeport, CT

Bridgeport - Saturday, December 31, 2022
The Harlem Globetrotters 2023 World Tour presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs is coming with game like never before! Your favorite Globetrotter stars are bringing out their amazing basketball skill, outrageous athleticism and a non-stop LOL good time. Join the Globetrotters as they go head-to-head against the Washington Generals who will stop at nothing to try and defeat the world’s winningest team!  In 2023, every fan is getting in on this action…that means YOU, so get ready! It’s GLOBETROTTER game time! READ MORE

New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade at Ski Sundown

New Hartford - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Ski in the New Year with Ski Sundown. Lifts and trails will be open beginning at 8:00am and there will be an evening Torchlight Parade by the Ski Patrol a few minutes before the clock strikes midnight. READ MORE

Countdown to Noon at KidsPlay

Torrington - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Welcome in 2023 with fun, crafts, and noisemakers. Celebrate the coming of the new year with KidsPlay's anticipated Balloon Drop! Watch as hundreds of balloons rain down from the ceiling. All of the excitement of New Year's Eve without the late night. READ MORE

Countdown to Noon

Niantic - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Please note: The Museum is closed on New Year’s Eve. This event is held off-site at the East Lyme Community Center. Ring in the New Year a little early with a 250+ balloon drop at noon! Join the Museum and East Lyme Parks & Recreation for southeastern Connecticut’s premier New Year’s event for children and families. Wildlife Encounters of New Hampshire is coming to Countdown to Noon. Children will squeal with excitement as they meet animals such as a serval cat, porcupine, and arctic fox, along with interactive animals such as a mini pig, pygmy goat, and giant... READ MORE

First Night Hartford 2023

Hartford - Saturday, December 31, 2022
First Night is a celebration of the New Year through the arts.  It is an alcohol free, family-friendly, public celebration that marks the passage from the old year to the new with art, ritual and festivity. READ MORE

Countdown to Midnight with the BenAnna Band

Mystic - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Come join the BenAnna Band at Mystic Seaport Museum for a family friendly musical countdown to the New Year! Kids can make their own party hats and we’ll ring in the new year at 3:00 p.m. with sparklers and confetti canons on the McGraw Quad. READ MORE

Kids New Year's Eve Party

Hartford - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Gather the little ones and ring in the new year with Parkville Market. This NYE we’ll close out the year with mad libs, puzzles, face painting, and even a special balloon drop for those who might hit the hay a little earlier this year. Festivities begin at 3pm! READ MORE

Kid's New Year's Eve at Lake Compounce

Bristol - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Lake Compounce is ringing in 2023 kids-style with a bubble dance party, juice box toast, and our final fireworks show of the 2022 season. Meet at the entrance of Crocodile Cove from 5:00-8:00 p.m. to dance the night away with a professional DJ & your favorite Lake Compounce costume characters as they countdown to 8:00 p.m READ MORE

Anastasia

Mashantucket - December 29, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Inspired by beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical ANASTASIA is on a journey to Foxwoods Resort Casino. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.  READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at EverWonder

Newtown - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Ring in the new year with dancing, crafts and a countdown to noon complete with a balloon drop! Snacks and drinks will be provided. Pre-registration is required.   READ MORE

Countdown To Noon at Stepping Stones

Norwalk - Saturday, December 31, 2022
It will be a rockin’ Noon Year’s Eve at Stepping Stones as Star Factory’s DJ Lou will be in the house to help us say goodbye to 2022 and ring in 2023!  Party in the Multimedia Gallery to dance, sing and have a blast as you watch New Year’s Eve celebrations from around the world on our huge, immersive screen. Be there before noon as we’ll Countdown to Noon with great fanfare just like the grownups get to do 12 hours later. READ MORE

Goat Walk At Steep Rock New Years Day

Washington - Sunday, January 1, 2023
Join Got Your Goat for a New Year’s Day hike along Tunnel Rd. There will have newborn goat babies who might need carrying and extra help along the way. This hike is appropriate for all ages and stages of fitness. Come hike with 10-15 goats and enjoy the brisk winter weather. READ MORE

New Year's Day Open Skate at the Westport PAL Rink

Westport - Sunday, January 1, 2023
Take the kids skating at this outdoor rink in Westport. READ MORE

New Year's Hike

Canton - Sunday, January 1, 2023
Start the New Year with a guided hike through the trails at Werner Woods. Learn how wildlife are surviving the winter season. READ MORE

Holiday Magic at Mystic Seaport

Mystic - through January 1, 2023
Continue the celebration during Holiday Magic at Mystic Seaport Museum. There are lots of great activities the whole family will enjoy. Design your own puppet and then put on a show in our Puppet Theater or relax and enjoy holiday story time in our Children’s Museum.  New this year, join us for a family-friendly show by Justin Mazz Magic that guarantees comedy, mystery, and amazement for the young and young at heart! READ MORE
The holidays may be ending, but skating season has just begun! Photo courtesy of Stamford Twin Rinks
The holidays may be ending, but skating season has just begun! Photo courtesy of Stamford Twin Rinks

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Places featured in this article:

Newtown Congregational Church
Lake Compounce Campground
Roaring Brook Environmental Center
Steven & Alexandra Cohen Skating Center
Steven & Alexandra Cohen Skating Center