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Be prepared this school year by accessing the 2023-24 academic calendars for Orlando school districts.
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New Year's Weekend Things to Do in Orlando with Kids: Noon Year's Eve, Fireworks, First Day Hikes

Ring in the New Year with an epic fireworks display at Magic Kingdom. Photo courtesy of Disney
Ring in the New Year with an epic fireworks display at Magic Kingdom. Photo courtesy of Disney
12/28/22 - By Charlotte B

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this New Year's weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your holiday weekend list!

The countdown to 2023 is on! This New Year's weekend in Orlando features a host of thrilling activities for the whole family. Have your family ring in the New Year with early celebrations at Brevard Zoo, Orlando Science Center, Monkey Joe's, and more. Older kids may enjoy catching midnight fireworks at SeaWorld, Sunset Walk, Mount Dora, and Avalon Park. And start the New Year enjoying the beautiful outdoors at a First Day Hike in one of Florida's amazing state parks. Whatever you choose, have a happy New Year and know Mommy Poppins will be with you in Orlando all through 2023.

Fill up your calendar for the remainder of Orlando's holiday break with strawberry picking, gazing at holiday lights, and more ideas in our Winter Activities Guide.

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Take the family on a hike to celebrate the New Year -- several state parks host an annual First Day Hike on January 1. Photo courtesy Florida State Parks
Take the family on a hike to celebrate the New Year -- several state parks host an annual First Day Hike on January 1. Photo courtesy Florida State Parks

Things To Do New Year's Weekend in Orlando with Kids

Holiday Break On The Farm

Clermont - Through December 30, 2022
Enjoy a day at the farm with u-pick strawberries, broccolini, cauliflower, bib lettuce, and sunflowers. Kid zone activities are available including a pirate ship swing, jump pillows, rock climbing wall, giant fun slide, carousel, inflatable games, and more. READ MORE

Holidays in Space at Kennedy Space Center

Merritt Island - Through December 30, 2022
Visit the Kennedy Space Center as its transformed into a winter wonderland with holidays light displays, street performances, and more. This event features a projection mapping show called Starflake's Holiday Voyage, as well as a 50-ft tree illuminating the Rocket Garden, astronaut nutcrackers, and more. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at the Winter Park Library

Winter Park - Friday, December 30, 2022
Countdown to noon to celebrate the coming year at the Winter Park Library. Families can play games, make hats and noise makers, take pics in a photo booth, and enjoy a treat. Note: The New Year's Eve party happens December 30, 2022. READ MORE

Celebration's Now Snowing

Celebration - Through December 31, 2022
Celebration's annual Now Snowing event features snowfall nightly, as well as ice skating, strolling Carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, train rides, and photos with Santa. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Fireworks at Legoland Florida

Winter Haven - Through December 31, 2022
Ring in the new year at a kid-friendly hour at Legoland. There will be lights, music, fireworks and a "brick drop." READ MORE

Afternoon Year’s Eve at Orlando Science Center

Orlando - Saturday, December 31, 2022
OSC is celebrating the New Year with a "New Year's Best Of Celebration Show" featuring favorite demonstrations from the past year and ending with an afternoon countdown to ring in the new year. Activities include a New Year's storytime, crafts, frosty experiments, and more. READ MORE

Avalon Park New Year's Eve Celebration

Orlando - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Watch fireworks at midnight over Avalon Lake. Local restaurants have individual specials for New Year's Eve as well. READ MORE

Jazzberry Jammin' New Year's Eve at Crayola Experience Orlando

Orlando - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Ring in the New Year with mid-day countdowns and a streamer launch at 1pm & 3pm, a DJ dance party throughout the afternoon, character appearances, themed crafts, and more at Crayola Experience Orlando. READ MORE

Family New Year's Eve at Boxi Park

Lake Nona - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Boxi Park is hosting a family friendly NYE event from 4-8pm, including a DJ, face painter, balloon artist, caricatures, and a 7pm ball drop. READ MORE

Moo Years Eve at Millie Moo's

Orlando - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Millie Moo's is hosting its annual "Moo" Years Eve party, complete with snow flurries, a dance party, and a mid-day (12pm) balloon drop. READ MORE

Mount Dora New Year's Eve Block Party

Mount Dora - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Visit Sunset Park in Mount Dora for a New Year's Eve block party. Event takes place from 9pm-12:30am, with fireworks at midnight. READ MORE

New Year's Eve at Old Town

Kissimmee - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Celebrate the New Year at Old Town with festivities all day including a car show, live music, entertainment, activities, and a fireworks display at midnight. READ MORE

New Year's Eve at SeaWorld Orlando

Orlando - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Countdown to the New Year in SeaWorld style, with sea life, music, entertainment, and a fireworks display. READ MORE

New Year's Eve at Walt Disney World

Lake Buena Vista - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Three Walt Disney World theme parks will be staying open until (or past) midnight - including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. Highlights include epic New Year's Eve fireworks displays. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Family Friendly Skate

Orlando - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Parents skate for free at this family-friendly skating event with a jam skate contest, NYE countdown, and more fun for the whole family. READ MORE

New Year’s Eve Kids Party

Winter Garden - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Visit Uno's Pizzeria in Winter Garden for the New Year’s Eve Kids Party. Dine in with your little ones and ring in the new year at a kid-friendly time with a soda toast, party favors, and a balloon drop. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Skate at Semoran Skateway

Casselberry - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Ring in the New Year skating at Semoran Skateway, featuring a DJ, balloon drop, prizes, and specials. Event hours are 7:30pm to 1am. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at Brevard Zoo

Melbourne - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Ring in the New Year with the animals at the Brevard Zoo. Celebrate with crafts, games, a ball drop at noon, and a complimentary juice toast. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at Monkey Joe's

Orlando - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Enjoy a countdown to noon and ring in 2023 early with the kiddos at Monkey Joe's. There will also be prizes and giveaways throughout the day. Check Central Florida locations for details. READ MORE

Rocking New Year 2023 Street Party at Sunset Walk

Kissimmee - Saturday, December 31, 2022
“Rocking New Year” 2023 is an immersive non-stop street party, featuring Scotty B & Project: DJ Slam, live entertainment, special effects, confetti storm, midnight fireworks, complimentary party favors, and more.  READ MORE

First Day Hike at Florida State Parks

Multiple locations - Sunday, January 1, 2023
Take the family on a hike to celebrate the New Year. Several Florida State Parks host an annual First Day Hike on January 1. See website link below for participating parks. READ MORE

Christmas at Gaylord Palms

Kissimmee - Last weekend! Through January 1, 2023
If you haven't experienced Christmas at Gaylord Palms, add it to your calendar this season. Enjoy holiday activities and things to do, including the return of the iconic ICE! experience with two million pounds of colorful ice, a Cirque Spirit of Christmas show, snow tubing, photos with Santa, snow factory, Shine Light Show with thousands of dancing lights, a Christmas Tree Trail, and much more. READ MORE

Night of a Million Lights

Kissimmee - Last weekend! Through January 1, 2023
Night of a Million Lights returns at a new venue this year. Watch as Island H2O Water Park is transformed into a winter wonderland featuring millions of lights. New this year is a children's zone, live entertainment, and a dancing lights show atop a five-story waterslide. This event benefits Give Kids the World Village. READ MORE

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

Orlando - Monday, January 2, 2023
The annual Citrus Bowl hosts college football teams from the Big Ten and SEC. This year's matchup will be the LSU Tigers vs. Purdue Boilermakers. READ MORE

Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo

Sanford - Select days through January 15, 2023
The Asian Lantern Festival features more than 30 large, illuminated sculptures representing traditional Chinese elements. There will also be live entertainment, food, and authentic crafts. READ MORE
Enjoy the wholesome fun of Peppa Pig Theme Park. Photo by the author
Enjoy the wholesome fun of Peppa Pig Theme Park. Photo by the author

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Places featured in this article:

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Celebration Town Center
Millie Moo's Indoor Play Cafe
Florida State Parks
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake