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New Year's Eve Weekend 2022 in San Francisco: 14 Fun Things To Do With Kids

Count down to Noon Year's Eve at Bay Area Discovery Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
Count down to Noon Year's Eve at Bay Area Discovery Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
12/28/22 - By Sandra Lee

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area over New Year's Eve weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

It's time to say goodbye to 2022 and welcome 2023 with open arms. The kids are still on school break, toys are being played with (or moving to the donation/regifting pile), and the holidays are winding down. The Bay Area has grand events, from early celebrations for the little ones to a traditional bell ringing. Check out Noon Year's Eve at the Bay Area Children's Discovery Museum in Sausalito, the Bell-Ringing Ceremony at the Asian Art Museum, and a late-night celebration complete with midnight fireworks at Gilroy Gardens. 

Need more fun ideas for the kids while they are on holiday break? Check out our Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in San Francisco Bay Area, with a ton of activities still happening through New Year's Eve, a roundup of fun holiday break events, plus our picks for the top New Year's Eve outings in the Bay Area.

Are you on social media? We are constantly posting local events and funny mommy moments on our Facebook and Instagram.

More Things To Do in San Francisco Bay Area This Week with Kids:

 

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Ring in the new year at the Japanese bell ringing ceremony at the Asian Art Museum. Photo courtesy of Rafu Shimpo
Ring in the new year at the Japanese bell ringing ceremony at the Asian Art Museum. Photo courtesy of Rafu Shimpo

New Year's Eve Weekend Events in the Bay Area

Sleeping Beauty

San Francisco - Now through December 30
Panto is a UK holiday tradition, bringing satire, audience participation, and sing-along to popular fairy tales. Audience members can help fairies cast magic spells, boo villains, and laugh while watching dancing ghosts, singing chickens, and talking dogs in the funny retelling of Sleeping Beauty.  READ MORE

New Year's Holiday Lights Train

Felton - Now through December 31
Take a train ride to welcome 2023 at Roaring Camp. The Santa Cruz Holiday train departs on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and goes on a 60-minute ride complete with high-up hula hoopers, DJ, and more festive fun.  READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at Bay Area Discovery Museum

Sausalito - Saturday, December 31
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is hosting a Noon Year's Eve Party complete with a dance party and a countdown with an epic ball drop. Then, enjoy all the winter-themed spaces and activities around the museum for the rest of the day like iceless skating!  READ MORE

37th Annual Japanese New Year’s Bell-Ringing Ceremony

San Francisco - Saturday, December 31
After being held virtually since 2019, the Asian Art Museum is ready to ring in the New Year with a 2,100-pound, 16th-century Japanese temple bell. The ceremony includes a purification ritual and chanting of the Buddhist Heart Sutra. Then it's open to the public, giving families the chance to leave behind anything negative from the previous year. Additional activities include making paper cranes for luck and prosperity in the new year.  READ MORE

Bouncy Ball New Year

Novato - Saturday, December 31
Free
Head to downtown Novato to celebrate the end of 2022 at this free, family-friendly event. 23,000 small bouncy balls are dropped onto the street from a ladder truck 40 ft. in the air with a countdown at noon. Kids get a souvenir "hard hat" and can collect as many bouncy balls as they can possibly carry.  READ MORE

New Year's Eve Celebration at Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy - Saturday, December 31
Gilroy Gardens is hosting a grand New Year's Eve celebration for families of all ages to welcome 2023. Activities include a Charlie Brown and Snoopy dance party, live music, a photo booth, unique food items, and fireworks at midnight.  READ MORE

Thrive City Winter Wonderland: Kwanzaa & Noon Year's Eve

San Francisco - Saturday, December 31
Free
Chase Center rings in the New Year with a Kwanzaa celebration with music, arts and crafts, treats, and a countdown drop at noon. The Rock and Roll Playhouse will feature music from Fela Kuti, and Winter Wonderland is open for all the holiday fun.  READ MORE

23rd Annual Balloon Drop at Chabot

Oakland - Saturday, December 31
Count down until 2023 around the world with balloon drops at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. at the Chabot Space and Science Center. With drop times for the 5 and under and 6-12, this family-friendly event is a great way to celebrate the New Year! READ MORE

Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at Hiller Aviation Museum

San Carlos - Saturday, December 31
Head over to Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos for a fun, family-friendly NOON Year's Eve party! Activities include live music, face painting, magic shows, a puppet show, and three balloon drops at noon.  READ MORE

San Mateo on Ice

San Mateo - Now through January 8
Central Park in downtown San Mateo turns into an ice skating rink starting November 11. Featuring 11,000 square feet of real ice, skaters can have fun on the ice during the day or under the stars at night.  READ MORE

Merry Meritage Holiday Ice Rink & Winter Village

Napa - Now through January 8
The Meritage Ice Rink in Napa is back this year ready to welcome the holidays. Family and friends can try their skating skills, purchase beverages from the onsite tasting room, and even reserve an igloo or fire pit to really make the evening special.  READ MORE

Garden of D’Lights

Walnut Creek - Now through January 8
Experience the Ruth Bancroft Garden in a whole new way at its annual Garden of d'Lights. Members and non-members of all ages can stroll through the garden and see mature cacti, succulents, and trees that are transformed into botanical sculptures covered with beautiful lights.  READ MORE

Glowfari

Oakland - Every Wednesday - Sunday through January 29
Oakland Zoo is up in lights for Glowfari, featuring hundreds of beautiful glowing animal lanterns scattered throughout. Families can walk around the animals of the rainforest, California coastline, and the land down under, as well as a trip to the past with a shark tunnel and a large T-Rex.  READ MORE

Illuminate SF

San Francisco - Now through January 31
Free
The day after Thanksgiving, San Francisco is illuminated for the annual Festival of Light. Artists whose creations have been seen all over the world bring their imagination and creativity to the city for all to see. Featuring more than 60 permanent and temporary installations, spanning 17 neighborhoods, this is a great event for the whole family to enjoy.  READ MORE

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