14 Things to Do on New Year’s Eve with Kids in San Francisco
by Nicole Findlay
Looking for where to celebrate New Years 2022 in the Bay Area? We’ve gathered 14 family-friendly New Year’s Eve 2022 events all in one place—most of which don’t require staying up late
Instead of googling “New Year’s Eve events for kids” take a look at our list below to see all the fun things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area on the very last day of 2022. Depending on your kids, you can ring in the New Year with your little ones with loads of mid-day celebrations (and avoid those close-to-midnight meltdowns) or opt for some nighttime adventures if they can hang late night. Ready to check out our favorite Bay Area spots for New Years Eve events for kids and get ready to say hello to 2023? Insider Tip: Some of our favorite Bay Area holiday light displays are only up through New Year’s Day so you can always pull a two-for-one on your winter bucket list by adventuring to one of our must-go experiences.
Kid-Friendly New Year’s Eve Events near Me
1. First Night Monterey
This year's theme celebrates 30 years of First Night Monterey! First Night Monterey and Kids' Night Out kicks off at 3 p.m. and then continues with 9 hours of fabulous art, music and New Year's fun all the way into the New Year! Be part of this family friendly, alcohol-free celebration ringing in 2023!Event details.
2. 'Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!' at the Schulz Museum
Celebrate the New Year with the Peanuts Gang! Enjoy fun crafts for kids, make a balloon Snoopy, and watch Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! on the big screen. Plus, do your best Snoopy dance and ring in 2023 with an Up Down Balloon Drop and Baby Balloon Drop (for children 4 and under and their families) at noon, and a second Balloon Drop at 3:00 p.m. Doors open at 10:00 am, and capacity will be monitored; admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Event details.
3. 23rd Annual Balloon Drop at the Chabot Space & Science Center
Ring in the New Year without staying up all night! Celebrate strokes of midnight around the world at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Kids will count down and celebrate with hundreds of colorful balloons dropping from above. Insider Tip: This popular annual event regularly sells out, so be sure to get tickets early. Event details.
4. Noon Year's Eve at the Bay Area Discover Museum
Ring in the new year without keeping your family up past bedtime. Celebrate the start of 2023 at Bay Area Discovery Museum with this beloved annual affair. This kid-friendly celebration is where you can enjoy the countdown without the midnight meltdown! Watch the ball drop at noon, enjoy a live DJ and join in a dance party, plus explore more winter festivities and new programs at Bay Area Discovery Museum, including iceless skating! Event details.
5. City of Piedmont’s Noon Year’s Eve
Ring in the New Year with Piedmont Recreation Department at a family-friendly hour! Celebrate with music, magician show, a countdown to noon, balloon drop and a whole lot of fun! Event details.
6. Noon Year's Eve at the Hiller Aviation Museum
Music, dancing, puppet shows, and giant balloon drops at noon will are sure to bring excitement into the new year. Event details.
7. New Year's Eve Celebration at Gilroy Gardens
Ring in the new year at Gilroy Gardens! You'll find ice skating under the stars, sparkly light displays, dance parties, and festive food throughout the park. Event details.
8. 37th Annual Bell Ringing Ceremony at the Asian Art Museum
The first in-person bell-ringing ceremony since 2019: after two years of ringing the bell virtually, one of the museum’s most popular and long-running annual events is happening in person again. Ring in the New Year by taking a swing at a 2,100-pound, 16th-century Japanese temple bell. Led by Reverend Gengo Akiba, this inspiring ceremony will include a purification ritual and chanting of the Buddhist Heart Sutra. Reverend Akiba will begin the bell-ringing, and then it’s your chance to ring the bell to leave behind any unfortunate experiences, regrettable deeds or ill luck from the previous year.Event details.
9. Noon Year's Eve at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
The countdown to midnight may (typically) belong to the adults, but Happy Hollow’s Noon Year’s Eve celebration is all about outdoor fun for the little ones. Event details.
10. New Year's Eve Kid's Party at Kid's Play Zone
Celebrate the New Year at Kid's Play Zone, an indoor children’s play space with a glow party and balloon drop. Entry includes a glow necklace, apple juice for the kids (cider for the adults), plus pizza for all to enjoy. Event details.
11. 2022 Grand Finale at The Lawrence Hall of Science
Join the annual New Year's Eve celebration with confetti cannons. With several daily launches, you’ll be showered with joy and laughter as you close 2022. Event details.
12. New Year's Eve Party at Swings & Wings
This cute New Year’s Eve party will have music, play, a photo booth and yummy treats for kids. Event details.
13. Noon Year's Eve Family Storytime at the Danville Library
Families can enjoy stories and songs, festive favors, even a celebratory bubble wrap stomp on the floor at the Danville Library. Event details.
14. Winter Wonderland Walk with East Bay Regional Park Disctrict
On Dec. 31, discover what animals and plants do to prepare for cold months while you warm up with apple cider and walk a one-mile wintry trail. Event details.
