Want to ring in the new year with your entire family, without busting the kids’ bedtime routine?
Consider one of these December 31st afternoon or early evening events. Some mark the “new year” at 12 noon, while others use 8 p.m. for the countdown and festivities.
Don’t forget about holiday light displays for a New Year’s Eve activity — many of the displays close down after December 31st. Seasonal skating rinks are also an option for a family-friendly, early NYE activity.
Other ideas:
• The Peach Bowl Parade is a family friendly event, taking place on Saturday, Dec. 31st in downtown Atlanta.
• The Center for Puppetry Arts presents Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, thru Dec. 31st.
You may also be interested in:
- Lights of Life drive-thru holiday attraction in Marietta
- Discounts for Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens
- Discounts for Stone Mountain Christmas
- Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
FREE: NYE Bash at The Battery with early fireworks for kids
This is actually two FREE events — an “early innings” event for families with young children, followed by the “late innings” festivities for everyone else.
The family-friendly early innings, for those wishing to ring in the New Year early, will start at 6 p.m. in the Plaza.
At 8 p.m., balloon baseballs will drop in celebration of the “New Year,” so the wee ones can ring in the new year without pushing bedtime too far.
The late innings festivities start at 9 p.m. The midnight countdown will include pyrotechnics and the new year will begin with a confetti and aerial fireworks display.
Get the details, including where to park for FREE and more.
FREE: Noon Year’s Eve at The Avenue Peachtree City
Party the morning away with this celebration and countdown to noon on New Year’s Eve. It is FREE to attend, and you don’t need a ticket.
A live DJ will host the countdown, featuring confetti cannons, a balloon drop, and sparkling cider. There will also be face painting, live music, popcorn, cotton candy, and a photo booth. A dance party will take place under a tent.
The event takes place on Sunday, December 31, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Central Park, at the Avenue Peachtree City — located at 239 City Circle, Peachtree City, GA 30269
More info here
Frosty Fun: Noon Years Eve in Duluth
This Noon Years Eve celebration is part of Duluth’s 21 days of Frosty Fun.
It takes place on Sunday, Dec. 31st from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is FREE to attend.
Come for photo ops, crafts, treats, and a balloon drop at noon.
It takes place in Parsons Alley, in downtown Duluth.
More info
Early NYE Celebration at Stone Mountain with 9 p.m. fireworks
This is a modified version of the Stone Mountain Christmas event that takes place nightly at Stone Mountain Park — you can see our detailed post, including admission rates and discounts, here.
From the Stone Mountain Park website:
During Stone Mountain Christmas on Dec. 31, Stone Mountain Park will operate the Christmas event as usual and then we’ll ring in the early New Year with a magical snowfall and early countdown. When the clock strikes 9 p.m., enjoy snow and fireworks to usher in the early New Year!
NYE Bubble Bash at the Children’s Museum
Kids can enjoy music, dance, and crafts. They’ll make their own noisemakers and party hats and have a special countdown.
There are two sessions this year:
* 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (countdown to 11am)
* 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (countdown to 2 p.m.)
You need an advance ticket, and none will be sold at the door. The price is $30 for non-members (both kids and adults) and $15 for members.
Details and tickets here
Noon Year’s Eve on the Roof at Ponce City Market
This Noon Year’s Eve event at Skyline Park starts at 10 a.m. and goes till 3 p.m. Families can enjoy unlimited games, mini-golf, 3-story slide, and all-you-can-drink hot chocolate.
When the clock strikes 11:59 a.m., the crowd will gather for a countdown to a noon balloon drop!
Tickets are $25 for all ages and are sold online.
Kids 3 and under are free.
See more details and get tickets here
Noon Year’s Eve Balloon Drop at Sparkles Family Fun Center
Hats and horns for everyone at this afternoon party, from noon to 6 p.m.
$25 Admission per child, and adults get in FREE.
Ticket includes skate rental, 1 game of Laser Tag, playground (kids 10 and younger), plus a countdown to 1000 balloons dropping.
More info here
Sparkles Family Fun Center is located at:
1000 McCollum Pkwy NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Noon Year’s Eve Skate Party at Hot Wheels Rink
It’s happening from 2 to 6 p.m. at Hot Wheels Skate Center in Woodstock.
Tickets are $20 in advance for all ages, and skate rental is extra.
There will be a huge balloon drop at 5:30, and prizes.
More info
Hot Wheels Skate Center is located at:
228 Farm Ridge Dr NE
Woodstock, GA 30188
Noon Year’s Eve at Avalon
The event will include face painting, New Year’s activities, complimentary snacks from cotton candy and popcorn booths and a donut wall, and photo opportunities in our Noon Year’s Eve photo booth and balloon wall.
A kids-only bubbly bar will offer sparking juices. Mimosas and additional adult beverages along with a food pop-up from Chick-fil-A will also be available for purchase.
Tickets are $15 online — SOLD OUT!
Kids 2 and under are FREE.
More holiday fun: