New Year’s Eve Plans with East Bay Kids

See ya, 2025! Make plans to celebrate 2026 with your kiddos without staying up way past anyone’s bedtime. It’s time to celebrate the coming of a sparkling New Year! Cheers! Because New Year’s Eve is on a Wednesday this year, check out some weekend festivities at the bottom of this post, too.

Thank you to Chabot Space & Science Center for sponsoring our guide to family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations with kids in the East Bay.

Super Fun East Bay Celebrations for Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve

Ring in the New Year without staying up all night! If you’re ready to leave the house for a fabulous Noon Year’s Eve, these places are ready for you.

👉 Chabot Space & Science Center (Oakland)

Ring in the New Year without staying up all night. Celebrate strokes of midnight around the world at 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm California time. Kids will count down and celebrate with hundreds of colorful balloons dropping from above. This popular annual event regularly sells out, so be sure to get tickets early. Tickets are on sale now.
When: Wednesday, December 31, 10 am – 4 pm.
Drop Times are based on age (well-behaved siblings welcome, supervision always required):
🎈11 am: Ages 5 & Under
🎈12 pm: Ages 6 – 12
🎈3 pm: Ages 5 & Under
🎈4 pm: Ages 6 – 12
Cost: $10 per child (does not include museum admission, which is $19 per child)
Where: Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland
Buy Tickets  >

Piedmont Recreation Department (Piedmont)

Ring in 2026 at Piedmont’s Noon Year’s Eve celebration– a sweet way for your kiddos to celebrate the new year! Celebrate with music, crafts, a countdown at noon, a balloon drop, and a whole lot of fun!
When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 10 am – noon
Cost: $10 per child, children under 2 years are free (Parent attendance is required)
Where: Piedmont Veterans Memorial Building, 401 Highland Avenue, Piedmont
Register here >

Fairyland Countdown in Wonderland

Celebrate a new year the Children’s Fairyland way with a dance party, fizzy toast, magic potions, puppet shows, a flurry of bubbles, noise makers, ball drop, and Wonderland surprises like an appearance by the White Rabbit.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 10 am to 4 pm
Cost: $18 per child under 18, $20 per adult
Where: Children’s Fairyland, Oakland
Buy Tickets >

Grand Finale at The Lawrence

Kid-friendly celebration includes a confetti cannon every 45 minutes starting at 10:45 am.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 10 am to 4 pm
Cost: $25 per human over age 3
Where: Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley
Buy Tickets >

Sunol Regional Wilderness (Sunol)

Join an end-of-year hike in the wilderness and watch the sun set on the year. Discover what animals and plants do to prepare for cold months, and walk the wintry trails. 1.5-mile round trip. Moderate with about 500ft elevation gain. Suggested for ages 6+; parent participation is required. Bring water and sunscreen, plus wear layers.
When: Wednesday, December 31, 4-5:30 pm
Cost: Free with unlimited capacity; $5 Parking fees may apply
Where: Sunol Regional Wilderness, 1895 Geary Rd, Sunol
Website >

Alameda Theatre NYE Live Music Bash

Celebrate a new year with carnival games, music, dance, a magic show, movies, and food. Doors open at 5:30, music starts at 7, and family film screenings begin at 8 pm.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 5:30 pm
Cost: $10 per child under 12, $20 per adult
Where: Alameda Theatre & Cineplex, 2317 Central Ave., Alameda
Buy Tickets >

No Tickets Required Kid New Years Events

“Worth the Trip” Celebrations for Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve

Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito)

This annual Noon Year’s Eve celebration is a favorite with Bay Area families. They offer a noon countdown and ball drop along with artistic activities and a DJ dance party.
When: Wednesday, December 31, 9 am – 2 pm
Cost: Regular price of admission ($28)
Where: Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Rd, Sausalito (35-ish minutes from Berkeley)
Website >

Winter Wonderland: Kwanzaa & Noon Year’s Eve (San Francisco)

Celebrate the culture of Kwanzaa and ring in 2026 at Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland Kwanzaa and Noon Year’s Eve celebration (at the Chase Center). There will be Soji Sai Aftrobeats, cultural performances, crafts, treats, and a countdown just before noon.
When: Wednesday, December 31, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Cost: Free, but registration is strongly recommended
Where: Thrive City at Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco
Register here >

Hiller Aviation Museum (San Carlos)

Kids and parents, come celebrate the New Year with music, activities, puppets, and a countdown to THREE GIANT balloon drops at noon! Tickets go on sale December 1 and will not be sold at the door, so you must reserve them online (they always sell out, so get your tickets early!).
When: Wednesday, December 31, 10 am – 1 pm
Cost: Members are half-price; kids under four are FREE; ages 5-17 are $14; adults are $21.
Where: Hiller Aviation Museum is in San Carlos Airport, 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos (45-ish minutes from Berkeley)
Website for tickets >

East Bay Celebrations for Family-Friendly New Year’s Day

Bay Play New Year’s Day Party (Oakland)

Kick off 2026 with a New Year’s Day party at Bay Play Oakland. Kids can ring in the New Year with photo booths, games, and special activities.
When: Thursday, January 1, 10 am – 6 pm
Cost: Toddlers: $20 per child | Children 4+: $25 per child
Where: Bay Play Oakland, 3275 Ettie St. Oakland
Buy Tickets  >

Big thanks to Chabot Space & Science Center for sponsoring our guide to family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations with kids in the East Bay, because parents and little kids can’t always stay up until midnight!

xxx