Pop the sparkling juice, grab the noisemakers, and get ready to ring in the new year — without keeping the kids up until midnight.
Seattle does New Year’s Eve especially well for families, with everything from Noon Year’s Eve countdowns and balloon drops to museum parties, library celebrations, and early-evening events that still feel festive. Whether you’re celebrating with toddlers, elementary-age kids, or the whole crew, there are plenty of ways to welcome 2026 together — and still make bedtime.
Below, you’ll find our roundup of family-friendly New Year’s Eve events around Seattle, organized to help you find the right fit, from daytime celebrations to fireworks and nighttime festivities.
New Year Eve in the Seattle-Area
Noon Year’s Eve at KiDiMu | Wednesday, December 31 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | KiDiMu, Bainbridge Island | $35 per person | Join KiDiMu on Bainbridge Island for New Year’s crafts and a countdown to noon!
New Year’s Eve at KidsQuest | Wednesday, December 31 | 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | KidsQuest, Bellevue | $18 per person, $10 for adult members. Purchase tickets online here | Join us for an all-day celebration as we ring in the new year with activities happening every hour.
Fossil Finders: It’s about time! New Year’s Eve Party | Wednesday, December 31 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Burke Museum, Seattle | Free with cost of admission, free for members | New Year’s Eve countdown at 11:50, complete with a balloon drop and dance party, plus crafts, activities, and enjoy the touch table and dig pits.
Family-Friendly Glice Rink New Year’s Eve Party | Wednesday, December 31 | 5-8 p.m. | Hyatt Regency Hotel Southport, Renton (Glice rink is located at Dock and Drink) | Cost: $25.00 for adults and $18 for kids, buy tickets here | Enjoy an evening filled with festive fun as we count down to 9 p.m. to midnight on the East Coast, complete with NYE hats, Glice skating, a celebratory toast (with bubbly for adults and sparkling cider for kids), and joyful moments perfect for all ages.
Noon Year’s Eve Ball at Seattle Children’s Museum | Wednesday, December 31 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Seattle Children’s Museum | Cost: $20 nonmembers, $10 for child members, free to adult members, under age 1 is free. Buy tickets here | Ring in 2026 at SCM with three exciting ball drops and a day packed with hands-on fun.
Hands On Children’s Museum’s Noon Year’s Eve Party | Wednesday, December 31 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Hands-on Children’s Museum, Olympia | Cost: $19.95 general admission, ages under 17 months are free. But tickets here | Come in your PJs and celebrate together with fun activities, family countdowns, Times Square-style ball drops, and bubble dance parties every hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.!
Happy Noon Year Party at Burien Library | Wednesday, December 31 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Burien Library, Burien | Free | Ring in the “Noon” Year with a musical performance by the Highlight Quartet, a countdown to noon, and a bubble dance party.
Noon Year’s Eve Balloon Drop at My Gym Bellevue | Wednesday, December 31 | 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. | My Gym Bellevue | Cost: members, $30, nonmembers, $35, buy tickets here | Ages 6 months to 10 years can enjoy a dance party, games, gymnastics, free play, and photo booth props. Plus, ring in the new year with a NYE countdown with balloon drop, noise makers, and an apple juice toast and special treat afterwards.
(Image courtesy Forum Family New Year)
Bingo Ball Drop at Covington Library | Wednesday, December 31 | 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | Covington Library | Free | Register here | Ages 5 and up, siblings welcome | Celebrate the coming new year by playing our own version of bingo at the library. Play a single game or stay the entire time until the Bingo Ball Drop countdown. There will be prizes!
Arena Sports New Year’s Eve | Wednesday, December 31 | 6-10 p.m. | Arena Sports Issaquah and Mill Creek | $29.99-$54.99 | Buy tickets here | Buffet, party atmosphere with glow sticks and noisemakers, a balloon drop at 9 p.m., raffle plus activities. Tickets must be pre-purchased to attend, and activities may vary by location.
New Year’s Celebration at My Gym Kent | Wednesday, December 31 | 1-1:45 p.m. | My Gym Kent | Members, $15, nonmembers, $20, siblings, $10 | We will have an EPIC dance party with bubbles, games, gymnastics, free play, and more! Plus special New Year’s Eve goody bag for kids to take home! Ages 6 months-10.5 years, parent-supervised event.
Bingo Ball Drop at North Bend Library | Wednesday, December 31 | 12-1 p.m. | North Bend Library | Free | Celebrate the coming new year by playing disco bingo at the library. Play a single game or stay the entire time until the Disco Ball Drop countdown. There will be treats and prizes!
New Year’s Eve Arts and Crafts Party | Wednesday, December 31 | 1-3 p.m. | Kent Panther Lake | Free | Ages 6-18 can celebrate the New Year with crafting! Drop in and create something at the library! We have a ton of supplies just waiting to be turned into something awesome.
New Year’s Eve Crafternoon | Wednesday, December 31 | 1-2 p.m. | Renton Library | Free | Celebrate New Year’s Eve by creating a craft to take home. Ages 3 and older with an adult. Registration is not required.
LEGO Brick Party | Wednesday, December 31 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Kingsgate Library | Free | Build together at an unstructured, creative play open-house. Stay for the entire session or pop in for a few minutes. We supply the bricks, you supply the imagination! Ages 3 and older.
Japanese New Year Story Time | Wednesday, December 31 | 1-1:30 p.m. | Kirkland Library | Free | Join us for a special Story Time in Japanese featuring picture books and Japanese traditional rhymes related to the end of the year and New Year’s celebrations. Families can relax and enjoy learning about seasonal customs while sharing the warmth of this festive time.
(Image courtesy Forum Family New Year)
Bedazzle Party | Wednesday, December 31 | 2-4 p.m. | Woodmont Library | Free | Ages 6 and up can join a craft session to decorate book/journal covers with gems, stickers, and more. Bring a book from home or use one of the provided blank journals. All supplies provided while they last!
All Ages New Year’s Eve Celebration | Wednesday, December 31 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Vashon Library | Free | Ring in the new year with cozy crafts and snacks! Channel your intentions, create fun decorations, and count down to midnight…somewhere! All ages welcome with an adult.
Bellevue New Year’s Eve Night Market | Wednesday, December 31 | 3-9 p.m. | 10146 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98004 | Free | Held on Main Street and FREE to the public, with highlights of the festive evening including 50+ local craft vendors, food trucks, live music, a seasonal photo opp, free rides around town by Visit Bellevue’s BellHop, complimentary cocoa, cookies, and dog treats, PLUS a beer and wine garden.
Forum Social House Candyland New Year’s Eve | Wednesday, December 31 | 12-3 p.m. & 5-8 p.m. | Forum Social House, Bellevue | $33.85, 5 and under free, buy tickets here | Guest appearances by characters such as HUNTRIX, Bluey, and more. Activities include a live DJ, dance parties, balloon twisters, face painters, complimentary Par1 Mini golf, snacks, and more.
Tacoma Light & Sound Trail New Year’s Kick Off Celebration | Wednesday, December 31 | 6-10 p.m. | Tolefson Plaza, Tacoma | Free | Join us for a Dragon Parade from the UWT steps at the Prairie Line to Tollefson Plaza at 5:30 p.m., followed by performances with Tacoma’s new Poet Laureate, Mari Griffin, tap dancer Nyah Hart, plus diverse presenting organizations, including fire and cultural dances!
New Year’s Eve at the Center | Wednesday, December 31 | 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. | Seattle Center | Free | Pop by the Armory between 8 p.m. and midnight for live music, see the International Fountain for a Fountain of Light show at 9, then find a spot to see the fireworks at the Space Needle.
T-Mobile New Year’s Eve at the Needle | | Wednesday, December 31 | 11:53 p.m. | Seattle Space Needle, 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109 | Free | Go early to get a spot to watch as the show begins at seven minutes before midnight with a drone show, and then follows with the fireworks from the needle.
More Ways To Celebrate
- First Day Hikes in Washington. Start Jan. 1 outdoors with family-friendly hikes, walks, and ranger-led outings at state parks across Washington.
- Hoppin’ John Recipe for New Year’s Day. A classic New Year’s tradition said to bring good luck — and an easy, hearty dish to make once the celebrations wind down.
- Polar Bear Plunges Around the Seattle Area. For families who like to start the year with a thrill, here’s where to find New Year’s Day plunges (cold water courage required).
