Looking for ideas for New Year’s Eve that are family-friendly?
I’m sharing the BEST New Year’s Eve events for families around Cincinnati.
Many of these New Year’s Eve options with kids still allow you to celebrate the New Year and you can be home before midnight… if you want to be.
Our family has personally attended many of these New Year’s Eve events over the years and they are great ways to create memories together.
There are plenty of options around Cincinnati on New Year’s Eve for families of all ages. I’ve included several events with an early celebration, that are perfect for younger families.
New Year’s Eve at WinterFest at Kings Island
6300 Kings Island Dr, Mason, OH
December 31, 2024, from 5 PM – 12 PM
Celebrate the last night of the year with friends and family at Kings Island’s New Year’s Eve celebration.
This year there will be two New Year’s Eve countdowns at Kings Island:
- Kings Island Theater countdown begins at 10:00 PM, perfect for younger families
- Midnight countdown complete with fireworks
Park guests will also experience the shimmering lights, activities, and the extravagant décor of WinterFest along with the final park rides of the year.
Use these tips for Kings Island Winterfest before you go.
*Rides at Kings Island operate from 5-11 PM
Purchase Discount Tickets for Kings Island Winterfest Here
Happy Zoo Year at the Cincinnati Zoo
3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH
(513) 281-4700
Day and Time: NYE December 31, 2024, 4-10 PM
(The Cincinnati Zoo is also open on New Year’s Day January 1)
Admission: This event is included with Cincinnati Zoo admission
*Early countdown at 8 PM that features the 40-foot tall digital tree
This New Year’s bash will occur at the Zoo on Tuesday, December 31.
Guests are invited to help ring in the New Year at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
- DJ Natalie from Q102 6 – 9pm
- Cincinnati Circus glow performers 6 – 8pm
- Photo opportunities
- Glow games
- Giveaways while supplies last
New Year’s Eve at Fountain Square
altafiber’s New Year’s Eve Blast
520 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH
Time: NYE Sunday, December 31, 2024, 6 PM – 1 AM
You can ring in the New Year by celebrating downtown Cincinnati at Fountain Square.
The Kids Countdown fireworks show starts at 8 PM
The countdown and Fireworks show will be at midnight
$10 admission includes skate rental.
Drink specials at Fountain Square’s Bar are available all night long.
*Also open on New Year’s Day January 1, 9 AM- 11 PM (hours subject to change)
New Year’s Eve Kids Lunch Cruise With BB Riverboats
Newport Landing Dock in Newport, KY
Ring in the new year in style without having to stay up to the wee hours of the night.
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024
- Sailing: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
- Boarding: 10:30 AM
Price:
- Adults General Admission- $51.00
- Children ages 4-12- $40.00
Bring the whole crew aboard and ring in the New Year….just a little earlier in the day.
The kids will have an absolute blast as they countdown to noon!
Your cruise will be complete with all the party favors and a DJ for entertainment.
There will be great kids’ activities throughout the day and a tasty lunch buffet. Some of their favorite characters from the Pirate, Princess, and Super Hero cruises will be onboard celebrating.
New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise With BB Riverboats
Ring in the New Year on the river! Cincinnati’s sparkling skyline provides a spectacular backdrop as we cruise into the new year!
The magical night includes a special three-entree buffet, entertainment, a split of champagne at midnight, late late-night snack buffet, and party favors. It is the perfect way to celebrate the New Year! All seating is reserved.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
- Sailing –9 PM – 1AM
- Boarding -8 PM
Dinner Buffet
- Adults General Admission -$130.00
- Children Ages 4-12 – $90.00
Holiday Lights on the Hill at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
(513) 868-1234
1763 Hamilton Cleves Road Hamilton, OH
This 2.5-mile, one-of-a-kind, drive-through holiday light spectacular features more than 1,000,000 lights and holiday art installations created by regional artists including Brave Berlin, the creators of BLINK Cincinnati.
Daytime hours from the sculpture park are from 9 AM -1 PM
6-9 PM for the drive-thru lights on New Year’s Eve 2024
Admission:
- $25 Per carload for non-members
- $15 Per carload for members
Light Up Middletown
Smith Park
Tytus and Verity Parkway
500 Tytus Avenue, Middletown, Ohio
The mission of Light Up Middletown is to raise funds to make improvements to Middletown City Parks and to present a first-class holiday event that will draw guests not only from the immediate area but from a wider region.
By working with other local holiday event planners and light displays, Light Up Middletown hopes to make Middletown a hub of holiday activity.
When: Open Every Night from Thanksgiving Through New Year’s Eve
6 PM – 10 PM
Admission: Cash donation – you set the price!
Newport Aquarium
1 Aquarium Way, Newport, KY
Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM on New Year’s Eve and 9 AM – 6 PM on New Year’s Day – There isn’t a special NYE event but the attraction will be open.
*Make a ticket reservation online
Explore the Newport Aquarium with Shark and Stingray Touch tanks, penguin viewing, and walk across the Shark Bridge.
There is an assortment of aquatic animals to view including fish, alligators, eels, sharks, rays, and more!
Purchase Discount Tickets for Newport Aquarium Here
Go Skiing, Snowboarding, or Snow Tubing at Perfect North Slopes
19074 Perfect Lane, Lawrenceburg, IN
*Weather permitting
Hours: 9:30 AM – Midnight December 31, 2024
Perfect North Slopes will be open for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing from 9:30 AM to Midnight!
There is a DJ in the main ski lodge, a torchlight parade by ski instructors to start the countdown til midnight, and a fireworks show at midnight.
One person is allowed per tube and there is no minimum height required for tubing. Perfect North prefers that the child be at least 4 years old to tube on the main hill.
Kids 3-6 years old also have a separate small tubing area to enjoy while they are supervised by their parent or guardian.
Check the Perfect North website for snow tubing and lift ticket pricing.
I highly recommend the tubing option if you have a family with a wide range of ages.
Snow Tubing allows everyone in your group to have a great time and stay together. The moving sidewalk makes it easy to return to the top of the hill after your ride down.
There are also lanes specifically for groups who want to link up and go down the hill at the same time.
Family New Year’s Eve Party at Bircus Brewing Co.
322 Elm St, Ludlow, KY
6 PM – 8PM
A family-friendly New Year’s Eve at Bircus Brewing Co. will feature a Circus Mojo performance and instructional workshop, woodfired pizza, and an 8:00 “ball drop” with a ginger ale toast at “midnight”.
Party with your kids for New Year’s and be home by bedtime, what more could you want out of a New Year’s Eve?
Each ticket includes a Circus show and workshop, pizza, and a ginger ale toast at “midnight”. You can purchase additional tickets for your group for $20 per person
They pre-assign tables before opening the doors. If you plan to ring in the “new year” with other families, please purchase tickets together or email them and let them know.
Cincinnati Cyclones New Year’s Eve + Indoor Fireworks
Heritage Bank Center -100 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Doors open at 5 PM and the puck drops at 6PM.
Enjoy the Cincinnati Cyclones hockey game against the Toledo Walleye on New Year’s Eve followed by indoor fireworks.
This is a fun adventure for families of all ages.
New Year’s Eve at Deck the Y’alls Lightfest
Thomas More Stadium, 7950 Freedom Way, Florence, KY
- 5:30- 10 PM New Year’s Eve
- 5:30- 9 PM on New Year’s Day
Deck The Yall’s Lightfest features more than 2.5 million brilliant lights and dazzling decorations, holiday activities, an ice skating rink, photo ops, food and drink options, and more for individuals of all ages.
Check ticket pricing here.
*Ice skating and concessions are an additional fee.
Deck the Y’alls Lightfest is on the POGO Pass. Use my discount code “ADVMOM”
New Year’s Eve at Dave & Buster’s
Family-friendly NYE 4PM – 7 PM
Dave & Buster’s will have NYE events at two local locations:
- Tickets for Florence location -781 Heights Blvd, Florence, KY
- Tickets for Springdale location – 11775 Commons Dr, Springdale, OH
NYE at Dave & Buster’s Admission includes:
- Banquet with: Signature Flatbreads, Mini Pretzel Dogs w/ Ketchup, Boneless Wings w/ Ranch, Garlic Butter Pretzel Sticks w/ Marinara, Bar Burgers, House Salad w/ dressing, French Fries, & Churros
- Unlimited Soft Drinks
- $20 Power Card + Unlimited Video Game Play
- Access to Exclusive Party Space
- Video Ball Drop
- Ginger Ale Toast
- NYE Hats & Noisemakers
- Taxes & 20% suggested gratuity on food and beverages are included in the listed price
Tickets are required for all in attendance, toddlers under 2 are the exception but they don’t get food and gameplay without the ticket. Any minors need to have a chaperone or guardian with them.
