Ring in 2019 with activities for the whole family to enjoy. Whether your children will be staying up to midnight on New Year's Eve or you want to celebrate earlier in the day, there's fun for everyone in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. Check out our guides for New Year's in Long Island, and Westchester and Rockland counties.
New Year's Events in Manhattan
New Year's Eve Ball Drop & Dance Party
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm
WHERE: Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: A countdown party to the New Year!
WANT TO GO? Free with museum admission ($15; free for children younger than 1). 212-721-1223. cmom.org.
New Year's Day 2020 Celebration!
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2-5pm
WHERE: Merchant's House Museum, 29 E. 4th St., East Village
AGES: All
WHAT: Paying social calls on friends and family on New Year’s Day was one of Old New York’s most cherished customs. Guided tours of the house throughout the afternoon, walking tours of the Noho neighborhood, and hot cider and cookies in the cozy 19th-century kitchen.
WANT TO GO? $20 adults; $10 children younger than 13. 212-777-1089. merchantshouse.org.
New Year's Day Confetti Cupcakes Class
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1:30-2:30pm
WHERE: Taste Buds Kitchen, 109 W. 27th St., 10th Floor, Chelsea
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: Bake confetti cupcakes!
WANT TO GO? $45. 212-242-2248. tastebudskitchen.com.
New Year's Events in Queens
FREE Family New Year's Countdown And Celebration
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 11:15am-12pm
WHERE: Queens Library–Rochdale Village Branch, 169-09 137 Ave., Jamaica
AGES: All
WHAT: Kids of all ages are invited to celebrate 2020. Ring in the new year with a story or two, resolutions, and noisemakers and hats.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Ten seconds to noon there will be a countdown and a balloon drop!
WANT TO GO? 718-723-4440. queenslibrary.org.
Noon Year's Eve Party
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10am-12pm
WHERE: My Gym Fresh Meadows, 176-60 Union Turnpike, 3rd Floor, Fresh Meadows
AGES: Newborn to 5
WHAT: Ring in the new year at noon with games, activities, relays, and noise makers! Registration required.
WANT TO GO? $20 per child ($18 members). mygym.com.
FREE New Year's Eve Party!
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Flushing Library, 41-17 Main St., Flushing
AGES: 4-10
WHAT: Start the celebration by learning about New Year traditions, playing games and dancing, writing New Year's resolutions, and creating sparkly party hats to wear in the photo booth.
WANT TO GO? 718-661-1200. queenslibrary.org.
New Year's Events in Brooklyn
Happy Zoo Year
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 28, 10am
WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn
AGES: All
WHAT: Meet animals, enjoy something tasty, and ring in the new year with your friends at the zoo.
WANT TO GO? $30. 800-433-4149. prospectparkzoo.com.
New Year's Eve (Day) Party!
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1-3pm
WHERE: Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
AGES: All
WHAT: Welcome 2020 with games, crafts, light refreshments, a balloon-drop finale, and a performance by returning favorite Music with Patrick!
WHY WE LOVE IT: A fun way to celebrate as a family, without missing bedtime!
WANT TO GO? $8; free for members and children younger than 1. 718-273-2060. sichildrensmuseum.org.
FREE Kids Explore: Happy 'Noon Year'
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 11:15am-12:30pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library–Mill Basin, 2385 Ralph Ave., Near Avenue N, Mill Basin
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: Join this Noon Year's Eve celebration, complete with fun party hats, crafts, noisemakers, and your very own countdown at noon!
WANT TO GO? 718-241-3973. bklynlibrary.org.
FREE New Year's Eve Fireworks
WHEN: Dec. 31-Jan. 1, 10:30pm-12:30am
WHERE: Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park West and Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights
AGES: All
WHAT: This free event at Grand Army Plaza includes live entertainment followed by fireworks at the stroke of midnight.
WANT TO GO? 718-965-8945. prospectpark.org.
New Year's Day Family Bowl
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 1, 12-6pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg
AGES: All
WHAT: Bowling begins at 12pm and will be featuring Brooklyn Bowl's brunch menu and kids menu.
WANT TO GO? $25 per lane per half hour; $4.95 shoe rental; up to 8 people per lane. 718-963-3369. brooklynbowl.com.
RELATED: Check out our guide to indoor activities for more to do.
Main image: A past New Year's craft event at Wave Hill.
Courtesy Wave Hill
