Whether you’re planning a family-friendly daytime celebration or a kid-free night out, we’ve rounded up the best ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Brooklyn! Head to a family-friendly party well before midnight, book a festive New Year’s Eve date night, or watch the fireworks light up the sky over Prospect Park. And on New Year’s Day, catch the daring swimmers plunging into the Coney Island surf, celebrate Japanese New Year at Industry City, join a hike, or ease into 2026 with arcade games and brunch.
Monday, December 29 | 11:45am-12:45pm | Ages 2-9 | FREE
Celebrate 2026 a few days early at Adams Street Library with a Noon Year’s Eve celebration with a countdown, craft, and dance party!
Monday, December 29 | 4-5pm | Ages 6-12 | FREE
It’s almost 2026! Let’s get ready to welcome the New Year by making some arts and crafts at Sunset Park Library.
Wednesday, December 31 | 10am-3pm | FREE
Make the most of winter break! Join Prospect Park Alliance for family friendly programming during winter recess from Friday, December 26 – Wednesday, December 31.
Nature Around Us | 10–3 pm | Enjoy different seasonal discovery stations and nature themed activities that will introduce you to the plants, insects and animals that call the park home.
Animal Encounter | 1–2 pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning about the animals in the Center’s collection.
Family Nature Walk | 2–3 pm | Prospect Park is a stopping point for hundreds of bird species each year! Join us as we search for these amazing creatures and other nature around the park. Binoculars and bird guides are provided.
Wednesday, December 31 | 10:30am-12:30pm | $48.99 (includes up to 2 adults) | Sign up here
Ring in the new year with a ball drop at noon! Your ticket includes hot cocoa or juice, pizza, and open play for 2 hours.
Wednesday, December 31 | Doors at 11am | Show at 12pm | $21.45 tickets, FREE for kids under 1
Join for a Rock and Roll Playhouse family concert featuring Isa Bruder & Friends playing the music of Taylor Swift!
Wednesday, December 31 | 11am-12:30pm | Members $27 / Non Members $30
Join for our Noon Years Eve Bash with games, movement, refreshments, and a mini ball drop included. Tickets are $27 for members and $30 for non-members, and spots are limited!
Wednesday, December 31 & Thursday, January 1 | 11am-5:50pm | $3 rides
Jane’s Carousel will be open on New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day!
Wednesday, December 31 | 1-5pm | FREE
Join Threes for family-friendly daytime NYE celebration with DJ Dog Walker and a non-alcoholic sparkling cider toast at sunset. Grand Army South will be opening early with food for the whole family.
Wednesday, December 31 | 11am-2pm & 4-7pm | $33.79 tickets
Ring in 2026 with a family-friendly NYE party at Dave & Busters. There will be early celebrations at 11am-2pm and 4-7pm. Enjoy unlimited video game play, a $20 Power Card, and a banquet including mini pretzel dogs to churros. Raise a glass with a ginger ale toast count down to 2026 with a video ball drop.
Wednesday, December 31 & Thursday, January 1 | 12-8pm | FREE
Randolph will be welcoming families and kids on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with brunch all day, pitcher specials for the grown-ups, arcade games, feather bowling, and more family-friendly fun!
Wednesday, December 31 | 4pm | $39 pass (1 child + 1 adult for 2 hours), $10 additional adult
Join Space Club for their annual New Year’s Eve balloon drop. Happening at all 3 locations at 4pm! No need to book, walk-ins welcome. This is available for single pass + members.
Wednesday, December 31 | 5-8pm | Reserve here
Join Pineapple for a fun & family-friendly New Year’s Eve! Their full dinner menu will be available and we will have kid-friendly dishes too! Karaoke will be from 5 pm until the “Ball Drop” at 8pm.
Wednesday, December 31 | Music at 10pm | Fireworks at midnight | FREE | RSVP here
Ring in the new year with a fireworks display at Grand Army Plaza. The 45-year tradition will include live entertainment by Quintessential Playlist starting at 10pm. Fireworks will begin at midnight!
Wednesday, December 31 | 9:00pm-1:30pm | 21+ | $50 tickets
Calling all parents with a sitter lined up, parents of older kids, and single parents looking for a night out! The Scenario 90s Dance Party is locked in with a New Year’s Eve takeover in Cobble Hill and a midnight dive into 90s and 2000s hip hop, pop, reggae and everything that moves the room! Headline DJ TY-Michelle joins DJ Marc Bars for the night. 21+ only. Tickets are $50 and include a glass of champagne at midnight. Space is limited at Le Boudoir on Atlantic Avenue, so get your tickets now!
Call the babysitter and treat yourself to a New Year’s Eve on the town! Our guide to the best restaurants and bars for a parents’ night out features spots in DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, BoCoCa, Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Park Slope, Gowanus, Red Hook, Columbia Street Waterfront District, Bed-Stuy, Bushwick Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Sunset Park, and Bay Ridge—so you can sip, savor, and stay up until midnight, just the two of you!
Thursday, January 1 | 9am | FREE | Sign up here
parkrun is a free, worldwide, weekly event where people of all ages and abilities walk, jog, run, or volunteer in a 5k event–in Brooklyn, you can join every week in Brooklyn Bridge Park! And for New Year’s Day, they’re having a special holiday run! Families register online and receive a barcode which will record their time. All ages are welcome, and there is a coffee and catch-up after each run!
Thursday, January 1 | 11am-1pm | FREE, fundraising encouraged
Every New Year’s Day, brave swimmers plunge into the Coney Island surf to wash away the past year—a 122-year tradition led by the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, the nation’s oldest winter bathing club. Watch the spectacle or join in: sign up solo or with a team and help raise funds for local organizations. While plunging is free, it’s encouraged to fundraise at least $30 to participate.
Thursday, January 1 | 11am-1pm | FREE
If your New Year’s resolution is to get healthy, join the Urban Park Rangers on a lengthy hike to start the year off right. Dress warmly, put on your hiking shoes, and head to the park. Urban Park Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City. Explore nature, discover our city’s urban forests, and unplug from the world to clear your head.
Thursday, January 1 | 1-4pm | FREE
Join the SCSP education team for their 6th annual First Day Hike! This hike will be roughly 3 miles on gravel trails and last approximately between 2 and 3 hours.
Thursday, January 1 | 1-5pm | FREE | RSVP here
Celebrate Japanese New Year at Industry City! There will also be music, dancing, mochi pounding, and festive demonstrations throughout the day. Those with a free ticket will also have the chance to dress in a beautiful kimono.
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Updated: December 29, 2025. Main photo: New Year’s Eve fireworks at Grand Army Plaza.
