Celebrating the New Year isn’t just for adults. Youngsters can participate at these local venues – with everything from balloon drops to dance parties to crafts. All events are scheduled for Dec. 31 unless otherwise noted.
East Bay
Chabot Space & Science Center New Year Celebration – JAN. 1. Families can celebrate the New Year with countdowns and balloon drops at the Chabot Space & Science Center. Details to be announced. Check website for information about times and tickets.
Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
San Francisco
Japanese New Year’s Bell-Ringing Ceremony – DEC. 29. Celebrate the New Year by taking a swing at a 2,100-pound, 16th-century Japanese temple bell at this annual event. Led by Reverend Gengo Akiba, it will include a purification ritual and chanting of the Buddhist Heart Sutra. Visitors will have an opportunity to ring the bell to leave behind any unfortunate experiences, regrettable deeds or ill luck from the year. The bell will be struck 108 times to usher in the New Year and curb the 108 mortal desires (“bonno”) that, according to Buddhist belief, torment humankind. 10am doors open, 10:30am-12pm member bell ringing, 12:30pm touch tour of the bell for blind and visually impaired community, 1-2:30pm public bell ringing. Museum admission is $20 adults, $14 ages 13-17, 12 and under FREE.
Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., San Francisco
Peninsula
Noon Year’s Eve at Hiller Aviation Museum – Kick off the New Year at this family-friendly event featuring music, activities, face painting and three giant balloon drops at 12pm. There will also be an obstacle course and jump house (weather permitting).10am-1pm. $22 adults, $14 ages 4-17, 3 and under FREE.
Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos
Marin and North Bay
Bay Area Discovery Museum’s Noon Year’s Eve – Start the new year off right at this kid-friendly affair including a celebratory ball drop at 12pm, a DJ and dancing, and more. Tickets must be purchased in advance. 9am-2pm. $15-20.
Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito
Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! – Celebrate 2025 at the Charles M. Schulz Museum with hands-on crafts for kids and a screening of “Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!” There will be an Up-Down Balloon Drop (all ages) and Baby Balloon Drop (4 and under and their families) at 12pm and a second balloon drop at 3pm. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. 10am-4pm. $12 adults, $8 seniors, $5 ages 4-18, 3 and under FREE.
Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa
Silicon Valley and South
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose Noon Year’s Eve – Celebrate the arrival of 2025 at the Purple Museum by participating in the “countdown to noon across time zones” with family hugs, performances from Disney Junior’s Choo Choo Soul, and the museum’s version of the famous Ball Drop in Times Square with tons of confetti. Ball drops are at 12pm., 1pm., and 2pm. Also, mark a party hat and family photos. $18 for children and adults; $16 for seniors; infants under one & members are free
Children’s Discovery Museum San Jose, 180 Woz Way, San Jose
Gilroy Gardens New Year’s Eve Celebration – Gilroy Gardens will ring in 2025 with a dance party featuring a DJ, specialty appetizers and cocktails, a photo booth, countdown to midnight and fireworks over Coyote Lake. 4pm-12am. $45, FREE with premium membership ($99).
Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy
Teresa Mills-Faraudo is an associate editor at Bay Area Parent.