Happy 2025! Ring in the New Year with your whole family at these family-friendly, Chicago area New Year's Eve Events! We've rounded up the Chicago area's best kid-friendly New Year's events and activities for counting down to 2025. There are lots of great ways to celebrate, including noon-year's mid-day countdowns, New Year's themed crafts and projects, DJs and dancing, balloon drops and more. Explore our 15 top picks' for Chicago family New Year's events below, and you can find more activities in our Calendar of Events.

December 31
Bubble Bash
DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville
Spend time creating lasting memories, taking part in special activities, grooving to good music, exploring the Museum’s hands-on exhibits, and counting down with confetti, bubbles, and more. Festive Fun from 9am - noon includes designing festive wearable art, creating firework paintins, enjoying indoor sensory activities, a photo booth and more. The noon countdown features a confetti countdown, bubble shower countdown, and the option of a quieter sensory-friendly countdown. Istvan & His Imaginary Band perform at 11am and 12:15pm. Ages 0-8. 9:00am – 1:00pm. $20 members, $30 nonmembers. Learn more

December 31
Ring in the New Year with Elephant and Piggie
Northtown Public Library, 6800 N. Western Avenue, Chicago
Celebrate the new year with Elephant and Piggie! Join us for a short read-aloud and some Elephant and Piggie themed crafts and play. For kids 0 to 13 and their families. Ages 0-13. 12:30PM – 1:30PM. FREE. Learn more

December 30
Teenie Weenie New Year's Eve Ball
Fountain View Recreation Center, 910 N Gary Avenue, Carol Stream
Kick off the New Year Teenie Weenie style! Kids 8 and under get an early start on the festivities as we countdown to Noon! Activities include a DJ and dancing, a bounce house, games, crafts, and a balloon drop. Light refreshments are served. Fee is per child, adults are free but required to stay at the event. Advance registration required. Pre-Registration closes December 26 at noon and will re-open for in-person registration at Fountain View the day of the event. 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, $16 resident, $24 non-resident. Learn more

December 31
Noon Years Eve
Wonder Works Children's Museum, 6445 West North Avenue, Oak Park
Come count down to 2025 at Wonder Works! Our family friendly New Year’s celebration will include a balloon drop, full access to the museum, a new year’s art project, encounters with costumed characters, and a fun photo booth to capture the special day as a family, all long before bed time! To provide family flexibility with nap times + visiting family + holidays, we will count down to the new year and the balloon drop twice at 11 am and at 1 pm. Two sessions, at 10am or noon. $15 for members and $30 for non-members. Learn more

December 31
Noon Year's Eve Concert with Little Miss Ann
Lincoln Belmont Public Library, 1659 W. Melrose St., Chicago
Join us for an energetic, interactive kids' music concert where you can sing, dance and jump along to the music. Little Miss Ann is a nationally touring kids' musician who has made 8 award-winning albums. She is also a former Chicago Public School teacher, a mom and an instructor at the Old Town School of Folk Music. A countdown to the noon hour immediately follows the show. Registration is not required, but space may be limited. 11:00AM – 11:45AM. Ages 18 months and up. FREE. Learn more

December 31
New Year's Eve Fireworks
Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
Celebrate the arrival of the New Year with Chicago’s renowned award-winning fireworks! Join us as we welcome 2025 with a mesmerizing and free firework showcase that will illuminate the lakefront with vibrant bursts of color. 11:59pm. FREE. Learn more

December 31
New Year’s Eve Bash
Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago, 2100 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview
An entire wing of the Museum transforms into a giant Times Square style party! Featuring a DJ and dance party (afternoon only), Juggling shows, Party hat making and horns, Family photos printed while you wait, and photo frame decorating, and a Children’s concert with 2023 Best Children’s Album Grammy nominees Wendy and DB (morning only). At midnight," gather in and take part in a Times Square-style confetti drop to close each of the two sessions. 8:30 – 11 AM or 12:30 – 3 PM. Ages 1 and up $26 members, $36 nonmembers. Under 12 months free. Learn more

December 31
Countdown to Fun
Discovery Center Museum, 711 North Main Street, Rockford
Can’t stay up until midnight? Welcome the New Year with a Times Square-style ball and confetti drop every hour between 10 am – 2 pm! Make sparklers, noisemakers, and 2025-themed hats to keep the celebration going! Included with membership or general admission. 10am - 2pm. All ages. Regular admission applies. Learn more

December 31
NYE 2024
Safari Land, 701 W. North Ave., Villa Park
It's the ultimate New Year's Eve Adventure, from 5pm - 9pm. Featuring a countdown with a balloon drop and raffles for lots of great prizes. Two packages are available. Package 1 is $20 per person includes admission, buffet (5:30-7:30) and a raffle ticket. Package 2 is $40 per person includes all items in Package 1 plus a New Year's Eve party favor bag, $10 Game Card and Unlimited Rides. Ages 2 and up. 5-9pm. No reservations required. $20/$40. Learn more

December 31
NYE Pajama Party
Naperville Yard, 1607 Legacy Circle, Naperville
Naperville Yard is excited to bring back our annual NYE Pajama Party. Come end the year with a day of FUN. Activities include inflatables, playtower, field games, coloring station & more. Ring in the New Year with a 12:00PM juice box countdown (juice boxes will be provided at check in.) Socks are required. Socks can be purchased at the front desk for $3. Parent supervision required. All ages. 10:00AM – 1:00PM. $20 per child with online registration for ages 1 and up. Walk ins are not available. Learn more

December 31
Noon Year’s Eve Countdown
Edgebrook Public Library, 5331 W. Devon Ave., Chicago
Why wait for midnight? Celebrate New Year’s Eve at a more reasonable hour with a quick story time, craft and dancing to get your children ready for 2025. Be sure to take a photo with our New Year's Eve photo booth props and frame. As noon draws near, attendees will enjoy a countdown, and at noon, they will ring in the New Year with party blowers and confetti. Don't miss this chance to be loud and messy! Register by 11 a.m. on Monday, December 30. Ages 3 to 13. 11:00AM – 12:00PM, FREE. Learn more

December 31
Noon Year's Eve Celebration
Bubbles Academy Bucktown, 2184 N Elston Ave., Chicago
Ring in the NOON year at Bubbles! Jam out to a concert, create your own NYE crown, and countdown to the new year with a Bubble-filled finale. Ages 0-5. 11:00am-12:30pm. $30. Ticket price is per child. No charge for adults or children 6 months and under. Learn more

December 31
"Noon" Year Eve Crafts and Celebration
King Public Library
Join us for crafts, music and light refreshments as we say goodbye to 2024 early and hello to 2025! For all ages up to 13. Ages 0-13. 11:00AM – 12:30PM. FREE. Learn more

December 31
Noon Year's Eve Party
Garfield Ridge Public Library, 6348 S. Archer Ave., Chicago
Have fun making party hats and noise makers as we get ready for a countdown to 12:00, noon, with a balloon drop! Ages 1-13. 11:30AM – 12:30PM. FREE. Learn more

December 31
Noon Year's Eve Party
Beverly Public Library, 1962 W. 95th Street, Chicago
Ring in the Noon Year with Ms. Izabel! Come dressed in your best and get ready to play, dance and sing as we countdown and celebrate a new year. For kids of all ages and their caregivers. All ages. 11:30AM – 12:30PM. FREE. Learn more