We are less than 48 hours away from the start of 2025! However, you might not exactly love the idea of your kids staying up until midnight to watch the ball drop.
Good news — there are multiple countdowns you and your family can celebrate at throughout the state, all ending before 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
For those wanting to get their children to bed earlier or want a family-friendly NYE celebration, here’s a look at some events you can head to in Florida.
Dave and Buster’s Family New Year’s Eve
Most of Dave and Buster’s locations will host kid-friendly NYE parties. They invite those to start the celebrations early at 4 p.m. and enjoy the following until 7 p.m.:
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- Unlimited video gameplay
- A $20 Power Card
- A chef-curated banquet featuring our best bites—from mini pretzel dogs to churros.
“Raise a glass with a ginger ale toast and join in on the excitement of our video ball drop—all in time to get home before midnight,” the website says.
There are 10 locations in Florida. To purchase tickets for the event, click here. Tickets are $42.26 per person.
Kids New Year’s Eve At LEGOLAND Florida
Once again, Winter Haven’s LEGOLAND Florida theme park is hosting its kid-friendly NYE festivities. According to their website, guests will be treated to a countdown and fireworks display at 8 p.m. to welcome in 2024.
“‘Midnight’ comes early for families at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, celebrating the New Year together with brick-bursting fireworks and awesome entertainment, all without missing their bedtimes,” its website shares.
The celebrations are included with your park ticket. You also don’t have to celebrate NYE on Tuesday; its New Year celebration goes from Thursday, Dec. 26 through Dec. 31.
Admission to LEGOLAND starts at $74.99 per person before taxes and fees. You can also purchase the “New Year’s Eve Fireworks VIP” package which gives guests a special seat to its fireworks show. The package is $30 per guest.
New Year’s Eve Party at Boxi Park
Lake Nona’s Boxi Park will host a celebration with live music, face painting, and kid-friendly activities from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. To ring in 2024, Boxi Park has a countdown with a “balloon ball drop” at 7 p.m.
Admission to the party is $10 in advance and $15 at the door, with children 5 and under attending for free. You can purchase tickets here.
Crayola Orlando’s Jazzberry Jammin’ New Year’s Eve
End the year in the most colorful way possible!
Crayola Orlando is hosting a NYE celebration with a DJ dance party from 12 p.m. through 4 p.m. with DJ Sarah Masters. They will have mid-day countdowns at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. with a streamer launch to ring in the New Year.
The event will also have character appearances and special themed activities. The event is included with admission, which is $26.99 per person.
Noon Year’s Eve at MODS
Fort Lauderdale residents can head to the Museum of Discovery and Science for a mid-day celebration with immersive activities, music, dancing, and science. Officials said kids can create festive party gear while they prepare for a ball drop at noon ring in the new year.
The event goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is included with a museum ticket, which is $28 for adults and $23 for children (2 through 12).
New Year’s Eve In Downtown Delray
The city of Delray Beach will host a New Year’s Eve celebration for families at the Amphitheatre at Old School Square with a DJ from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with fireworks launching from the Old School Square garage at the end of the night.
Fernandina Beach New Year’s Eve Shrimp Drop
Fernandina Beach’s NYE celebration is shrimp-ly the best!
Its 2025 Shrimp Drop will have food, vendors, and family-friendly fireworks. The free event will go from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the actual “Shrimp Drop” happening at 7 p.m.
Adventure Landing New Year’s Eve Celebration
Jacksonville Beach’s Adventure Landing theme park will host three balloon drops for different age groups on Dec. 31. They will have prizes with each drop.
The event will go from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
UTC’s Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration
Ring in 2025 at UTC’s New Year’s Eve at Sarasota’s The Green on Dec. 31 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrate with spectacular live entertainment, a DJ, food, face painting, and a countdown to a fireworks show.
The family-friendly event is free and happening on The Green at UTC, located near Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar.
Downtown Countdown at Glazer Children’s Museum
Families can ring in the New Year at the Glazer Children’s Museum with countdowns, themed crafts, and celebrations throughout the day on New Year’s Eve. The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Celebrate with countries around the world with balloon drops on the hour! You can celebrate as a family by day and still have time for evening festivities,” its website says.
Downtown Countdown is included with museum admission which costs $24.99 per person.
New Year at ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Worried you might not get out the door in time and miss the countdown? How about an event with a ball drop every hour.
At ZooTampa’s New Year’s Eve celebration, patrons can enjoy a countdown each hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will also feature festive foods, live DJ, kid-friendly activities, and fun giveaways.
The event is included with zoo admission, which is $49.95 for adults and a children’s ticket (ages 3 through 11) is $39.95.
Pier Park New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop
Up in the Panhandle, Panama City Beach’s famous “Beach Ball Drop” has a kid-friendly version a few hours before their massive midnight one.
Catering to those with earlier bedtimes, guests will have 10,000 inflated beach balls descending from above at 8 p.m. in Pier Park. The first round of fireworks will begin exploding over Panama City Beach and lighting up the night sky.
And for those who are staying home for the holiday, here are some countdowns you can load up on your television or computer for your kids:
Larva Island’s New Year’s Eve Countdown
Netflix’s hit show “Larva Island” offered a countdown to welcome 2021 that can still work for 2025.
Netflix New Year’s Eve Countdown
Netflix has released various countdowns to stream at any time so kids can welcome in the new year a few hours early. Just search for the countdowns on Netflix.
PBS Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown
PBS Kids usually releases a countdown with all of the favorite PBS characters for parents to play for kids, with last year’s including DJ Walrus and Daniel Tiger. The countdowns are available on YouTube and do not require a subscription.
‘Sesame Street’ New Year’s Countdown
For a more nostalgic countdown, “Sesame Street” fans can watch this two-minute countdown includes all the iconic characters, including Elmo, The Count, and Big Bird.
Twinkle Educational
If you need something more simple, Twinkle Educational has a very kid-friendly New Year’s Eve kids countdown on YouTube.
Are you looking for a fun way to celebrate the new year with your kids without staying up past their bedtime? Look no further! Here are some ideas for celebrating 2025 with your little ones before 9 p.m.:
1. Have a family movie night: Pick out a few of your kids’ favorite movies, grab some popcorn and snacks, and have a cozy movie night at home. You can even let them stay up a little later than usual to watch a second movie if they’d like.
2. Have a dance party: Clear out some space in the living room, put on some fun music, and have a dance party with your kids. You can even make it more festive by adding some glow sticks or streamers.
3. Play board games or do a puzzle: Gather around the table and play some of your kids’ favorite board games or work on a puzzle together. This is a great way to bond as a family and have some low-key fun.
4. Have a mock countdown: If your kids are too young to stay up until midnight, have a mock countdown at 9 p.m. You can make some noise, blow party horns, and countdown to “midnight” together.
5. Make a special treat: Whip up a fun and festive treat with your kids, like cookies, cupcakes, or a DIY ice cream sundae bar. Let them get creative with toppings and decorations.
Remember, the most important thing is spending quality time together as a family. However you choose to celebrate, make sure to cherish the moments and make some special memories with your little ones. Happy New Year!
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