The Best Things To Do In Cincinnati For New Year’s Eve With Kids in 2023
Festivities tend to lean toward too adult, too early, too late, or just not available. But for those who live in Cincinnati, we’ve got good news! You’ll love all these fun, family-friendly things to do on New Year’s Eve in Cincinnati.
The Happy Hangout
End 2023 with a bang at The Happy Hangout Westside! The party starts at 10:00 am and includes open play, a photo booth, crafts, and a balloon drop just before naptime! You must get a ticket to reserve your spot for this fun event!
Cost: Monthly/Yearly Members: $20 Non-Member $25
We Rock The Spectrum
Bring in the “Noon” Year with open play, balloon drop, and an apple juice toast at We Rock The Spectrum in Deer Park. Festivities begin at 10 am on December 31! Registration is not required.
Cost: $14 child/ $12 Sibling
Goldfish Swim School-Kenwood
Swim into 2024 at Goldfish Kenwood. They will have a fun NYE party with an open swim and fun for the whole family. Splash on over Sunday, December 31, from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Tickets are FREE, and you can snag them here.
Goldfish Swim School-Anderson
New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Splash will occur at 3:00 pm at the Goldfish Swim School in Anderson. Come swim in their 90-degree pool to help welcome the new year!
Tickets are FREE, and you can snag them here.
Kings Island Winterfest
Head over to King’s Island’s Winterfest for a New Year’s Eve Countdown featuring live music and fireworks at the stroke of midnight! The celebration is for the entire family, starting at 4 pm and going until 1 am.
There are two New Year’s Eve countdowns at Winterfest: One in Tannenbaumhaus beginning at 9:30 pm, which is ideal for families, and a midnight countdown complete with fireworks.
Cost: $29.99 for admission. Free to passholders.
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Happy Zoo Year! Ring in the new year at the Cincinnati Zoo! “Party Animals” of all ages are invited to celebrate the 15th annual Happy ZOO Year powered by Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers.
This New Year’s bash will occur at the Zoo on Sunday, December 31, with a kid-friendly, early countdown at 8 pm featuring the Zoo’s 40-foot tall digital tree.
Cost: This event is included with zoo admission. Free for zoo members.
Family New Year’s Eve Party At Bircus
Plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Bircus Brewing Co from 6:00 to 8:00! The exciting New Year’s Eve Event will feature a Circus Mojo performance and instructional workshop, woodfired pizza, and an 8:00 “ball drop” with a ginger ale toast at “midnight.”
Party with your kids for New Year’s and be home by bedtime; what more could you want from a New Year’s Eve wingding?
Each ticket includes a circus show and workshop, pizza, and a ginger ale toast at “midnight.” You can purchase additional tickets for your group for $20 per person.
They pre-assign tables before opening the doors, so if you plan to ring in the “new year” with other families, please purchase tickets together or email them.
See Indoor Fireworks With The Cincinnati Cyclones
End your 2023 in a family-friendly setting with the Cyclones and a 6:00 pm start time. Stick around for the show of the year when they shoot off fireworks…INSIDE! Tip: Bring noise-muffling headphones for kids sensitive to loud noises.
Grab your Cyclone Tickets Here
IKEA Kids New Year Countdown Celebration
Do your kids want to celebrate New Year’s Eve, but celebrating at midnight is too late? Bring friends and head to IKEA for a noon countdown party. They will have food, crafts, a kid-friendly toast, and an official countdown at noon. The event starts at 11:30 am to enjoy the festivities before the New Year celebration.
This event is free to the public!
Velocity Kids New Year’s Eve Celebration
Can’t make it until midnight? Join Velocity in Newport for their first annual family-friendly New Year’s party and celebrate with a DJ, pizza buffet, arcade games, and more! No New Year’s celebration would be complete without party favors and the BIG countdown.
Be sure to bring your camera to capture the memories. This in-person event is perfect for families looking to celebrate together in a lively and energetic atmosphere. So, grab your family and friends, and let’s play your way into the New Year!
Please note: both children and adults must purchase tickets to attend.
Tickets: $35 per person
The Fine Print: All ticket holders receive admission to the dedicated party room with seating, a lunch buffet with pizza, salad, fries & cookies, unlimited fountain soda, party favors, and 1-hour unlimited game card for the arcade. The food buffet and soda are available from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. DJ and dancing will start at 12:30 pm, and New Year’s countdown will be at 2:30 pm.
New Year’s Eve Riverboat Cruise
Come aboard and ring in the new year….just not so late at night! Bring the whole family as you board the iconic riverboat for a memorable New Year’s Eve event, complete with a countdown to noon.
Your cruise will be complete with all the party favors and a DJ for entertainment. There will be some great activities throughout the day for the kids and a tasty lunch buffet. Some of your favorite characters from the popular Riverboat Pirate, Princess, and Super Hero cruises will be onboard celebrating with you! All seating is reserved.
Boarding begins at 10:30 am, with sailing from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
Tickets: $49 for adults and $39 for children ages 4-12
New Year’s Eve Party at Altitude Trampoline Park in Mason
Noon Year’s Celebration from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm. $25 Ticket includes 2 Hours of Jumping, Balloon Drop with prizes, Sparkling Cider Toast, Noisemakers, and more!
Board and Brush in Crestview Hills
Pick Your Project Family Friendly Workshop for a night of creativity, laughter, and togetherness! Book your spot now and celebrate the start of the new year with loved ones while creating beautiful keepsakes to cherish for years to come! This is for ages 6-10.
Fountain Square Blast
Ring in the New Year in the heart of downtown with Fountain Square’s New Year’s Eve Blast.
Party on the plaza or celebrate on the ice – either way, Fountain Square is the place to be this New Year’s Eve. Enjoy a live DJ from 6p-12:30a! They will be doubling the firework fun: the Kids Countdown starts at 7:10 pm and the Midnight Countdown starts at 12a.
For Ice Skating, keep in mind that the rink sessions are as follows:
6p to 7:30p
8p to 9:30p
10p to 12:30a
Dave & Buster’s NYE Party
New Year’s Eve at Dave & Buster’s is the place to be, with unforgettable entertainment, an appetizer buffet, and Unlimited Video Game Play ALL night long. A special video countdown will also accompany an all-ages ginger ale toast.
Tickets: $52.86 +$4.77 fee
The Dave & Busters in Florence will also be having an NYE Party!
Roll Into The New Year at Gilmore Lanes
If you have older children who want to try to make it to midnight, take them for a fun evening of glow bowl, music, and snacks. There is even a toast at midnight! Reserve a lane for this fun NYE event for $108 per lane and $3.50 per pair of shoe rentals. Additional food options are available for purchase.
This is a family-friendly party with up to 6 persons per lane.
Address: 5595 Dixie Highway, Fairfield.
New Year’s Eve Princess Brunch
Head to the Moerlein Lager House to have a special brunch with Princesses Aurora and Snow White. The princesses will be visiting the tables during brunch from 10 am-1 pm. There will even be a special kid’s menu for the event.
Reservations required. moerleinlagerhouse.com.
La Ru Bowling Center & Sports Bar New Year’s Eve Party
Join this family-friendly event with bowling and early cosmic and New Year’s Eve countdowns between 2–4 pm. Includes party favors and apple juice toast! Starting at 6 pm, free light appetizers in the bar and champagne/non-alcoholic toast at midnight. Book your lane: 859-781-2111.
Popular Holiday Attractions That Will Be Open New Year’s Eve
- Coney Island’s Night of Lights
- Deck the Y’Alls Light Fest
- Golden Days of Yule at Krohn Conservatory – closes at 5 pm
- Holiday Junction at Cincinnati Museum Center
- Christmas at the Junction- EnterTrainment Junction
- Pyramid Hill Lights
- Holidays on the Farm-Winton Woods Parky’s Farm
Looking for more fun things to do in Cincinnati with kids? Check out these related articles:
Top Things To Do In Cincinnati With Kids
Must Know Tips For Attending Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge in Mason
Great Indoor Things To Do With Kids In Cincinnati
