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Philadelphia is a great destination for families looking for all-ages New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Revelers small and tall can ring in 2020 with a Countdown2Noon at the Please Touch Museum, a special “Square Drop” at Franklin Square or a party with the fishes at the Adventure Aquarium.
Many of the celebrations grant stellar views of the thrilling early-evening fireworks show at Penn’s Landing at 6 p.m.
For our full guide on what to do with the kiddos this New Year’s Eve, check out our guide below.
The Rivers Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront delivers two major shows to close out the year with a (double) bang. The first display takes place at 6 p.m., perfect for those kiddos who might not make it to the midnight showcase.
Where: Various locations including Penn's Landing, 101 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Philly’s waterfront ice skating rink and winter oasis hosts two ticketed New Year’s Eve parties coinciding with the fireworks shows – one at 5 p.m. (for the 6 p.m. fireworks) and one at 10 p.m. (for the midnight fireworks). Each celebration features live entertainment, food from Garces Group and Chickie’s and Pete’s, and one of the best firework views in the city.
Where: Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Bring out the whole family for a midday countdown at the Please Touch Museum, filled with music and confetti at both noon and 1 p.m. Tickets to the Countdown 2 Noon celebration include museum entry, so show up as early as 9 a.m. to explore one of Philly’s most hands-on cultural institutions.
Where: Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA
Historic Franklin Square offers families an evening of New Year’s family fun from 4-8 p.m., with a 6 p.m. “square” drop, a kids’ dance party, the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show outside and great views of the 6 p.m. fireworks show at Penn’s Landing.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Maritime merriment abounds on New Year’s Eve when the Independence Seaport Museum stays open late for the annual family fireworks viewing party kicking off at 5 p.m. on its second-floor balcony. The party is complete with noisemakers, party hats and a ginger ale toast.
Where: Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
The Adventure Aquarium hosts extended hours on New Year’s Eve for families who want to party with the fishies until the 6 p.m. fireworks show goes off. The holiday celebration features a DJ dance party and waterfront views of the Rivers Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront. All New Year’s Eve Splash activities are included with general admission.
Where: Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ
The historic Battleship New Jersey offers unparalleled views of the fireworks from the battleship’s deck this New Year’s Eve. Visitors are welcome aboard the ship two hours in advance of each fireworks show. The event costs $10 per person, which serves as a donation toward the ongoing restoration of the battleship.
Where: Battleship New Jersey, 100 Clinton Street, Camden, NJ
The Spirit of Philadelphia hosts an early-evening dinner that offers a stellar view of the 6 p.m. fireworks show over the Delaware River waterfront. Families are invited to climb aboard beginning at 4 p.m. and settle in for a festive evening complete with a buffet-style dinner, DJ entertainment and dancing.
Where: Spirit of Philadelphia, 401 S. Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Families can ring in 2020 from 57 floors up at this sky-high afternoon bash. One Liberty Observation Deck hosts a party with DJ entertainment, balloon crafts, face painting and a mask-decorating station leading up to the 6 p.m. fireworks display. Kids ages 3 to 12 get a party favor bag.
Where: One Liberty Observation Deck, 1650 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing hosts a number of New Year’s Eve celebrations this year. At 4 p.m., a family celebration kicks off in the ballroom, featuring a dinner buffet and views of the 6 p.m. fireworks show. Also at 4 p.m., Keatings Rope and Anchor, Bar + Kitchen — the Hilton Philadelphia’s restaurant — offers a dinner followed by opportunities to view the 6 p.m. fireworks show. The restaurant hosts another dinner buffet with live entertainment from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Families are invited to all three celebrations.
Where: Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, 201 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Battle your kid in a friendly arcade game competition at Dave and Buster’s, where New Year’s Eve is all about fun. Enjoy a special holiday celebration that also includes a buffet designed for both adults and kids as well as incredible (indoor!) views of the 6 p.m. fireworks show over the waterfront.
Where: Dave & Buster's, 325 N. Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Countdown to 2020 with everyone’s favorite Sesame Street characters at Sesame Place’s New Year’s Eve bash, unfolding throughout the afternoon. Families are invited to snap photos and score autographs with characters like Count von Count, Elmo and more in celebration of 50 years of Sesame Street.
Where: Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA
The Franklin Institute celebrates New Year’s Eve with a big bash at noon. Expect live-science shows, magic-milk firework experiments, make-and-take noisemakers and more. At noon, a ball-pit explosion welcomes the new year.
Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA
It’s hard to find a more festive place to take the family than the magnificently decorated Longwood Gardens. The massive horticulture center rings in the New Year with music from a historic organ, strolling carolers and more. The gardens are set to stay open until 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, after which visitors are encouraged to continue the celebration in nearby Kennett Square where a 700-pound illuminated mushroom drops at midnight.
Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA
At The Navy Yard’s Bar Amis, kids can enjoy a milk and cookies “champagne toast,” games, face painting and a special kid’s buffet. The event also includes food for the adults, ice cream from Weckerly’s and a ball drop at 8 p.m.
Where: Bar Amis, 4503 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
At The Ardmore Music Hall, the ball drops at the stroke of 12 – noon, not midnight – for families looking to celebrate with live music for all ages. The celebration features a live performance by Alex & The Kaleidoscope along with a dance party, face painting and crafting opportunities.
Where: The Ardmore Music Hall, 23 Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA
Finish 2019 on a sweet note at The Betsy Ross House during the historic chocolate-making demonstration for Betsy’s Birthday Bash taking place on New Year’s Eve from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those of all ages are invited to sample the hot-chocolate drink that colonists enjoyed along with cake to celebrate Betsy’s birthday.
Where: Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Bring the kiddos to North Bowl’s New Year’s Eve Family Bash at 5 p.m. for bowling, face-painting, food and live music. The “ball drop” goes down at 8 p.m.
Where: North Bowl, 909 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia) and overnight hotel accommodations.
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