A guide to family-friendly New Year’s Eve events in Raleigh (so you can get to bed early)
We’ve put together a collection of New Year’s Eve events for families and children taking place in Raleigh and across the Triangle, ranging from the beloved (early) Acorn Drop at First Night to dance parties in small venues and museums.
If you see something we missed that you think we should include, let us know by emailing ask@newsobserver.com.
For a guide to adult events across the Triangle this New Year’s Eve, visit newsobserver.com/living
Important: Whenever possible, please check the website for each event or venue prior to heading out, to verify hours of operation (which can change) and to learn more about rain dates for outdoor events.
Morning NYE events for kids in Raleigh/Durham
▪ 321 Coffee’s Noon Year’s Eve Celebration: Enjoy a hot chocolate bar and get your own mug to take home with you. There will be cookies, festive coloring pages, 2024 headbands and family activities. Tickets are $15 each. Both the Raleigh and Durham locations will host this party. When: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Where: 615 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh and 300 Morris St. in Durham Info: shop.321coffee.com
▪ Noon Year’s Eve at Marbles Kids Museum: This event will include crafts, games, music and a special bubble wrap pop. The ball will drop at noon. The event is included with regular museum admission, which is $9. Children under 1 year old are free. The museum closes at 2 p.m. on Dec. 31. When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Where: 201 E Hargett St. in Raleigh Info: marbleskidsmuseum.org
▪ Quiet Countdown at Marbles Kids Museum: During the Noon Year’s Eve celebration (see above), a sensory-friendly quiet new year’s countdown at 12 p.m. will be held in the Sensory Exploration Exhibit: Under the Waves. The event is included with regular museum admission.
▪ Noon Year’s Eve at the Museum of Life + Science: Craft, dance and count down to the new year with a special ball drop at 12 p.m. (noon, not midnight). The event is included with admission to the museum. Tickets are $23 for adults (13+) and $18 for children (2-12) with discounts for seniors and military. When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: 433 W. Murray Ave. in Durham Info: lifeandscience.org
Afternoon NYE events for kids in Raleigh/Durham
▪ NYE at The RINK: Skate on New Year’s Eve at Red Hat Amphitheatre’s outdoor ice skating rink with views of the Raleigh skyline. Skate sessions are 12-1 p.m., 2:30-4:30 p.m., 5-7 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m. Skater admission is $15 (which includes skate rental), and non-skater admission is $6. Purchase tickets in advance to reserve your time slot. Igloo lounge packages start at $200 and include six skating tickets, hot chocolate bar and cookie and pretzel snacks nestled inside a private igloo. Where: 500 South McDowell St. in Raleigh Info: redhatamphitheater.com/the-rink
▪ German New Year’s Eve: This family-friendly event at Clouds Brewing will have complimentary champagne and cider for an early ball drop. When: 2-7 p.m. Where: 1233 Front St. in Raleigh Info: facebook.com/events
Evening NYE events for kids in Raleigh/Durham
▪ UK Family NYE Celebration at Fortnight: Cary’s Fortnight Brewing location will have an early New Year’s countdown and celebration for families. When: 6-9 p.m. Where: 1006 SW Maynard Rd. in Cary Info: fortnightbrewing.com
▪ Mini Midnight Madness at Tap Yard: This free, all-ages event is an early NYE celebration at Tap Yard Raleigh. There will be a dance party with glow sticks, face painting, a bubble machine and a balloon drop at 6 p.m. (Tap Yard will have an adults celebration afterward, with the band Vertigo playing at 9:30 p.m.)When: 5-7 p.m. Where: 1610 Automotive Way in Raleigh Info: facebook.com/events
▪ Time Warp NYE Party at Oak City Brewing: Enjoy a countdown and keg drop, free champagne toast, live music, food trucks and face painting. Free champagne or sparkling cider for kids. When: 5-8 p.m. Where: 616 North First Ave. in Knightdale Info: eventbrite.com
▪ New Year’s Eve Skate Party: Countdown to the new year at a family-friendly skate party. Tickets are $25 and include admission, skate rental, glow sticks and party favors. When: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Where: United Skates of America, 2901 Tarwick Road in Raleigh Info: eventbrite.com
First Night Raleigh’s events for kids
Ring in the new year early with Raleigh’s 7 p.m. Acorn Drop, followed by fireworks to get you in bed by a crisp 9:30 p.m.
The rain-or-shine event on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh continues through midnight for the 2024 countdown and second Acorn Drop at 12 a.m.
For children, First Night will feature:
Dance parties and Zumba classes led by movement instructors
The “People’s Procession” parade at 6 p.m. before the early Acorn Drop
Carnival rides, including the Ferris Wheel
Art installations and food trucks throughout the downtown space
Tickets are $16 for adults (13+), $12 for children (6-12) and free for young kids (0-5). Find details at firstnightraleigh.com
This story was originally published December 29, 2023 at 11:01 AM.
