10 Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Celebrations in St. Louis

Who says you have to stay up late to ring in the new year? Kids can make some noise and welcome 2026 at these daytime and early evening celebrations designed just for families with young partygoers. 

Noon Year's Eve Celebration at the Missouri History Museum

Those of us who can't stay awake until midnight can join the Missouri History Museum for a New Year's Eve countdown with two balloon drops! Visitors will enjoy making celebratory crafts, a super-sized story time where you'll learn about food traditions like Hoppin' John, the 12 grapes and more, followed by two giant balloon drops at 11 a.m. and noon. The Noon Year's Eve Celebration at the Missouri History Museum is free and part of the Winter Getaway at the museum. Reservations are not required. December 31, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To learn more, visit mohistory.org.

Noon Year's Eve Celebration at the Missouri History Museum

Family New Year's Eve Party at City Museum

Visit City Museum for a New Year's Eve Party for the whole family! Play games, sing your heart out doing karaoke to your favorite holiday tunes at Beatnik Bob's, and enjoy crafts in Art City. To celebrate the new year, visitors can pop the balloons from the balloon drop at 8 p.m. The Family New Year's Eve Party at City Museum is happening all day on December 31st and is included with general admission. More information: citymuseum.org

 

Winterfest New Year's Eve Neon Lights Celebration and Fireworks

New Year's Eve at Winterfest is designed for the whole family, and includes ice skating, fire performers, appearances from some of your kids' favorite princesses and superheroes, fireworks, and more. The ice rink will be open starting at 4 p.m. for ice skating all afternoon and into the evening. Catch princesses and superheroes from 4-6 p.m., along with 3-D glasses and glow products being handed out while supplies last. There will also be an early New Year's Eve countdown and fireworks at 8 p.m. At the Winterfest Ice Rink in the heart of Kiener Plaza. Attendance is free. There is a fee for skate rentals. More information: archpark.org

New Year's Eve at Winterfest

New Year's Eve at Noon at the Edwardsville Children's Museum

Ring in 2026 with your littles at the Edwardsville Children's Museum! Put on your party clothes and get ready to celebrate New Year's with crafts, face painting, party hats, sensory bins and a balloon drop at noon. The festivities start at 10:30 a.m. and the balloon drop is at noon. General admission is $10-12 per person. Tickets are needed for children only. More information: edwardsvillechildrensmuseum.org

 

New Year's Eve at Noon at The Lodge Indoor Pool in Des Peres

Celebrate New Year's Eve with your family at The Lodge indoor pool. Guests will enjoy traditional New Year's Eve festivities, including a countdown to noon with the dropping of hundreds of beach balls! Guests can swim in the wave pool and enjoy the indoor slide, music, dancing and record the occasion at the 2026-themed photo booth complete with props and accessories. All guests will take home a beach ball. December 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Lodge Des Peres. The Lodge Cafe will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is required by December 29 and space is limited. Open to all; registration fee varies. For all ages. For more information and to register: desperesmo.org

 

Noon Year's Eve Parties at the St. Louis County Library

Ring in 2026 with Noon Year's Eve parties for kids at various branches of the St. Louis County Library. These free parties include crafts, music, dancing, and countdowns to the strike of noon! Families and kids of all ages are welcome. Registration is required for some events, and most begin at 11 or 11:30 a.m. Check party times and locations at stlcl.org

 

Noon Year's Eve at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station

Ring in the new year with your whole family at the St. Louis Aquarium. Kids can create their own New Year's Eve crowns, earn fun prizes, and enjoy a lively countdown with festive beach ball drops at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Included with admission. Learn more at stlouisaquarium.com

Noontime New Year's Eve at The Magic House and MADE for Kids

New Year's revelers of all ages (even those with a bedtime!) are invited to ring in the new year a little bit early with a special Noontime New Year's Eve celebration at The Magic House. Visitors will participate in a variety of traditional New Year's Eve festivities including a countdown to noon with the dropping of a sparkly New Year's Eve ball. Any New Year's Eve party wouldn't be complete without a dance floor and dancing tunes! Kids can dance the day away, then pose in a 2026-themed photo booth filled with fun props and accessories. Noontime New Year's Eve activities are free with admission and no reservations are required. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Magic House in Kirkwood and MADE for Kids at 5127 Delmar Blvd.

More information: magichouse.org

 

New Year's Eve Craft Workshops at Yucandu Art Studio

Celebrate New Year's Eve by getting creative at Yucandu Art Studio. Kids in grades K-5 can celebrate with arts & crafts projects followed by a countdown to the Stomping of the Bubble Wrap! This workshop is for kids in kindergarten through grade 5 and will be held Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Cost is $48 per child.  At Yucandu Art Studio in Webster Groves. For more information and to register: yucandu.com

New Year's Eve Kids' Jam at Brookdale Farms

Join the family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration at the barn at Brookdale Farms. This party is packed with fun for all ages. Activities include an open soda bar, food trucks, a photo booth, games, party jams for kid-friendly dancing, and adult beverages. At Brookdale Farms in Eureka from 6 to 9 p.m. on December 31. Tickets are $15 for guests ages 4 and up. Kids 3 and under are free. For more information and tickets, visit brookdalefarms.com

 

Looking for more family fun? Check out our Things To Do calendar

 

Share This Story
Our Daily Things to Do email is the easiest way to plan your day.
Follow Us
 
Things to Do

Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo
Friday, December 19, 2025
Saturday, December 20, 2025

Delight in brilliant, colorful light displays with spectacular photo opportunities throughout the Zoo during Wild Lights. Walk through two tunnels with dazzling lights, and enjoy themed displays featuring snowflakes, candy canes, gumdrops, penguins, polar bears, tigers, giraffes and much more at this St. Louis family-favorite holiday tradition. New this year: Visits with Santa!

View this event »
Supper With Santa at The Butterfly House
Friday, December 19, 2025
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Sunday, December 21, 2025

Santa is making a stop at The Butterfly House before he makes his trip around the world, and he wants to enjoy a meal with your family! Enjoy a delicious dinner, visit Santa's Workshop and Mrs. Claus's Cookie Kitchen, and have your picture taken with the guest of honor - Santa!

View this event »
Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden

More than a million lights will illuminate some of the Missouri Botanical Garden's most iconic locations, walkways will be transformed into sensory light tunnels providing an explosion of visual magic, and traditional candlelight village displays, festive drinks, s'mores and great photo opportunities will delight crowds of all ages.

 

 

View this event »
Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.
Popular Stories

10 Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Celebrations in St. Louis

Who says you have to stay up late to ring in the new year? Kids can make some noise and welcome 2026 at these daytime and early evening celebrations designed just for families with young partygoers. 

Continue reading »
The St. Louis Children’s Choirs Give Every Singer the Chance to Shine on Stage

Something beautiful happens every time a child performs their favorite song. Even if they stumble over a lyric or tumble off key, the joy they find in exploring their musical journey can be felt by those lucky enough to listen. When hundreds of these young voices come together on one stage, that’s when something truly magical happens.

Continue reading »
The Missouri History Museum Winter Getaway: Four Days of Free Fun and Learning for Your Family

This year’s annual Winter Getaway event is packed with free kid-friendly activities, performances, arts and crafts, and workshops that tie in with the Museum’s current collections and celebrate our city’s rich culture and holiday heritage.

Continue reading »
Winter Break Camps Offer School Break Fun for Your Kids

Winter Break Camps offer your kids a fun way to spend their break from school. They'll participate in engaging activities that will make their school break memorable. We rounded up some fantastic options for Winter Break Camps for kids of all ages. 

Continue reading »
Miriam Celebrates Neurodiversity, Supports Unique Learners

At Miriam School, students with complex learning differences are supported and celebrated as they grow academically, socially and emotionally. Miriam provides a tailored educational experience for learners in grades K-12 who have not found success in traditional classroom settings. Students’ challenges may stem from specific learning disabilities (i.e. dyslexia or dysgraphia), ADHD, level 1 autism, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, or speech and language disorders.

Continue reading »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Follow Us