Welcoming 2020 with Family!
As December approaches, our clock starts ticking, the pages of the calendar keep flying one by one until it stops on the 31st. I am sure there are quite a few of you who have already planned a vacation or getaway way before the rest of us.
There are some like me, who can not decide what to do and as a result, is always looking for something very last minute. There are some who prefer to keep it mellow and prefer to spend new years with family and kids.
Fear not! If you are looking for any last minute New Year Eve’s plans which are catered to kids and are family friendly, here is a list of places in L.A. and Orange County.
- There are quite few places which throw ‘Noon Year’s Eve’ party. They celebrate the new years with a balloon drop, music, arts and crafts and a countdown to 2020. These do get filled up fast as it is first come first serve so make sure to get there early. It is perfect for kids under 10 as they get to celebrate new years and they do not get tired.
- Kidspace museum:
- Address: 480 N. Arroyo Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91103
- Time: 9.30am – 3pm
- Price: Free with Admission tickets ($14 adults, $14 kids)
- https://www.kidspacemuseum.org/events/noon-year
- Tip: Do come before 11am to guarantee entry to the museum.
- The Children’s Museum at La Habra:
- Address: 301 S Euclid Street La Habra CA 90631
- Time: 10am – 12pm
- Price: Free with Admission tickets ($12 adults, $12 kids)
- http://www.lhcm.org/360/Special-Programs-Events
- Tip: Come at least 30 min before to make sure you get entry.
- Pretend City:
- Address: 29 Hubble Irvine, CA 92618
- Time: 10am – 5pm
- Price: Free with Admission tickets ($14 adults, $14 kids)
- https://www.pretendcity.org/event/annual-noon-years-confetti-countdown/
- Tip: They will be having 4 different countdown, each one celebrating a different part of the world.
2. If you are into rides and thrill then you might want to check out some of these amusement parks that also celebrate New Year’s Eve.
- Disneyland:
- Address: 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
- Time: open at 8am – closes at 2am. Fireworks will be at 9pm and midnight.
- https://disneyland.disney.go.com/destinations/disneyland/?CMP=OKC-dlr_themeparks_gmap_38
- The theme this year is “Fantasy in the Sky”
- Disney California Adventure:
- Address: 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
- Time: open at 8 am – closes at 1am. Fireworks will be at 9pm.
- https://disneyland.disney.go.com/destinations/disney-california-adventure/?CMP=OKC-dlr_themeparks_gmap_173
- Tip: This is far less crowded than Disneyland.
- Knott’s Berry Farm:
- Address: 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
- Time: opens at 9am to closes at 1am
- https://www.knotts.com/play/events/new-years-eve-at-knotts
- Universal Studio Hollywood:
- Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
- Time: opens at 8am to closes at 2am. There will be three synchronized fireworks at 9pm.
- https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/events-and-seasonal-activities/eve-at-universal-studios-hollywood#The-Event
- LA Zoo:
- Address: 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
- Time: Starts at 6pm. They have dinner and deserts from 6-9pm and champegne and toast at 9pm.
- https://lazoo.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=51
3. Some cities offer free fireworks and kids activities like jumpers, face paintings, different food vendors and many more.
- First Night Fullerton New Year’s Eve Party:
- Address: Downtown Fullerton on Harbor Blvd
- Time: 7pm – Midnight
- https://www.cityoffullerton.com/resident/community_events/first_night_in_fullerton.asp
- Tip: They definitely have one of the best fireworks and it is a perfect event with kids. We went to Fullerton three to four times and each time we have equally enjoyed with the kids.
- Winter Fest OC:
- Address: 88 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- Time: 2pm – 1 am. Balloon drop and fireworks will be at 6pm.
- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-fest-oc-with-a-special-new-years-eve-celebration-2020-tickets-60293872596
- They plan to drop the inaugural Orange Ball with fireworks and 1,000 balloon drop at 6pm.
- Grand Park N.Y.E.L.A.:
- Address: 200 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles California 90012
- Time: 8pm – 1 am. Countdown starts at 11.55pm
- https://nyela.grandparkla.org/
- This is one of the West Coast largest NYE celebration with many different artists, performers and lots of activities for kids.
Do check your city and see if they have anything to offer. Also, do share some events you know off which other parents would love to hear.
Wishing you and your family a prosperous and healthy new year and hope that 2020 brings you all the good news! Happy New Year!
