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New Year’s Eve Events For The Whole Family
By Maria Olia
Just because you have kids doesn’t mean that you can’t ever go out for New Year’s Eve. Here are family-friendly events to bring in the new year together:
First Night Boston 2009
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1 p.m. to midnight
40 locations throughout the city
First Night Boston Buttons $15, children under 4 are free.
The country’s oldest, largest and totally family friendly New Year’s celebration of the arts. Be sure to purchase a First Night button for admission to the Family Festival at the Hynes Convention Center. Then check out the ice sculptures in Copley Square and the Boston Common. Other highlights include the Grand Procession on Boylston Street at 5:30 p.m. followed by the family fireworks on the Boston Common at 7 p.m. The celebration culminates at midnight with a second fireworks display over Boston Harbor. Travel Tip: Take the T or consider staying overnight at a Boston hotel.
First Night Worcester 2009
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 3 p.m. to midnight
First Night Worcester Buttons $10 through 12/24, $12 12/25-12/31, $15 at the door.
Free for children ages 10 and under.
Largest New Year’s multi-cultural festival in central Massachusetts. This year’s theme “Where the Arts Make Magic”- will feature more than 100 performances that include art-making activities, music, dance, comedy, puppetry, and even some hocus-pocus! Like Boston, there are two sets of fireworks. Travel Tip: Revelers can take the free shuttle bus service with stops at the main performance like Mechanic’s Hall, the DCU Arena and the National Guard Armory.
Bright Night Providence 2009
Wednesday, Dec. 31, Noon to midnight
Locations throughout the city.
Bright Night Wristbands $10 in advance, $15 New Year’s Eve
Artist- run New Year’s Eve Party in the tradition of First Night Providence. The programming has a creative bent. Children’s festival at the Rhode Island Convention Center as well as family activities all day long at the Providence Children’s Museum. Other highlights include strolling clowns, musicians and the giant puppets that are the Big Nazo Band. Midnight fireworks behind the State House.
First Night Chatham 2009
Wednesday, Dec. 31, Noon to midnight
Locations throughout the city
First Night Chatham Buttons $15 adults, $5 children ages 3-11
Only “First Night” celebration on Cape Cod. “Celebrate the 40’s” with family friendly events such as “Cirque du Jour,” children’s entertainer Rick Goldin, and the “Toe Jam Puppet Band.” Be sure to catch the Noise Parade which leaves from Main Street at 6:30 p.m. Parents might want to check out the bluegrass, folk, jazz, and classical performances. Chatham’s official New Year’s Eve emblem- the “Countdown Cod” -is dropped just before the midnight fireworks finale over Oyster Pond.
First Night New Bedford 2009
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 5 p.m. to midnight
Locations throughout the city
First Night New Bedford Buttons $8 adults, $5 children, $20 for a family four-pack
Thousands fill the streets of New Bedford each New Year’s Eve to enjoy a full line up of First Night-style family entertainment and fun. Much of the action takes place at the New Bedford Whaling National Park. There are on-going music and dance performances at Custom House Square and an exciting fireworks display on the waterfront to end the evening.
Early New Years Eve Party for Kid
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 5 to 7 p.m.
Kids PlayGround
15 Normac Road , Woburn
A great way to let the children enjoy the coming of a New Year, yet leave plenty of time for adults to go out and enjoy themselves later on. Games, food and more. The hats, leis and noisemakers make it feel like you’re in Time Square. Reservations recommended. $15 (adults are free). www.kidsplayground.com
Celebrate Nature’s New Year at Joppa Flats Audubon Sanctuary
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport
$2 members. $3 non-members
Celebrate New Year’s Eve Day with nature! There will be art activities, experiments and outdoor games too. The class is led by a naturalist and is geared for families to enjoy together with their children from ages 2-12. Don’t forget to dress for the weather!
Family New Year’s Eve Party at the Children’s Museum in Easton
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m.- to1:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 7 p.m.
9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton
$5 for Members, $8 for Non-Members (Tickets go on sale Mid-November)
www.childrensmuseumineaston.org
A New Year’s Eve bash just for the little ones! Kids can decorate cookies; make masks and noise –makers. There will be a magician and music too. A balloon cascade rings in the New Year at the party’s end. These are very popular events so reserve early.
Wachusett Mountain New Year’s Celebration
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 4 p.m. to midnight
Princeton
$52 adults, $42 ages 6-12
Ski in the New Year! Wachusett is convenient to families in the Boston metropolitan area. On New Year ’s Eve you can ski and ride until midnight. Also, just for New Year’s Eve -there will be snow tubing. In the lodge, there will be music, magic, and kid karaoke. Mountain-top fireworks cap off the evening.
Coco Key Water Resort at the Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel
Wednesday, Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve Celebration Package from $429 for four
50 Ferncroft Rd., Danvers
An overnight stay at a hotel with its own indoor water park is a pretty cool New Year’s Eve idea. Coco Key Water Resort is a 65,00 square foot, multi-level, indoor water park. There are several pool areas including a lazy river, multiple slides, and a whirlpool .The New Year’s package includes hotel accommodations, 2-days of water park access, a New Year’s Day brunch buffet and New Year’s Countdown reception. There will be craft activities and games and an evening movie with popcorn too!
The 19th Annual Rockin’ New Year’s Concert at The Wenham Museum,
Sunday, Dec. 28, 11am
132 Main St., Wenham
978-468-2377
Members: $7 pre-registered, $9 at the door
Non-Members: $10 pre-registered, $12 at the door
Although not held on New Year’s Eve, the New Year’s concert at the Wenham Museum is a very nice way to celebrate the end of the year with the kids. Chris Shailor and his New Year’s Band will entertain with new and old favorite songs. Make a New Year’s hat and enjoy the museum galleries before the show. Be sure to reserve early; this is a very popular event and space is limited.
Maria Olia is a writer who lives in Newton and is the mother of three sons and daughter. Her blog “Fun To Go” can be found here: http://www.wickedlocalparents.com/funtogo/
