6 family-friendly ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Houston

Looking to ring in the New Year with the whole family but unsure where to go? Here are six family-friendly options to celebrate New Year’s Eve together in the Houston area.

New Year’s Eve Family Fun

Head to Galveston Island Brewing for a free New Year’s Eve family event on Dec. 31, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. This celebration lets you “ring” in the New Year without keeping your kids up late.

At 4 p.m., grab your New Year’s Eve swag and join the dance party in the brewhouse. At 5:45 p.m., sparkling cider will be served to the kids, and the countdown begins at 5:59 p.m. The official “midnight” balloon drop will take place at 6 p.m., marking the end of the event.

For more details or any questions, contact Galveston Island Brewing at info@galvestonislandbrewing.com.

Location: 8423 Stewart Rd., Galveston

New Year’s Eve at Kemah Boardwalk

Looking for an event that starts early and gets you home before the New Year madness begins? Head to Kemah Boardwalk for their New Year’s Eve celebration! Starting at 1 p.m. and ending at 9:30 p.m., this event features delicious food, live music and entertainment and crafts for the kids. The night will wrap up with a fireworks show over Galveston Bay.

This free event is a great choice for families with older kids. Here’s the timeline of events:

1 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Live music by Epic Blaze
2 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Kids’ craft corner, DJ, and stilt walker
4:59 p.m.: Kids’ New Year’s Bubble Countdown
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Live music by Rozy
9:30 p.m.: Fireworks over Galveston Bay

Don’t miss out on this family-friendly celebration!.

Location: 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah

Noon Year’s Eve 2024

Head over to CityCentre, Houston’s favorite shopping center, for a fun New Year’s Eve celebration on the Plaza! Running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., this family-friendly event features a DJ and dance floor for partygoers, as well as a face painter, balloon artists and performances by The Texas Bubblers. The event is weather permitting, so be sure to check the forecast before you head out. Don’t miss out on the fun to ring in the New Year at CityCentre!

Location: 800 Town and Country Blvd., Houston

New Year’s Eve at Noon Ninja Camp

Let your kids burn off some energy at Noon Ninja Camp’s New Year’s Eve celebration from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Campers will participate in an end-of-year celebration, including a countdown at noon to mark the occasion. Kids will have the opportunity to run around with supervision, guided by instructors who will lead them through obstacles, the course and fun games. The camp is open to ninjas of all abilities and costs $50 per camper.

Campers should wear a short-sleeve t-shirt or tank top and shorts. Long hair must be tied up without bobby pins. Please note, the following items are not allowed in the gym: Fitbits, Apple Watches, jewelry, long sleeves, loose pants or other loose articles of clothing. Campers will have a short break for a quick snack, so it’s recommended they bring a water bottle and a light snack, like an energy bar or a bag of crackers.

Location: 22564 Franz Rd., Katy

Sharkey’s New Years Eve Bash

A holiday favorite is back! Head to the Downtown Aquarium for Sharkey’s New Year’s Eve Family Celebration from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Enjoy a day filled with kids’ activities, including a buffet meal, balloon drop, live DJ, mascot appearances, party favors, games and more! Tickets are $24.99 per child (ages 10 and under) and $32.99 per adult. You can also add an All-Day Adventure pass for 50% off when you register. Don’t miss out on this festive family celebration!

Location: 410 Bagby St., Houston

Painting with a Twist at Pearland Town Center

Looking for a relaxing way to end the year? Sign up for Painting with a Twist at Pearland Town Center! This family-friendly event, for ages 6 and older, will run from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Participants are encouraged to arrive 15-20 minutes early to get settled before painting begins. Feel free to bring your own food and drinks to celebrate the New Year while you create a masterpiece. Ticket prices range from $37 to $39, depending on the canvas size you choose. Be sure to sign up soon before spots fill up!

Location: 9223 Broadway Ste, #101, Pearland