It’s time to ring in the New Year by celebrating with First Night events and other family-friendly festivities. With many of these Connecticut events beginning early in the day, you can celebrate with your little ones and still get them tucked in for a reasonable bedtime. Some celebrations will even allow your tots to count down to the “noon year,” so they’ll get to feel like grown-ups. Here are the best New Year’s Eve events in Connecticut.
Held annually, the First Night event in Hartford is a great way to ring in the New Year. Bring your family and enjoy the festivities from 2 p.m. until midnight. Fun activities include fireworks (held at 6 p.m. and midnight), music, food, art installations, dancing, improv shows, and more. The whole festival takes place outdoors and all venues are within walking distance.
Young children will feel super excited and all grown up when they get to count down to 12 o’clock—noon—and parents will be happy to not miss bedtime. Held from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., regular admission gets your family the chance to enjoy a music played by a DJ, face painting, and bubbles.
This annual New Year’s Eve celebration is another fun event that is geared especially towards children ages two to eight. Held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., families can enjoy celebrating the New Year at noon. Expect confetti, balloons, and lots of laughs!
Great for those ready to stay up past bedtime, First Night Westport is an event held in the downtown from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. Activities include stargazing, family Zumba, a train exhibit, horse drawn carriage rides, inflatables, and more. Food vendors are also on-hand to feed hungry visitors. The night culminates in an 8 p.m. fireworks show.
From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., search for Rudolph and Bumble throughout the Aquarium. Each week of this recurring event has different themes and activities, so stay tuned for a New Year’s theme on Dec. 31. During your visit, you and your family will also get to see Mystic Aquarium’s sea life.
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From 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., celebrate Noon Year’s Eve, Eve on Dec. 30 at Trumbull Library. Held in the community room, families get to celebrate the eve to New Year’s Eve with music, sparkling drinks, and snacks. Register online so that there are enough snacks and drinks for everyone!
Stepping Stones Museum for Children is a fun, family-friendly museum that is holding a countdown to noon celebration. From 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., you can ring in the New Year. That day, there will also be events such as beading your own New Year’s necklace and a Hogmanay festival where kids can learn about different holidays through music, toys, and books.