Family-friendly New Year’s Eve events in Orange County

New Year’s Eve events in Orange County are best celebrated with kids in tow… especially if they are daytime celebrations! What better way to celebrate the New Year than getting the kids in to bed early?

Scroll down for a great list of places that host family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations in Southern California.

Check back throughout the season as we’ll be adding more New Year’s Eve events to this list as they become available to us.

For ease of use, this New Year’s Eve events in Orange County list is organized by city in alphabetical order. Take a look and let us know if we missed one of your favorite winter holiday events! Email ([email protected]) or message us on Facebook.

You might also like: New Year’s Eve celebrations in Orange County

If you’re wondering what to do during the holidays in Orange County, check out our growing list of winter and holiday events.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations 2022 for families in Orange County

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Anaheim

New Year’s Eve Live Music | Packing House
December 31, 2022 | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Ring in the new year with the ever-soulful Phoenyx & Phyre, performing live from 7-9pm. Enjoy food and libations from OC’s original food hall and a magical East Coast countdown to 9pm (midnight on the East Coast)! Admission is free and families are welcome! Please check individual businesses for hours of operation.Please note that most food establishments close between 9pm-10pm

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Buena Park

New Year’s Eve Bash | John’s Incredible Pizza
December 31, 2022 | 7:00 pm – 1:00 am
Watch the BALL DROP at midnight on our BIG SCREENS! Space limited. Event may sell out.  BONUS! Buy by Dec 26 to get an extra 20 Fun World Credits! 

Celebration Package ($34.99)

Each Guest Receives:

• Endless Buffet
• Endless Beverages
• Unlimited Rides
• 75 Fun World Credits ($18.75 value!)
• New Year’s Accessories: Hat and Glow Necklace(while supplies last)

Premium Package ($44.99)

Each Guest Receives:

• Endless Buffet
• Endless Beverage
• Unlimited Rides
• 150 Fun World Credits ($37.50 value!)
• New Year’s Accessories: Hat and Glow Necklace(while supplies last)

Upgrade your NYE experience! Get your glow on in your own private room with glow supplies. ($100/room)

Each Room Includes:

• Private Party Room 7pm – 1am
• Glow Accessories
• Fits up to 16 guests. Rooms may be expanded. Purchase additional for more capacity.

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Costa Mesa

Winter Fest OC NYE Celebration | OC Fair & Event Center
December 31, 2022 | 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
Winter Fest OC, Southern California’s largest winter festival, is ringing in the new year at the OC Fair & Event Center with winter-themed activities, live entertainment, and two special countdowns and firework shows. With immersive experiences and attractions for all ages, Winter Fest OC offers families and groups an unforgettable celebration to kick off 2023.

Winter Fest OC brings the community together to celebrate the new year not once, but twice with a special countdown, dazzling firework show, snow flurries and confetti cannons at both 6pm and midnight. Enjoy extended Winter Fest OC hours of 12pm to 12:30am, filled with winter attractions such as ice tubing, ice bumper cars, carnival rides and games and ice skating, the all-new North Pole Journey pop-up walk-through experience, live entertainment from popular tribute bands, seasonal food and drinks, dozens of photo opportunities and much more.

New Years Eve Entertainment Schedule

What better way to ring in the new year than with Yowie the Yeti and friends? Gather ‘round the Claus House Stage and enjoy a variety of special NYE entertainment beginning at 5pm. Don’t miss the Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Spectacular to kick things off, and finish the night dancing to 80s throwback hits from Flashback Heart Attack, Journey favorites from DSB, or the Winter Fest DJ spinning favorite tracks. 

• 5:00pm: Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting Spectacular Show
• 6:00pm: Early NYE Countdown & Firework Show with Flashback Heart Attack 80’s Tribute Band
• 6:50pm: DJ & Dancing
• 7:45pm: Flashback Heart Attack 80’s Tribute Band
• 8:45pm: DJ & Dancing
• 9:30pm: DSB Journey Cover Band
• 10:30pm: DJ & Dancing
• 12:00am: NYE Countdown & Firework Show with DSB Journey Tribute Band

VIP Fireside Lounge

Commemorate the holiday VIP style with exclusive and limited access to the VIP Fireside Lounge area featuring comfortable seating, fire pits, and a front-row view of the The Claus House Stage, firework show, confetti cannons and a private bar with craft cocktails, beer, wine & champagne. Fireside Lounge is perfect for groups and couples to ring in the new year in style! Limited tickets are available for $40, not including admission.

Tickets & Pricing

Limited admission tickets are available for New Year’s Eve, starting at $21.95 for children and $26.95 for adults.Learn more and purchase tickets now at www.winterfestoc.com.

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Fountain Valley

Noon Year’s Movie Morning | Fountain Valley Library
December 31, 2022 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a classic!
Join us in a viewing of Rankin & Bass’ film, Rudolph’s Shiny New Year in the library’s program room.
Refreshments will be provided.

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Garden Grove

Noon Year’s Eve | Garden Grove Main Library
December 31, 2022 | 11:45 am – 12:30 pm
Balloon Drop at 12:00 pm

Join us in celebrating Noon Year’s Eve. Activities include Balloon Drop at Noon, bubble room, photo booth, and craft. Supplies are available while they last.

Questions? Call the library at 714-530-0711 or email [email protected] 

Noon Year’s Eve | Chapman Library
December 31, 2022 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Celebrate New Year’s Eve early with the whole family! Join us as we ring in the new year with crafts, activities, and a countdown!

Contact Chapman Library for more information at 714-539-2115 or [email protected] 

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Irvine

Noon Year’s Eve | Irvine Heritage Library
December 31, 2022 | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Celebrate the new year at NOON! Crafts, treats and a countdown to noon with a balloon drop! Make sure to bring your camera!

New Year’s Eve – East Coast Style | Hanger 24 – 17877 Von Karman Ave, Unit 110
December 31, 2022 | 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Live music from 1-5pm, face painting 1-3pm, balloon artist 3-5pm, plus games and inflatable fun all day long! Open 11am to 8pm New Year’s Eve.

Noon Year’s Eve Party | Pretend City
December 31, 2022 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
5..4..3..2..1..HAPPY NOON YEAR! Join us for our annual New Year’s Celebration in the middle of the day! We will celebrate the new year at different times throughout the day as the sun travels across the different time zones! There will be a confetti countdown at 4 different times to celebrate the new year in Bangladesh, Dubai, Athens, and London, as it turns to midnight in these different cities! We will also have New Year’s activities and art for our little ones to enjoy! 

Purpose Behind the Play: Literacy and communication, language development, social-emotional development, number concepts, gross and locomotor practice, and science cognition

Twas’ the day before New Year’s and all through the city the citizens are stirring and buzzing about! With sparkling streamers, blowouts, noise makers, and confetti that will make this the party of all parties! 

Twas’ the day before New Year’s and all through the city the citizens are stirring and buzzing about! With sparkling streamers, blowouts, noise makers, and confetti that will make this the party of all parties! 
“It’s Midnight Somewhere” Confetti Countdown Times:   

• 9:45 a.m. (Member’s Only Countdown)
• 11:45 p.m.
• 2:00 p.m.
• 3:45 p.m.       

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Lake Forest

Noon Year’s Eve | El Toro Library
December 31, 2022 | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Join El Toro Library as we ring in the new year with fun family activities, a countdown to Noon Year, and a balloon drop!

No registration required.

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Los Alamitos

Noon Year’s Eve | Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library
December 31, 2022 | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Come celebrate Noon Year’s Eve with family fun, crafts, photo opportunities, and the big countdown balloon drop!
Snacks will be provided!

Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Orange

New Year’s Eve Party | Holiday Skate Center
December 31, 2022 | 8:00 pm – 1:00 am
$30 includes skates, pizza, and balloon drop. Come watch the balloon drop and win cash & other prizes.

New Year’s Eve All Ages Bounce | BounceU of Orange
December 31, 2022 | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Join us for lots of playtime to end 2022. Best way to welcome the New Year! Don’t forget to bring your SOCKS! Lunch and sparkling apple cider are INCLUDED!!!

1st Annual NYE Giant Puck Drop | Dave & Buster’s
December 31, 2022 | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Join the Anaheim Ducks and Dave & Buster’s Orange for the 1st Annual NYE Giant Puck Drop, a family-friendly New Year’s Celebration bringing Ducks fans AND Dave & Buster’s guests together for amazing event with tons of Ducks raffle prizes, a meet-&-greet with Wild Wing, mouthwatering food, thrilling arcade games including an Air Hockey Tournament, and all sorts of fun for the whole family.

Celebration Admission is required* to attend our exclusive EARLY Giant Puck Drop New Year’s Eve Family Celebration. Enjoy a special video countdown (The Giant Puck Drop) and Ginger Ale Toast at 6:00pm to ring in 2023. Event concludes at 7:00pm. Guests are welcomed to enjoy their PowerCards for the rest of the evening.

Giant Puck Drop Admission includes:

• Appetizer Buffet with chicken bites, cheeseburger sliders, pretzel dogs, and more
• Cinnamon Sugar Churros
• Unlimited Soda, Coffee, or Tea  
• Ginger Ale New Year’s Toast
• $20 Power Card with 100 chips for redemption games
• Unlimited Video Game Play for non-redemption games**
• 10 Raffle Tickets
• Party Hats & Noisemakers –while supplies last

Admission Ticket is required for entry to the event. Add-on an optional gratuity for the service staff with your ticket purchase. Once purchased, tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

*Tickets are priced per person. Children under 2 years of age will be granted admission with parent/guardian’s ticket purchase; Maximum of two children under 2 years of age per adult admission.
*Unlimited Video Game Play is valid on games that do not give out tickets, prizes, or cards. These games include racing games, simulators, air hockey, and basketball.

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Rancho Santa Margarita

Noon Year’s Eve | Rancho Santa Margarita Library
December 31, 2022 | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Join us as we party our way into 2023!  

This special event will include a countdown to 12 o’clock (noon) as well as celebratory crafts, activities, music and more.  

Fun for the whole family!

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Seal Beach

Noon Year’s Eve | Seal Beach Library
December 31, 2022 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Neither you, or your little is going to make it to midnight tonight.  Why not stop by and ring in 2023 with us … at Noon?  We’ll have various craft and activity stations, dancing and music, a family photo booth, and a balloon drop.

Contact Seal Beach Library for more information at (562) 431-3585 or Email: [email protected].

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Westminster

Noon Year’s Eve | Westminster Library
December 31, 2022 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Come count down the new year with us at noon! Enjoy crafts, snacks, music and dancing, and watch the balloons drop at 12 PM. Fun for the whole family!

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Yorba Linda

Noon Year’s Eve | My Gym YORBA LINDA
December 31, 2022 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join us for a Countdown to Noon Year party, instead.  We’ll have games, rides, gymnastics, adventures, and more for the kids.  We’ll countdown to noon with a balloon drop and dance party! 0yrs to 8yrs

• 1 Session : $25.00 per Session
• 2 Sessions : $22.50 per Session
• 3+ Sessions : $21.00 per Session

Originally published on November 6, 2022. Last Updated on December 27, 2022 by Pattie Cordova