Things to Do On New Year’s Eve Around Tacoma and the South Puget Sound with Kids
No babysitter for New Year’s Eve? Or, just want to do something that the whole family can enjoy? Here’s a list of kid friendly options for New Year’s Eve around the South Puget Sound. A few of these events aren’t specific to the holiday but would still be fun! Evening events are listed first, then daytime options, and then we have a short list of ideas for New Year’s Day!
Family Friendly Night Time Events on New Year’s Eve
The big news is, First Night is back in Tacoma!
First Night Tacoma is back! The Tree of Life represents new beginnings, nature, harmony, and the connections of a community. Join us in downtown Tacoma on New Years’ Eve as we celebrate what these virtues represent in the south sound.
First night is an alcohol-free, family friendly New Year’s Eve event.
Purchase your admission button at Tacoma Arts Live Box Office or at Stadium Thriftway:
Button Pricing: Advanced Buttons: $14, Day of: $18
Children 11 and under are FREE
$1 of each admission button purchased will go to the Metro Parks Tacoma Foundation for the Arbor Fund, which helps to plant new trees in public parks.
Food trucks, lots of live entertainment, kids’ activities, and more. I believe most of the outdoor stuff is free, and the indoor stuff is what you need the ticket (it’s a button) for.
New Years Eve at Tiffany’s Skate Inn in Puyallup
Tiffany’s has two New Years events to choose from. This one is an all-ages, evening event. See the listing below for more info. on the daytime option intended for kids.
Doors Open @ 7:30pm / Closed @ 1:30am
Ticket Office closes at 11:00pm on NYE! Tip: Buy your tickets online to make sure you get in! We will have our Glow Lights and Disco Lights going all night while we ring in the NEW YEAR!
Each Paid Skating Admission Will Receive: One admission ticket for entry, party favors at midnight (hats, horn, 18inch foam led glow wand), and entry into AMAZING GIVEAWAYS! Huge Balloon Drop and CELEBRATION at MIDNIGHT with FUN all night long!
Skating Admission: $20 at the door or $15 Online pre-sale (tickets go on sale Black Friday)
All minors will be charged admission to enter.
Non Skating Parent chaperones: $10 at the door or $5 Online pre-sale. This ticket includes a 500 credit ($5 value) game card for Arcade.
Skate Rental Prices: $5 Quad or Blade if Needed
General Admission Tickets will be sold at the door starting at 7:30pm. Last year we sold out, so we highly encourage buying your tickets online early to guarantee admission to the BIGGEST BASH in town!
See their website for more and tickets
Area Lights Displays Open New Year’s Eve
Drive through Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Lake until 9:00 pm. or walk through Zoolights at Pt.Defiance Zoo until 9:00 pm. or Ivar’s Clam Lights in Renton, open nightly from 5 pm – 9 pm through January 1st.
Ice Skating Open New Year’s Eve
Chi Frozen Fountain – Ice Skating at Point Ruston is Open 11AM-1AM New Year’s Eve
Only On Ice in Olympia is open until 6PM
Family Friendly Daytime Events on New Year’s Eve
South King County
Bullwinkle’s Family Fun Center Family Fun New Year’s Eve
For $29.99++pp on 12/31 from 12 – 9pm enjoy unlimited indoor attractions including laser tag, bowling, bumper cars, xd theater, kidopolis, drop & twist frog hopper and now unlimited video games!
Tacoma/Pierce County/Gig Harbor
Almost New Years Eve at Tiffany’s Skate Inn in Puyallup
Open to All Ages, but geared for Kids 12 and Under. We will ring in the NEW YEAR early! (4:00p with LONDON) We’ll have tons of FUN with Party Hats, Horns, L.E.D. Glow Wands, and an AMAZING Kiddie Balloon Drop with lots of chances to WIN TONS OF PRIZES!
Skating Admission: $15 at the door. Online pre-sale only $10 (tickets go on sale Black Friday)
(ALL minors will be charged to enter, skating or not.)
Adult Chaperones not skating: $10 at the door or $5 Online pre-sale. Adult chaperone ticket will include a 500 credit ($5.00 value) game card for Arcade.
$5 Skate Rental is extra if needed (Quads or Inlines)
New Year’s Eve at Chalet Bowl
Glow bowling sessions! Reservations and prepayment required.
Daytime Library Celebrations
- Family Story Time – Come play and learn! Tuesday, December 31: 11:00am – 12:00pm at the Key Center Library
- Countdown to Noon Tuesday, December 31: 11:00am – 12:00pm at the Gig Harbor Library 5, 4, 3, 2…Noon! Celebrate New Year’s Eve with songs, games and crafts.
- Noon Year’s Eve – With Jeff Evans Tuesday, December 31: 11:00am – 12:00pm at the University Place Library Celebrate the New Year with magician Jeff Evans! After the show we will count down to noon. All ages welcome.
- New Year’s Eve Story TimeTuesday, December 31: 11:00am – 12:05pm at the Sumner Library Celebrate the new year early with stories, songs and activities. Stories will start at 11:40 a.m. followed by a countdown to noon and dancing.
- Countdown to Noon Tuesday, December 31: 11:30am – 12:00pm at the Eatonville Library Five, four, three, two….Noon! Celebrate New Year’s early with the kids!
- Animal Encounters – Australian Wildlife Tuesday, December 31: 2:00pm – 3:00pm at the Parkland/Spanaway Library Visit with unique creatures from Australia, while learning about their habitats, adaptations, diet, conservation and geographical range.
- Jeff Evans – Noon Year’s Eve Magic Show Tuesday, December 31: 2:00pm – 3:00pm at the Fife Library He’s great!
Olympia
Noon Year’s Eve Party at the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia Regular admission applies, pre-registration not required. From their site:
A New Year’s Eve Storyland Celebration Family Countdown to the New Year • Ball Drop Every Hour!
Dec. 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Dancing • Parades • Door Prizes
- Meet lovable costumed characters from your favorite stories
- Get your hands into Oobleck with Dr. Seuss
- Take the 3 Little Pigs engineering challenge
- Make a catapult to storm the castle and save Rapunzel
- Harness your magical powers with a Harry Potter inspired wand
- Build a boat, make a monster, put on your crown, and join Where the Wild Things Are
New Year’s Day
Polar Bear Plunge In Tacoma FREE. If you’re daring, take a plunge in the Puget Sound on New Year’s Day at the Pt Defiance Marina boat launch. There will be heaters and free hot drinks following the plunge.
There is also a Polar Bear Plunge in Lacey at Long Lake and one at Gene Coulon Park on Lake Washington
Get outdoors and enjoy an easy guided hike at a nearby state park. This year there are events at Dash Point, Saltwater State Park, and Kopachuck, among others. Want to get out DIY style? We have a great list of easy, lowland hikes here. Or how about trying the gnome trail.
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