If you choose to stay in with the kids on New Year’s Eve, we won’t blame you, but if you’re up for some fun about town, there’s plenty to do!
Family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations are taking place downtown and throughout the GTA, so you’re sure to find something in your neck of the woods or corner of the city.
Happy 2016!
New Year’s Eve at Nathan Phillips Square
Come downtown for the largest DJ skating party in the city! Performances by Zero Gravity Circus and a countdown to midnight with fireworks display. Food trucks and coffee and hot chocolate vendors on site. Read more>>
100 Queen St. W.8 pm–1 am
Free
New Year’s Eve DJ Skating Party
Skate by the lake at this family-friendly skating party with DJ-spun tunes. Skate and helmet rentals are available. Read more>>
Harbourfront Centre, Natrel Rink, 235 Queens Quay W.8 pm–2 am
Free; skate rentals $8 adults, $6 kids
New Year’s Eve Family Countdown (Pickering)
Ring in the new year with skating and swimming for kids, plus a balloon drop at 9 pm. Read more>>
Pickering Recreation Complex, 1867 Valley Farm Rd., Pickering7 pm–9 pm
Free
Town of Ajax New Year’s Eve Party (Ajax)
Come out for a DJ skating party, face-painting, and children’s activities and live entertainment, plus a balloon drop on the ice rink and party favours to take home. Read more>>
Ajax Community Centre, 75 Centennial Rd., Ajax6 pm–9 pm
$4 adults, $3 kids, kids under 3 free
New Year’s Eve Fun for Families (Whitby)
An evening of family fun with public skating indoors, a figure-skating show (6 pm) and hockey demonstration (7:30 pm), plus face-painting, a clown, hands-on ice-painting, balloon-twisting, and food and drinks for purchase.
Read more>>
6 pm–9 pm
Free
Oshawa Celebrations 2016 (Oshawa)
Swim, skate, and see a magic show on New Year’s Eve in Oshawa. Other activities and entertainment include live-animal shows from Jungle Cat World and Zoo To You, jumping castles, face-painting and tattoos, plus free hot chocolate. First-come, first-served! Read more>>
Legends Centre, 1661 Harmony Rd. N., Oshawa6 pm–9 pm (doors open at 5:45 pm)
Free
New Year’s Eve at Bronte Creek (Oakville)
Skate all day (weather-permitting) at the provincial park rink and visit the Children’s Farm and Playbarn, plus go on a naturalist-led coyote hike and do the Countdown for Kids ’round the campfire at 8:30 pm. Read more>>
Bronte Creek Provincial Park, 3201 Upper Middle Rd. W. Oakville9:30 am–9:30 pm
$17 vehicle permit
New Year’s Eve Celebration (Brampton)
Count down to 2016 with live entertainment for all ages. Head to Gage Park for marshmallow roasting and the Kids Zone in the City Hall atrium for crafts, airbrush tattoos, a magician, puppet show, kids’ dance party and more. Kids’ fireworks at 9 pm, main fireworks at midnight. Read more>>
City Hall, 2 Wellington St., Brampton (and nearby venues)7 pm–12:30 am
Free
First Night (Richmond Hill)
A magician, balloon twisting, indoor carnival games, life-size board games, inflatables, toddler play area, live music, and a 9 pm countdown and fireworks are some of the fun family events on in Richmond Hill this year. Read more>> Arrive early—indoor space is limited. Read more>>
Richmond Green Sports Centre, 1300 Elgin Mills Rd. E., Richmond Hill6 pm–9 pm
Free
First Night (Newmarket)
Free swimming and skating, plus a gymnastics demo, hula hoop performance, inflatables, live music, and horse-drawn wagon rides. Read more>>
Magna Centre, 800 Mulock Dr., Newmarket6 pm–9 pm
Free
MORE TO DO ON NEW YEAR’S EVE
Check these out, and keep up to date on the latest events at Help! We’ve Got Kids Events.
Christmas Celebrations
Many historic holiday celebrations wrap up this weekend and are open on New Year’s Eve. These include:
Victorian Christmas at Mackenzie House
Magical Toyland at Casa Loma
Victorian Christmas at Dundurn Castle
Children’s Theatre
Famous People Players’ Mistletoe Magic
Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang
Ross Petty Productions’ Peter Pan
Fancy Nancy The Musical
Rogers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Soulpepper Theatre Presents A Christmas Carol
Krampus the Original Christmas Curmudgeon
Jacques and the Bean Stock Market
Cinderella in Muddy York (puppet theatre)
Dance, Magic & Acrobatics
TRACES By 7 Fingers
National Ballet of Canada’s The Nutcracker
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
- At-Home New Year’s Eve Party Ideas for Families
- Fun New Year’s Eve Traditions for Kids
- 10 New Year’s Eve Crafts for Kids
Keep informed with all kid and family events listings in Toronto and the GTA.
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