Wondering where you can ring in 2023 with the kids? Looking for places to go for New Year’s Eve in Florida with your family?
Whether you celebrate at 12pm or 12am, we’re here to help you send 2022 out with a bang!
We’ve rounded up a list of family-friendly New Year’s Eve events near you in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and across Central Florida. If you’re not ready to let the kids stay up until midnight {because we all know we’ll regret it the next day!} there are still opportunities to celebrate the New Year earlier in the day at kid-friendly New Year’s Eve events. And if you’re staying home, we’ve got you covered with times and channels to catch New Year’s Eve specials on TV.
We are asked every year – there are no fireworks in Lakeland, Florida on New Year’s Eve. {If you know of any let us know – we’d love the scoop!}
Please check directly with event organizers for specific dates, current ticket prices, advance registration, and any last-minute changes. While we do our best to provide accurate information, we include an outside link so you can verify the details for all events and activities.
2022 Lakeland New Year’s Eve Family Events
Things to do with Kids for New Year’s Eve
You can use our list of things to do over the Winter Break to find a fun family activity to enjoy on December 31 or January 1! We’ve also got info on fun things to do in Tampa and holiday activities in Orlando that have great day trip ideas.
The RP Funding Center in Lakeland is not hosting Holiday Ice Skating this year, which for many years was our go-to activity on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. Check out our list of ice skating rinks in Tampa & Orlando, including Lakeland Ice Arena right here in Lakeland!
Tampa New Year’s Events for Kids
Downtown Countdown at Glazer Children’s Museum
December 31, 2022 from 10am – 3pm
Ring in the New Year at the Glazer Children’s Museum with countdowns, family play projects, and socially-distant celebrations throughout the day. You can celebrate as a family by day and still have time for evening festivities. Downtown Countdown is included with museum admission. Please note that the museum will be closing at 3pm on December 31.
New Year’s Eve Celebration at Busch Gardens
December 31, 2022
Join Busch Gardens on Dec. 31 for unforgettable fun during the day OR an awesome New Year’s Eve Celebration at night! Get ready to ring in the New Year with thrilling rides, Christmas Town surprises, amazing animals, fireworks, and much more! All activities included with park admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Noon Year’s Eve Celebration for Kids at Armature Works Tampa
December 31, 2022 from 11am – 3pm
This family friendly event kicks off at 11:00am on the Armature Works South Lawn + Pier and will feature a countdown to noon and daytime colored smoke fireworks display, live music and entertainment, inflatable slides, roaming entertainment & photo ops, sweet treat vendors and more. This family-friendly event is free to attend and open to the public, additional charge for bounce houses and food/drinks. Come dance and celebrate the New Year a bit early with Armature Works Tampa.
Noon Year’s Eve at Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park
December 31, 2022 from 10am – 4pm
Ring in the New Year with the whole family as Zoo Tampa transforms into a giant New Year’s party! The Wallaroo section of the park will feature a DJ dance party, contests, giveaways and special appearances by Manny T. and Flora Panther in their party gear! Activities included with zoo admission.
ReliaQuest Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade in Ybor City
December 31, 2022 at 5:30pm
Ybor City is the site of this festive celebration featuring the ReliaQuest Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade and a pep rally. The parade will feature floats and marching bands including the two college bands! The Pep Rally features a battle of the bands and cheerleaders from both universities.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks in the Tampa Bay Area + Beach Fireworks Displays
**THERE IS NOT A FIREWORKS SHOW IN LAKELAND FOR NEW YEARS EVE**
NYE Fireworks at Armature Works
December 31, 2022 from 8pm – midnight
Armature Works is hosting its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display and live concert to ring in 2023! This outdoor event will feature a riverfront concert and fireworks display over the Hillsborough River. Festivities kick off at 8pm with live music on the Riverfront Stage. Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display that will light up the downtown skyline at midnight. VIP Tickets are available for 21+.
NYE on the St. Pete Pier
Ring in New Year’s Eve on the St. Pete Pier with a fireworks show sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg. Enjoy live DJ’s on the main stage with an LED wall, lights, and a giant disco ball that will light up the night. Food vendors, games, bars, and more. NYE on the Pier is a free event, there are no tickets necessary to enter. (The main activities and programming are located on Spa Beach Park, but the City of St Petersburg’s fireworks are visible from all areas of the Pier and Downtown Waterfront.)
Light it Up Clearwater Beach Fireworks on New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2022 at midnight
Fireworks are shot off Sand Key at midnight and will be visible along all of Clearwater Beach. FREE. Find out more about parking and paid events (boat cruise, 21+ parties, etc) at lightitupclearwater.com.
Treasure Island New Year’s Fireworks
Ring in 2023 on the beach under the glow of a dazzling fireworks show. The city of Treasure Island will have fireworks at midnight to celebrate the start of a new year. The best viewing area for Treasure Island fireworks is the main area of the beach located around Gulf Front Park, 10400 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Isand.
First Night St. Petersburg
No Event in 2022
First Night St Petersburg is a family friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration of the Arts in Florida with over 10 performance venues that are cheerfully filled with music, interactive art exhibits, dance, literary works, crafting and more, plus fireworks!
Orlando New Year’s Events for Kids
Spending New Year’s Eve in Orlando with family? These local favorites are all kid-friendly New Year’s Eve events..
New Year’s Eve at SeaWorld Orlando
December 31, 2022
On December 31, celebrate New Year’s Eve at SeaWorld Orlando. Vibrant fireworks will fill the night sky and festive entertainment will take place throughout the park, including interactive DJ stations, craft beers and delectable bites.
Jazzberry Jammin’ New Year’s Eve at Crayola Experience Orlando
December 31, 2022 from 12pm – 4pm
Families can ring in the New Year with Colorful fun at Crayola Experience Orlando. Special crafts, DJ dance party, special mid-day countdowns and more. Join Crayola for a Family Friendly New Year’s Eve in Orlando.
Staying Home for New Year’s Eve
I’ll be the first to admit that our New Year’s Eve celebrations changed a bit once we had kids! And I’ll also admit that I’m now perfectly content to stay home on New Year’s with my family, champagne and party poppers in my own living room.
If you’re staying home on NYE, you can still enjoy New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square and around the world.
Here are the TV Specials for December 31, 2022:
- Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest – 8pm – 2am on ABC
- New Year’s Eve Live, hosted by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen – 8pm – 12:30am on CNN
- Fox’s New Year’s Eve Toast & Roast 2022 – 8pm – 1:30am on FOX
- NBC New Year’s Eve Special – 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. on NBC
HAPPY NEW YEAR and CHEERS to 2023!!
Christmas Events + Holiday Activities
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Christmas Events + Holiday Activities to find more things to do including Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays, FREE Christmas Events, Santa Photos, Christmas Parades, and more.