Wondering where you can ring in 2025 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 2024 out with a bang!
We’ve rounded up a list of family 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 kids New Year’s Eve parties {Noon 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 by people looking for New Years Eve fireworks – 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!} The closest New Year’s Eve fireworks are at LEGOLAND in Winter Haven. There are also New Years Eve Fireworks near you in Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Pete! Details below.
Please check directly with event organizers for specific dates, discounts, 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.
2024 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.
Light Up BSP at Bonnet Springs Park runs through December 31 – don’t miss this beautiful Christmas light display and themed activities each night!
Tampa New Year’s Events for Kids
Downtown Countdown at Glazer Children’s Museum
December 31 | 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 | All Day
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. {TIP: Sign up for Free Busch Gardens Tickets from Kane’s after the Bucs have 10+ first downs in a game}
Noon Year’s Eve Celebration for Kids at Armature Works Tampa
December 31 | 11am – 3pm
This family friendly event held on the Armature Works West Lawn and will feature a countdown to noon and daytime colored smoke fireworks display, bounce houses, face painting, crafts, an interactive DJ and roaming entertainment. 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 | 10am – 4pm
Ring in the New Year at ZooTampa at Lowry Park during our New Year Celebration, featuring festive foods, live DJ, kid-friendly activities, and fun giveaways, plus a countdown every hour from 10am – 4pm. Activities included with zoo admission.
ReliaQuest Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade in Ybor City
December 30 | 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 Near You: 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 | 8pm-2am
Armature Works and Pied Piper Productions is hosting its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display and music featuring DJ Diesel aka Shaquille O’Neal to ring in 2024! Festivities kick off at 8pm on the Riverfront Stage. Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display that will light up the downtown skyline at midnight. Must be 21+ to enter the Armature Works party.
Tampa New Year’s Eve Fireworks – Pirate Water Taxi Cruise
December 31 | 11:30pm-12:30am
Celebrate the New Year with your family on the water and enjoy front-row seats to Tampa’s spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks! This fun-filled 1-hour cruise on the Pirate Water Taxi offers breathtaking views of Downtown Tampa’s dazzling display. Guests 21+ with valid ID can enjoy a complimentary champagne toast, while everyone, regardless of age, is welcome aboard to join in the excitement. Spots fill up fast, so book in advance to secure your place! Please note that fireworks are subject to city guidelines, weather, and current conditions.
NYE on the St. Pete Pier + St. Pete Fireworks New Year’s Eve
December 31 | 8pm-12:30am
Ring in New Year’s Eve on the St. Pete Pier with a fireworks show sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg. Enjoy featuring DJs, food trucks, bars, and the ultimate view for the fireworks show. 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 New Year’s Eve 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 | Midnight
Relax with your toes in the sand, watch one of Clearwater’s world-famous sunsets, grab a bite to eat and then ring in the New Year with Fireworks at midnight! Fireworks go off from the north end of Sand Key, so the best viewing area is the southern part of Clearwater Beach, but the fireworks will be visible all along the beach. FREE. Find out more about parking and paid events (boat cruise, 21+ parties, etc) at lightitupclearwater.com.
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
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 | 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:
- 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 – 8pm – 1:30am on FOX
- NBC New Year’s Eve Special – 9pm on NBC
- CBS New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash hosted by Keith Urban – 8pm on CBS
HAPPY NEW YEAR and CHEERS to 2025!!
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.