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New Year's Eve Weekend in New Jersey with Kids: Countdown to 2026 and More Fun Things To Do

Climb aboard the Battleship New Jersey for the best view of the Delaware River fireworks on New Year's Eve. Photo courtesy of Battleship New Jersey
Climb aboard the Battleship New Jersey for the best view of the Delaware River fireworks on New Year's Eve. Photo courtesy of Battleship New Jersey
1/2/26 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey over New Year's Eve weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

It's time to kiss 2025 goodbye and look forward to a fresh new start in 2026. Celebrate New Year's Eve family-style with low-key events like Noon Year's Eve at Jenkinson's in the daytime, featuring entertainment and a balloon drop, or see the nighttime New Year's Eve fireworks in Sea Isle City. Plus, kick off the first weekend of the new year with some fresh air during a Storytime and Craft at the Liberty State Park Nature Center.

Read on for all our top picks for the weekend ahead!

Want even more fun things to do this weekend? Our New Jersey Events Calendar is packed with great family activities every day of the week—and you can filter by age, location, or even FREE events!

Not on our newsletter list yet? Subscribe for FREE and get the best local family fun sent straight to your inbox. Already subscribed? Share it with a friend and start planning your weekend together!

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Catch the Giant Blueberry Drop or other unique New Year's events this week. Photo courtesy of Main Street Hammonton
Catch the Giant Blueberry Drop or other unique New Year's events this week. Photo courtesy of Main Street Hammonton

Things To Do in New Jersey This New Year's Weekend With Kids

Noon Year's Eve at Jenkinson's

Point Pleasant – FREE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Kick off an early New Year's celebration at Jenkinson’s Pavilion and Jenkinson’s Aquarium. The fun includes an aquarium mermaid show, an animal show on the pavilion, a mini princess palooza, and a ball drop with princesses. READ MORE

Kids' New Year's Eve Celebration at Casino Pier Arcade

Seaside Heights – FREE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Ring in the New Year early with a day full of family fun at Casino Pier Arcade. First Night Ocean County is a kids’ New Year’s Eve celebration packed with exciting entertainment and magical memories. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Fireworks in Sea Isle City

Sea Isle City – FREE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Bundle up and catch fireworks on the beach of Sea Isle City. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Fireworks from Battleship New Jersey

Camden
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Watch New Year’s Eve Fireworks over the Delaware River from the historic deck of Battleship New Jersey. Enjoy music, food concessions, and bar service. READ MORE

Hammonton New Year's Eve Bash & Giant Blueberry Drop

Hammonton – FREE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
The countdown to the new year is on in Downtown Hammonton. Enjoy fireworks and the famous giant blueberry drop. Music and dancing round out the fun. READ MORE

First Night Morris County

Morristown
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
First Night Morris County, in its 34th year, is the biggest and brightest New Year’s Eve celebration in New Jersey, providing a magnificent, family-friendly, substance- and alcohol-free celebration in the heart of Morristown. READ MORE

Tuckerton Seaport Fireworks Over the Lake

Tuckerton – FREE
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Celebrate the first day of 2026 with a fireworks display over the lake. The free fun includes a reindeer scavenger hunt and an exhibit of Trees Through the Decades.  READ MORE

Makerspace at METC

Madison
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Whether you are looking for a kid-friendly project or for something creative to do after spending time at the museum, the Makerspace is the place to be. Enjoy hands-on activities in the collaborative work space geared towards kids ages 5 to 12.  READ MORE

Cattus Island Nature Walks

Toms River – FREE
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Join a park naturalist for a 40-year Ocean County tradition. Discover the fascinating and diverse wonders of the natural world. No registration is required. READ MORE

Storytime and Craft at Liberty State Park Nature Center

Jersey City – FREE
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Guests can enjoy a seasonal story about the different kinds of wildlife and habitats found in Liberty State Park, then make a story-related craft to take home. READ MORE

Bergen County Winter Wonderland at Van Saun Park

Paramus
Through Sunday, January 4, 2026
Spend the day at Van Saun Park for wintertime fun—including skating, train rides, carousel rides, and much more. New this season is a second ice rink for bumper cars and the Crafts Market Village. READ MORE

Newark Winter Village

Newark
Select dates through Sunday, January 4, 2026
Newark Winter Village, a much-loved holiday tradition, returns for the season to transform downtown Newark into a winter wonderland. Visitors can enjoy ice skating, ice go-karts, games and activities, an open-air holiday marketplace with local vendors, and cozy heated private igloos with hot cocoa and treats. READ MORE

Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland

West Berlin
Through Sunday, 11, 2026
Diggerland shines this holiday season with a 1-mile drive-thru course covered in hundreds of twinkling lights. America’s only construction theme park is illuminated with holiday displays, and visitors can enjoy tasty treats. Stream its radio station to fill your car with holiday spirit. READ MORE
Don't miss out on all the free fun opportunities around New Jersey. Photo by Lisa Warden
Don't miss out on all the free fun opportunities around New Jersey. Photo by Lisa Warden

More Things To Do in New Jersey this Week with Kids:

New Jersey's New Year’s Eve Guide 2025 for Families: Kid-Friendly Events, Fireworks & More

Make New Year's Eve a family affair with these kid-friendly events. READ MORE

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There are tons of ways to embrace the winter weather this season. Photo courtesy of Mountain Creek's Facebook
There are tons of ways to embrace the winter weather this season. Photo courtesy of Mountain Creek's Facebook

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Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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Read more articles by Laurie Rein.