Since having kids, I can’t remember when I last *voluntarily* chose to stay up until midnight to ring in the new year. I’m sure as our kids get older (and sleep more consistently through the night) that will change, but what’s a mom to do when you want to make New Year’s Eve special without completely derailing bedtime? Look no further! We’ve rounded up some family-friendly New Year’s Eve events in Birmingham that all ages can enjoy. You’ll find special happenings around town as well as family party packages offered by local businesses. We’ve even included a few at-home ideas if you’d like to keep things more low key.
Whether your family plans to ring in 2025 with a fun-filled night out or cozy night in, we hope you’ll enjoy these family-friendly New Year’s Eve events and activities in the Birmingham, Alabama, area.
For even more events and activities throughout the end of the year and into the new year, check out our monthly events calendar!
*Please note – While we do our best to provide current links and event details, we encourage you to double check event pages for the most up to date info. If details are missing or incorrect, please let us know so that we can correct them!
New Year's Eve Event Categories
New Year's Eve Events
Zoo Year’s Eve at The Birmingham Zoo
1:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. Get an early start to 2025! Two Zoo Year’s Eve celebrations featuring red pandas are planned for Tuesday, December 31. These family-friendly events are for those who may have trouble staying up until midnight. A giant 2025 lantern featuring red pandas has been specifically created for the celebrations by the artisans behind Glow Wild, Hanart. A daytime celebration will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., with a giant sign with red panda lanterns being lowered at 2:00 p.m. in an early countdown for the New Year. When the sun goes down, a second Zoo Year’s Eve celebration will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a special NYE drop at 6:00 p.m.
New Year’s Eve: A Viennese Celebration
6:00 p.m. Join The Alabama Symphony Orchestra for their annual New Year’s Eve tradition! Toast the end of 2024 with a nod to the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Day performances and a glass of bubbly. Guest soloist Laura Corina Sanders will perform, bringing her unique flair to this elegant program this year! The show is for all ages and will be held at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center – Jemison Concert Hall.
Back to categories
New Year's Eve Party Packages
Bowling
Bowlero – Riverview
Get ready for New Year’s Eve on the lanes at Bowlero Riverview! Having your own lane and unlimited bowling during your reservation is the perfect way to celebrate with family and friends. Multiple NYE Packages are available, from the Daytime Bash Basic (shoes & bowling only) to the Ball Drop Premium (includes food, drinks, and champagne). Time slots are available from noon on the 31st all the way until 1:00 a.m.
Oak Mountain Lanes
Roll in the New Year at Oak Mountain Lanes with a New Year’s Eve Celebration from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. These three hours of bowling include party supplies, such as noise makers and party beads, an arcade card, pizza, and a champagne toast at midnight.
Sparetime – Trussville
Ring in the New Year with games, lanes, food, and fun! Sparetime in Trussville is welcoming the new year with epic celebrations all day and night long. There will be events running from 3:00 p.m. through 1:00 a.m. that include an arcade card, food, music, games, prizes, and more!
Vestavia Bowl
Vestavia Bowl will be offering Cosmic Bowling packages for unlimited bowling from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. As a bonus, reserve your lane(s) by 5:00 p.m. on December 30 to receive a FREE pepperoni pizza between 10:30 – 11:00 p.m during the celebration. This package includes shoe rentals, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight.
Other Venues
Dave & Buster’s – Riverchase Galleria
Join Dave & Buster’s for an all ages, early New Year’s Celebration including mouthwatering food, thrilling arcade games, and fun for the whole family. Enjoy a special video countdown and Ginger Ale Toast at the 4:00 event. Tickets include an appetizer buffet, unlimited soda, party supplies, and a $20 Power Card.
Topgolf – Birmingham
Join Topgolf Birmingham for New Year’s Eve and party from from 9:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. at the home of play. They have heated bays waiting, mouth-watering food, drinks you’ll love, and a few surprises planned to ring in the new year. NYE reservations include unlimited play, a chef-curated buffet, a live DJ, and a toast at midnight.
Back to categories
At-Home Ideas
Hourly Kid’s Activities
Rachel G, one of our contributing writers, shared that one year, her family did a small activity each hour. “We made little cards that they got to open. One was paint nails a sparkly color. One was a small scavenger hunt to some sparklers. One was a small craft. And one was a sweet treat. The kids loved it!”
The Netflix Countdown
Did you know that Netflix has a countdown that you can play whenever you want? The Netflix New Year’s Eve Countdown Collection includes countdowns, confetti, fireworks and more so you can ring in the new year when it’s convenient for your family, with all of your favorite characters!
Stream a Fireworks Show
If you’ve got little ones at home, you can also try finding a fireworks show from a previous year (there are plenty on Youtube!) to play at “midnight”. Just turn off the lights, give your kiddos some glow sticks, and enjoy the show without even leaving your couch.
Host Your Own At-Home New Year’s Celebration
This can be as extravagant or as simple as you like, and don’t feel pressured to have everything Pinterest perfect! Depending on the age of your children, you may want to stick to just your immediate family, or you may want to invite extended family and friends. Check out this post for ideas for choosing a theme, decor, and menu that will work for you!
“Camp Out”
Briana M, another one of our contributing writers, shared her experience using Glamping Alabama for her family’s night in. “It was so magical to have the tents set up, adorned with lights and streamers. The tents were set up right in front of the tv so we could watch the countdown as a family and tuck the kids into bed. Then, my husband and I had a couple of hours to celebrate in peace downstairs.”
