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 2024 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
Noon Year’s Eve at Goldfish Swim School (Hoover)
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Join Goldfish Swim School Hoover on December 31, 2023 from 11am-1pm for a Family “Noon Year’s Eve” event to ring in 2023! Event highlights include family swim, crafts/games, light refreshments, a balloon drop and a special appearance by their mascot Bubbles!
Glow Wild at The Birmingham Zoo
5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Get ready for the Birmingham Zoo’s larger-than-life illuminated experience! Watch the Zoo come alive with larger-than-life, jaw-dropping wild animal and sea life lantern creations brilliantly lighting up the night Take a ride on the Red Diamond Express Train* or go for a spin on the Protective Life Carousel* (*additional charge). The Zoo will also be open for regular hours (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) if you prefer to spend time exploring and visiting with the animals during the day.
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 2022 with a nod to the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Day performances and a glass of bubbly. Maestro Carlos Izcaray will take the podium to lead the ASO in a selection of Strauss family favorites and more! The show is for all ages and will be held at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center – Jemison Concert Hall.
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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.
NYE Family Package Includes:
2 hours of unlimited bowling
Shoe rental
Signature menu: Pizza (Cheese or Pepperoni), Chips & Salsa, Caesar Salad, Chicken Tenders, French Fries, Cookies
Multiple time slots available on Dec 31 and Jan 1
NYE Ball Drop Package Includes:
4 hours of unlimited bowling
Shoe rental
Signature menu: Pizza (Cheese or Pepperoni), Chips & Salsa, Caesar Salad, Chicken Tenders, Spring Rolls, Coconut Shrimp, Cookies
Celebrate with bubbly: sparkling cider and champagne toast
9:00PM – 1:00AM ONLY
Oak Mountain Lanes
Roll in the New Year at Oak Mountain Lanes with a New Year’s Eve Celebration!
Includes:
3 hours of bowling & shoe rentals for up to 6 guests per lane
One pizza & soft drink pitcher per lane
Hats, tiaras, noise makers, and party beads for guests
Arcade Card
Champagne Toast at Midnight (age 21 and up with valid ID)
10:00PM – 1:00AM ONLY
Sparetime – Trussville
Ring in the New Year with games, lanes, food, and fun! Sparetime in Trussville is welcoming 2024 with epic celebrations all day and night long.
Includes:
Bowling & shoe rental for up to 6 guests
One pizza & soft drink pitcher per lane
Game Zone Play Card for each guest
Music, lights, games, prizes & more!
5:30PM – 7:30PM; 8PM – 10PM; 10:30PM – 1AM Time slots available at varying prices.
Vestavia Bowl
Vestavia Bowl will be offering Cosmic Bowling packages with unlimited bowling! As a bonus, reserve your lane(s) by 5:00 p.m. on December 30, 2023, to receive a FREE pepperoni pizza between 10:30 – 11:00 p.m during the celebration.
Includes:
Three hours of unlimited bowling
Bowling shoes – Maximum 6 bowlers per lane
Party favors for each bowler
Champagne toast at Midnight (age 21 and up with valid ID)
10:00PM – 1:00AM ONLY
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 6:00 p.m. to ring in 2024. Event concludes at 7:00 p.m.
Includes:
Appetizer Buffet with chicken bites, cheeseburger sliders, pretzel dogs, and more
Cinnamon Sugar Churros
Unlimited Soda, Coffee, or Tea
Ginger Ale New Year’s Toast
$20 Power Card with unlimited video game play
Party Hats & Noisemakers – while supplies last
4:00PM – 7:00PM
Topgolf – Birmingham
Join Topgolf Birmingham for New Year’s Eve and party 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. VIP and general admission bays include swag and unlimited play until 1:00 a.m., while VIP bays also include food and drinks.
Book an Event in Advance: If you’re looking for a party package, book a 2-bay party online or submit a request to their Events team for pricing and details.
Reserve One or Two Bays: For groups of 12 or less that want to plan ahead, this is a great option. Reservations starting between 9 and 10 p.m. will have the opportunity to extend beyond the included 2-hours of game play in the venue the night of.
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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.”
