Want to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style?
Whether it’s low-key fun with the kids or a glam night out for parents, we’ve got you covered!
New Year’s Eve Family Fun
Need an event where the kids can have fun but still be home at a reasonable hour? Here are our picks:
Happy ZOO Year
5:00 – 9:00 p.m. December 31st
Closing out the Festival of Lights with a bang, this is the perfect event for families who want to have some fun, but still wind down long before the clock strikes midnight! Featuring meet and greets, Madcap Puppet shows and even fireworks–kids will love the excitement. Admission fees apply.
New Year’s Eve Kid’s Cruise with BB Riverboat
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. December 31st; Boarding 10:30 a.m.
Come aboard and ring in 2020….just not so late at night! Bring the whole family as we countdown to 2020 at 12:00 noon. Your cruise will be complete with all the party favors as well as a DJ for entertainment. There will be some great activities throughout the day for the kids as well as a tasty lunch buffet. Some of your favorite characters from our Pirate, Princess, and Super Hero cruises will be onboard celebrating with you! Ring in the new year in style without having to stay up to the wee hours of the night.
New Year’s Eve at Perfect North Slopes
Open until midnight January 1st
Open for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing from 9:30 am until Midnight! Enjoy party favors and a DJ in the lodge. Right before Midnight, you can watch ski instructors and ski patrol members glide down the darkened slopes in a torchlight parade. Lift tickets for 8 hours are $50 (12 and under are $40); Ski/snowboard rental is $28. Tickets for tubing only are $25 for 2 hours; $30 for 3 hours
International New Year’s Eve at Union Terminal
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. December 31st
Travel around the world and learn about the culture of a different country every hour. Music, crafts, and activities will count down to the New Year in each place.
New Year’s Eve Blast on Fountain Square
8:00 p.m. December 31st – 1:00 a.m. January 1st
Ring in the New Year with Mix 94.9 and a night of dancing, food truck fare, fireworks and fun games in the heart of the Queen City. The ice skating rink will also be open. Admission and rental fees apply for skating.
Goldfish Swim New Year’s Eve Bash
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. December 31st
Make waves with your family, and enjoy this swim party which features a balloon drop over the pool, crafts, food, and tons of pool time! Free but must register at the link.
New Year’s Eve and Indoor Fireworks with the Cincinnati Cyclones
Game starts 6:00 p.m. December 31st
Ring in the New Year with the Cincinnati Cyclones for a special NYE Game + Firework Display on December 31! The Cincinnati Cyclones NYE Fireworks Night has a special start time of 6:00pm to make sure your little ones can watch the game, the fireworks display, and still make it home for bedtime. Click link for various ticket packages.
New Year’s Overnight Adventure at Newport Aquarium
7:00 p.m. December 31st – January 1st
Join us for a super cool New Year’s Eve Countdown and sleep under the sea (non-overnight admission also available) Festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. where kids will have a blast with music, dancing, crafts, snack stations, and special animal encounters. General admission: $49.99 including overnight and aquarium admission on 1/1; $29.99 without overnight.
New Year’s Eve Kid’s Night Out at Camp Kern
3:00 p.m. December 31st – 11:00 a.m. January 1st
Help Camp Kern party in the New Year all while enjoying a quick round of all your favorite camp activities! There will be Rock climbing, Archery, Night hikes, Campfires, S’mores and plenty of Games and Dancing while we wait for the clock to strike midnight! Let the kids kick back and relax, all whilst under the supervision of great counselors! Our check-in begins Tuesday Afternoon at 3:00pm and check out is Wednesday morning at 11:00am. Dinner Tuesday night and Breakfast Wednesday Morning will be provided. Kids Night Out is for campers aged 7-14. Click link for prices
New Year’s Eve at Kings Island’s Winterfest
December 31st 5:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. January 1st
For the first time, Kings Island is offering a family-friendly New Year’s Eve event! Join Snoopy’s Rockin’ Countdown Party, see Charlie Brown’s New Year’s Eve Celebration, and finish the night with fireworks at midnight! Click link for list of events.
Oakley Family New Year’s Eve
December 31st 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Kick off your NYE festivities with all of your Oakley neighbors and friends on Oakley Square! Family NYE countdown with Rozzi Fireworks on the square at 8pm!
Holiday Light Displays
Many holiday light displays in our area are still open through New Year’s Day, so check our guide here.
Parents Only Night Out
While it’s fun to enjoy holiday activities with the kids too, sometimes it’s a great excuse to get a sitter and head out on a date! When it comes to adult events, you have many choices in Cincinnati. Here are a few picks for a great NYE.
New Year’s Eve with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
8:00 p.m. December 31st
The Pops are ringing in 2020 with the unforgettable music of Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. Spend an enchanting evening at Music Hall sipping cocktails and enjoying a performance by the symphony and the Pops, featuring Capathia Jenkins and Tony DeSare this year. Concert wraps up at 10:00 p.m. giving you ample time to find a place to watch the ball drop! See link for tickets.
BB Riverboats New Year’s Eve Cruise
9 p.m.-1 a.m. December 31st
We can’t think of many things more romantic than ringing in the New Year on the Ohio River with the Cincinnati skyline as a backdrop! The cruise includes dinner, entertainment, champagne, and even party favors. Get your tickets at the link.
Newport Syndicate Q102’s New Year’s Eve Party
7:30 p.m. December 31st
Dinner, drinks, and dancing the night away. Featuring the Rusty Griswolds. This party sells out every year, so be sure to grab your tickets early! Various packages available.
Liberty Center Funnybone
7 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. December 31st
For a hilarious take on New Year’s Eve, check out Ralph Harris live at the Funnybone Comedy Club at Liberty Center! Dinner is included with some options, or just come for the show, and be sure to stay for the champagne and televised ball drop at midnight. Ticket options available at the website.
Rhinegeist New Year’s Eve Party
8:00 p.m. December 31st – 2:00 a.m. January 1st
Join us this New Year’s Eve for a night of dancing with a futuristic dance-a-thon. Beer, wine and cocktails served all night to the musical stylings of DJ Matt Joy + SKG (taproom). Capture the night in a custom, themed photo booth, and mark the new year’s arrival with a midnight balloon drop. Auld Lang Syne! $20
Roaring Twenties New Year’s Eve at Hotel Covington
9:00 p.m. December 31st – 2:00 a.m. January 1st
Doors open at 8:45pm, with DJ Future Boy kicking off the party at 9pm. Make sure to stop by our FREE photo booth with instant print photos for memories you can keep. $25-$250
7:00 p.m. December 31st – 1:30 a.m. January 1st
MadTree’s third-annual New Year’s Eve celebration will bring more beer, bands, and balloons as we transform the Taproom, Beer Garden, and Barrel Warehouse for this year’s ticketed event. Join us for beer, wine, and specialty cocktails, champagne toast, dinner by the bite, and live entertainment from some of Cincinnati’s staple acts: 2nd Wind, Vinyl Night’s own Brian Mulroy and Sara Hutslar, and DJ Fusemania. $50-$70
Voodoo Masquerade NYE at March First Brewing
8:00 p.m. December 31st – 12:30 a.m. January 1st
We will be transforming our taproom into a bourbon street experience with our old taproom morphing into a dark voodoo lounge. So dress up in your best, grab a mask and join us for a great party celebrating the coming of 2020! Includes open bar, specialty themed cocktails, and a cajun/New Orleans style dinner. $100
Taft’s Totally 80’s New Years Eve
7:00 p.m. December 31st – 12:30 a.m. January 1st
Dust off your cassette tapes and tease up your hair! We’re wiggin’ out and taking a totally tubular trip back to the 80’s! Rock your raddest neon shirts, side ponytails, parachute pants, fanny packs and spandex. Our DJ will be spinning all the hits of the 80’s on the dance floor and we’ll have karaoke running on the bottom floor all night long. $50-$100
