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COMING SOON: New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Celebrations Around Philadelphia

From classic traditions to brand new events, here's how you can kick 2023 off in the city.

 

Happy New Year! It’s time to say goodbye to 2022 and celebrate a new year and new possibilities. 

 

Your favorite classic traditions have returned – and they’re joined by some brand new events that we hope will stay for years to come. Whether you want to go all out in celebration, or have a more relaxed New Year with your family, there is an option for everyone. Winter break is over soon, so make the most of December 31 and January 1 before the kids go back to school! Be sure to check our Family Events Calendar for fun things to do every day!

 

Looking for events on the Main Line and western suburbs? Say Goodbye to 2022 with Main Line Parent! Closer to or live in Bucks County? Our new sister site, Bucks County Parent, has fun NYE events listed, too!

 

New Year’s Eve

Countdown2Noon at the Please Touch Museum

4231 Avenue of the Republic
9 am – 3 pm

 

If you want to celebrate the new year with your little ones without staying up late, The Please Touch Museum is the perfect place to do it! Sponsored by Verizon and Five Below, join the museum for special performances by Fyutch, Dance4Life, stilt walkers from the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, music and more with DJ Neeek Nyce and a kid DJ, meet and greet with Squiggle and a big countdown to the 12:00 pm ball drop with more confetti than ever before!

 

Betsy’s 271st Birthday!

239 Arch Street 
10 am – 4 pm

 

Help celebrate Betsy’s 271st Birthday! Join the Betsy Ross House for special programming all day to celebrate Betsy’s historic life. 

  • 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Say happy birthday to Betsy in her upholstery shop
  • 11:00 am – 3:00 pm – Meet Margaret Woodby the cake baker
  • 1:00 pm – Sing “Happy Birthday” to Betsy and enjoy free cupcakes (while supplies last)

It’s the perfect morning activity before you head over to Franklin Square for the Kids’ Countdown!

 

Disney on Ice

11 am, 3 pm, and 7 pm
Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street

 

Step inside the magical adventures of Disney’s Frozen and Encanto as they are brought to life like never before at Disney On Ice! Dazzling ice skating transports you to Arendelle to be a part of Anna’s adventure to find Elsa, whose icy powers unleashed an eternal winter. Olaf, Kristoff and Sven take you along as they encounter wintry conditions in a race to bring back summer. Then, enter the fantastical Madrigal family’s Casita amidst the beautiful mountains of Colombia. Join Mirabel on her journey to save her enchanted family home alongside her sisters, Isabela and Luisa. Hosted by Mickey and Minnie, invite your family and friends to sing along to your favorite songs and celebrate the power of love and courage at Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto – the show everyone will be talking about! Don’t forget to grab your Mickey ears and princess dress when you purchase your tickets

 

Countdown to Noon + New Years Princess Brunch with Cinderella 

1033 N 2nd Street 
11 am – 4 pm

 

Reserve your New Year’s Eve brunch with Cinderella between 11 am and 4 pm at Figo Italian in Northern Liberties. Take photos and ring in the new year. Don’t forget to dress up as your favorite princess!

 

Noon Year’s Eve Kids Skate at Philly SkatePlex

11586 Roosevelt Boulevard
12 – 3 pm

 

In the Northeast, you can head over to the Philly SkatePlex for a fun-filled afternoon New Year’s Eve celebration. Grab your skates and your family and enjoy some roller skating fun and music. You can even skate with the SkatePlex characters! Tickets can be purchased online and at the door. 

 

Celebrate the New Year EARLY at Dave & Buster’s!

325 N. Columbus Boulevard
3 – 7 pm

 

Join Dave & Buster’s for a New Year’s Celebration including mouthwatering food, thrilling arcade games, and fun for the whole family.

Celebration Admission is required* to attend their exclusive EARLY New Year’s Eve Celebration. Enjoy Fireworks on the Waterfront, a special video countdown and Ginger Ale Toast at 6 pm to ring in 2023. Event concludes at 7 pm.

 

A Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown at Franklin Square

200 N 6th Street
5 – 6 pm

 

Can’t stay up late enough to watch the ball drop? Check out the square drop! At 5 pm, head over to Franklin Square for the most family-friendly New Year’s celebration in town. Enjoy music and crafts, then watch the square drop from atop SquareBurger at 6 pm. You can also watch the New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront from Franklin Square, which will remain open until 8 p.m.

 

New Year’s Eve Family Part with PopUpPlay at Cherry Street Pier

121 N Christopher Columbus Boulevard
5 – 7 pm

 

Visit the Cherry Street Pier for their New Year’s Eve Kids Countdown! Enjoy a Giant Lite Brite, a dance party with live video feed on Pier’s jumbo screens, plus activities with PopUpPlay including making your own future-themed mini golf course with recycled materials, collaborative mural making where families can help create a New Year’s Eve-themed gallery, and make-and-take crafts and games while supplies last.

 

Rivers Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront 

101 S Christopher Columbus Boulevard 
6 p.m. & 12 a.m.

 

New Year’s Eve fireworks are back! At 6 pm and 12 am, you can watch the fireworks along the Delaware River waterfront. Each show will have synchronized music with the display. Find the best spots at Race Street Pier, Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, and the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing! 

 

New Year’s Day

Mummers Parade

1400 John F Kennedy Boulevard
9 am – 5 pm

 

The highlight of Philly’s New Year’s Day celebration is back! The Mummers Parade will kick off at 9 am, resuming one of Philly’s favorite traditions. The iconic show of music, colors, and elaborate costumes is always a fun time for the entire family. 

 

The Mummers will start at City Hall and strut south down Broad Street all day long, so you are sure to see a great show no matter what time you arrive. The parade is free to attend, but if you prefer bleacher seating, you can purchase tickets and pick them up at the Independence Visitor Center before the show.  

 

In addition to the outdoor parade, the Fancy Brigades will put on two Broadway-style performances at the Philadelphia Convention Center for ticket holders. The indoor shows are at 11:30 am and 5:00 pm, so you can choose which works best for your family! 

 

Brunch at Craft Hall

901 N Delaware Avenue 
11 am – 3 pm

 

Head to Craft Hall for their Sunday Brunch and also catch the New Year’s Day Eagles game! Start 2023 the right way with and watch the Eagles with an amazing brunch: buffet, bottomless mimosas, beer, and house mixed drinks. Reserve now!

 

Ice Skating at the RiverRink and Dilworth Park

RiverRink: 101 S Christopher Columbus Boulevard
January 1, 2023, 11 am – 1 am

Dilworth Park: 1 S 15th Street
January 1, 2023, 11:30 am – 11 pm

 

Visit one of Philly’s two outdoor ice rinks to get some movement in with the whole family. The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink, located in Dilworth Park outside City Hall, offers 90-minute skating slots. The Blue Cross RiverRink, located on the Delaware River waterfront, has reservations available for New Year’s Day specials. 

 

After you’ve skated your heart out, both rinks have lounges where you can grab a bite to eat and some hot chocolate to warm up before your next activity.

 

Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular

100 Station Ave, Oaks
4:30 pm — 9 pm

 

Families looking for a memorable way to ring in 2023 can check out Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular on New Year’s Eve, when the holiday experience hosts its annual New Year’s Eve celebration, complete with an hourly ball drop starting at 5 pm, festive food and beverage offerings, and all that Tinseltown has to offer! 

 

Most importantly, all kids tickets are 50% off for New Year’s Eve.

 

In addition to the light displays, guests can try fun activities like a tarot card reader, ice skating, the brand-new ice slide, and much more!

 

Lead Photo by K. Kelly for VISIT PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia Family is published by a team of local women to connect families raising their kids in the city with resources, events, and each other. Learn more about us, our mission, and our method for supporting local businesses at familyfocus.org.

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