We found three kid-friendly New Year’s Eve events in and around San Francisco Bay Area with 2026 dates: three Noon Year’s Eve countdowns. They’re spread over three areas, from Lake Merritt to Sausalito. A noon countdown means a balloon drop or bubble-wrap stomp at midday, home in time for nap.
New here?
A real countdown, balloon drop and all, at a time that works for toddlers. These are typical times; each card has the venue’s exact ones.
Countdown at noon
Confirmed for 2026, with times, prices and ticket details from each venue’s own page.
Children’s Fairyland · 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
With littles: An Alice in Wonderland noon year’s eve with crafts, puppet shows, a Mad Tea Party photo spot and a “Shrinking Drink” toast.
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose · 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110
With littles: Three confetti ball drops, each one a shout-out to a different part of the world as midnight passes there.
Bay Area Discovery Museum · 557 McReynolds Rd., Sausalito, CA 94965
With littles: A DJ dance party, crown-making and a glow room for babies, then the noon ball drop. Members need tickets too, and parking is free. Rain or shine.
Before you go
TicketsIf it’s ticketed, book earlyNoon countdowns can fill up, so book once tickets open.
TimingArrive 30 minutes earlyCoats off, snack in, spot found before the countdown starts.
NoiseBring ear muffs for babiesBubble-wrap stomps and cheering get loud right at noon.Keep planning
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Good questions
Countdown in Wonderland at Children’s Fairyland at Children’s Fairyland: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 10am–4pm (Included with Fairyland admission). Noon Year's Eve at the Children's Discovery Museum at Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, Doors 9:30am; ball drops at noon, 1pm and 2pm (Museum ticket required). Noon Year's Eve at the Bay Area Discovery Museum at Bay Area Discovery Museum: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 9am–2pm; ball drop at noon ($28).
A New Year’s countdown for little kids held at noon on Dec. 31 instead of midnight, usually with a balloon drop, bubble-wrap stomp, crafts and music. It’s over before nap, so nobody has to stay up late.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday in December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Bay Area that weekend, through the holidays.
