We found four kid-friendly New Year’s Eve events in and around Philadelphia with 2026 dates: three Noon Year’s Eve countdowns and one early-evening celebration, three of them free. One more venue holds one every year but hasn’t announced 2026 yet; we show last year’s date and the source. They’re spread over four areas, from Old City to Westampton.
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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.
Upper Darby Sellers Memorial Library · Upper Darby
With littles: Make noise, sing and dance, then a balloon drop at noon. All ages; kids 8 and under need a caregiver 14 or older.
Burlington County Library System – Cinnaminson Library · 1619 Riverton Road, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
With littles: Best for ages 5 and under: New Year’s Eve crafts, a photo booth and a countdown at 11:59.
Burlington County Library · 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton, NJ 08060
With littles: For preschoolers and up: music, dancing and festive activities, then a countdown when the clock strikes noon.
Early bedtime friendly
Countdowns and celebrations that wrap up early enough for little kids.
Franklin Square · 200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
With littles: An early countdown for kids, with the Square Drop at 6pm.
Not announced yet
These venues held a kid-friendly countdown last year. We show last year’s details and the source until the new dates post.
Please Touch Museum · 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131
With littles: 2026 details aren’t posted yet.
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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Noon Year’s Eve Countdown at Sellers Library at Upper Darby Sellers Memorial Library: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 11am–noon (Free). Countdown to Noon at Cinnaminson Library at Burlington County Library System – Cinnaminson Library: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 10:30am–noon (Free). Rockin’ Noon-Year’s Eve at Burlington County Library at Burlington County Library: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 11:30am–12:30pm (Free).
Countdown to Noon at Please Touch Museum (last year: Dec. 31, 2025, with sessions 9–11:30am and 1–3:30pm.). We list these because the venue holds one every year; check the official page before you plan around it.
Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown in Franklin Square: 5–8pm; the Square Drop is at 6pm.
Yes: Noon Year’s Eve Countdown at Sellers Library, Countdown to Noon at Cinnaminson Library and Rockin’ Noon-Year’s Eve at Burlington County Library.
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 Philadelphia that weekend, through the holidays.
