Famously, 31st December is often spent attending late-night parties, raising a glass to the new year and kissing at midnight. London is one of the world’s most iconic cities to celebrate it in, offering no shortage of events and venues for adults to kick off countdown celebrations. However, this day can become a balancing act for many who might wish to mark the day with a magical and memorable celebration but still be inclusive of younger family members. We have you covered!
There are around 2.5 to 3 million families living in the city, and about 100,000 children born in London every year. Perhaps you still want to join in a New Year party and have the countdown experience but need it to be a bit more bed-time friendly. Why not do it during the day? Many of the daytime parties below include hourly countdowns (or a specially scheduled early “midnight”) so kids can take part in the thrill of counting down without staying up until 12am. This kind of celebration builds excitement while also respecting children’s sleep routines.
Fly-Kid X Family Rave NYE
If your kids love music and dancing, this is a blast for all ages. Taking place at Pop Brixton from late morning into the afternoon, this event combines classic hip-hop, R&B and pop with face-painting, dance lessons, hourly confetti countdowns and even appearances from beloved characters like Bluey and Stitch. The upbeat atmosphere keeps energy high without stretching into the night.
Kids NYE Party at 40FT Brewery
If a kids “rave” sounded a bit too full-on, then this might be a better pace for your family, plus it’s free! In the early afternoon, 40FT Brewery in Hackney features movies on the big screen, hourly countdowns so children don’t miss out, some kiddie disco beats and free face painting for all ages. It’s a great social option if you’re looking for something low-pressure and affordable.
There are actually loads of kid-friendly parties like these happening around the city. If these two are too much of a trek, feel free to search online for any that might be happening a little bit closer to home! Some others include Fun DMC’s midday party in Shoreditch, BrewDog’s Nippers NYE party in Ealing, The Little Cheers’ Big News Years Party in Wimbledon and a family fun-day at The William hosted by the London Kid’s Crew, just for a start! Attending a child-friendly holiday event is also a great way to meet other families in your local area, and for your kids to have a chance to make friends outside of their usual school or sports groups. That said, not all family fun has to be a party. There are plenty of other creative or cultural options you could explore. London is packed with experiences that can round out your New Year’s Eve day, creating memories together that last many more years to come.
Theatre show
London offers world-class theatre performances, bound to transport both kids and adults alike! For a classic family show, consider booking matinee tickets to Paddington: The Musical which recently opened on London’s West End. However, there are loads of other shows on offer as well. Old family favourites are the Lion King, Matilda or Harry Potter, but The Snowman, Pinocchio and The Nutcracker also have a NYE performances this year and are only showing for a few more weeks. Shop around and see what grabs your eye!
Ice Skating
Several of London’s outdoor ice rinks remain open with special events on New Years Eve, including iconic locations such as Somerset House, Battersea Power Station, and Leicester Square. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or trying it for the first time, gliding under festive lights is a magical way for all ages to embrace the season.
Fireworks
London’s official New Year’s Eve fireworks over the Thames are one of the city’s most famous attractions, but they are ticketed events and often sell out in advance. If you do secure tickets, attending as a family can be an unforgettable experience – just note that the main fireworks show starts later in the evening and is often crowded. However, there are plenty of other places you could watch from, so look online for vantage points around the city that might be near you. Some could include Dulwich’s Firework Display, or simply free high-ground spots around Greenwich, Parliament Hill, Telegraph Hill, Muswell Hill and more. These also allow for easier parking or less crowded transport options when getting home. It can be a fun and free experience to “camp out” on some grassier lookouts with your kids. Some places like Hampstead Heath will start their fireworks at 9pm out of consideration for families. Just make sure you wrap up warm!
Restaurant and rooftop views
Another family-friendly alternative to late-night street crowds is to book an early dinner with a city view that coincides with the fireworks timing. Some restaurants near the South Bank feature panoramic views and special menus so you can enjoy dinner, fun ambience and the fireworks spectacle from a seated, quieter vantage point. The Aqua Shard or SushiSamba in Heron Tower will have unforgettable views of fireworks across the city, if you’re willing to pay for it, but others spots like All Bar One near Waterloo or The Wellington Pub on The Strand are both budget and family friendly and still offer decent views of the action.
A family night in
For some people, going out at all sounds like a turn-off. One of my favourite New Years celebrations as a kid was a night we all stayed in. Rare quality time together without distraction. We camped in the living room and ate a cheeky takeout dinner like it was a picnic while playing card games, sharing favourite memories of the year and taking bets of who would manage to stay awake. Then we put on a film and drank hot chocolate, all deliberately timed by my mother so that just as the credits started rolling, fireworks started popping outside. Some of us made it to midnight awake and pressed our noses to the glass to see if we could spot any, while others were already dreaming in their sleeping bags. The main city celebration was streamed on the TV screen, along with some other firework celebrations around the world, and then it was lights out and off to sleep with a huge sense of accomplishment. A fairly tidy, warm and commute-free New Years Eve for my mum, while still making a lasting, magical impression on all of us.
London’s New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to be a late-night, crowded event just for adults. With a range of ways to celebrate, be it daytime parties, cultural experiences or self-made fun,families of all descriptions can enjoy every second of 31 December and start 2026 together.
Wishing you and your loved ones a warm and wonderful New Year.
