Navy Pier hosts the New Year's Eve Family Bash in the early evening at the lakefront facility. On the Winter WonderStage inside, families can watch dancing and listen to live music. Outside, fireworks occur twice during the night about 8:15 and midnight, over the lake. The early display caters to families who need to get their kids home before midnight, but want them to be able to experience the excitement of a New Year's celebration.
Most of the Brunswick Zone bowling alleys across Chicagoland offer bowling parties on New Year's Eve that include pizza, soda, two hours of cosmic bowling, party favors and sparkling juice to drink when an early midnight is counted down. Brunswick Zone XL's also offer laser tag as part of the party packages. Reservations are required and parties can be booked for December 31 or January 1. Costs vary, but are typically $65 per lane for afternoon parties and $90 per lane for evening events, with the exception of Brunswick Zone XL locations, which charge $149 and $169, for afternoon and evening parties, respectively.
Families with young children can participate in the DuPage Children Museum's Bubble Bash, held in suburban Naperville from 9 a.m. to noon on New Year's Eve. Guests have access to all three floors of play exhibits and art activities. Local singers and performers provide ongoing entertainment in the museum during the party. A "countdown" to midnight is done with the town's mayor at noon, so attending Bubble Bash is one way families can celebrate twice in one day. Pre-registration and payment are required, $15 for members and $20 for non-members.
Brookfield Zoo, less than 10 miles outside the Chicago Loop, has an annual Zoo Year's Eve party for families that runs from 6-8 p.m. Radio Disney provides music, trivia and prizes, and presents a top 50 songs countdown during the evening. A Zoo Year's Eve parade is held near the Hamill Family Place Center at 6 and 7 p.m. All zoo exhibits are open during the party, and the countdown to "midnight" occurs at 8 p.m. Admission is $13.50 for adults and $9.50 for seniors and children 3-11,but free for Brookfield Zoo members.
