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- Start 2020 off with a bang at these can’t-miss New Year’s Eve celebrations
- Celebrate the new year at one of these D-FW restaurants
Day 1 Dallas in Frisco
Start 2020 together. This annual festival seeks to strengthen healthy relationships and bonds by allowing whole families to kick off the new year. Formerly held at Fair Park, Day 1 Dallas this year moves to Frisco. There will be an afternoon of interactive games, arts and crafts, bounce houses, magicians, face painting, DJs, dance performances and more at Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas Frisco Hotel Convention Center and Spa. At 6:30 p.m., the party will move next door to Dr Pepper Ballpark for a fireworks display set to kid-friendly music. Admission includes all activities for a range of ages and interests. In past years, the event has drawn up to 10,000 attendees for wholesome fun and a good cause: All event proceeds support Vogel Alcove, which “helps children recover from the traumatic effects of homelessness.”
Jan. 1 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Embassy Suites’ convention center, 7600 John Q. Hammons Drive, Frisco, and Dr Pepper Ballpark, 7300 RoughRiders Trail, Frisco. $5 for ages 2 and older, $10 per car for parking. All activities are free; prices vary for concessions. day1dallas.com.
Countdown to Noon
If your family expects an “explosive” experience for New Year’s, look no further than the mad science at Sci-Tech Discovery Center. Educational and entertaining stage shows feature experiments with combustion, liquid nitrogen and air pressure with awe-inspiring results. That’s in addition to interactive workshops and demonstrations on robotics, digital art and coding by representatives from Microsoft, EGM Robotics and CodeStream. Code your own SnapChat filter, eat smoking snacks from liquid nitrogen-infused iCream and enjoy face painting and balloon twisting before massive balloon drops at noon.
Dec. 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sci-Tech Discovery Center, 8004 Dallas Parkway, Frisco. $15, $20 for VIP Fast Pass (limited to 100), free for children under 3. Online ticket sales close Dec. 30, and no tickets will be available for purchase at the door. mindstretchingfun.org.
The Clock Strikes Noon
This event allows you to “ring in the new year at a reasonable hour,” and parents who won’t be partying with their progeny on the holiday itself can celebrate early during this festive fete on Dec. 27. The historical park staff will host elementary school-age children for crafts, snacks and a countdown at noon.
Dec. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at Farmers Branch Historical Park, 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, Farmers Branch. $15 per child ages 5-12; 4-year-olds permitted with an older sibling. Pre-registration required. discoverfarmersbranch.com/calendar.
Happy Noon Year’s Eve
The first 200 children to arrive at this party will receive goody bags as they enter the butterfly gates for this Noon Year’s Eve party with natural style. There will be a countdown and ball drop at noon, plus STEM-themed activities and other fun. While you are there, stroll through the main gardens and view the “12 Days of Christmas” display, visit the “Christkindlmarket Treasures” exhibit and purchase seasonal snacks such as pumpkin lattes, mulled wine and more.
Dec. 31 from noon to 12:30 p.m. in the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden at the Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas. $17 for ages 13-64, $14 for senior citizens 65 and up, $12 for children 2-12, free for kids younger than 2. $3 per person additional for admission to Children’s Garden. Parking is $9 online or $15 on-site. Activities are free with admission to Children’s Garden. dallasarboretum.org.
Fort Worth Noon Year’s Eve
Some New Year’s bashes include complimentary party favors, but at this family-friendly fest, participants make their own hats and noisemakers in crafting activities. Learn about traditions around the world and participate in experiments before a “confetti-filled countdown” and juice toast at noon. Pose in front of a green screen, write out your resolutions on a digital word wall and create a “good luck kit” for 2020.
Dec. 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1600 Gendy St., Fort Worth. $16, $13 for ages 2-18. Museum members receive early access at 10 a.m. facebook.com/fwmsh.
Plano Noon Year’s Eve
FREE Time zones allow you to watch the ball drop on one side of the country and then the other on TV, but in Plano, you’ll have to choose which part of the city — central or west — best fits your noontime family-friendly party plans. Haggard and Parr libraries will host simultaneous celebrations with hands- on activities and countdowns to noon.
Dec. 31 from 11 a.m. to noon at Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Road, Plano, and Parr Library, 6200 Windhaven Parkway, Plano. Free. planolibrary.org.
East Dallas Noon Year’s Eve Party
FREE If your pre-parenthood playlist consisted of Deathcab for Cutie, the Decemberists and underground indie bands few have heard of, it’s a safe bet that as a parent, you’ll appreciate “kindie” tunes by the Que Pastas. The offbeat duo sings about pirates, bubbles and sunglasses in jaunty songs set to synthesizers and tambourines. This performance at music store Good Records concludes with a celebratory Noon Year’s countdown.
Dec. 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Good Records, 9026 Garland Road, Dallas. Free. facebook.com/goodrecords/events.
The Colony Noon Year’s Eve Party
FREE Staying up late isn’t required to ring in a happy 2020. This family-friendly program includes crafts, snacks and a countdown to noon in The Colony Public Library’s Multipurpose Room.
Dec. 31 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Colony Public Library, 6800 Main St., The Colony. Free. facebook.com/tcpltx.
Carrollton Noon Year’s Eve
FREE This party for ages 5-8 and their families is a chance to get them out of the house — but back before bedtime — to learn about holiday traditions and play games. There will be a countdown to noon and a dance party afterward.
Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. at Josey Ranch Lake Library, 1700 Keller Springs Road, Carrollton. Free. facebook.com/carrolltonpubliclibrary.
Año Nuevo
Experience Mexico’s New Year traditions by eating grapes, drinking ponche and enjoying a moonlit night hike.
Dec. 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E. Jones St., Lewisville. $5. Registration is required. llela.org.
Jazzberry Jammin’ New Year’s Eve Party
The Crayola Experience in Plano’s Shops at Willow Bend features more than 20 attractions, including a theater showing how crayons are made and many hands-on stations. For New Year’s Eve, there’ll be countdowns at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. with confetti canons and glow accessories, plus there’ll be face painting, crafts, dance parties and character visits.
Dec. 31 starting at 10 a.m. at Crayola Experience, 6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano. $22.99 at the door or $19.99 online; free for children under 3. crayolaexperience.com/plano.
McKinney Noon Year’s Eve Countdown
You don’t have to stay up late to ring in 2020 at the public library in McKinney. Enjoy crafts, games, activities and a festive countdown to 12 — as in, noon.
Dec. 31 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Roy and Helen Hall Memorial Library, 101 E. Hunt St., McKinney. Free. Registration required; no late entry allowed. mckinneytexas.org.
Family New Year’s Celebration
You don’t (always) have to be an NHL player to zoom across the ice at the Dallas Stars’ practice facility in Frisco. In fact, several times a year the rink is open for public skating, often with seasonal parties and events. Glide into 2020 during a New Year’s Eve skate featuring a festive countdown on the scoreboard at 8 p.m.
Dec. 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Comerica Center, 2601 Avenue of the Stars, Frisco. $12 admission for ages 4 and up, $5 for skate rental. comericacenter.com.