Whether you’re leaving the kids at home with a babysitter for a night out, or spending a family-friendly “Noon Year’s Eve” together, there are many great options for fun during the last days of 2021. Find ideas for welcoming in the new year!
*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, events are subject to change. Please check with venues before attending an event to ensure times and availability are valid and to understand health guidelines.
Just for Kids
Through December 31
NYE Celebration Kit. These New Year’s Eve celebration kits have something fun for everyone. Celebrate in style with hats, noisemakers, activities, and surprises for all ages. Noon-8:30 p.m. Amherst Public Library, 221 Spring St., 440-988-4230, amherst.lib.oh.u
December 30
Happy Noon Year Party. Let kids “stay up late” to see the ball drop at noon on New Year’s Eve. Celebrate with music, games, dancing, snacks and a balloon drop. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Mentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., 440-255-8811, mentorpl.org
December 31
New Year’s Eve Party. Buffet for the whole family with live music and dancing. Wagner’s of Westlake, 30855 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, 440-871-8800, wagnersofwestlake.com
Noon Year’s Eve. Ring in the new year early at this family-friendly party with games, crafts and snacks. 11 a.m. at Ellet Branch and 1 p.m. at Green Branch. akronlibrary.org
New Year’s Eve Party. Ring in the New Year with silly dances, minute-to-win-it-type games, life-sized Scrabble, a goofy party blower craft, and a balloon drop at noon. 11 a.m. Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., 330-334-5761, wadsworthlibrary.com
Countdown-to-Noon Family Storytime. A special family storytime, along with a craft and early countdown to noon. 11:30 a.m.-noon. Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, 440-871-2600, westlakelibrary.org
Zoo Year’s Eve. At the stroke of noon, celebrate with the whole family and enjoy special crafts, resolution walls, live music and more. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, 330-375-2550, akronzoo.org
New Year’s Eve Nature Celebration. Celebrate New Year’s Eve with fun activities for all ages. There will even be a “toast” at 12:00 (noon)! Pizza and beverages provided. Program mostly indoors, but may be partially outdoors if weather permits. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The West Woods, 9465 Kinsman Rd., Russell, 440-286-9516, geaugaparkdistrict.org
Parents-Only Celebrations
December 31
New Year’s Eve Bird Walk. End 2021 on an avian note. Search the banks of the Cuyahoga River for resident and migratory birds, like red-breasted nuthatches, golden-crowned kinglets and some floating waterfowl. 1-3 p.m. Bike & Hike Trail, summitmetroparks.org
Tangier New Year’s Eve Dine & Dance Party. Come to the Tangier Restaurant for their grand New Year’s Eve final countdown. They are ringing in 2022 with their premium plated dinner, open bar, a balloon drop, champagne toast, dancing with a live DJ, and an exciting countdown performance by Disco Inferno! 6:30 p.m. 532 W. Market St., Akron, thetangier.com
Sapphire 54: New Year’s Eve. Enjoy a funny fresh disco throwback to welcome 2022. Food stations, passed appetizers, streamer guns at midnight, breakfast buffet at 12:30 a.m. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Sapphire Creek, 16965 Park Circle Dr., Chagrin Falls, sapphire-creek.com
‘90s New Year’s Eve with Fool House. Thirsty Cowboy and Fool House presents The Ultimate ‘90s New Year’s Eve party on Friday, Dec. 31. Come for the biggest ‘90s NYE party Ohio has ever seen. 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Thirsty Cowboy, 2743 Medina Rd., Medina, thirstycowboy.com
Cleveland Pops New Year’s Eve Party & Dance. Ring in the New Year with Conductor Carl Topilow and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra’s fabulous celebration with guest vocalist Connor Bogart O’Brien and Shining Star Winners Ethan Peterson and Calista Zajac! Plus a midnight balloon drop, dancing to the Pops Jazz Ensemble and the No-Name Band. 9 p.m. Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandpops.com
NYE After-Show Party at the House of Blues. Come and join a special NYE after-show party featuring Tropidelic. 11:59 p.m. 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, houseofblues.com/cleveland
Irish New Year’s Eve Fundraiser. The Rotary Club of Strongsville is partnering with the Rotary Club of Honduras to build and furnish a school building for the Big Dreamers School in Nuevo Paraíso, Honduras. 5-11 p.m. Crowne Plaza, 7230 Engle Rd., Middleburg Hts., strongsvillerotary.org
