Fireworks, Parties, And Kid-Friendly Events To Ring In 2024 In NJ

NEW JERSEY — Still looking for something to do on New Year's Eve? Patch found a number of events going on around the Garden State, from a giant M&M drop on New Year's Eve to a number of parties, seasonal light displays, and kid-friendly events to ring in 2024.

Here's what we found on the calendar around New Jersey from Saturday, Dec. 30 through Monday, Jan. 1. Happy New Year!

North Jersey

Bergen

Nickelodeon Universe “Noon Year’s Eve” at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, Sunday (family-friendly; park also open New Year’s Day)

Dance and celebrate with some of your favorite Nickelodeon characters, beginning at 10 a.m. with a kid-friendly countdown to noon. Then, stay and play in the park with your ticket admission. (Read more on Patch.)

• Address: 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford NJ
• Tickets: An all-access pass for peak times is $79 for Sunday and Monday morning-early afternoon. If you choose to go later in the day, tickets are $55.

"Let it GLOW Holiday Lantern Spectacular" at the Bergen County Zoo, Saturday-Monday (family-friendly)

This walk-through light display features more than 30 scenes of “larger-than-life animal themed lanterns,” including all-new ones for 2023. Tickets include a walk through the zoo and a train ride. Let it GLOW opens at 4 p.m. and closes on 9 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, and 8 p.m. New Year’s Day. (Read more on Patch.)

• Address: 216 Forest Avenue Paramus, NJ
• Tickets: $18 for adults, $9 for children ages 3-17. Also available at the gate.

Essex

“Holiday Lights Spectacular” at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, Saturday and Sunday (family-friendly)

This popular, free walk-through show at the zoo runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., featuring a million lights, animal exhibits and costumed characters. The Touch Tank, Reptile House, and farm will also be open to visit the animals.

• Address: 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange NJ
• Tickets: Admission is free, with donations of non-perishable food items, new toys, or gently-used coats recommended.

Hudson

NYE Kids Morning Party (family-friendly) and evening New Year Party at Pilsener House in Hoboken.

Several spots are left for the 11 a.m. bash for the kiddos, which features music, balloon art, and party favors. For adults, toast the new year in the Biergarten with a party beginning at 9 p.m. (Read more on Patch.)

• Address: 1422 Grand Street, Hoboken, NJ
• Tickets: $15 – $25 for the kids’ party, $29.99 general admission for evening event.

Morris

“First Night Morris” in Morristown, Sunday (family-friendly)

More than 70 performances will take place across 20 venues for “the biggest and brightest New Year’s Eve celebration in New Jersey,” which also includes fireworks at 9:15 p.m. The county's alcohol-free celebration of the arts is ringing in the New Year, and Morris Arts is serving as an artistic programmer for the 32nd time. (Read more on Patch.)

• Address: Morristown, NJ
• Tickets: $30 individually, $23.75 in a family 4-pack.

Warren

Giant M&M Drop in Hackettstown, Sunday (family-friendly)

The home of Mars Wrigley Confectionery is gearing up for its inaugural New Year's Eve celebration, complete with an M&M's lentil drop at midnight.
This year's festivities will take place in the heart of Hackettstown from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., officials said. (Read more on Patch.)

• Address: Main Street and Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ
• Tickets: Free

Central Jersey

Middlesex

"Eve of the Eve" in Metuchen, Saturday (family-friendly)

Metuchen is hosting a New Year “Eve of the Eve” on Saturday, Dec. 30 with entertainment, a giant robot, and an early ball drop around 6:45 p.m.

• Address: Metuchen Town Plaza, 33 Pearl Street, Metuchen, NJ
• Tickets: The event is free, but you may reserve a spot on Eventbrite.

Winter Wonderlights in East Brunswick, Saturday-Sunday (family-friendly)

Drive-through holiday lights spectacular Winter WonderLights is open every night in East Brunswick through New Year’s Eve, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the last car admitted at 9:45 p.m

• Address:655 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick, NJ
• Tickets: $30 per car

Mercer

"Night Forms" at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, Friday-Sunday (family-friendly)

This multi-sensory light and sound experience is open from sunset to 10 p.m., with the last ticket available at 9 p.m.

• Tickets: $20 for adult members and $30 for adult non-members; $24 for student non-members and $16 for student members; children 5 and under are free. Group rates available for 15 or more.
• Address: 80 Sculptors Road, Hamilton, NJ

"Festival of Trees" at Morven Museum and Garden in Princeton, Saturday and Sunday (family-friendly)

Explore the wintry scenes and festive decorations throughout Morven, which are sponsored by local organizations.

• Tickets are $10 for adults, and $8 for seniors, students (with ID), youth ages 7-18, and active military or veterans (with ID). Children 6 and under are free.

• Address: 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ

New Year's Eve gala at the Hyatt Regency Princeton, Sunday

Enjoy a full buffet dinner, dancing, and comedy from "America's Got Talent" contestants Tom Cotter and Kerri Louise at this 18+ gala on New Year's Eve. Plus, there will be a live feed from Times Square for the ball drop at midnight, and a champagne toast.

• Tickets: $219. Special room rates also available.
• Address: 102 Carnegie Center Princeton, NJ

Jersey Shore counties

Monmouth

Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity” (Saturday) and “New Year’s Early” with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (Sunday) at Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.

The Count Basie Center has two shows worth checking out this weekend. “Black Nativity,” based on the Gospel of St. Luke, features song, dance, and verse to tell the story of Jesus’ birth. The show is Saturday at 4 p.m. Then on New Year’s Eve, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes return to Red Bank and promise to have you home well before midnight, as their show begins at 6 p.m.

• Address: 99 Monmouth St, Red Bank, NJ
• Tickets: required; click the links above to learn more and reserve your spot.

New Year’s Eve Firework Spectacular, Long Branch, Sunday (family-friendly)

Ring in the new year at Pier Village, where the fireworks spectacular can be seen along the Long Branch Boardwalk or at any of the local restaurants, beginning at 9 p.m. Visitors may want to book reservations at restaurants there for a prime viewing spot, Pier Village added.

• Address: 50 Chelsea Avenue, Long Branch, NJ

Cape May

New Year’s Eve fireworks and activities in Avalon, Sunday (family-friendly)

Beginning at 3 p.m., enjoy music, crafts, games, balloon art and more at Surfside Park, followed by a fireworks show at 5 p.m.

• Address: Surfside Park, Avalon, NJ; fireworks sent from 35th Street beach.

New Year’s Eve fireworks in Sea Isle City, Sunday

Enjoy a brilliant fireworks display, which kicks off at 8:30 p.m.

• Address: JFK Blvd. Beach, Sea Isle City, NJ

Ocean

“First Night Ocean County” in Seaside Heights, Sunday (family-friendly)

There are events going on along the Boardwalk and free performances at Casino Pier from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., with fireworks at 5 (weather permitting). Lucky Leo’s, Coin Castle, Casino Arcade, and Shake Shoppe are all part of the fun. (Read more on Patch.)

• Address: 410 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights NJ
• Tickets: Wristbands required for some events; click the links above to learn more.

“Noon Year's Eve” and “Family New Year” at United Skates of America in Jackson

Kids can have fun counting down to 2024 in the middle of the day with fun music, skating with characters, and pizza at this early celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Or, stop by later for another opportunity to lace on your skates and play games from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

• Address: 2270 W County Line Rd, Jackson Township, NJ
• Tickets: required; click the links above to learn more and reserve your spot.

South Jersey

Camden

New Year’s Eve fireworks at Battleship New Jersey in Camden, Sunday (family-friendly)

Celebrate the dawning new year with fireworks over the Delaware River, viewed from the historic deck of the Battleship New Jersey. Showtimes are at 6 p.m. and midnight. The deck opens two hours before showtime for music, concessions, a cash bar for adults, the chance to fire a Gun Salute.

• Address: 62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ
• Tickets: $10 donation, members receive free tickets.

WinterFest Ice Skating in Cherry Hill, Saturday-Monday (family-friendly)

The rink is open all weekend near the corner of Cuthbert Boulevard and Park Avenue in Cherry Hill, and you can rent skates to glide on the ice. Hours Saturday and Monday are from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Address: Cooper River Park, 510 Park Blvd, Cherry Hill, NJ
• Tickets: Rink admission is $7.50 for adults, $5.50 for seniors, veterans, and children ages 5-12. Skate rentals are $6.