First Night Ocean County A Family-Friendly New Year's Celebration

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — If you want to spend New Year's Eve having fun that isn't soaked in alcohol and welcomes kids, First Night Ocean County offers just that opportunity.

The annual event is from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31, on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights.

It's $5 per person and includes face painters, balloonists, caricaturists, magic shows and other entertainment and will be held in Casino Pier Arcade, Coin Castle, Lucky Leo’s and Shake Shoppe Arcade.

Fireworks are scheduled for 5 p.m. on the boardwalk, weather permitting.

The $5 wristbands are available for purchase at any of the four participating arcades and entitle the person to entertainment at all four arcades. Have your First Night passport stamped at all four arcades and you will be entered in a drawing for an adult gift basket or a children’s gift basket, each containing more than $450 in Seaside Heights prizes including: beach badges, motel stay, meals, candy, souvenirs, and more .

Parking is FREE on the street and in municipal parking lots.

First Night Entertainment

Coin Castle

• Noon-4 p.m.: Caricaturist
• 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.: Face Painter
• 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.: Balloonist

Lucky Leo’s

• Noon-4 p.m.: Face Painter
• Noon-4 p.m.: Balloonist
• 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.: Caricaturist

Shake Shoppe

• Noon-5 p.m.: Hoopslinger
• 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.: Caricaturist
• 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.: Strolling Magic

Casino Pier

• Noon-4 p.m.: Balloonist
• Noon-4 p.m.: Crafts
• 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.: Face Painter
• 1 p.m. & 2 p.m.: Magic Show
• 3 p.m. & 4 p.m.: Juggling Show

Jersey Shore Country.com will be broadcasting live and offering fun activities at Lucky Leo’s from Noon to 2 p.m. and Coin Castle from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hoopslinger will be performing and doing audience participation at Shake Shoppe Arcade from noon to 4:30 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Seaside Heights Improvement District.

Photo by Karen Wall, Patch staff