First Night Ocean County Offers Family Fun For New Year's Eve

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — We know. You still don't have your Christmas tree up and you haven't done a bit of shopping. But that doesn't mean you can't think about New Year's Eve.

If you're looking for an event that's family friendly and gets you home in time to watch the ball drop in Times Square from the comfort of your couch, First Night Ocean County is where it's at.

First Night Ocean County, held on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, begins at noon on Dec. 31 and goes through 5 p.m. and finishes with fireworks, weather permitting.

Bracelets for the event are $5 each and are available at the County Connection at the Ocean County Mall in Toms River and at participating businesses on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights.

There will be live performers, including jugglers, balloonists, facepainters and caricature portrait artists.

The participating arcades are Casino Arcade, at Grant Avenue and the Boulevard; Coin Castle Arcade, at Sumner Avenue and the Boulevard; Lucky Leo's Arcade, at Hamilton Avenue and the Boulevard, and Shake Shoppe Arcade, at Hancock Avenue and the Boulevard.

Casino Arcade will have a show by Jenkinson's Aquarium, which is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.

Pick up your bracelet and your First Night passport and visit each participating arcade to be eligible to win an adult gift basket and a children’s gift basket both worth over $250. Each arcade will have a free gift for those wearing First Night bracelets as well.

Seaside Heights Ferris wheel, summer 2017, photo by Karen Wall, Patch staff