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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n‘Constellation’ ball unveiled in Times Square after nine-year redesign<\/p>\n
The iconic Times Square “Constellation” ball got a nine-year makeover with 5,280 crystals and advanced lighting ahead of New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/story-highlights> We are still weeks away from the start of 2026! However, you might not exactly\u00a0love<\/em>\u00a0the idea of your kids staying up until midnight to watch the ball drop later this month.<\/p>\n Good news \u2014 there are multiple countdowns you and your family can celebrate throughout the state, all ending before 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31.<\/p>\n For those wanting to get their children to bed earlier or enjoy a family-friendly NYE celebration, here’s a look at some events you can head to in Florida.<\/p>\n Most Dave and Buster’s locations will host kid-friendly NYE parties. They invite those to start the celebrations early at 4 p.m. and enjoy the following until 7 p.m.:<\/p>\n “Raise a glass with a ginger ale toast and join in on the excitement of our video ball drop\u2014all in time to get home before midnight,” the website says.<\/p>\n There are 10 locations in Florida. To purchase event tickets,\u00a0click here<\/a>. Tickets are $33.79 per person.<\/p>\n Once again, Winter Haven’s\u00a0LEGOLAND Florida theme park<\/a>\u00a0is hosting its kid-friendly NYE festivities. According to their website, guests will be treated to a countdown and fireworks display at 8 p.m. to welcome in 2026.<\/p>\n “‘Midnight’ comes early for families at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, celebrating the New Year together with brick-bursting fireworks and awesome entertainment, all without missing their bedtimes,” its website shares.<\/p>\n The celebrations are included with your park ticket. Admission to\u00a0LEGOLAND\u00a0starts at\u00a0$59 per person\u00a0before taxes and fees. You can also purchase the “New Year’s Eve Fireworks VIP” package, which provides guests with a reserved seat for the fireworks show. The package is $30 per guest.<\/p>\n Lake Nona’s Boxi Park<\/a> will host a celebration with live music, face painting, and kid-friendly activities from 4 to 8 p.m. To ring in 2026, Boxi Park has a countdown with a \u201cballoon ball drop\u201d at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n Admission to the party is $10 in advance and $15 at the door, with children 5 and under admitted free. You can purchase tickets\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n End the year in the most colorful way possible!<\/p>\n Crayola Orlando is hosting a\u00a0NYE celebration<\/a>\u00a0with a DJ dance party from noon to 4 p.m. with DJ Sarah Masters. They will host midday countdowns at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., with a streamer launch to ring in the New Year.<\/p>\n The event will also have character appearances and special themed activities. The event is included with admission, which is $30.99 per person.<\/p>\n Fort Lauderdale residents can visit the\u00a0Museum of Discovery and Science<\/a>\u00a0for a midday celebration featuring<\/span> immersive activities, music, dancing, and science. Officials said children can create festive party gear as they prepare for a noon ball drop to ring in the new year.<\/p>\n The event will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is included with a museum ticket, which is $29.50 for adults and $23.50 for children (2 through 12).<\/p>\n Fernandina Beach’s NYE celebration is\u00a0shrimp-ly<\/em>\u00a0the best!<\/p>\n Its\u00a02026 Shrimp Drop\u00a0<\/a>will have food, vendors, and family-friendly fireworks. The free event will run from 5 to 8 p.m., with the “Shrimp Drop” at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n HarborWalk Village in Destin<\/a> hosts a New Year’s Eve celebration for kids, going from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Its description says it will host “fun activities, creative crafts, a DJ Dance Party on the lawn, and a special daytime smoke-show firework display at noon.”<\/p>\n The event is free, and its descriptions state that there is free on-site parking.<\/p>\n Ring in 2026 at\u00a0UTC\u2019s New Year\u2019s Eve<\/a>\u00a0at Sarasota’s The Green on Dec. 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. Celebrate with live entertainment, a DJ, food, face painting, and a countdown to a fireworks show.<\/p>\n The family-friendly event is free and will be held on The Green at UTC, near Rocco\u2019s Tacos and Tequila Bar.<\/p>\n Families can ring in the\u00a0New Year at the Glazer Children\u2019s Museum<\/a> with countdowns, themed crafts, and celebrations throughout the day on New Year\u2019s Eve. The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.<\/p>\n Countdown\u00a0is included with museum admission, which costs $24.95 per person. Florida resident tickets are $19.95 per person.<\/p>\n Worried you might not get out the door in time and miss the countdown? How about an event with a ball drop every hour?<\/p>\n At\u00a0ZooTampa’s New Year’s Eve celebration,<\/a> guests can enjoy hourly countdowns from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will also feature festive foods, live DJ, kid-friendly activities, and fun giveaways.<\/p>\n The event is included with zoo admission, which is $51.95 for adults, and a child’s ticket (ages 3 through 11) is $41.95.<\/p>\n Up in the Panhandle, Panama City Beach’s famous “Beach Ball Drop<\/a>” has a kid-friendly version a few hours before its massive midnight one.<\/p>\n Catering to those with earlier bedtimes, guests will have 10,000 inflated beach balls descending from above at 8 p.m. in Pier Park. The first round of fireworks will begin over Panama City Beach, lighting up the night sky.<\/p>\n\n
Dave and Buster’s Family New Year’s Eve<\/h2>\n
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Kids New Year’s Eve at LEGOLAND Florida<\/h2>\n
New Year’s Eve Party at\u00a0Boxi Park<\/h2>\n
Crayola Orlando\u2019s Jazzberry Jammin’ New Year’s Eve<\/h2>\n
Noon Year’s Eve at MODS<\/h2>\n
Fernandina Beach New Year’s Eve Shrimp Drop<\/h2>\n
Harborwalk Village New Year\u2019s Eve<\/h2>\n
UTC’s Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration<\/h2>\n
Downtown Countdown at Glazer Children\u2019s Museum\u00a0<\/h2>\n
New Year at ZooTampa at Lowry Park<\/h2>\n
Pier Park New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop<\/h2>\n