Ring in the new year with your kids in Des Moines! Many of these events do not require that they stay up until midnight. Whether you do or not is up to you.
Let’s celebrate the end of 2024! If you are looking for things to do close to home this New Year’s Eve, we’ve got a roundup of events perfect for your family. From events at local attractions to Noon Year’s Eve parties, we’ve got a full day of fun for you right here. Get your party hats on and get ready to celebrate 2025!
Be sure to explore our Winter Holiday Break Survival Guide for Des Moines Families designed to help keep the kids engaged and entertained throughout the extended holiday break. More family fun can be found in our events calendar and Holiday Fun Guide.
Here’s where you can ring in 2025 as a family in Des Moines:
New Year’s Eve Goodie Bags
Central Library • 1000 Grand Avenue • Des Moines, IA, 50309 • (515) 283-4152
Celebrate the upcoming year by grabbing a New Year’s goodie bag at the Central youth desk! One per child, while supplies last.
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost: FREE
New Year’s at Noon at the Des Moines Children’s Museum
Des Moines Children’s Museum • Valley West Mall • 1551 Valley W Drive, Suite 108 • West Des Moines, IA 50266 • (515) 218-8344
Celebrate the new year a few hours early with crafts, dancing, and not one, but two beach ball drops! Beach ball drops will happen at 10:00 am and 12:00 noon. All regular exhibits will be open as well.
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: $10 for ages 1-9, $4 for ages 10+, free for infants and members.
Noon Year’s Eve
Norwalk Easter Public Library • 1051 North Avenue • Norwalk, IA 50211
Ring in the new year without staying up late! Celebrate with dancing, crafts, and kids activities at this free event. At noon, gather to count down to the “Noon Year” together. This event will be held instead of the regularly scheduled Tuesday Storytime.
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 10:30 am to 12:00 Noon
Cost: FREE
Noon Year’s Eve Party
North Side Library • 2559 Hubbell Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50317• (515) 283-4152
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the North Side Library! Enjoy snacks, crafts, and sensory activities for the whole family while you count down to noon.
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 11:00 am to 12:00 Noon
Cost: FREE
Noon Year’s Eve Dance Party at Urbandale Public Library
Urbandale Public Library • 3520 86th Street • Urbandale, IA 50322 • (515) 278-3945
Not sure you’ll make it to midnight? Count down to the noon year with some Library fun! Dancing, balloons, bubbles, glow sticks and more will make this a-rockin’ good time for the whole family!
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 11:00 am to 12:00 Noon
Cost: FREE. Registration required.
Noon Year’s Eve Party
West Des Moines Public Library • 4000 Mills Civic Parkway • West Des Moines, IA 50265 • (515) 222-3400
Welcome in the new year with at the West Des Moines Library! They’ll kick off the fun with a celebratory storytime and finish with a countdown and a streamer drop right at noon. The library closes at 12:00 pm on New Year’s Eve, so this will be the last hurrah as they go out and into 2025. This storytime is best suited for ages 2-6 and their caregivers. No regsistration required.
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 11:00 am to 12:00 Noon
Cost: FREE.
Noon Year’s Eve: Around the World Celebrations
East Library • 2559 Hubbell Avenue • Des Moines, IA, 50317 • (515) 283-4152
Celebrate Noon Year’s Eve at the library!
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Cost: FREE
Noon Year’s Eve at the Science Center of Iowa
401 W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 274-6868
Join SCI for a day filled with activities, immersive experiences, and an official countdown at noon featuring their renowned balloon drop to celebrate the arrival of the new year. Welcome, 2025 at the family-friendly time of NOON! Due to limited availability, we recommend reserving your tickets in advance to ensure you don’t miss out on the festivities. It’s a fantastic way to ring in the new year with fun and excitement for the whole family!
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cost: $17 per person. Activities are included with general admission.
Noon Year’s Eve
Holiday Hullabaloo • Horizon Events Center • 2100 NW 100th Street • Clive, IA 50325 • (515) 208-4330
Celebrate the arrival of the New Year at the Holiday Hullabaloo! Move and groove on a lighted dance floor, revel in the excitement with noisemakers, and experience the thrill of a confetti and balloon drop. They will be serving kid-friendly New Year’s Eve drinks and treats, ensuring a delightful experience for attendees of all ages.
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cost: Age 0-3:$10.00; Age 4 +:$35.00
Count Down to 12:00 (Noon) Year’s Eve at Warrior Lanes
Warrior Lanes • 190 Laurel Street • Waukee, IA 50263 • (515) 987-4840
Bring the family to Warrior Lanes in Waukee for a safe, fun-filled New Year’s celebration. They will have fun party favors, decorations, a countdown to noon for kids, and of course Glow bowling. This is an alcohol-free event.
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: $79.95 per lane includes: 2 hours of glow bowling, shoe rental, one large pizza, and a pitcher of pop. Maximum of five bowlers per lane.
New Year’s Eve at Brenton Skating Plaza
Brenton Skating Plaza • 520 Robert D. Ray Drive • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 284-1000
Celebrate the New Year by gliding into it ice skating at Brenton Skating Plaza. Purchase your tickets on-site and embrace the joy of a winter wonderland on the ice. It’s a perfect way to welcome the New Year with family and friends. Lace up your skates for a memorable start to the year!
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 11:00 am to 12:00 Midnight.
Cost: $10.00 for Adults; $6.00 for Children (age 6-12) and Seniors; Children 5 and under FREE.
New Year’s Eve at Skate South
Skate South • 10494 County Line Road • Des Moines, IA 50320 • (515) 285-6037
Get your kids excited about the New Year by going roller skating! Skate South will be hosting a New Year’s Eve skate, so you can spin around the rink to welcome the New Year!
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 12:00 Noon to 4:00 pm.
Cost: $11.75 admission + skate rental
Teen Pokemon Club: Legendary New Year’s Eve Party
Johnston Public Library • 6700 Merle Hay Road • Johnston, IA 50131 • (515) 278-5233
Calling all Pokémon trainers! Join JPL for a special edition of Pokémon Club—the Legendary New Year’s Eve Party! Get ready to celebrate the end of the year with the ultimate gathering for Pokémon fans. Whether you’re into video games, trading card battles, or the show, there’s something for everyone! Bring your Pokémon cards or devices for epic year-end battles and trades, or just come to hang out. For kids in 6th grade and up. Registration appreciated.
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 1:00 pm.
Cost: FREE
Parents’ Night Out: New Year’s Eve at the MidAmerican Energy Co. RecPlex
MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex • 6500 Grand Avenue • West Des Moines, IA
Join West Des Moines Parks and Recreation for a very special version of Parents’ Night Out to close out 2024! These extended hours will allow parents to take a little more time to celebrate while their kids have the time of their lives! They will have an early balloon drop, fun NYE themed activities and crafts, glow in the dark dance party, open play time, snacks and of course a pizza party! Registration required.
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 4:00 to 10:00 pm.
Cost: $35 per child
New Year’s Eve Pops: The Doo Wop Project
Des Moines Civic Center • 221 Walnut Street • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 280-4000
Ring in the new year with the classic sounds of doo-wop! The Doo Wop Project traces the inception of group singing to the biggest hits on the radio today. From the tunes of Frankie Valli, The Drifters and The Four Seasons to reimagined favorites by Michael Jackson, Jason Mraz and Maroon 5, this is the hottest New Year’s Eve ticket in town!
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 8:00 pm
Cost: Tickets start at $60
Comedy XPeriment – NYE
Stoner Studio Theater • 221 Walnut Street • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 246-2300
Ring in the New Year with a few laughs. Comedy XPeriment is Des Moines’ premier long-form improvisation team. Each show is unique to itself as the genesis for the show is based on suggestions from the audience. Even the performers themselves don’t know what could happen in a show. Recommended for kids ages 10+.
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 10:00 pm
Cost: $30.00 per ticket
