New Year’s Eve: One of the biggest evenings of celebration of the whole year. In Arizona, you’ll find excellent events across the state suited for people of all ages. From “Noon Year’s Eve” celebrations to bounce houses at the zoo, your little ones will love these exciting New Year’s Eve events in Arizona.
Happy noon year! No, that’s not a misprint. It’s the Children Museum of Phoenix’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Every year, the Children’s Museum holds a family-friendly party at 12 p.m. on New Year’s. The event incudes music, dancing, sparkling cider, and a balloon drop in the atrium. Your kids can ring in the new year and still make their bedtime. After the drop, you and your family can explore the museum’s many educational exhibits centered around arts, culture, and learning through play.
Forget about the Times Square ball drop. It’s all about the Great Pinecone Drop in Arizona. Flagstaff’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration kicks off at the Weatherford Hotel. Locals and tourists flock to the heart of downtown to participate in a lightshow, fireworks display, and the legendary pinecone drop. The giant 70-pound, six-foot pinecone is decked out in holiday flare. Visitors can watch on as the pinecone lowers from the top of the hotel next to a digital countdown clock. This event features two pine cone drops, one at 10 p.m. and one at midnight.
You don’t have to travel to Flagstaff to enjoy the snow. Instead, make a trip to the Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix. They’re hosting an all-out celebration of all things snow in honor of “Snow Week.” The Science Center is bringing in over 60 tons of snow in honor of the event. Ditch your flip-flops and grab a jacket for their many snow-related activities. Afterwards, you can enjoy tons of interactive exhibits in this giant 164,000-square-foot learning center. Admittance to snow week is included with general admission. Snow week kicks off on Dec. 26 and runs through Jan. 1.
You can escape the heat with a trip to Prescott this New Year’s Eve. Prescott is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for cool weather and a small-town vibe. It’s also home to the annual Boot Drop celebration. Visitors line the streets of Prescott’s famous Whiskey Row in anticipation of the lowering of a 6-foot cowboy boot. The illuminated boot drops from the flagpole of the historic Palace Restaurant and Saloon. Visitors can expect two drops, one at 10 p.m. and another at midnight.