Join The Fun: St. Cloud's New Year's Eve Festivities

This week is Christmas. Lots of family time, relatives, some friends around too. Maybe some you haven't seen in quite awhile, but what about New Year's Eve? I've always been one looking for something new to do for the holiday and to ring in the New Year.

Looking for some events in the St. Cloud area that are both family friendly, and also looking for some that are adults only - kids can stay in and watch movies or something along those lines.

Here are some great ideas - if you have kids that want to be involved in the celebration, there are some things going on that start and end early enough for the kiddos to get involved without ruining their normal bedtimes.

GREAT RIVER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM EVENT

Join us for a Noon Year’s Eve celebration!

Countdown at Noon (12 p.m.) + “ball” drop
Crafts + activities to ring in the new year
Chances to win playful prizes
Admission is $14 or FREE for GRCM members. No registration required.

You can also explore the museum, which is always a great time, anyway. Fun for the entire family. And if parents have other plans for the evening, there will still be time for that too.

SKATE AROUND AT THE SKATIN' PLACE FOR A NYE CELEBRATION

The Skatin' Place in St. Cloud has a great event that is absolutely be family friendly. Plus, it runs from 11am to 3pm on New Year's Eve day.

Roll into the New Year with Family Fun! Join us for an unforgettable celebration packed with excitement for everyone! With skating, bounce houses, laser tag, pizza, and a huge arcade there’s something for the whole family! Massive Balloon Drop with over $1,000 in cash and prizes hidden inside the balloons, ready for you to pop open! Kiddie Balloon Drop before each Massive Balloon Drop, perfect for the little ones!

HOW ABOUT A NEW WAVE NEW YEAR'S EVE

Head to the Red Carpet Nightclub on New Year's Eve starting at 9pm. There is a Facebook event that has been created for the celebration.

Picture it: Saint Cloud, late 1970s through the 1980s, a time when disco was on its way out, and new wave was emerging as the future with synthesizers, irony, and catchy hooks.

Bring your power suits, teased hair, pegged acid-washed jeans, neon, valley girls, and flipped-up collars down to the Red Carpet Night Club Event Center on December 31 at 9:00 pm to this 21+ event to relive the age of New Wave and ring in the new year.

Be there or be square.

$5 cover, 21 plus

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SOBER AND/OR IN RECOVERY

Days like these around the holidays can be difficult. Especially if you are in recovery, and especially if it's a recent thing. There will always be all of the "firsts" for before and after recovery. There is a cool event going on where you can have some sober fun too!

This event is happening at the Kelly Inn in St. Cloud. It starts at 7 and runs until the midnight countdown to 2026. And what's even better?? It's FREE!

Open and FREE to the public! Come join us for the BIGGEST Sober New Years Eve celebration in Central Minnesota!

Arrive at South entrance.

Through the decades theme... dress like you belong in your favorite decade.

Doors open at 7pm. Party ends at midnight.

DJ, BINGO, games, door prizes, food, and more!

Whatever you decide to do, be safe and have a happy new year!

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Come Visit Meire Grove in Pictures

2025 Season at the Ledge Amphitheater

It was a jam-packed season at the Ledge Amphitheater in 2025 with its earliest show on May 9th, and over 18 shows. Check out the gallery of pictures from most of the concerts.

Gallery Credit: Paul Habstritt

Source: New Year’s Eve Events that are Family Friendly & Some Others

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