Big Events: New Year’s Eve in the Valley
New Year’s Eve celebrations aren’t just for adults any more. The City of Eau Claire is hosting its inaugural Light Up Eau Claire New Year’s Eve Celebration, and various businesses, museums, and local attractions are hosting events for all ages to enjoy. We compiled a list of places to enjoy with the kids – so now there is no excuse for not celebrating the awesomeness of 2016 while rejoicing in the possibilities in 2017.
Events starting on Friday, December 30
Friday, 10am-12pm • Noon Year's Eve at the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire • 220 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire • Free with membership or admission
Take the kids to make noisemakers, dazzle them with sparkly science experiments presented by Dr. Labcoat, peruse the paint-your-face station, and drop in on some confetti parachute action all before nap time.
Friday, 4-9pm and Saturday, 4-10pm • Get Illuminated at the Galaudet Gallery • 618 South Farwell Ave., Eau Claire • Free to all All ages event
Light a candle to release the stress and give thanks for your experiences in 2016 while setting your intentions for 2017. Intentions and candles will be displaced along South Farwell Avenue to create an illuminated street filled with positive energy and thoughts. The Galaudet Gallery will also feature a Modern Light Exhibit featuring Jewelry as Art and poetry written by Arthur Rimbaud.
Friday, 5-10pm • Royal Credit Unions New Year’s Eve at the Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center • 3456 Craig Road, Eau Claire • $5 cash only; kids under 2 free All ages event
Royal Credit Union is hosting a party fit for all ages! Kids will enjoy inflatables, face painting, games and prizes, music provided by James Davies of Party Hits Music and Lights, and a massive balloon drop to end the celebration in style.
Friday, 6-8:30pm • Paper Lantern Workshop • Eau Claire Regional Arts Center • 316 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire • $15 adults, payment is needed in advance, kids 5 and under free
Create your own paper lantern to let loose on New Year’s Eve. Lanterns can be carried during the Little Lantern Parade happening on NYE or be taken home for a private send off. Everything needed is provided. Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be available for purchase at the concessions stand. Tickets are sold at eauclairearts.com.
Events on Saturday, December 31
The first Light Up Eau Claire celebration kicks off downtown Eau Claire at 4pm. Bring the kids downtown to celebrate all of the growth Eau Claire experienced in 2016. Events for the kids include a kick off Little Lantern Parade at the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire at 5pm. Kids will receive a little lantern that will be lit and carried from CMEC (220 S. Barstow St. Eau Claire) across the Grand Ave. footbridge and back to the museum.
Saturday, 5:30-7pm • We-bop Family Jazz Party at the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire • 220 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire • Free with membership or admission to the museum
Tim Sullivan and his local jazz combo will help you bop to the music while you enjoy playing the evening away at the Children’s Museum. The party will travel throughout the museum as they join in the fun by incorporating the various museum exhibits into their performance.
Saturday, 6-9pm • Rock ‘N New Years Family Skate at Hobbs Ice Arena • 915 Menomonie St., Eau Claire • $3 per person
Skate in the New Year with the ones you love at the Rock N’ New Years Family Skate. The ice will be open, the skate rentals will be free with entry, and there will be plenty of hot chocolate for everyone at the concession stand. Don’t miss out on the balloon drop at 9pm.
Saturday, 10pm-3am • New Year’s Eve Trampoline Park Lock In at Action City • 2402 Lorch Ave., Eau Claire • $35.99 online, $40.99 at door
Jump into 2017 at the first even Trampoline Park Lock in! The ticket will get you unlimited access to the new Action City Trampoline Park, unlimited play on Fun Center attractions and non-ticket video arcade games. Fuel your night with a bottomless glass at the soda machine and a pizza buffet. Dance all of that sugar off with music provided by All Occasions DJ Service.
Saturday, midnight • Fireworks at the Confluence Downtown Eau Claire • Free event for all ages
Bring 2017 in with a bang with a fireworks display sponsored by Visit Eau Claire. The event is free if you stand on the street, or you can choose to elevate your status and your view by purchasing a $10 wristband, which will provide access to the heated rooftop-viewing tent on top of the new parking garage on Riverfront Terrace. Wristbands can be purchased at all participating entertainment venues as well as at the tent entrance.
