10+ Kid-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebrations: Columbia, SC

Posted on by Kayla Simmons |

On the hunt for family-friendly ways to ring in the New Year? Columbia, SC is home to several spectacular NYE events, and the good news is that several of them are kid-friendly! The majority of these events will be over well before midnight, leaving plenty of time to get home before the bigger celebrations begin. We’ve found events with miniature ball drops, bowling, skating, great prizes, and more!

Happy New Year from the Kidding Around Columbia team! 

Capital City Fireworks
Family-Friendly New Year’s Events
First Day Hikes & More
New Year's in Columbia, SC

Family-Friendly New Year’s in Columbia, SC

Wed, Dec 31 – Thu, Jan 1 · 7:00 AMNew Year’s Eve Skate PartyBarnyard Flea Market, Lexington

Let’s roll into the new year together at Sports & Skates Station in Lexington on Wednesday December 31, 2025!
Entry Fee $15
Skate Rental $2
Tons of fun and surprises!

Located in the Barnyard Flea Market: 129 Oak Dr, Lexington, SC 29073

Wed, Dec 31 · 10:00 AMNoon Year’s Eve at Flight Adventure Park SandhillFlight Adventure Park Sandhill, Columbia

Please join us at Flight Adventure Park – Sandhills for Noon Year’s Eve on December 10 am to 12:00 pm. Join us as we jump, play, and dance into 2026! Celebrate earlier in the day so the kids can join in on the fun!

Wed, Dec 31 · 10:00 AMNoon Year’s Eve Party at Goins DancingGoins Dancing, West Columbia
Join us at Goins Dancing for a New Year’s celebration designed just for kids! There will be dancing, games, pizza, and a countdown to noon!
Price: $10 per child
Spots are limited
Wed, Dec 31 · 10:00 AMNoon-Year’s EveSaluda Shoals Park East, Columbia

Join us for this new and exciting event, Noon-Year’s Eve at Saluda Shoals Park! Don’t wait until midnight, come celebrate New Year’s Eve at Noon! Count down to our Mirror Ball Drop, and celebrate the end of the year with games and activities at Leo’s Landing Inclusive Playground!

For: Ages 3-12
Advance tickets: $5/child advance
Tickets day of event: $7/child day of
Wed, Dec 31 – Thu, Jan 1 · 10:00 AMStars and Stripes New Year’s EveStars and Strikes Irmo, Irmo

Come join us at Stars and Stripes as we celebrate New Year’s Eve with a special Arcade Package!

When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
What: Enjoy 3 HOURS of: Unlimited Video Game Play, Unlimited Laser Tag,Unlimited Bumper Cars, Unlimited Virtual Reality
Where: 700 Columbiana Dr, Irmo, SC 29063

Wed, Dec 31 · 12:00 PM2026 Kid’s New Year’s Eve Party at Skateland Fun Center
Join us for our Kid’s New Years Eve Party!
 Countdown to “New Years” at 2:00
Balloon Pop – Every balloon will have a prize!
Hats & Horns/Noisemakers will be provided
Event Address: 800 Bookman Rd Pontiac, SC, United States, South Carolina 29045
Wed, Dec 31 – Thu, Jan 1 · 12:00 PMNew Year’s Eve on the Lanes at Lucky Strike CayceLucky Strike, Cayce

Start 2026 off with a Strike! Choose from three different packages for the night, ranging from $29.99 – $58.99+, and settle in for a night of fun, refreshments, sparkling cider or champagne, and of course, bowling!

Hours: 12 pm – 1 am

Wed, Dec 31 · 4:00 PMNew Year’s Eve at Dave and BustersDave and Busters, Columbia

Start the celebrations early at Dave and Busters at 4 pm, and enjoy unlimited video game play, a $20 Power Card, and a chef-curated banquet featuring our signature dishes—from mini pretzel dogs to churros!

Raise a glass with a ginger ale toast and join in on the excitement of our video ball drop—all in time to get home before midnight! And best of all, it’s kid-friendly, so the whole family can join in the fun!

Date: December 31, 2025

Time: Family Friendly 4 PM – 7 PM

Wed, Dec 31 · 5:00 PMFireflies Holiday Lights New Year’s CelebrationSegra Park, Columbia

Come ring in the New Year at Fireflies Holiday Lights at Segra Park!
Celebrate with family-friendly fun, special hours from 5–8 PM, and a fireworks show to light up the night!⁠

Wed, Dec 31 · 5:00 PMGerman New Year’s Celebration
It’s time again for one of our most popular events, German New Year’s on December 31 from 5-8 pm! Come to enjoy a FULL FRANCONIAN FEAST.
That’s right, we’ve sourced schäuferla, and we’re serving it to you with an array of other fränkische favorites! We will ring in the new year on German time — 6 pm here — and have you home in plenty of time for your usual bedtime!
Seating is limited, so reserve your spots today. Prost, columbi-ja!
Wed, Dec 31 – Thu, Jan 1 · 7:30 PMNew Year’s Eve Late Night SkateThree Fountains Skating Rink, West Columbia

Please join us at Three Fountains Recreation Skating Rink and Mini Golf for a New Year’s Eve celebration! From 7:30 pm until 1 am there will be special gifts, raffles, other treats, and of course, skating!

Wed, Dec 31 · 8:00 PMBoho’s NYE Early Ball DropBoho Pizza & Brew, Lexington
We’re throwing the ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31, and you’re invited! Expect great food, cold drinks, and festive fun as we count down to 2026 — Boho-style.
Live Music
Food & Drinks
Early Ball Drop — perfect for families or early celebrators!
Whether you’re gathering with friends or bringing the whole crew, we’ve got the sparkle, the tunes, and the good vibes ready to go.
Boho Pizza & Brew
2514 Augusta Hwy, Lexington, SC
Cheers to 2026!
Wed, Dec 31 – Thu, Jan 1 · 11:45 PM · FreeCapital City Fireworks at The State House

This family-friendly event promises fun for everyone. Spend a fun-filled evening in the city and then stay to watch the sky light up with vibrant colors at midnight!

The best viewing area of the fireworks display will be on the north side of the South Carolina State House along Gervais St. and Main St.

Several roads will be closed around the State House ahead of the fireworks display. Visitors are encouraged to use free on-street meter parking or complimentary parking in our downtown parking facilities.

Thu, Jan 1 · 12:00 PMNew Year New Hope 5KEarlewood Park, Columbia

Start your New Year running! Register and pick up your packets between December 30, 2025 from 11 am-6 pm and December 31, 2025 from 11 am-3 pm at Strictly Running (2515 Devine St. Columbia SC, 29205)

The course will be marked with flour for each turn, Water Stops, Police Department/Volunteers will monitor the course, music

Location: Earlewood Park

Mon, Jan 5 · 4:30 PMHorses and Hot Chocolate at Mickle FarmMickle Farm, Blythewood

Happy New Year! Bring on the Horses and Hot Chocolate at Mickle Farm in Blythewood, SC on January 5! Come visit for a tour of the farm, meet the horses, and take part in a grooming session, complete with hot chocolate!

$25 to schedule

 

Sat, Jan 10 · 12:00 PM · FreeLet’s Drink to Strength ( Stärk’ Antrinken) at Bierkeller ColumbiaBierkeller Brewing Company, Columbia

Let’s Drink to Strength ( Stärk’ Antrinken) at Bierkeller Columbia on January 10, 2026 12 pm – 9 pm!

Southerners eat pork chops, black eyed peas, and collards to ensure good fortune in the new year, Franconians do what else? Drink beer to ensure strength! So come strengthen yourselves with the freshest beer anywhere and be well-equipped for whatever 2026 throws at you!
Note: The term “Stärk’” is not meant literally and has nothing to do with the strength of the beer. “Stärk’” represents strength and health. And so that these qualities would accompany them into the new year, people would toast to their health with friends and family, usually with a bock beer, according to tradition. And to ensure the “strength” lasts a whole year, its thought to drink a half-liter of Bock beer for each month of the year.

Cold Winter’s Day 5K and Snowflake Youth Fun Run 

Where: 4801 Forest Drive 
When: December 27, 2025
Time: 10K Run/Walk at 9:00; 5K Run/Walk at 10 am; Snowflake Youth Fun Run at 10:45 am 
Price: From $15 to $80 depending on race and sign-up date
Event Details: Kick-off your celebrations with a 5K, 10K, and/or youth fun run! This is a rain-or-shine event. Runners will receive a t-shirt! 

Cold Winter’s Day 5K; 10K and Snowflake Youth Fun Run

Places to go bowling in Columbia, SC with the kids.

Dave & Buster’s New Year Celebration

Where: Dave & Buster’s – 100 Columbiana Circle, Suite 5
Time: Early – 4 pm – 7 pm; Late night – 9 pm  
Price: $33.79 – $97.59
Event Details: Celebrate the New Year with your family at Dave & Buster’s. Admission includes an appetizer buffet, unlimited soft drinks, a $15 power card, and more!

Dave & Buster’s New Year Celebration

Fun break

Before you keep scrolling...

Want more ideas like this?

Spend less time searching and get fresh family-fun ideas in your inbox.

New Year’s Eve Late Night Skate

Where: Three Fountains Recreation Skating Rink and Mini Golf
Time: 7:30 pm to 1 am
Price: $15
Events Details: There will be special gifts, raffles, and other treats.

New Year’s Eve Late Night Skate at Three Fountains

New Year’s Eve on the Lanes 

Where: Lucky Strike – 900 Axtell Drive 
Time: 12 pm until 1 am 
Price: Depends on package – more info below 
Event Details: Start 2026 off with a strike! There are three different packages to choose from: 

  • Daytime/Sunset Package
    • 2 hours of unlimited bowling
    • Shoe rental
    • Light refreshments
    • Sparkling cider and champagne toast
  • NYE Ball Drop
    • 4 hours of unlimited bowling (9 pm until 1 am)
    • Shoe rental
    • Yummy food
    • Sparkling cider and champagne toast

New Year’s Eve on the Lanes

Fireflies Holiday Lights – NYE Event 

Where: Segra Park – 1640 Freed Street 
Time: 6 pm – 9 pm
Price: $14+
Event Details: Along with the holiday lights, there will be a fireworks show to end out the season!
We visited! Check out the Kidding Around Review of Fireflies Holiday Lights.

Fireflies Holiday Lights – NYE Event

More NYE Events for Kids Near Columbia

Fireworks: New Year’s Eve in Columbia, SC

Will there be fireworks in Columbia for New Year’s 2026?

2026 Capital City Fireworks
Where: For the best public viewing, be on the north side of the South Carolina State House at Gervais and Main Streets.
Time: Midnight
Price: Free

Capital City Fireworks

Start the Year Off Outdoors

Parties and big celebrations not your style? How about starting off the year with some fresh air and exercise? There are several places right in Columbia where you can enjoy a more relaxed New Year’s Day and get in a long walk or a hike.

Day Trip!

Check out the huge, family-friendly CLT NYE event in Charlotte. Find the details for that and more in our Charlotte, NC Guide to Kid-Friendly New Year’s Eve .

Or, head up to the Upstate. Here’s what’s happening near Greenville, SC for New Year’s Eve.

Holiday Lights

New Year’s Eve is often the last night to see holiday light displays. If you haven’t had a chance to drive through our Columbia holiday lights driving routes, New Year’s Eve is the night!

Christmas lights driving tour Columbia, SC

Find More Things to Do!

Still need more ideas? We have them!

Winter break in Columbia, SC

How will your family ring in the New Year?

Fun break

Before you keep scrolling...

Want more ideas like this?

Spend less time searching and get fresh family-fun ideas in your inbox.

Kayla Simmons
About the Author
Kayla grew up right outside of Charleston, SC and is a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina. She has lived in Columbia for a combination of 5 years. Kayla has a background working with special needs children, but now enjoys nothing more than being a stay-at-home mom of two. She enjoys keeping her kids busy by finding unique play spaces and events, involving them in hands-on activities and watching them learn about the world through play. In her free time she enjoys reading, exercise and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Comments are closed.