NYE 2021: Bring in the new year at one of these amazing family-friendly events

The season of merrymaking is upon us! Days of festive revelling awaits, complemented by unrecommended quantities of alcohol (#pleaseddrinkresponsibly), feasts of rich food, and, of course, a jam-packed schedule of partying. And gosh dang it! There is some quality entertainment to be found and experienced this year! But what's out there for those with young families? Those not yet old enough to be sent to the bar or trusted with their own glow stick?

At Skiddle, many of us know all too well the challenges in finding those child-friendly parties, especially on New Years Eve. And so, to assist in making the New Year a much less stressful one, we've gone to the trouble of compiling a list of our favourite all-inclusive family celebrations.

Say goodbye to 2021 and welcome in 2022 at one of the family-friendly New Years Eve parties listed below. 

 

(Click on the event titles, venue names or simply tap on the links provided for tickets and more)

 

Cinderella Pantomime - Matinee performance

When: Friday 31st December 2021 (New Year's Eve)

Where: The Corn Exchange Market Square Witney OX28 6AB in Witney

One of the greatest fairytale stories of all time to comes to life in Witney, Oxfordshire this December.

Presented by the Butter Theatre Production team, the Cinderella Pantomime is a magical experience suitable for families of all ages, full of laughter, huge singing and dancing numbers and audience participation (it is a pantomime after all).

Join your favourite characters, including the Fairy God Mother, the wicked stepmother, Prince Charming and Cinderella herself, and experience the Prince's Ball. Will Cinderella leave before the clock strikes midnight? And what will happen to her wretched step sisters when left all alone in the Deep Dark Wood? You'll have to wait and see...

 

Find tickets for Cinderella Pantomime - here

-

 

---

 

Enchanted Gardens Light Trail 2021

When: Friday 31st December 2021 (New Year's Eve)

Where: Town Gardens in Swindon, Old Town 

Discover a trail of remarkable light art sculptures and instalments at Swindon's magnificent, Victorian Town Gardens this New Years Eve. 

Welcoming visitors from far and wide, this impressive light show allows ticket holders to wander through a magical and festive wonderland brimming with state-of-the-art lighting effects, immersive illuminations, low level soundscapes and more. A treat for all the senses, for young and old. 

Proudly supporting Brighter Futures, a charity for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Swindon, every ticket sold will see £1 donated directly to the charity.

 

Find tickets for Enchanted Gardens Light Trail 2021 - here

-

 

---

 

Winter Wonderland - Ice Skating 2021 (Early sessions)

When: Friday 26th November - Sunday 2nd January 2022

Where: Rainton Arena in Houghton-le-Spring

Take to the ice with your family this winter, at the Rainton Arena's purpose built Winter Wonderland and open Ice Rink. 

Got yourself a budding figure skater? Let them loose on this huge sheet of ice and watch on as they practice their best moves. Or why not join them yourselves! Skates are available to hire at the site of the rink, with support Polar Bears also available for the teeniest members of your family.

Get in the festive mood. Wrap up warm and skate through the evening into the moonlit night this New Years. An ideal day out fit for kids of all ages and abilities. 

 

Find tickets for Winter Wonderland - Ice Skating 2021 - here

-

 

---

 

Gangsta Granny - Live show

When: Friday 31st December 2021 (New Year's Eve)

Where: Bloomsbury Theatre in London

David Walliams award-winning children's book, adapted and reworked for the stage - Gangsta Granny is coming to the Bloomsbury Theatre in London next month!

From the acclaimed producers of Billionaire Boy and Awful Auntie, this fantastic West End production tells the tale of a young boy, Ben and his not-so-boring Granny. Expecting cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake, Ben's sure of a boring weekend to come when told he's going to stay with his Granny on Friday night. Little does he know that Granny has secret...

Get ready to embark on an exciting adventure this New Years Eve and learn of Granny's criminal past in this excellent stage show production. 

 

Find tickets for Gangsta Granny - here

-

 

---

 

Planet Circus OMG!

When: Friday 31st December 2021 (New Year's Eve)

Where: Lincolnshire Showground in Lincoln

Roll up, roll up to the Lincolnshire Showground on the turn of the new year and witness one of the most outrageous circus spectacles you're ever likely to see!

Boasting an exciting, fast paced sand breathtaking show, brimming with talents from across the world, those who decide to enter the huge big top tent on December 31st can expect to come across a variety of daring stunts and mind-blowing displays - including hand balancing acts, terrifying cross bow acts, the Globe of Death and, brand new for 2021, freestyle motorcross stunt riders!

Prepare to be amazed, to gasp aplenty and to hide behind your hands on more than one occasion. 

 

Find tickets for Planet Circus OMG! - here

-

 

---

 

Disney's The Lion King - Live show

When: Friday 31st December 2021 (New Year's Eve)

Where: The Lyceum Theatre in London

A classic family film reimagined for the big stage, Disney's The Lion King is the internationally celebrated and marvelled musical from acclaimed director, Julie Taymor. 

Retelling the powerful story of Simba, his journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands, this sensational stage production brings colour, music, song and dance to an already spectacular, family-friendly tale.

See the unforgettable show at The Lyceum Theatre this New Years Eve with your nearest and dearest. Hurry, tickets are selling fast!

 

Find tickets for Disney's The Lion King - here

-

 

---

 

Peppa Pig's Best day Ever

When: Friday 31st December 2021 (New Year's Eve)

Where: Theatre Royal Haymarket in London

Castles, dragons, dinosaurs and more await all those who choose to join Peppa Pig on her Best Day Ever adventure!

Watch the nations most loveable piglet as she embarks on a road trip alongside George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. Preapre to meet some familiar faces along the way, including Miss Rabbit, Mr Bull, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe, as part of an all new live show, packed full of songs, games and laughter.

An absolute must for Peppa Pig fans this New Years Eve!

 

Find tickets for Peppa Pig's Best day Ever - here

 

-

 

---

 

FUN DMC - New Year's Eve Party

When: Friday 31st December 2021 (New Year's Eve)

Where: JuJu's Bar And Stage Ely's Yard in London

The only daytime, family-friendly block party happening in the English capital this New Years Eve, FUN DMC is set to be a party on an epic scale fit for all ages - from six weeks to sixty years old! 

Countdown to the new year with your budding ravers and booty shakers as the clock strikes noon, at JuJu's Bar in Tower Hamlets, London. Dance to some of the hottest records, courtesy of DJ Spin Doctor, and get stuck into games and activities such as the Balloon Drop, hip-hop colouring in, dance competitions and more. 

'Midday is the new midnight' this New Years Eve. All adults must be accompanied by a responsible child.

 

Find tickets for FUN DMC - New Year's Eve Party - here

 

-

 

---

 

Pantoland at the Palladium

When: Friday 31st December 2021 (New Year's Eve)

Where: London Palladium in London

Celebrating the very best in Panto, join an all-star cast this New Years Eve at the London Palladium for the return of Pantoland at the Palladium.

The festive extravanganza is back and boasting bigger than ever before performances from high profile names the likes of global singing sensation, Donny Osmond and ultimate panto star, Julian Clary. Not to mention a host of past favourites, the likes of Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers, Gary Wilmot, Jac Yarrow and Sophie Isaacs.

Take a magical trip to Pantoland at The Palladium on Friday 31st Deecember and experience one of the very best festive theatre shows out there, full of laugh-out-loud comedy, huge show-stopping numbers and much, much more!

An unmissable, feel-good family show.

 

Find tickets for Pantoland at the Palladium - here

-

 

---

 

Aladdin Pantomime

When: Friday 31st December 2021 (New Year's Eve)

Where: Lyric Hammersmith in London

Another Disney stage adaptation but with a festive twist, Aladdin is set to whisk theatre goers waya on a magical carpet ride where all of your festive wishes shall be granted.

Taking to the stage at the wonderful Lyric Hammersmith in London, a fantastic cast will provide the usual Lyric twist on some of the stories many songs, scenes and characters. Experience a journey to a far away land this New Years, full of laughs, magic lamps and genies.

Ticket prices increase with demand, so make sure to book early for the best seats in the house at the best prices.

 

Find tickets for Aladdin Pantomime - here

-

 

---

---

 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on Inspire Me page.