Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Ball Drop Parties in Times Square

Why families watch the ball drop from a party

Can you bring kids to the ball drop? You can, and you don't have to hold a spot in a street pen from the afternoon to do it. These six Times Square parties welcome all ages on New Year's Eve, with food, restrooms and a warm room. Three of them sit on 42nd Street, a block from One Times Square. Doors open from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, both Applebee's wrap up at midnight for families who want an early night, and at four of the six you step outside for the countdown, to a terrace or the venue's own viewing area on the street. At five of them every ticket includes the view; at Palma Verde, a partial view comes with certain tickets, from $499.

Checked November 12, 2026 against each party's own page. Prices shown are the lowest ticket and may change.

Times Square New Year's Eve with kids

Doors from 7:00 PM Three of the six open at 7:00 PM, so younger kids can eat early and settle in long before the countdown.

Food is included Every ticket includes food: a buffet dinner at three of them, a plated or buffet gourmet dinner at Rosie O'Grady's, depending on the room, and appetizers at Planet Hollywood and Palma Verde.

Home by midnight, or later Both Applebee's parties end at midnight and three more at 1:00 AM, an hour after the ball drops. Palma Verde runs until 3:00 AM.

A ticket for every guest Kids need their own ticket at every party, whatever their age, so count everyone when you book.

Inside by 11:30 PM Police can hold foot traffic around Times Square from 11:30 PM until 12:15 AM, so arrive well before the countdown.

Bring the warm coats At four of the six you go outside for midnight, and midnight in Times Square averages about 34°F.

Read the guide: watching the ball drop with kids

The six all-ages Times Square parties, one by one

All six welcome kids and include food on every ticket, and at five of them every ticket has a view of the ball at midnight. What sets them apart for a family is when the doors open, how dinner is served and where you stand when the ball comes down.

Applebee's 50th Street

205 West 50th Street · 7:00 PM to midnight · from $849

Our pick for families. Doors open at 7:00 PM, the buffet and passed appetizers run until 11:30 PM, and every guest has a seat. At midnight the party moves outside and you watch the ball straight on from 50th Street, and the night ends right there, so the kids are on their way home at 12:00 AM.

Applebee's 42nd Street

234 West 42nd Street · 7:00 PM to midnight · from $799

The same easy schedule a block from One Times Square: doors at 7:00 PM, a buffet until 11:30 PM, a premium open bar for the adults until midnight, then out to the street for the ball, seen from the west side. This party also ends at midnight.

AMC 42nd Street

234 West 42nd Street · 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM · from $799

A buffet dinner from 8:00 to 11:00 PM, then the outdoor terraces at midnight. Terrace access comes with every ticket, but the terraces are standing room, so step out early with small children. The adults have a beer, wine and champagne bar until 1:00 AM.

Rosie O'Grady's

148 West 51st Street · 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM · from $650

The sit-down choice: a gourmet dinner from 8:00 PM at reserved seats, plated in the Dining Room and the Manhattan Manor Room or as a buffet in the Main Bar, Side Room and Taft Room, so the family stays together all evening. At midnight everyone goes out onto 51st Street to see the ball, and the party runs until 1:00 AM.

Planet Hollywood

136 West 42nd Street · 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM · from $649

The lowest price for a full view of the ball, from $649, at 136 West 42nd Street, east of Broadway. Appetizers and an open bar for the adults from 8:00 PM, then outside for the ball at midnight, seen from the east side.

Palma Verde

1604 Broadway · 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM · from $129

The holiday choice: for one night Palma Verde becomes Merryland, a family space full of ornaments, twinkling lights and photo rooms, with light appetizers, a DJ and a countdown at midnight. Doors open at 9:00 PM, the premium open bar for the adults runs until 1:00 AM, and the party goes on until 3:00 AM. Tickets start at $129, but the view of the ball comes with certain tickets only, a partial view from $499. Guests 21 and over can also go down to Dramma Nightclub.

NewYears.com picks out the Times Square parties that welcome kids. Each of the six links to its own page with the times, the food and the tickets.