Is midnight laughable in your house? If everyone is down for the count by 10PM (or earlier!) why not consider celebrating a little early? Or maybe your older child is super PUMPED about spending New Year’s Eve with friends… AWAY from parents. We’ve put together a great list of Huntsville events for the weekend, plus some that are kid-friendly for New Year’s Eve.

Of course, you could always stay home and plan your own NYE Party with your kids… But if you’re lucky enough to have a sitter for the last night of 2018, check out fun grownups-only things to do here and here.

Our full Event Calendar also has more activities happening in Huntsville this weekend is you don’t see anything below that suits your fancy.

Free & Cheap Events

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Go Light Hunting

Now through the season!
Cost: FREE, plus gas
Various locations |

More Info
Gas up the car, bundle up the kids, and go looking for Christmas lights all over Huntsville. We made it super easy with our master list with a MAP!

Last Call for Holiday Fun!

Now – Dec. 31
Cost: FREE
Various locations
If your wallet is feeling some hurt after holiday purchases but you still want to get out and have some free fun with your family, consider these no-charge holiday attractions in their last days:

• Tinsel Trail – Big Spring Park, Huntsville (Through Jan. 1)
• Christmas Card Lane – Downtown Madison (Through Dec. 31)
• North Poll Stroll – Downtown Athens (Through Dec. 28)
• Enchanted Forest – Decatur (Through Jan. 1)
• Christmas In the Park – Downtown Arab (Through Dec. 31)

Community Kwanzaa Celebration

Thursday at 2:00 PM
Cost: FREE
Bridge Street | More Info
Celebrate the first day of Kwanzaa with our Umoja (Unity) candle-lighting ceremony. Family and friends of all ages are invited to celebrate with us.

Whiz Kids Open Gym Time

Thursday – Saturday
Cost: $3-5
The Matrix Gym | More Info
Kids under the age of 6 years can run & jump to their hearts content six days a week. A Saturday gym is also available for kids ages 6-11 at 9:30 AM. Read our review.

PSSSST!!! You’ll find even more free events in our full Event Calendar!

Worth the Money

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Last Call for Galaxy of Lights Driving Nights

Now – Dec. 31st
Cost: $25 per car
Huntsville Botanical Garden | More Info
It’s your last chance to see this award-winning holiday light extravaganza featuring larger-than-life animated light displays!

Star of Bethlehem Show

Friday at 7:00 PM
Cost: $15
INTUITIVE Planetarium | More Info
Balancing both science and religion, you’ll explore theories on what celestial phenomenon may have led the Magi to the Nativity more than 2,000 years ago.

Holiday Movies Under the Stars

Saturday at 4:30 and 7:00 PM
Cost: $8-10
USSRC Intuitive Planetarium | More Info
Each Saturday in December to can experience a “drive-in” holiday movie series in the INTUITIVE® Planetarium. Today’s flick is It’s a Wonderful Life.

Kid-Friendly NYE Countdown

Tuesday from 8:30 PM
Cost: $10-15 per person
Big Spring Park | More Info
Skating in the Park is hosting a kid-friendly countdown for families who want to celebrate the new year a little early. Countdown the Lil’ Ball Drop at 8:30 PM with fun activities and DJ Boskii. (Of course, you can also stay for the Glow Up Party from 9:00 – Midnight too!)

Mars Masquerade for Grown-Ups

Tuesday 8PM – 1AM
Cost: $65
U.S. Space & Rocket Center | More Info
Definitely NOT a kid event and not even near free, but a very unique NYE event in the Rocket City you won’t forget!

Thanks to Instagram user @mattie_ddudazzler for her Skating in the Park photo! 

What Attractions Are Closed New Year’s Day?

• Alabama Constitution Village
• Burritt on the Mountain
• EarlyWorks Children’s Museum
• Huntsville Botanical Garden
• Historic Huntsville Depot
• Huntsville/Madison County Visitor Center
• Huntsville Madison County Public Libraries
• Huntsville Museum of Art – Skating in the Park is open!
• Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment
• U.S. Space & Rocket Center
• U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum

It’s like an Advent Calendar for Moms… in our “365 Days of Free” newsletter!

Download the free Explore Huntsville app for great deals & to get all the best RCM info on the go! Got a great kid’s event you’d like to see in future Weekend Roundups? Let us know.

You Might Also Like…

• New Year Resolutions That Have Nothing to Do With Diet, Fitness, or Finances
• Parent Reviews of Huntsville Restaurants
• 5 Resolutions Moms Can Keep Past January

DISCLAIMER: We do our best at Rocket City Mom to provide accurate, useful information about events and activities. This information (such as times and locations) is gathered from user submissions, press releases, local newspapers, signs around town and word of mouth. While we always try to confirm details before they are posted in the Huntsville Weekend Roundup, sometimes details change or we are given inaccurate information. Whenever possible we link our write-ups to the source in which our information came from and strongly urge you to confirm details before you go, especially when it comes to outdoor events and weather.