New Year's Eve with the family: where to go
4 minutes
The countdown to the New Year is about to start, and it's time to plan your New Year's Eve with the family. Sole objective? To keep the kids entertained and spend a magical evening welcoming in 2023 surrounded by laughter, good food and lots of love.
If you are looking for ideas for a New Year's Eve with the kids that you will not forget easily, in Italy you have a choice of snow days, evenings on a farm in contact with nature, special days in amusement parks and even a dinner among sharks, dolphins and penguins.
Here is what to do on New Year's Eve with the family to explore Italy at its most charming and genuine.
New Year's Eve in Christmas villages in Italy, to meet Father Christmas
Meeting Father Christmas, visiting his house and toy workshop, greeting the reindeer as they rest in the stable, meeting the efficient elves and enjoying sweets and treats: these are just some of the experiences you can have in one of the numerous Christmas villages throughout Italy during the festive season.
There are plenty of options for a New Year's Eve of absolute fun with the family, starting with the Christmas Village of Bussolengo with animations and attractions for everyone, or the Kingdom of Father Christmas in Vetralla, on the outskirts of Rome, with its Frozen Forest and the Tunnel of a Thousand Sweets.
Also competing for the title of Italy's best Father Christmas village are the Father Christmas Castle in Montepulciano, housed in the mediaeval fortress in the town centre, and Christmasland in Gubbio, dominated by the world's largest Christmas tree.
New Year's Eve in Italian amusement parks and aquariums
Celebrating the arrival of the New Year in an amusement park with Ferris wheels, attractions and shows is a great idea. On New Year's Eve, Gardaland transforms into Gardaland Magic Winter, while Cinecittà World, on the outskirts of Rome, organises a special evening with fireworks, themed dinners, DJ sets and illuminations.
On New Year's Eve at Leolandia, in one of the most loved amusement park by families with children under 12 years old, not far from Bergamo, in addition to Santa Claus, can meet all the cartoon characters. If you prefer to spend New Year's Eve at the Genoa Aquarium, get ready for lots of special activities such as an aperitif and dinner in the Cetacean Pavilion. And children up to the age of 3 have free admission.
New Year's Eve at the spa with children: relaxing is now possible
You can also spend a relaxing New Year's Eve with children at the spa: no, it is not impossible! At Montecatini Thermal Baths, New Year's Eve is celebrated with a dinner and lots of entertainment for children, after spending a few hours in the warm thermal heat of the Pool of Happiness, accessible for children from 24 months of age upwards.
At the Bormio Thermal Baths, children of all ages can enjoy a dedicated area with a Mushroom Pool and a 60-metre-long water slide, reserved for those aged 10 years and older. If you have already made plans for the evening, on the other hand, you can discover the Abano and Montegrotto thermal baths during the day, with the children, and arrive in a relaxed mood for dinner.
New Year's Eve for families in the mountains to celebrate and have fun
How about a day in the snow with sledging and snowshoeing for the whole family before welcoming the New Year with a lavish New Year's Eve dinner? The family hotels in the Dolomites organise events on New Year's Eve that will leave lasting memories with children and adults alike.
At the foot of the Latemar you will find toboggan runs of Obereggen and a large Baby Park, while for a unique New Year's Eve in Val Gardena, choose one of the many family hotels in Ortisei: the children's entertainment and activities to be enjoyed all together, indoors and outdoors, will impress you.
