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On New Year’s Eve, kids might find it hard to stay up until midnight for the final countdown into the new year. As a solution for young ones to still get involved, San Mateo County Libraries is hosting “Noon Year’s Eve,” an alternative way for kids to ring in the new year.
At noon rather than midnight, children and families will be able to experience all of the New Year’s festivities including a countdown, party poppers, games, crafts, snacks and a storytime.
“These kid-centric events give them an opportunity to be present for all aspects of the celebration as opposed to New Year’s Eve feeling like a very adult holiday,” said Elise Staples, youth and families services manager at San Mateo County Libraries.
Each library location will be visited by a popular literary character such as Pete the Cat, Paddington, Frog and Toad, and Clifford the Big Red Dog as they join in on the celebration. Families will have the opportunity to take photos with storybook celebrities, and give them hugs and high fives.
Kids toss pompoms in the air — and on the ground — after a count down to “noon year” during a celebration at the Atherton Library on Dec. 27, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
A dragon, right, makes a special appearance at the reading of the book “Dragons Love Tacos” during Atherton Library’s “noon year” celebration on Dec. 27, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
From left to right, Ana Rubio helps Tejas, 4, and Ojas, 6, make new years shakers at the Atherton Library’s “noon year” celebration on Dec. 27, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Kids made felt tacos in preparation for a “noon year” celebration, which included a reading of the book “Dragons Love Tacos,” at the Atherton Library on Dec. 27, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Kids dance along to songs at the Atherton Library’s “noon year” celebration on Dec. 27, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.
The event will allow kids to get the full experience of the transition into the new year, said Staples. Although younger children may not fully understand the shift into a new year, they can still feel the excitement of the holiday and be involved in some capacity.
San Mateo County Libraries has been hosting Noon Year’s Eve since December 2015 and it’s been a very popular event, said Staples. Smaller library locations such as Woodside and Portola Valley have seen up to 100 people attend and larger locations have hosted a couple hundred, she added.
From Dec. 30-31, families can attend Noon Year’s Eve events in North Fair Oaks, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto, San Carlos, Millbrae and more. The Atherton Library event took place on Friday, Dec. 27. For all locations and event details visit tinyurl.com/smclnoonyearseve.
What to look forward to in 2025
The county library is looking for more children ages 0 to 5 to sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which launched in August. Families can sign up to receive a free book in the mail every month. There are no requirements and no income restrictions, said Staples.
In 2025, the library looks forward to hosting cultural celebrations, author visits, activities, opportunities to advance literary skills and summer adventures.
“There’s always something new around the corner,” said Staples.
To stay updated on San Mateo County Libraries events sign up for its newsletter or visit smcl.org.
