Enjoy First Night Fun For New Year's On The Seaside Heights Boardwalk

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — Ring in the New Year with a family-friendly celebration in Seaside Heights: the Ocean County First Night event.

The First Night celebration on the boardwalk begins at 1 p.m. with four participating locations: Lucky Leo's, Coin Castle, Casino Pier Arcade and Shake Shoppe.

There will be music, magic shows, a caricature artist, and character appearances. Two trackless trains will circulate on the Boardwalk among the locations, and ring in the New Year with their Fireworks Extravaganza at 5 p.m.

Wristbands are needed to ride the train and wristband wearers will get free game cards and prizes for kids at the participating arcades. In addition, those who purchase wristbands are eligible for grand prizes.

The wristbands are $10 per adult and $6 per child and can be purchased at any of the four participating locations, or at the County Connection at Ocean County Mall. Cash only.

Here are the schedules at Casino Pier and at Lucky Leo's:

Casino Pier

• 1 p.m.: Magic Show
• 1 p.m.-3 p.m.: Meet & Greets with Australian Pups
• 2 p.m.: Rizzo's Wildlife World of Animal Show
• 3 p.m.: Ice Sisters Sing-a-Long + Meet & Greet
• 3 p.m.-5 p.m.: Meet & Greets with Mr & Mrs Mouse
• 4 p.m.: Kids Dance Party with the Ice Sisters
• 4:30 p.m.: COUNTDOWN TO THE NEW YEAR BALLOON DROP at the center of the arcade

Lucky Leo's

• 1-3 p.m.: Rolling Sensory Trailer
• 1-5 p.m.: Caricaturist
• 1-6 p.m.: Face painting & Balloons
• 12:30 and 3:30 p.m.: Rizzo's Wildlife Show
• 2-5 p.m.: Appearance by Moana & Maui
• 5 p.m.: Fireworks on Boardwalk
• 5:30 p.m.: Grand Prize: Pokemon Switch
• From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. it's Lucky Leo's Beat the Clock, where "the longer you stay, the less it is to play."