Urban Air Lake Grove hosts New Year’s celebration with balloon drop for kids

Urban Air Lake Grove indoor adventure park hosted its third annual ‘New Year’s Eve @ Noon’ celebration with a massive balloon drop to ring in the new year on Wednesday, Dec. 31. 

The special celebration, which was held 12 hours ahead of midnight for younger children who might not be able to stay awake until midnight, was attended by hundreds of kids and their parents who came out to ring in 2026.

“We started it a few years ago, and the kids love it,” said Keith Handler, co-founder of Urban Air Lake Grove. “We call it controlled chaos. The kids like to chase the balloons that fall and pop them. It’s really fun.” 

A countdown preceded the release of more than 2,000 multicolored balloons falling from the ceiling of the park, cascading down onto families below, accompanied by confetti cannons. Kids hoisted balloons in the air like trophies and stomped them in a cacophony that sounded like firecrackers. Urban Air Lake Grove gave out hats and noisemakers to complete the festive atmosphere.

“We came last year, and the kids had so much fun,” said mom Amanda Acevedo from Medford.