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A midday countdown anchors the Dec. 31 family gathering, with a bubble dance party and winter STEM activities in the Children’s Adventure Garden.
All times are local to the venue · America/Chicago
The Noon Year’s Eve Celebration has one fixed appointment: a countdown and ball drop at 12 p.m. in the Exploration Center Plaza. The Dallas Arboretum gathering runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, with a bubble dance party and winter STEM activities also on the program.
The two activities named beyond the countdown—a bubble dance party and winter STEM activities—take place in the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. The eight-acre garden combines interactive exhibits and nature-focused learning, so the STEM element belongs to a broader science setting rather than standing alone.
The Arboretum’s regular garden description says its galleries are designed with different ages in mind while welcoming visitors beyond those age groups. The celebration listing does not identify a particular experiment, project or recommended age, so families should treat “winter STEM activities” as a general description rather than a promise of a specific activity.
Further reading: Noon Year's Eve Celebration | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · The Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden | Dallas Arboretum ↗
The ball drop is set for noon at the Exploration Center Plaza. The bubble dance party and winter STEM activities are listed during the 10 a.m.–1 p.m. event, but without individual start times. If the countdown is the priority, allow time to reach the plaza before noon rather than assuming the other activities follow a published sequence.
The celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The countdown and ball drop are at 12 p.m. in the Exploration Center Plaza.
Noon Year's Eve Celebration | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
The event is in the Children’s Adventure Garden. The Arboretum identifies Entry 3 at 8657 Garland Road as the family entrance directly in front of the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. The event listing also gives the Arboretum’s main address, 8525 Garland Road.
Noon Year's Eve Celebration | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Parking | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
The event listing does not say whether the celebration is included with daytime garden admission or requires a separate ticket or reservation. General Thursday daytime admission is $21.95 for adults and $17.95 for children ages 3–12; members receive free daytime admission, and the Arboretum lists Museums for All admission at $3 per adult or child. These are general garden rates, not confirmed Noon Year’s Eve ticket terms. The Arboretum says its admission prices and discounts are valid when purchased directly through it; third-party tickets and promotions are not accepted.
Dec. 31 falls within the Arboretum’s holiday-hours period: daytime admission is listed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a 4–5 p.m. closure and a separately ticketed Holiday at Night session from 5–10 p.m. The evening experience is separate from this 10 a.m.–1 p.m. celebration.
Noon Year's Eve Celebration | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Hours and Admission | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
General parking is $15 per vehicle, plus applicable tax and fees. Members park free for up to two vehicles registered in advance; otherwise the standard fee applies. Visitors using Museums for All receive complimentary parking. The garage is at 8720 Garland Road, across the road from the Children’s Adventure Garden, and an underground walkway connects it to the garden. The Arboretum asks visitors to use designated parking rather than nearby residential streets.
Wheelchairs and strollers are allowed in the gardens. Strollers and wagons in the Children’s Adventure Garden need a braking system because of the terrain. Complimentary wheelchairs are available at the Ticket Booth on a first-come, first-served basis; mobility scooters are available to rent for $20–$30.
The garage-to-garden walkway is described as accessible. The Arboretum also notes that the garden’s natural topography varies and that some portions of its historic landscape may be inaccessible.
Visitor FAQs | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Accessibility | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Parking | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
The celebration has no stated age recommendation. The Arboretum’s general visitor policy requires children under 16 to be accompanied by an adult.
Noon Year's Eve Celebration | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Visitor FAQs | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
The Arboretum lists Entry 3 at 8657 Garland Road as the family entrance directly in front of the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. The parking garage is at Entry 4, 8720 Garland Road, across from the garden; an underground walkway connects the two.
The supplied official visitor information identifies entrances and parking but does not list public-transit directions. The map links can calculate directions from your own starting point.
Parking | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Noon Year's Eve Celebration | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
At 12 p.m. in the Exploration Center Plaza on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Noon Year's Eve Celebration | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
The event listing does not say whether it is included with daytime admission or requires a separate ticket or reservation. Confirm the event’s admission terms with the Arboretum.
Noon Year's Eve Celebration | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
Yes. Strollers are permitted; in the Children’s Adventure Garden, strollers and wagons must have a braking system because of the terrain.
No event-specific age recommendation is listed. The Arboretum requires children under 16 to be accompanied by an adult.
Noon Year's Eve Celebration | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Visitor FAQs | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
8657 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-11-02 against the linked sources.