Bring your flashiest kite to the Blossom Kite Festival in DC. Photo courtesy of the event
Cherry Blossom Festival, Easter Egg Hunts, and More Top Things To Do in DC this Weekend
Photo courtesy of Andrew Turner, Flickr Attribution 2.0 Generic
12 Kid-Friendly Spots to See the DC Cherry Blossoms
GUIDE
Spring Fun Guide for Kids and Families in Washington DC
Celebrate all things Irish at Ireland at the Wharf. Photo courtesy of the Wharf DC
25 Best Things to Do in DC March 2023 with Kids: Cherry Blossoms, St. Patrick's Day, and More
Celebrate cherry blossom season at Petalpalooza. Photo courtesy of nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
36 Spring Festivals and Fairs Near DC for Families
Ewwwww! There's an worm in my apple. Photo by Ally Noel
  VIDEO
17 Super Easy April Fools Day Pranks To Play on Your Kids
How many colorful eggs can your little bunny find? Photo courtesy of the Lee-Fendall House
32 Easter Egg Hunts Near Washington, DC for Kids and Teens in 2023
GUIDE
Washington DC Summer Camp Guide
Take a ride on the Bunny Train at the B&O Railroad Museum. Photo courtesy of the B&O Railroad
Meet the Easter Bunny: Bunny Brunches, Trains, Egg Hunts, and Easter Bunny Pictures Near DC
An illustrated Haggadah encourages kids to read the story of Passover and the Passover Seder. Photo by Melanie Preis
How to Celebrate Passover as a Family (and Make it Fun for Kids)
Photo courtesy of Croydon Creek Nature Center
GUIDE
Outdoor Activities Guide for DC Kids
Kids can swing, climb, and jump their way through the ninja warrior course at ZavaZone. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
Ninja Warrior Gyms, Obstacle Courses, and Parkour Near DC for Kids
The DC area is full of great indoor playgrounds for kids of all ages. Photo courtesy of Super, Awesome, & Amazing
Top Indoor Playgrounds in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids
Kids get excited about Ramadan because it's a time of celebration! Photo by Nanausop, courtesy of Canva
Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Ramadan with Kids
Turn your own home into one of the best indoor birthday party places ever by inviting a beloved character from Stupendous Events. Photo courtesy of the company
Fun Indoor Birthday Party Places for Preschoolers in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Getting ready to fly high. Photo courtesy of the Atomic Trampoline Fun Center
7 Awesome Trampoline Parks Near DC for Indoor Family Fun
A cup of coffee from Open City is the perfect complement to a National Zoo visit. Photo courtesy of Open City DC
Best Coffee Shops in DC to Visit with Kids
When it comes to theme restaurants, no place does it up more than Baltimore's Papermoon Diner.
Best Theme Restaurants for Families in DC, Virginia, and Maryland
GUIDE
Kids' Birthday Party Places Guide for DC

New Year's Eve Weekend 2022 in DC: Noon Year's Eve, First Day Hikes, Fireworks, and More

Head to Noon Yards Eve at Yards Park for a family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration. Photo courtesy of The Yards DC
Head to Noon Yards Eve at Yards Park for a family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration. Photo courtesy of The Yards DC
12/28/22 - By Jennifer Swope

Looking for the best things to do in DC this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this holiday weekend.

Are you ready to ring in the new year? There are so many kid-friendly things to do on New Year's Eve in our region this weekend, including New Year's Eve Around the World at the Children's Science Center and Noon Time New Year at Port Discovery in Baltimore. If an arts and crafts project would interest your child, try KidCreate Studio's Parent's Time Off! New Year's Craft Party or the Midnight at Noon celebration at Artsy Partsy.

Some of us start the new year off sleepy. If that's you, head to brunch in your pajamas at Summer House Santa Monica in Bethesda. But if your family wants to jump into the new year, we've rounded up some great First Day Hikes. Read on for locations and information.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Fireworks light up Annapolis Harbor at midnight on New Year's Eve. Photo courtesy of Visit Annapolis
Fireworks light up Annapolis Harbor at midnight on New Year's Eve. Photo courtesy of Visit Annapolis

Things to do in Washington, DC this New Year's Weekend with Kids

Winter Scavenger Hunt and Campfire

Colesville, MD - Friday, December 30, 2022
Explore the great outdoors with a naturalist-led hike and scavenger hunt at the Maydale Nature Classroom. READ MORE

Parent's Time Off! New Year's Craft Party

Ashburn, VA - Friday, December 30, 2022
Drop off your young artist at KidCreate Studio for three hours, where they'll create noisemakers, party poppers, and New Year’s Eve hats. Pack a nut-free snack and drink for your child. READ MORE

Squeakers and Mr. Gumdrop

Tysons, VA - Friday - Sunday, December 30, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Free
One snowy winter morning, Mr. Gumdrop prepares for his annual holiday party. When an unexpected and curious mouse appears, Mr. Gumdrop's routine is thrown for a loop. Can these two wildly different characters work together to get the holiday preparations done in time? This nonverbal, imaginative production for kids ages 2-5 and their families captures the magic of making new friends and sharing ideas to accomplish big goals.  READ MORE

Noon Yards Eve

Washington, DC - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Free
This family-friendly celebration at Yards Park includes train rides, an inflatable slide and bounce houses, glitter tattoos, games, musical performances, and more. When the clock strikes noon, guests can enjoy a signature moment to ring in 2023. READ MORE

Family New Year's Party at metrobar

Washington, DC - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Free
This outdoor bar is hosting a free family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration with children's activities and games beginning at 4pm. When the ball drops at 7pm, families can toast the new year with champagne for the grown-ups and cider for the kids. A three-walled heated tent, fire pits, patio heaters, and deck heat lamps provide plenty of warmth. READ MORE

Midnight Noon at the Maryland Science Center

Baltimore, MD - Saturday, December 31, 2022
The Maryland Science Center's annual Midnight Noon celebration includes fun New Year’s festivities, music by Marsha and the Positrons, and a noontime ball drop. Families can also enjoy all of the museum's hands-on science exhibits. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at the B&O

Baltimore, MD - Saturday, December 31, 2022
This daytime New Year's Eve celebration at the B&O Railroad Museum includes festive dancing and music, New Year’s resolution-writing and party hat-making stations, and games. Then kids can count down to noon and welcome the new year early with a ball drop, confetti, and streamers. READ MORE

Merriweather Symphony of Lights Midnight at 7

Columbia, MD - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Ring in the New Year early with festive lights and fireworks at Merriweather Symphony of Lights. Families can walk through the beautiful Symphony of Lights holiday display, then enjoy fireworks, entertainment, and food trucks at 7pm. READ MORE

Noon Time New Year at Port Discovery

Baltimore, MD - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Little ones can celebrate the new year at noon with a play session at Port Discovery Children's Museum that includes winter-themed activities. Families can also learn about a group of time travelers, hear their stories from different time periods, and witness them make their jump through the Port Discovery Time Machine. READ MORE

Krumpe's Donut Drop

Hagerstown, MD - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Free
Kick off the new year in the square of downtown Hagerstown with a Krumpe's Donut Drop, fireworks, and live music from DJ Sidekick. Kids can enjoy games, crafts, and activities in the Maryland Theatre Grand Lobby. The first 5,000 attendees receive free coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts.  READ MORE

Artsy Partsy Midnight at Noon

Pasadena, MD - Saturday, December 31, 2022
The whole family can celebrate New Year's Eve at this art studio with fun projects like spin art, sewing, painting, and more, and a countdown to the new year at noon. READ MORE

Annapolis New Year's Eve Fireworks

Annapolis, MD - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Free
The City of Annapolis is hosting a family-friendly New Year's Eve event with Priddy Music Academy and Chesapeake Children's Museum from 4-5:30pm in Susan Campbell Park, with a small fireworks display at 5:30pm. A larger fireworks display takes place at midnight over Annapolis Harbor.   READ MORE

First Night Alexandria

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, December 31, 2022
First Night Alexandria is back in 2022 with a variety of performances and events for all ages. The Countdown to 2023 Street Party is free, starting at 10pm in Market Square. Midnight fireworks are visible all along the waterfront. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Around the World

Fairfax, VA - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Ring in 2023 at the Children's Science Center with kid-engineered noisemakers and confetti throwers. Choose from three time slots at 10am, 1pm, and 3:30pm. Each slot is two hours long and includes a new year's countdown. READ MORE

Rocknoceros New Year's Eve Party

Vienna, VA - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Celebrate New Year's Eve with children's band Rocknoceros as they entertain with music and host a ball drop and an apple-juice toast at noon.  READ MORE

New Year’s Day PJ Brunch

Bethesda, MD - Sunday, January 1, 2023
Enjoy New Year's Day brunch in pajamas at Summer House Santa Monica. All patrons who dine in their pjs receive a gift card equal to the value of their meal (minus tax and tip) for a future visit. READ MORE

First Day Hike: Patuxent River State Park

Brookeville, MD - Sunday, January 1, 2023
Free
Rangers at the Patuxent River State Park are offering visitors two First Day Hike opportunities. One is a 3.5-mile round-trip hike along the Flowing Free Trail connecting to the Cemetery Trail that departs at 10am. The other is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike along the Flowing Free Trail departing at 1pm.  READ MORE

First Day Hike: Merkle NRMA

Upper Marlboro, MD - Sunday, January 1, 2023
Free
Join Merkle staff for a flat, three-mile hike that connects the forested areas on either side of the main entrance road of Merkle. This trail passes Merkle’s champion yellow poplar which measures 116 feet tall and nearly 17 feet in circumference. READ MORE

First Day Hike: Cedarville State Forest

Upper Marlboro, MD - Sunday, January 1, 2023
Free
Join a park ranger for a 1.25-mile guided hike. The trail is not wheelchair- or stroller-friendly, but leashed dogs are welcome. READ MORE

First Day Hike: Leesylvania State Park

Woodbridge, VA - Sunday, January 1, 2023
Free
Join park rangers for a Children's Discovery Hike along the Potomac Trail. Park rangers will have binoculars, magnifying glasses, bug-catching tools, and more gear for children to use. READ MORE

First Day Hike: Mason Neck State Park

Lorton, VA - Sunday, January 1, 2023
Free
Celebrate the start of 2023 with a ranger-led First Day hike in Mason Neck State Park. There will be hikes for all ages and skill levels. READ MORE

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience

Leesburg, VA - Daily through January 29, 2023
This nighttime woodland trail is filled with magical creatures and wonders from the Harry Potter™ and Fantastic Beasts™ films. Explore the sounds, lights, and special effects that bring the magic of the Wizarding World to life. Guests will also be able to enjoy a wide range of delicious food and drinks at the village. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: