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New Year's Eve Weekend 2023 in DC: Noon Year's Eve, Fireworks, First Day Hikes, and More

Enjoy fireworks and other festivities at First Night Alexandria. Photo courtesy of the event
Enjoy fireworks and other festivities at First Night Alexandria. Photo courtesy of the event
12/27/23 - 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 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, Noon Time New Year at Port Discovery, and Noon Yards Eve in Yards Park.

If you want to say goodbye to 2023 with a bang, you won't want to miss Baltimore's New Year Eve's Drone and Firework Show or family-friendly (read: early) fireworks displays in Annapolis and Alexandria.

Don’t miss our complete lists of things to do on New Year's Eve with kids and what to do with kids over the holiday break.

More Things To Do in Washington, DC this Week with Kids:

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Have festive fun at Noon Year's Eve at the B&O. Photo courtesy of the B&O Railroad
Have festive fun at Noon Year's Eve at the B&O. Photo courtesy of the B&O Railroad

Things To Do in DC this New Year's Weekend with Kids

Jungle Discovery

Bethesda, MD - Daily (except Mondays), through January 14, 2024
Jungle Discovery at Imagination Stage, in collaboration with Port Discovery Children's Museum, is an engaging and immersive interactive experience for children ages 3-6 and their adults. Participants enter a fantastical jungle world where they can dress up as exotic creatures and explore the beautiful flora and fauna, play in the jungle leaves, add flowers, play with sound using a rain stick, draw on the Mirror Mural, and make a warm nest to hide in. There are plenty of fun surprises in this multi-sensory environment. READ MORE

Celebrate Bob Bown’s Final Puppetry Masterpiece

Herndon, VA - Friday, December 29
For more than 60 years, Master Puppeteer Bob Brown has delighted audiences. His final performance is a jolly, fun-filled romp through a winter wonderland as his trick marionettes perform incredible feats of skill and daring that will leave young audiences shouting with laughter. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Party (at KidCreate Studio)

Ashburn, VA - Friday, December 29
Drop off your young artist at KidCreate Studio a New Year's Eve Party. This class will use special neon materials to create a cool rainbow that glows under black light. Then, we'll turn up the music, turn on the blacklights, and get the glow party started. Young artists should wear neon colors (white works, too) so they can glow just like their artwork. Pack a nut-free snack and drink for your child. READ MORE

African Drumming & Storytelling with Baba Ras D

Washington, DC - Saturday, December 30
Free
Baba Ras D shares African drumming and stories while participants learn about the 5th principle of Kwanzaa, Nia. Baba Ras D is the creator of The HARAMBEE Experience, an early childhood elevation activity and play program.  READ MORE

Parent's Time Off! New Year's Eve Party (at KidCreate Studio)

Ashburn, VA - Saturday, December 30
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

Noon Yards Eve

Washington, DC - Sunday, December 31
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 2025. READ MORE

Family New Year's Party at metrobar

Washington, DC - Sunday, December 31
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, firepits, patio heaters, and deck heat lamps provide plenty of warmth. READ MORE

Midnight Noon at the Maryland Science Center

Baltimore, MD - Sunday, December 31
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 - Sunday, December 31
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

Noon Time New Year at Port Discovery

Baltimore, MD - Sunday, December 31
Little ones can celebrate the new year at noon with a play session at Port Discovery Children's Museum. Families can go on a New Year Around the World scavenger hunt, make confetti cannons and noisemakers, and do so much more on all levels of the museum. Don't forget to draw a resolution on the Wish Tree. READ MORE

Annapolis New Year's Eve Fireworks

Annapolis, MD - Sunday, December 31
Free
The City of Annapolis hosts a family-friendly New Year's Eve event in Susan Campbell Park, with a small fireworks display at 7pm. A larger fireworks display takes place at midnight over Annapolis Harbor. READ MORE

Krumpe's Donut Drop (at Meritus Park)

Hagerstown, MD - Sunday, December 31
Free
Kick off the new year at Meritus Park with a Krumpe's Donut Drop, fireworks, and live music. Kids can enjoy games, crafts, and activities. Attendees can enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts. Fireworks begin at 6:59pm. READ MORE

Merriweather Symphony of Lights Midnight at 7

Columbia, MD - Sunday, December 31
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

New Year's Eve Drone & Firework Show in Baltimore

Baltimore, MD - Sunday, December 31
Free
Baltimore's Inner Harbor lights up this New Year's Eve with a simultaneous fireworks and drone show. Pre-firework entertainment takes place along the Inner Harbor from 9-11:45pm.  READ MORE

First Night Alexandria New Year's Event

Alexandria, VA - Sunday, December 31
First Night Alexandria is back with a variety of performances and events for all ages. The Countdown to 2025 features a variety of activities, activations, dance parties, live music, and more. The festivities kick off at 2pm and conclude at midnight as thousands welcome in the New Year.  READ MORE

New Year's Eve Around the World

Fairfax, VA - Sunday, December 31
Ring in 2024 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

Vienna Noon Year’s Eve Event

Vienna, VA - Sunday, December 31
Free
Town of Vienna, in partnership with Cedar Park Shopping Center, is hosting a daytime celebration for family and kids to ring in the “noon” year—saying goodbye to 2023 and celebrating the arrival of 2024. This family-friendly event features a pop-up artisan market, live music, games, air-brushed tattoos, giveaways, face painting, crafts, and a noon countdown celebration. Activities take place under a heated tent. READ MORE

Family Card Making with Habeebah Muhammad

Washington, DC - Monday, January 1, 2024
Free
Celebrate the last day of Kwanzaa with a focus on the principle Imani. Habeebah Muhammad leads a discussion on the importance of faith in the family. Participants create and design cards to express what they are thankful for in each family member. READ MORE

New Year’s Day PJ Brunch

Bethesda, MD - Monday, January 1, 2024
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: Black Hill Regional Park

Boyds, MD - Monday, January 1, 2024
Free
First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. This hike starting at the Black Hill Discovery Center is 2-3 miles on natural surface terrain that includes a steep hill. READ MORE

First Day Hike: Cedarville State Forest

Upper Marlboro, MD - Monday, January 1, 2024
Free
Celebrate the New Year with a ranger-led hike at Cedarville State Forest. Meet Ranger Cierra at the pond parking lot for a 2-mile hike. The Green Trail is an easy loop, as it is generally level and dry. READ MORE

First Day Hike: Sandy Point State Park

Annapolis, MD - Monday, January 1, 2024
Free
Join Maryland Park Rangers to ring in 2024 with a 3-mile loop hike along the Sandy Point coastline and through the Blue Crab trail. Hike start times are 10am and 1pm. READ MORE

First Day Hike: Seneca Creek State Park

Gaithersburg, MD - Monday, January 1, 2024
Free
Hikers are invited to take a self-guided hike around the Lakeshore Trail at Seneca Creek State Park. This 3.7-mile loop along natural surface trails offers scenic views of nature and the opportunity to observe winter wildlife. Maps, field guides, scavenger hunt activities, and trivia games are available. Friends of Seneca Creek State Park is providing coffee and hot chocolate as supplies last. READ MORE

First Day Hike: Leesylvania State Park

Woodbridge, VA - Monday, January 1, 2024
Free
Park rangers lead guided hiking tours throughout the park, including a Children's Discovery Hike along the Potomac Trail at 11:30am and 2:30pm. Kids can use the provided binoculars, magnifying glasses, bug-catching tools, and more during the hike. READ MORE

First Day Hike: Mason Neck State Park

Lorton, VA - Monday, January 1, 2024
Free
Celebrate the start of 2024 with a ranger-led First Day Hike in Mason Neck State Park, which is offering hikes for all ages and skill levels. READ MORE
The whole family will have a sweet time at Candytopia. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
The whole family will have a sweet time at Candytopia. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

Last-Chance Activities near DC

A Year with Frog and Toad

Bethesda, MD - Saturdays & Sundays, through January 7, 2024 (also December 29)
In this hit Broadway musical, two best friends with opposite personalities wake up from hibernation and enjoy hilarious adventures through the seasons. Lighthearted with a sprinkle of nostalgia, this show is inspired by the acclaimed children’s books. READ MORE

The Building Buddies at Port Discovery

Baltimore, MD - Fridays - Sundays, through January 7, 2024
The Building Buddies portrays a small community where everyone is busy working on their homes. This collaborative hands-on exhibit has different “buddies” to invite young children to play, explore, collaborate, create, and learn while improving the neighborhood. The goal of this exhibit is to provide an environment that's open for discovery and encourages the development of science and process skills at an early age.  READ MORE

Candytopia

Tysons, VA - Thursdays - Mondays, through January 7, 2024 (except January 3)
Delight in an an interactive, delicious experience where candy becomes art and there's a sugary treat for all the senses. Guests walk through a candy wonderland and immerse themselves in different candy-themed environments. They also enjoy packaged candy samples. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Susan Campbell Park
Old Town, Del Ray, West End
Cedar Park Shopping Center Parking Lot