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DC New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, and Other Celebrations for Kids

Noon Yards Eve at Yards Park allows kids to ring in the new year and still get to bed on time. Photo courtesy of the The Yards DC
Noon Yards Eve at Yards Park allows kids to ring in the new year and still get to bed on time. Photo courtesy of the The Yards DC
12/23/22 - By Jennifer Swope

Remember New Year's Eve before kids? You know, partying until the wee hours of the morning with champagne flowing and midnight kisses. But New Year's Eve with kids doesn't have to be boring. Ring in 2023 in style at one of several family-friendly events in the DC area.

We've rounded up DC New Year's Eve fireworks, noontime parties, balloon drops, and other things to do on New Year's Eve in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Early birds can go to a Noon Year's Eve party at Yards Park or the B&O Railroad Museum. Families with older kids might enjoy nighttime parties like the popular First Night Alexandria or a celebration at Adventure Park USA in Monrovia, Maryland.

And if a cough or sniffles has you housebound this New Year's Eve, the Story Pirates are throwing a free interactive celebration for kids online as well.

Still clinging to Christmas? Most holiday light shows in the area are open on New Year's Eve, or get tickets to a holiday performance before they end their seasonal runs. Happy new year!

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Enjoy bounce houses, games, music, and other kid-friendly fun at Noon Yards Eve. Photo courtesy of the The Yards DC
Enjoy bounce houses, games, music, and other kid-friendly fun at Noon Yards Eve. Photo courtesy of the The Yards DC

DC New Year's Eve Fireworks and Celebrations in 2022

Noon Yards Eve

Yards Park - 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

Edgewood
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
Enjoy a noontime ball drop and confetti at Midnight Noon. Photo courtesy of the Maryland Science Center
Enjoy a noontime ball drop and confetti at Midnight Noon. Photo courtesy of the Maryland Science Center

Things to Do on New Year's Eve 2022 with Kids in Maryland

Smokey Bear’s New Year’s Eve Countdown

Colesville
Enjoy various activities, a campfire with s’mores, and a noon countdown to ring in the New Year with Smokey Bear! Drop-in anytime during program hours. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at the B&O

Baltimore
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

Midnight Noon at the Maryland Science Center

Baltimore
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 Time New Year at Port Discovery

Baltimore
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

Artsy Partsy Midnight at Noon

Pasadena
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

Merriweather Symphony of Lights Midnight at 7

Columbia
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

Krumpe's Donut Drop

Hagerstown - 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

Adventure Park USA Family New Year's Eve Celebration

Monrovia
Give older kids a New Year's Eve to remember at Adventure Park USA. Tickets include unlimited attractions, prizes, giveaways, a meal voucher, DJ entertainment, and a balloon drop at midnight. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve Skate Party

Crofton
Celebrate the arrival of 2023 at Noon Year's Eve Skate! Admission includes skate rental, a slice of pizza, a drink, and the balloon drop filled with awesome prizes. The first 50 paid admissions online receive New Year's gear. READ MORE

Happy Noon Year’s Eve

Rockville
Celebrate the New Year before bedtime with an activity every 15 minutes until the clock strikes noon or 2pm. Bring a favorite juice drink to toast to the New Year. Activities and snacks will be provided. READ MORE

Annapolis New Year's Eve Fireworks

Annapolis - 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
Take a Noon Years Eve skate at Skate Zone Crofton or Skate N' Fun Zone in Manassas. Photo courtesy of Skate Zone Crofton
Take a Noon Years Eve skate at Skate Zone Crofton or Skate N' Fun Zone in Manassas. Photo courtesy of Skate Zone Crofton

Things to Do on New Year's Eve 2022 with Kids in Northern Virginia

First Night Alexandria

Alexandria
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

Noon Year's Eve at Get Air Trampoline Park

Alexandria
Celebrate the new year early at Get Air Trampoline Park with games, giveaways, and a countdown and balloon drop at noon. Tickets are sold at the door. READ MORE

Skate N' Fun Zone Noon Years Eve Skate

Manassas
Play games, win prizes, and enjoy a balloon drop at 5pm at Skate N' Fun Zone's Noon Years Eve Party. Skate rental is included. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Around the World

Fairfax
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

New Year's Eve at The Branch

Leesburg
Ring in the new year with The Branch. Enjoy bowling, pizza, and unlimited fountain drinks with family and friends. READ MORE

Rocknoceros New Year's Eve Party

Vienna
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

Olde Years Day

Alexandria
Celebrate the close of 2022 with the Art Center. Find hands-on activities for every member of the family, meet working artists in their studios, and get inspired for 2023. READ MORE

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