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DC New Year’s Eve Guide 2025 for Families: Kid-Friendly Events, Fireworks, & More

Ring in the new year at First Night Alexandria. Photo by Geoff Livingston via Flickr 2.0
Ring in the new year at First Night Alexandria. Photo by Geoff Livingston via Flickr 2.0
12/26/25 - By Jennifer Swope

New Year's Eve with kids might feel as wild as those pre-children celebrations with sugar highs and post-holiday excitement —just earlier in the day, and everyone falls asleep well before midnight! When my now teenagers were a baby and a toddler, we attended the very first Noon Yards Eve. It's grown and become the premier DC event for kids to celebrate the new year. I can't recommend it enough!

But that is only one of the many great things to do with kids on New Year's Eve in the DC area. There are daytime New Year's Eve events like the Rocknoceros New Year's Eve Party at Jammin Java and Noon Year's Eve at the B&O Railroad Museum. Families with older kids might enjoy nighttime New Year's Eve family parties like the popular First Night Alexandria or the new New Year's Eve Drone & Fireworks Show in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

From fireworks and ball drops to drone shows and parties, here's what to do with kids on New Year's Eve in DC.

What Are the Best Things to Do with Kids on New Year’s Eve in DC in 2025-2026?

Not every family wants midnight fireworks. If yours doesn't, head to a nearby Noon Year's Eve event, like Noon Yards Eve or Noon Year's Eve at the B&O Railroad Museum. Some other fun and festive NYE activities for kids and families are ice skating (check out the best outdoor ice skating rinks in DC), visiting one of the many free museums in DC, or seeing a movie.

At-Home New Year’s Eve Ideas If You Don’t Want to Go Out

There are plenty of things to do that don't involve going out to celebrate NYE. Check out our guide for celebrating New Year's Eve at home, where you can have your own balloon drop, put together a hot chocolate bar, and more. You can also take part in New Year's traditions from around the world as a family. Or, have a family movie night at home with our guide to the best movies to watch on New Year's Eve.

DC NYE Family Fireworks, Drone Shows, Festivals & Outdoor Fun

Discover family-friendly events, fireworks, early countdowns, and fun ways to celebrate New Years Eve 2025–2026 in DC with kids of all ages. Some of our favorite firework celebrations are First Night Alexandria and the New Year's Eve Drone & Firework Show in Baltimore. Still clinging to Christmas? Most holiday light shows in the area are open on New Year's Eve. Happy New Year!

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Enjoy free holiday lights while celebrating New Year;s Eve at the Yards. Photo courtesy of the Yards DC
Enjoy free holiday lights while celebrating New Year;s Eve at the Yards. Photo courtesy of the Yards DC

Things to Do with Kids on New Year's Eve 2025 in DC

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 2026. 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, firepits, patio heaters, and deck heat lamps provide plenty of warmth. READ MORE
Enjoy fun performances at the Noon Time New Year celebration. Event photo courtesy of the Port Discovery Children's Museum
Enjoy fun performances at the Noon Time New Year celebration. Event photo courtesy of the Port Discovery Children's Museum

Maryland Fireworks, Drone Shows, and Other New Year's Eve Events for Families

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

Family New Year's Eve Party at Dave & Buster's

Silver Spring
There’s only one way to end the year and start another — with FUN. New Year's Eve at Dave & Buster’s is the place to be, with unforgettable entertainment, incredible bites worthy of being the last meal of the year, and Unlimited Video Game Play. Plus enjoy an all-ages ginger ale toast accompanied by a special video countdown. 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

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 Rainbow Rock Band, and a noontime ball drop. Families can also enjoy all of the museum's hands-on science exhibits. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Drone & Firework Show in Baltimore

Inner Harbor - Free
Baltimore's Inner Harbor lights up this New Year's Eve with a simultaneous fireworks and drone show at midnight. Pre-firework entertainment takes place along the Inner Harbor from 8-11:45pm.  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. 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

Celebration Station: New Year’s at Noon at Black Hill Discovery Center

Boyds
Ring in the New Year at the Discovery Center with a variety of arts and crafts activities, a campfire with s’mores, and of course, a noon countdown to ring in the New Year!  READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve Party at sweetFrog

Various Locations
On New Year's Eve, bring the kids in for a celebration of their own from 11am-12pm! They will dance, play games, eat snacks and pizza, have a frozen yogurt, and then celebrate with a countdown to noon with noisemakers. READ MORE

New Year's at Noon with Bluey at Pink Moon Moms

Bethesda
Pink Moon Moms is hosting a midday New Year's celebration that includes a Bluey character visit, crafts, kid-friendly activities, and a festive noon countdown. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at B&O Railroad Museum

Baltimore
Ring in the New Year at the B&O! Craft your own party hat and Wishing Wand, set goals at the Resolution Station, and join the countdown celebration with a ball drop, apple juice toast, and confetti. READ MORE
Celebrate Noon Year's Eve and get the kids to bed on time! Photo courtesy of Shipgarten
Celebrate Noon Year's Eve and get the kids to bed on time! Photo courtesy of Shipgarten

What To Do with Kids on New Year's Eve in Northern Virginia

First Night Alexandria New Year's Event

Alexandria
First Night Alexandria is back with a variety of performances and events for all ages. The Countdown to 2026 features a variety of activities, activations, dance parties, live music, fireworks, and more. The festivities kick off at noon and conclude at midnight as thousands welcome in the New Year.  READ MORE

New Year's Eve Around the World (at Children's Science Center)

Fairfax
Ring in 2026 in STEM style! With three time slots to choose from—10am-12pm, 1-3pm, and 3:30-5:30pm— your family can enjoy all the fun of New Year's Eve without the late night. Decorate “2026” headbands, create your own noisemaker, and add some sparkle to the new year with Celebration Slime. This event includes its own count down and Ball Drop along with a kids' sparkling cider toast to the new year. 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

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

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

Ashburn
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

Rocknoceros New Year's Eve Party (at Jammin Java)

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

Noon Year's Eve at Shipgarten

McLean - Free
Shipgarten invites families to celebrate New Year's Eve for the entire afternoon. Watch football on multiple TVs as the kids enjoy moonbounces, playground sets, photo booths, arts and crafts, face painting, outdoor games, and more. READ MORE

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About the Author

Jennifer Swope
Jennifer Swope, a DC resident since 2003, transitioned from humanitarian work to freelance editing in 2012 to stay home with her two kids. This shift sparked her passion for finding fun ways to keep them entertained—and inspired her to contribute to Mommy Poppins. When she's not navigating DC's chaos with her kids, she and her husband love watching sports, planning their next trip, and attending concerts. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferswope.
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