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25 New Year's Eve Fireworks, Ball Drops, Parties and Other DC 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
12/22/23 - By Jennifer Swope

New Year's Eve with kids looks little bit different than those pre-children celebrations, but that's doesn't mean it has to be boring! Ring in 2024 in style at one of several family-friendly New Year's Eve events in the DC area.

We've rounded up the area's fireworks, drone shows, noontime parties, ball 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 the new New Year's Eve Drone & Fireworks Show in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

Still clinging to Christmas? Most holiday light shows in the area are open on New Year's Eve, or you can 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

Things to Do on New Year's Eve 2023 with Kids 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 2024. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve Family Pajama Party

Edgewood
Kraken Kourts is hosting a PickleBALL drop for Noon Year's Eve. The whole family can enjoy skating, party favors, and a live DJ. Be sure to be there by noon for the ball drop. 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 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 2023 with Kids in Maryland

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

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

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

DMV Noon Year's Eve Party

Annapolis - Free
Andrés and Christina from the duo 123 Andrés will countdown to the New Year with little ones at noon with catchy songs to get kids dancing.  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

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 Marsha and the Positrons, and a noontime ball drop. Families can also enjoy all of the museum's hands-on science exhibits. 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, 2pm, or 4pm. Bring a favorite juice drink to toast to the New Year. Activities and snacks will be provided. 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. Pre-firework entertainment takes place along the Inner Harbor from 9-11:45pm.  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

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

Noon Year's Eve Skate Party

Crofton
Celebrate the arrival of 2024 at Noon Year's Eve Skate. Admission includes skate rental, a slice of pizza, a drink, and the balloon drop filled with awesome prizes.  READ MORE

Ring in the New Year EARLY 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 ALL night long! Plus enjoy an all-ages ginger ale toast accompanied by a special video countdown. READ MORE

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
Enjoy a festive glide around the roller rink at Noon Years Eve at Crofton Skate. Photo courtesy of Crofton Skate
Enjoy a festive glide around the roller rink at Noon Years Eve at Crofton Skate. Photo courtesy of Crofton Skate

Things to Do on New Year's Eve 2023 with Kids 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 2024 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
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

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

Noon Year's Eve at Shipgarten

McLean
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

Olde Years Day

Alexandria - Free
Families can celebrate the end of 2023 with the Art Center. Find hands-on activities for every member of the family, meet working artists in their studios, and get inspired for 2024. 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

Vienna Noon Year’s Eve Event

Vienna - 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

Places featured in this article:

Susan Campbell Park
Old Town, Del Ray, West End
Get Air Trampoline Park Locations
Cedar Park Shopping Center Parking Lot