Experience Tingle Bells at ARTECHOUSE. Photo courtesy of ARTECHOUSE
New Year's Eve Weekend 2024 in DC: Noon Year's Eve, Fireworks, and More
Take a lighted trail walk at Reston's Winterfest. Photo courtesy of Winterfest
24 Best Things to Do in DC December 2024 with Kids: Sing-A-Longs, Christmas Events, and New Year's Eve
GUIDE
Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids
Tackle the slides at Ice! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National Harbor
What's Open on Christmas Day in DC: A List of Awesome Things To Do
Christmas vacation is the perfect time to catch Monet: The Immersive Experience before it leaves town in January! Photo courtesy of the experience
Christmas Vacation in DC: 19 Staycation Ideas for Things To Do With Kids
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks
30 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in DC for Kids
Take a stroll through the Marshall Pond Christmas Village in Burke, VA. Photo courtesy of Kristy Case, from the Marshall Pond Christmas Village Facebook page
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights Near DC in Maryland and Northern Virginia
Photo courtesy of Canva
Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
The Holiday Boat Parade is visible from both the Wharf and the Alexandria waterfront. Photo courtesy of the Wharf DC
32 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids
Pull on a signature blue parka for Ice! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National Resort
Christmas in DC: Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary for a Magical Holiday with Kids
Enjoy snow every night at Winter City Lights. Photo by Kyle Lanzer courtesy of the Winter City Lights .event.
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Skate in the shadow of the National Gallery of Art. Photo by Elvert Barnes/CC BY 2.0
GUIDE
DC Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families
The popular Sculpture Garden ice rink is back at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0
Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids and Families
The DC Winter Lantern Festival dazzles through January 12. Photo courtesy of the festival
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 35 Best Things To Do with Kids in DC
The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Child's Play has a great selection of toys, games, children's books, and more. Photo by Tony Ventouris Photography
Coolest Stores for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Enjoy storytime each Wednesday at the Hirshhorn. Photo courtesy of the Hirshorn Museum
101 Free Things To Do in DC with Kids

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

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
12/22/24 - 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. You're just likely celebrating it a bit earlier in the day. I know when my kids were little I wanted to ring in the coming year, but also be asleep well before midnight. (Let's be honest—I still want to be in bed 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 this isn't the only incredible event. Check out early celebrations at Shipgarten 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!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

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 on New Year's Eve 2024 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 2025. 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
Greg May performs at the Noon Time New Year celebration. Event photo courtesy of the Port Discovery Children's Museum
Greg May performs at the Noon Time New Year celebration. Event photo courtesy of the Port Discovery Children's Museum

Things to Do on New Year's Eve 2024 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 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

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

Krumpe's Donut Drop (at Meritus Park)

Hagerstown - 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
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

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

Smokey Bear’s New Year’s Eve Countdown (at Maydale Nature Classroom)

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 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
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

Things to Do on New Year's Eve 2024 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 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 (at Children's Science Center)

Fairfax
Ring in 2025 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

New Year's Eve Party (at KidCreate Studio)

Ashburn
Drop off your young artist at KidCreate Studio for a New Year's Eve party. This class uses special neon materials to create a cool rainbow that glows under black light. Then the black lights come on and the glow party gets 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

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 (at Torpedo Factory)

Alexandria - Free
Families can celebrate the end of 2024 with the Art Center. Find hands-on activities for every member of the family, meet working artists in their studios, and get inspired for 2025. 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

Skate N' Fun Zone Noon Year's Eve Skate

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

Places featured in this article: