The countdown to 2026 is on, and if you’re looking for ways to ring it in with young revelers, you have lots of options! There are a bunch of family-friendly ways to celebrate around the area, from organized events to plan-it-yourself activities. Here are details and inspiration for your gang to get in on the fun — all of them taking place on December 31. Happy New Year!
Noon Yards Eve
Where: The Yards Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
The Yards’ annual celebration especially for families is always popular one. Complimentary activities for kids of all ages include trackless train rides through The Yards, an inflatable slide and bounce house, glitter tattoo artists, crafts and carnival-style games. Plus, there’s a live DJ and magic show are highlights, and the sparkling balloon-drop at noon is a big highlight!
Rocknoceros New Year’s Eve Party
Where: Jammin Java | Vienna, VA
When: 11am & 2pm (doors open 10am & 1pm)
Admission: $10
The widely popular band that always gets kids rockin’ will be back at Jammin Java to play a special New Year’s Eve concert. The hour-long program will include live music from the favorite area family-jam band, New Year’s resolutions, the Ball Drop, and a complimentary apple juice toast. Doors open for the first show at 10am, the second at 1pm, and general admission seating is on a first come, first served basis.
Noon Year’s Eve Celebration
Where: Kraken | Bryant Street NE, DC
When: 10am – 2pm
Admission: $19.99/adult, $9.99/child
Kick off the New Year early with a morning of fun, excitement, and festive cheer! Head to Kraken at Hook Hall for a lively celebration that includes roller skating, dancing, and pickleball, all in a festive, family-friendly setting.
Noon Year’s Eve Kids Party
Where: Pinstripes | Georgetown, DC
When: 11am
Admission: $25
Bring the family and celebrate before naptime with kid-friendly activities, music, and festive fun! Along with a complimentary buffet and bowling, there will be face painting, yard games, a DJ and dance party, a kids mocktail “champagne” toast, and more!
Storytime Studio: Walking Into the New Year
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: 10am-11pm & 11am-12pm
Admission: Free
3… 2…1…Happy New Year! At the museum’s weeky series for kids, spend the last few hours of 2025 exploring artist Annette Lemieux’s painting Nomad, which she created by dipping her feet in paint and walking across her canvas. Along with friends from the National Postal Museum, walk across your own canvases, journeying toward 2026, read a book about the months of the year, and decorate calendars using styrofoam printmaking.
Family New Year’s Party
Where: metrobar | Northeast DC
When: 3-7:30pm
Admission: $24.57
Jump aboard the “way-before-midnight” train at metrobar’s family-friendly afternoon celebration, with festive cocktails for adults from the new winter menu and kids activities and games. metrobar is also bringing in live entertainment for all! Don’t worry about the cold — they’ll have the heated Railcar Bar with enclosed space aplenty, fire pits, and patio heaters. That, along with their selection of hot cocktails, will keep you warm as you celebrate 2026!
First Night Alexandria
Where: Old Town | Alexandria, VA
When: Starting at 12pm
Admission: Free – $10
The largest family-friendly New Year’s Eve event in the region starts the celebration with a line-up of performances for children at George Washington Masonic National Memorial from 12-4pm. Throughout the day and evening, there will be more shows on several stages in Old Town Alexandria. Entertainers include children’s musicians, blue grass bands, jazz artists, rock cover bands, acapella groups, jugglers, magicians, and more. End the fun with a spectacular fireworks — there will be two this year lighting up the skies over the Potomac River, at 7pm (family inspired) and the grand finale at midnight to welcome 2026. See the website for the full schedule pricing as it varies by age and timing.
New Year’s Eve Around the World
Where: Children’s Science Center Lab | Fairfax, VA
When: 10am – 12pm
Admission: $15 (adults, too)
Ring in 2026 STEM-style and enjoy New Year’s Eve fun without the late night! At this activity spot in Fair Oaks Mall known for hands-on, STEM-based activities, the day’s fun will include decorating “2026” headbands, creating noise makers by engineering clickety-clack instruments, and adding some sparkle to the new year with Celebration Slime. Finish it off with a count down and Ball Drop along with a sparkling cider toast to the new year! Read more about the LAB in this KFDC post.
Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DC area
When: Times vary by show
Admission: Ticket prices vary by show
Make the last day of the year special with some live entertainment. Local stages will be presenting all kinds of shows on New Year’s Eve. See Frosty the Snow Man at Adventure Theatre, The Snowman and the Snowdog (+ meet the actors) at Imagination Stage, Guys and Dolls by Shakespeare Theatre Company, Hello, Dolly!at Olney Theatre, A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre, or Dr. Seuss’ How the Ginch Stole Christmas at National Theatre.
New Year’s In Spain!
Where: Del Mar | The Wharf, DC
When: 5-6:30pm
Admission: $65/age 9+
The upscale restaurant on the southwest waterfront is hosting a family-friendly New Year’s Eve dinner that includes a variety of tapas, first drink (subsequent drinks at cash bar), Cava and sparkling grape juice toast, and a live stream of NYE celebrations in Barcelona.
Watch Night New Year’s Eve Celebration
Where: 100 Block of West Broad Street | Falls Church, VA
When: 7:30pm – Midnight
Admission: Free
Ring in the New Year with free, family-friendly festivities at Falls Church’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Enjoy food, music, singing, dancing, entertainment, performances and interactive festivities that appeal to all ages. Highlights include inflatable bouncy fun, a climbing wall, balloon art, karaoke, face painting, puppet shows, and special Watch Night menus at local restaurants. All events take place within a four-block area that begins on the 100 Block of West Broad Street.
Midnight Noon
Where: Maryland Science Center | Baltimore, MD
When: 10am – 2pm
Admission: $29.95/adult, $21.95/3-12, free/2 & under
Join the MSC for their annual New Year’s Eve celebration, Midnight Noon, where kids can enjoy the ball drop before bedtime. Enjoy loads of festive activities and games, explore all three floors of hands-on science exhibits, dance and sing along with the Rainbow Rock Band, and ring in the New Year with a noontime ball drop! Read all about the MSC here. All activities are free with paid admission (and completely free to members).
Noontime New Year
Where: Port Discovery | Baltimore, MD
When: 10am – 3pm
Admission: $24.95 ages 2+
The children’s museum in Baltimore is hosting its annual New Year’s Eve celebration! Ring in 2026 with all kinds of fun. Enjoy a special countdown to noon complete with a balloon drop, lively performances, and interactive games that encourage teamwork and creativity. This fun-filled event is included with museum admission, so bring the whole fam to celebrate the arrival of the new year together. Read more about the wonderful spot for kids here.
New Year’s Night Lights
Where: Around the DC area
When: After dark
Admission: Varies by locale
Start your own family New Year’s Eve tradition with a seasonal treat: Bundle up for a stroll or take a drive through one of several spectacular holiday light displays! Most of the light shows that dazzle this time of year are open on New Year’s Eve. If you’re enjoying it from the comfort of a car, pack a thermos of hot chocolate, yummy snacks, and prepare a festive playlist for the ride.
Glide into 2026
Where: Ice rinks around the DC area
When: Throughout the day & evening
Admission: Varies by rink
Skate under the stars to celebrate the start of the new year. Gliding on ice surrounded by twinkling lights, art sculptures, and/or the hubbub of people in festive spirits is a fun, active way to revel. Be sure to check times for each rink, as hours may change for the holiday.
Swoosh into 2026
Where: Ski resorts around the region
When: Through winter
Admission: Varies by resort
Hit the slopes for a fun, active way to ring inthe new year. There are a bunch of ski resorts within a few hours’ drive that are great for young, newbie skiers (and veteran swooshers, too). This post has info about Whitetail and one of our day trips there, and other relatively close resorts are Liberty and Bryce. Farther away, but good to check out if you can swing an overnight or longer are Roundtop, Massanutten, Wintergreen, Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, Snowshoe, Timberline, and Wisp.
Of course, you can celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, too!
Plan a special meal with the fam, play some fun family games, decorate for the occasion with some of your own creations, and maybe let the kids stay up late to watch the ball drop. Here are some things that could help make it festive and fun:
* A New Year’s Eve supplies pack.
* Family NYE recipes.
* NYE kids party ideas.
* A giant New Year’s coloring poster or tablecloth for a group project.
* Craft your own party hats.
* New Year’s tattoos.
* A fun family board game.
* Rig your own ball drop (or just have a dance party under it).
* Drinkware — for adults and kids.
* Bubbles (instead of confetti) for the kiddos, too! 
Do you have other New Year’s Eve celebration ideas, either around DC or at home? Let us know in the comments!
