New Year’s Eve celebrations in and around Washington, DC for families

We are thankful for some fun options that our Bambinos can participate in safely this NYE. Perhaps our kids stay up until midnight and watch the ball drop this year, because why not?! Or maybe we order from a local restaurant to show our support and set it up at home like we are dining out at a fancy eatery. Whatever you choose, we wish you a happy and healthy 2022 and are so thankful to have spent another year sharing adventures and events with you all.

10:00am-2:00pm: Midnight Noon
Everyone’s favorite ball drop before bedtime is back! Count down to the new year at the Maryland Science Center’s annual Midnight Noon celebration! Enjoy loads of festive activities that will get you in the mood to celebrate. Explore all three floors of hands-on science exhibits. Rock out to the bright and exuberant tunes of Marsha and the Positrons, and help us ring in the New Year with a noontime ball drop! All activities are free with paid admission or membership.

10:00am-1:00pm: Noon Yards Eve
Ring in 2022 at Noon Yards Eve! Come enjoy complimentary family-friendly activities for kids of all ages, including train rides through The Yards, an inflatable slide, glitter tattoo artists, carnival games, music by DJ Alex Love and The Uncle Devin Show, crafts, a magician, and more! The event will culminate with a countdown and celebration at noon to ring in the New Year! Register here.

10:00am-1:00pm: Noon Time New Year: Rock the Boat- Morning Play Session at Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Meet Seashell the Mermaid, jam out to music provided by a special DJ, listen to a fun winter-themed story during Tot Tales, watch Greg May do circus performances and stilt walking and Countdown to Noon at 12:00pm. The Countdown to Noon will be happening during the Morning Play Session ONLY.

10:30am-1:00pm: Noon Year’s Eve at The St. James
Ring in the New Year with a New Year’s Eve kids party in the active entertainment center. Super, Awesome & Amazing will feature a magician, DJ, photo booth, face painting and an epic count down at noon. We’ll have a few desserts and snacks and juice and water for the kids in case they get hungry. Children 2-and-under are FREE. Parents do not need to purchase tickets but need to register when signing up a child. Parents will have access to a cash bar. Tickets are limited and may sell out prior to the event. If available, ticket prices will increase and be available for purchase at the door.

11:00am-9:00pm: Christmas at the Gaylord 
There is no better way to celebrate Christmas than gathering your family at Gaylord National. Explore acres of twinkling lights and decorations and hours of exciting holiday activities, shows, and events, including our Gaylord Hotels Original Experience, I Love Christmas Movies™ featuring five beloved films. See this list of all of the fun activities.

12:30pm: Tunes with Tim Livestream Countdown to New Year’s Eve
Sing and dance your way into 2022 with Tunes with Tim & Monica+Andy! No, you don’t need to keep the kiddos up until midnight — our countdown to noon concert will be a hit! This virtual event is free but advanced registration is required.

3:00pm-4:00pm: Story Pirates New Years Bash
DJ Squirm-a-Lot is throwing his annual New Year’s Eve Bash, and he wants to celebrate with the whole world! That’s why he’s inviting you to his 2022 Bash on the moon, where he can launch a fireworks show so big everyone will be able to see it back on Earth. Join us for fun, games, special guests from the Story Pirates Podcast, and a big New Year’s Eve party that definitely WON’T be interrupted by DJ Squirm-a-Lot’s old nemesis Yorma the Ice Dragon, who is definitely NOT living on the moon now, and definitely WON’T be mad at having her peace and quiet broken by a New Year’s Eve party.

5:30pm-7:30pm: Midnight at 7 at Merriweather Symphony of Lights
The Symphony of Lights has been a time-honored Howard County holiday tradition enjoyed by many for over 25 years. Set in historic Merriweather Post Pavilion and made up of more than 300,000 bulbs, this family-oriented spectacular is a dazzling display of larger-than-life animated and stationary holiday light creations. With the addition of new lights (and a 150 foot screen!), your time through our refreshed course guarantees a night to remember. Midnight at 7 is a walk-through experience and there are no cars permitted.

6:00pm-10:00pm: Light Yards
The larger-than-life light installation of Light Yards 2021 will feature illuminated, 22 feet tall trees trimmed top to bottom in holiday decor and festooned lights that will cast The Yards’ Sun Deck with beautiful, colored patterns. This light-filled wonderland is the perfect place for the whole family to get in the holiday spirit and snap some Instagram-worthy pics, or wander before or after drinks and dinner at one of The Yards’ 20+ eateries. The installation was designed by Australian artist studio Amigo & Amigo and will be crafted locally in Baltimore. Amigo & Amigo created last year’s popular Light Yards installation of ‘fallen stars’. The installation is FREE and open to all.

7:00pm: NYE 80’s Glow Party at Jammin Java
All ages are welcome. If you love the 80’s, this is the place to be for NYE! Put on your favorite 80’s neon and bright colors so you will GLOW, tease up your hair with that bottle of AquaNet that we know you still have, and let’s welcome in 2022 with a totally rad 80’s “GLOW” party!!! 

Year Cheer can help you get in the celebrating mood, while supplying fun decorations and games in a box that is delivered to your doorstep. We are big fans of the curated boxes and love supporting a local Mom!

Also, don’t forget about ice skating, holiday light displays and checking off ideas from our winter bucket list.

Family friendly events happening through January 2:

Winterfest at Adventure Theatre
Get three winter-themed shows for the price of one! Adventure brings favorites from the digital Jingle in July festival to the live stage. Playing through Jan. 2, 2022.

The Nutcracker on Strings at The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo
Join the Puppet Co. for our 33rd annual The Nutcracker! This time honored seasonal celebration includes Tchaikovsky’s familiar story of Clara and her prince, with some Puppet Co. nursery rhyme spin. Playing through Jan. 2, 2022.

Enchant Christmas: The Mischievous Elf is at Nationals Park through January 2, 2022. The magical World of Enchant is filled with dazzling displays that feel like they come right out of a childhood Christmas dream. Marvel at the 100 ft. animated tree, glide across the glistening Ice Skating Trail, pose for photos with Santa himself, and sip and savor delicious festive holiday treats every step of the way. Become part of the magical Christmas story of “The Mischievous Elf”. Eddie the elf has misplaced some very important gifts and needs your help finding them within the North Pole’s dazzling lights. Will you come and help save Christmas?

(First Night Alexandria- Cancelled)