By Thomas C.
New Years has always been a special holiday for me; especially since it’s my birthday. I enjoy celebrating the past and ringing in the new year with family and friends. It may come as a surprise that celebrating without breaking the bed time routine is an option. Did you know that there are some pretty awesome family friendly New Year’s Eve Events right here in Southern Maryland and in the DMV area? The following events have been compiled to help plan the best way to celebration the New Year while still getting the kids in bed by bedtime! Even though New Years Eve is a few weeks away still you will want to make reservations and get tickets because many of these events sell out fast!
SOUTHERN MARYLAND EVENTS
HAPPY NOON YEARS- CHARLES COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY POTOMAC BRANCH
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 11:30 AM- 12:30 PM
Details: Preschoolers can come celebrate the new year with this awesome kid-friendly event. Join us for crafts, games and a countdown to a balloon drop at noon.
Recommended for ages 2-5.
Cost: FREE for members of all ages!
EVENT LINK
NEW YEARS FAMILY GAME NIGHT- ANNEMARIE SCULPTURE GARDEN IN LIGHTS
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Details: Celebrate the final evening of 2018 Annmarie’s gardens in lights show.
Cost: $7 Per Person/FREE for 2 and under
EVENT LINK
NEW YEAR PARTY- MY GYM
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 9:30-11:00 AM (Ages 3 and Under) 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (All Ages)
Details: Celebrate the New Year as a family with balloon drop, juice toast, treats & more!
Cost: Lifetime Members $20/Non Members Welcome $22- This event always sells out, be sure to register early!
EVENT LINK
NEW YEARS EXTRAVAGANZA- SCARY STROKES INDOOR MINI GOLF
CANCELED
NEW YEAR PARTY JUMP- PUMP IT UP 
Date: December 31, 2017
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM/4:00 – 6:00 PM
Details: Jump into the New Year with your kids having a jumping good time at Pump It Up! Experience a party that they will never forget complete with a Balloon Drop for a chance to win a Free Party! Plus, the entire family can enjoy 2 slices of pizza and a beverage in our decorated party rooms! Paid Admission includes party hats and celebration goodies to help ring in the new year! Prepaid reservations are strongly suggested so reserve your spot today! New Year’s Eve Jump Session 1- 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM – Countdown at 1:00 PM. Cost for children: $12.95 per child (Ages 2-17) Adults are welcome to purchase the pizza meal for $5 per person which will also include a New Year’s noisemaker! Everyone must have a signed waiver and socks to play! Don’t forget your cameras to capture this memorable New Year’s Event!
EVENT LINK
NOON YEARS PARTY- CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 10:30 AM- 12:30 PM
Details: Members Only NOON Year’s Eve Party in the Harms Gallery! Make a party hat, New Year’s Wish Ornament, and join the dance party with our otter mascot. Toast in the NOON Year with sparkling ginger ale and fishy snacks when the ball drops at high noon. Family program for ages 4 and older. The museum is closed to the public.
Cost: FREE for members of all ages!
EVENT LINK
FAMILY NEW YEARS EVE PARTY- LORD CALVERT BOWLING
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Details: Come out for a fun night of bowling.
Cost: FREE for members of all ages!
EVENT LINK
DMV EVENTS IN THE AREA
Annapolis New Year’s Eve Celebration
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 3:00 PM- 6:00 PM
Location: Fields behind Maryland Hall and Susan Campbell Park, Annapolis
Details: Face painting, obstacle course, moon bounce, live music and more. Fireworks at 5:30 and midnight. Family activities from 3-6pm; adult activities from 8-midnight.
Cost: FREE
EVENT LINK
Downtown 31- New Years Eve in Fredericksburg
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM-9:00 PM
Location: Main Stage, Riverfront Park, 600 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Details: You are invited for our early countdown to 9:00pm. When the clock strikes 9 we will drop thousands of Ping Pong Balls in Riverfront Park! Keep your collectible ping pong ball and see if you were one of our lucky winners! 100 winning balls will receive prize giveaways. There will be featured performers, Bounce Castle, Children’s Games, Snow Maze, Burning Regrets and
Snowball Fights.
Cost: FREE
EVENT LINK
Family New Year’s Eve Celebration 
Date: December 31, 2018 & January 1, 2019
Time: 2:00 PM- 9:00 PM
Location: Six Flags America
Details: Celebrate 2018 at Six Flags America! Start your new year off right with tons of fun. Make a resolution to be adventurous, daring and live life to the fullest! Come early and plan to ride 17 exciting rides! Then check out our live shows, grab a s’mores kit and warm up around a real firepit all while keeping warm with a delicious hot chocolate!
Cost: $15-30, See website for discounts, specials and schedule
EVENT LINK
First Nights Alexandria New Year Celebration
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 2:00PM- 12:30 AM
Location: Old Town Alexandria/MGM National Harbor
Details: First Night Alexandria is a family oriented, non-alcohol New Year’s Eve celebration held on December 31 at dozens of venues throughout historic Old Town Alexandria. This year’s celebration will include more than 150 live performances at 28 venues, the Annual Fun Hunt, plus children’s entertainment and interactive games, and a spectacular midnight finale with fireworks over the Potomac River. The fireworks are back this year! Best viewing is anywhere along the Potomac River. The barge will be off shore at the end of King Street.
Cost: $30 Per person/ Children under 12 and active military are free
EVENT LINK
KINGS DOMINION- NEW YEARS AT WINTERFEST
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 4:00 PM- 1:00 AM
Location: Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA
Details: The holiday fun doesn’t stop when Christmas ends! Kings Dominion is offering a brand-new way to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a family-friendly alternative: New Year’s Eve at WinterFest! From 4PM – 10PM, enjoy all your favorite WinterFest activities around the park. Then, at 10PM, the New Year’s Eve party starts, featuring:
- Live bands and DJs
- Snoopy’s Rockin’ NYE Party, with a big countdown timer at midnight
- Midnight fireworks
- Party favors
Cost: Included with admission to park/Daily Admission $25/Season Pass holders get in FREE!
EVENT LINK
Midnight Noon 
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Maryland Science Center, Baltimore
Details: Make noise-makers and party favors, listen to the popular kids band Milkshake at 11:30am, and watch the ball drop and more.
Cost: Free with admission ($14-16)
EVENT LINK
Noontime New Year
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Baltimore
Details: Games, crafts, a New Year’s toast with milk and cookies and more. Costumes welcome.
Cost: $15.95 for ages 2 and over/ 2 and under FREE
EVENT LINK
THE YARD- NOON YARDS EVE
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: The Yards- 301 Water Street, Washington, DC
Details: Ring in 2019 with the Noon Yards Eve balloon drop! Family-friendly activities for kids of all ages, including trackless train rides through The Yards, inflatable moon bounces, glitter tattoo artists, balloon artistry, music, and more! The event will culminate with a countdown and celebratory balloon drop at noon to ring in the New Year!
Cost: FREE
EVENT LINK
NEW YEAR CELEBRATION- CHESAPEAKE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: The Chesapeake Children’s Museum
Details: Chesapeake Children’s Museum (CCM) is open 10am to 3pm with crafts to help you celebrate the new year — crowns, noisemakers, and Chinese yo – yo’s! Free with admission. Then head over to Weems-Whalen Field for the City of Annapolis Children’s Celebration. CCM will be providing Crafts from 3-5:30pm, then there will be a Fireworks show!
Cost: FREE
EVENT LINK
ROCKNOCEROS NEW YEAR’S EVER PARTY- 
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM
Location: Jammin Java, Vienna, VA
Details: Join in the 11th Annual Rocknoceros Party, rock out to music. Sing along to some of your favorite tunes and enjoy the full menu of food and drinks while you’re there. Opt for the lunchtime show at 11am, or go in the afternoon at 2pm. Doors open half-hour before the show and general admission seating is on a first come, first served basis.
Cost: $10
EVENT LINK
END THE YEAR MEDIEVAL STYLE
Date: December 31, 2018
Time: 3:30 PM (Doors open at 2 PM)
Location: Medieval Times, Hanover, MD
Details: Experience an epic afternoon of fun and celebration as you countdown to 2018. Along with a four-course feast and thrilling jousting action, young guests can experience special activities just for the occasion before the extravaganza begins. Knight training, a princess story time, and free posters will make the day extra exciting a for young revelers.
Cost: $36.95/adult, $30.95/child
EVENT LINK
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS !!!
***The Playful Parent is 501c3 that provides free resources for families. The Playful Parent was not paid to promote any businesses from this article. All information presented is information compiled to help parents plan their family fun.***
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