New Years Eve has always been a special holiday to me; as it is also my birthday! I enjoy celebrating the past, and ringing in the new year with family and friends. Here are a few ideas that I hope spark inspiration, and help your family have a memorable New Year celebration.
PARTY PLANNING
MOVE UP THE CLOCK- One of my favorite suggestions is to move up the clock so to speak! It may come as a surprise that celebrating without breaking the bed time routine is an option. If you are a parent with small children staying up until midnight is less than desirable! A family-friendly idea is to counts down to a NOON Years Eve. Our family has tried this out and loves it! We do all the same exciting things, just to 12 noon instead of midnight. Some families have recommended celebrating at 9PM as another alternative.
BALLOON DROP- We usually attend the My Gym Noon Years Eve party and our kids go wild over the balloon drop. This is pretty easy to create at home. You can use a plastic disposable table cloth as a tarp to hold balloons in. Here is a tutorial by Miss Mae’s Day
CONFETTI CRACKERS- Check out these awesome balloon confetti poppers by Little Bins for Little Hands that are a great STEM activity as well as a fun party favor!
COUNT DOWN BALLOON- Each hour leading up to the big moment, pop a balloon to reveal a fun activity. The excitement will build up as you near closer and closer to the big moment! The balloons double as decoration for an added bonus. Check out this tutorial by Twinkle Twinkle Little Party.
CREATE A CRAFT- Kids will have lots of fun designing their star wands and noisemakers to ring in the New Year. Visit Projects with Kids for free printable wand patterns.
PASS THE DICE GAME- Free printable and instructions on how to play this game can be found at Play Party Plan.
WHERE TO RING IN THE HEW YEAR FAMILY STYLE
HAPPY NEW YEAR- ST MARYS LIBRARY
Date: Dec 31, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: St. Mary’s Library’s (Lexington Park, Charlotte Hall & Leonardtown)
Details: All the fun of a new year’s party for our young friends with early bed times! Ring in a happy NOON year with songs crafts and activities and an exciting countdown. Celebration will take place at Charlotte Hall, Leonardtown and Lexington Park Branches. Be sure to register!
Cost: FREE
HAPPY NEW YEAR- CALVERT LIBRARY
Date: Dec 31, 2025
Time: 11:15AM & 12:15PM
Location: Calvert Library (Fairview, Southern, Twin Beaches and Prince Frederick)
Details: Ring in the new year early with festive story time fun for preschoolers and children.
Cost: FREE
NOON YEARS EVE PARTY- MY GYM WALDORF/ST MARYS
Date: December 31, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM
Details: Celebrate the New Year as a family with balloon drop, juice toast, treats & more!
Cost: Lifetime Members $29.99- This event always sells out, be sure to register early!
ANNMARIE’S GARDEN IN LIGHTS
Date: December 31, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Annmarie Gardens
Details: Celebrate the final evening of 2025 at Annmarie’s gardens in lights show.
Cost: $
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT SCARY STROKES
Date: December 31, 2025
Time: 6:00PM-9:00PM
Location: Scary Strokes- 2960 Technology Place, Suite 106, Waldorf, MD
Details: Enjoy unlimited mini-golf, a $10 arcade card, arts and crafts, board games, and a festive balloon drop. Family-friendly fun for all ages. Ticket required.
FIRST NIGHT ALEXANDRIA
Date: December 31, 2025
Time: Festivities start at 2:00PM
Location: Alexandria, VA
Details: On Tuesday, December 31, the festivities begin at 2:00 PM with engaging performances for children and a day party for all ages. At 7:30PM, enjoy a spectacular family-friendly fireworks display over the waterfront before diving into an evening of live music, comedy, and more on 12 stages scattered throughout the charming streets of Old Town inside museums, churches, retail spaces, and other unique venues. As the countdown begins, gather for a breathtaking midnight fireworks finale, capping off a magical evening and welcoming 2025 in unforgettable style.
FIREWORKS AND DRONES DISPLAY
Date: December 31, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM- 12:30AM
Location: The Inner Harbor Amphitheatre – Baltimore, MD
Details: Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) is thrilled to announce New Year’s Eve festivities on December 31, 2025, at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. This year, we’re adding an incredible element to the tradition: a mesmerizing drone show by Image Engineering, experts in laser entertainment. At midnight, the skies will dazzle with a custom drone display alongside fireworks, led by Mayor Brandon M. Scott It’s a fusion of tech and tradition, aligning with Baltimore’s status as a tech hub.
NOON YEAR’S EVE
Date: December 31, 2025
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Calvert Marine Museum
Details: Enjoy a family friendly celebration with themed crafts, a juggling show, dance party with the Otter mascot, sparkling ginger ale toast, and a confetti blast at noon. Crafts available while supplies last. Members only.
From our family to yours…Happy New Year!!! May 2026 be full of fun and many blessings.
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