First Night Alexandria
Dec. 31, 2 p.m.-midnight
At First Night Alexandria, the best time to celebrate with kids 12 years old and younger will be from 6-9 p.m. at the Kids Karnival, being held at three locations: the Charles Houston Recreation Center in Old Town, the Mount Vernon Recreation Center in Del Ray and the William Ramsay Recreation Center in the West End. Children can enjoy face painting, balloons, carnival-style games, dancing and more. Each party will conclude with an early countdown to the new year. For the adults and older children, fireworks begin at midnight by the Potomac River at the foot of King Street. // Locations throughout Alexandria; $5-$30
Topgolf’s NYE Party
Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Practice your swing and help perfect your son or daughter’s form at Topgolf’s New Year’s Eve party. There will be live entertainment, a chef-inspired menu and the option to upgrade to a VIP experience with an all-inclusive Premium NYE Feast with carving stations and Champagne. This event is best for family’s with teenagers, as all New Year’s Eve packages have an unlimited game play feature that begins at 9 p.m. // Topgolf: 20356 Commonwealth Center Drive, Ashburn; $225-$450 per golfing bay
Children’s Science Center’s Noon Year’s Eve
Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Children’s Science Center will be throwing its annual Noon Year’s Eve party to help ring in the New Year with little ones who won’t be able to stay up till midnight. Wear your best dress, and be sure to get there before noon, as the countdown begins right before the clock hits 12, complete with cider-filled flutes, of course. Space is limited, and the program is included with general admission tickets. // Children’s Science Center: 11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax; $13, free for members and kids under 2
MoBu Kids’ New Year’s Eve Extravaganza
Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Bring the little ones to MoBu Kids to countdown to noon. There will be plenty of celebratory activities, including sing-a-longs, games, toot horns and toast and juice to cheers with. // MoBu Kids: 127 S. Washington St. A, Falls Church; $13+
Columbia Pike Branch Library’s Noon Year’s Eve
Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Squeeze in your celebrations before naptime at the Noon Year’s Eve party being held at the Columbia Pike Branch Library. There will be crafts, a photo booth and a countdown to noon. // Columbia Pike Branch Library: 816 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington; Free
Downtown Fredericksburg’s Family Fun Night New Year’s Eve Celebration
Dec. 31, 6-9 p.m.
If your kids are a little older and won’t be into a noon year’s eve celebration (but still need to get to bed early), take them to the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds. There will be an early countdown at 9 p.m., entertainment from comedic hypnotist Brad Matchett and DJ Island Gerry Maddox, face painting, games, food vendors, raffles and more. // Fredericksburg Fairgrounds: 2400 Airport Ave., Fredericksburg; $7 each or $20 for a family four-pack
Watch Night
Dec. 31, 7 p.m.-midnight
Watch Night returns for its 21st anniversary on New Year’s Eve. Held in the City of Falls Church, the free and family-friendly event spans four blocks and features live music, interactive activities, inflatables, puppet shows, balloon artists and more. There is a free shuttle bus that will run every 30 minutes from East Falls Church Metro Station to all venues, running from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. // Begins on the 100th Block of West Broad St., Falls Church; Free
Fairfax Four Miler
Dec. 31, 6 p.m.
Run into 2019—literally. If you have an active family, then this event is for you. The Fairfax Four Miler race is in its 10th year, and sees thousands of runners come out to participate annually. Register early to secure a sweatshirt to cozy up in after the race ends. You can also expect post-race pizza, complimentary glow sticks and scenic running views of Old Town, Fairfax and George Mason University. // Pacers Fairfax: 10420 N. St., Fairfax; $38-$48
Rocknoceros New Year’s Eve Party
Dec. 31, 2 p.m.
Back for their 12th annual New Year’s Eve performance, Rocknoceros will deliver entertainment for the whole family at Jammin Java. Children’s music with sing-a-longs and an apple juice toast are the highlights of this event. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. // Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna; $10
Pump It Up’s New Year’s Kidstravaganza Bash
Dec. 31, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
Wave goodbye to 2018, and the kids for the night. Enjoy a New Year’s Eve of freedom and drop them off at Pump It Up from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. There will be a balloon drop, laser tag, dancing, glow-in-the-dark experiences, bouncing, dinner, snacks and crafts. // Pump It Up: 2000 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria; Contact directly for pricing