Three … two … one … fun!
Here’s where to find family-friendly New Year’s Eve events across the region, including fun “Noon Year’s Eve” parties for the little ones. Cheers to the new decade!
Arlington
Noon Year’s Eve
Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-noon
Even the littlest members of the family want to get in on the fun, but midnight might just be a bit too late. Join the Columbia Pike Library in celebrating the end of 2019 with interactive games, hands-on activities, light snacks and a countdown to noon. // Columbia Pike Branch Library: 816 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington; free
Alexandria
Noon Year’s Eve Party
Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-noon
As much as they want to, the kids in your family probably won’t be staying up until midnight on New Year’s Eve (time to use the good old dad joke, “See ya next year!” when they head to bed). Celebrate 2020’s arrival at Kingstowne Library with arts and crafts and a countdown to noon on the final day of the year. // Kingstown Library: 6500 Landsdowne Center Drive, Alexandria; free
Noon Year’s Eve Party
Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
New Year’s Eve parties tend to have a lot of energy, so why not let the kids expend some of their own? Head to My Gym and let them enjoy games designed just for them, with the chance to run, climb, jump and play, and they’ll enjoy a live balloon drop for their very own high-energy party to start the new decade. // My Gym: 5810 Kingstowne Center, Suite 110, Alexandria; $15 for members, $18 for nonmembers (additional siblings are discounted)
New Year’s Eve at Uno
Dec. 31, 4-8 p.m.
Fun crafts, goody bags and slices of pizza … need we say more? Uno Pizzeria & Grill is celebrating the new year with two family-friendly time slots, allowing everyone to enjoy a great end-of-year meal (kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree), a countdown to 5 and 7 p.m. and a ginger ale toast to wrap up the night. // Uno Pizzeria & Grill: 5935 Kingstowne Center, Alexandria; free entry, food prices vary
First Night Alexandria
Dec. 31, 6 p.m.
There’s a lengthy list of entertainment scheduled for this year’s 25th annual First Night Alexandria celebration, from comedy shows and live music, to a fireworks display and more. But if you’re looking to keep the night’s activities rated PG, head to the Kids Karnival. Held at four locations (Charles Houston Recreation Center, Mount Vernon Recreation Center, Washington Street United Methodist Church and William Ramsay Recreation Center), the carnival-style celebration will include face painting, interactive games, balloons and more for children 12 years old and under. // Locations vary; $5 for kids, parents are free
Fairfax
New Year’s Eve Around the World
Dec. 31, 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
For your STEM-loving kid, this New Year’s Eve celebration is the way to go. Join other children in building kid-engineered noisemakers and confetti throwers that the whole family can enjoy. Then, take them home to use at your own celebration later into the night. // Children’s Science Center Lab: 11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax; $13 per child
Kid Junction Noon Year Party
Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-noon
Let your kids mix and mingle with new local friends and celebrate New Year’s Eve on their own time. The party will include open play in the gym, a $5 game card and milk served in Champagne glasses with Oreos and cupcakes to enjoy. The best part? There will be a confetti drop at noon. // Kid Junction: 4090 Lafayette Center Drive, Suite E, Chantilly; $20 per child
Kids’ Countdown to New Year’s Eve
Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-noon
Gymboree Play & Music is a great place to start your New Year’s celebration off right, especially when your toddlers need a few fun activities to get their hands into. Let your kids climb, roll, dance, play and sing to kid-friendly tunes in the open gym space, prior to the noon countdown in honor of the holiday. // Gymboree Play & Music: 6045 Burke Center Parkway, Suite 204, Burke; $25
Noon Year’s Eve
Dec. 31, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Super, Awesome & Amazing at The St. James is a hub for fun with over 30,000 square feet of play areas for kids to enjoy. Grab a pass and celebrate the New Year by letting the kids splash though the water park, learn to reach new heights on the rock-climbing wall, explore new realities with virtual-reality technology and e-sports areas and climb their way through the American Ninja Warrior-style gym. Plus, parents get in free (and there’s an open bar) and a balloon drop will be held at noon. // The St. James: 6805 Industrial Blvd., Springfield; $37 (kids ages 4 and older), free for adults
Rocknoceros’ New Year’s Eve Party
Dec. 31, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
This annual end-of-year show is the perfect excuse to let your kids sing, dance and clap along to the kid-inspired local band, Rocknoceros. Attendees will also enjoy a full countdown in typical New Year’s Eve fashion and an apple juice toast to ring in their new decade. // Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna; $10-$15
Noon Year’s Eve
Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-noon
Put on your dancing shoes and head to the Richard Byrd Library for a dance party destined to be as great as the upcoming new year. This event is designed for ages 3 to 8 who love to sing, bop, bounce and wiggle along with the music and celebrate a countdown at noon. // Richard Byrd Library: 7250 Commerce St., Springfield; free
Noon Year’s Eve
Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
A day full of fun is a day well-spent, and so is the new year! Ring in 2020 with a kid-friendly, daytime celebration at Chantilly Regional Library, and enjoy family-friendly games, hands-on activities and a countdown to noon for all ages. // Chantilly Regional Library: 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly; free
Commitment Day 2020: Kids New Year’s Eve Party
Dec. 31 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
If you’re looking for a break from the kids in order to enjoy a New Year’s Day lunch or brunch, drop them off at Life Time Athletic for an early afternoon celebration with healthy snacks, games, crafts and a balloon drop to celebrate. The event will allow you all to enjoy some refreshing holiday time having fun, and then reunite ready to take on the rest of the holiday together. // Life Time Athletic – Centreville: 5900 Trinity Parkway, Centreville; $30 day pass
Midday Family New Year’s Eve 2020
Dec. 31, 5-8 p.m.
Keeping the kids entertained on a holiday can be tough, especially when you want it to be a fun, enjoyable experience for all ages. Head to Dave & Buster’s to give them free rein for the final day of the year. Kids can play interactive games, enjoy an appetizer buffet and dessert, and catch the video ball drop well before midnight. // Dave & Busters Fair Oaks Mall: 12000 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax; $33.74 and up
New Year’s Eve in London – A Family Celebration
Dec. 31, 5-8 p.m.
Bowl America has set their clocks ahead of time and is ready to ring in the new year with London, England, right here in Northern Virginia. Bring the whole family to enjoy an evening of bowling strikes and spares, assorted appetizers and a new decade of fun. // Bowl America Burke: 5615 Guinea Road, Burke; $7.99 and up
Falls Church
Busy Bees Falls Church
Dec. 31, 3-5 p.m.
Rock out with the Rainbow Rock Band and dance, sing, snack and play the afternoon away with a kid-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration at Busy Bees. The kids will get the chance to enjoy the space, make new friends, munch on Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets and have a toast with bubbly apple cider. Cheers to a new year! // Busy Bees: 6110 D Arlington Blvd., Falls Church; $30 per child, adults are free (food is included for your child)
Loudoun County
Noon Year’s Eve at Monkey Joe’s
Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Bouncing into the new year is just what your little ones want to do anyway, so let them bounce until they’re tuckered out at Monkey Joe’s. The location will have a countdown to noon, and a day full of prizes and giveaways for attendees. // Monkey Joe’s (Dulles): 23521 Overland Drive, Suite 120, Sterling; $12.99
Family New Year’s Eve at The Zone
Dec. 31, 6 p.m.
The Zone will be hosting a New Year’s Eve party fit for adults before midnight, but it will also be hosting a kid-friendly version at 6 p.m. Enjoy great eats and participate in the singalong countdown in the evening, with a Champagne toast for adults and an apple cider toast for kids. The kids can then enjoy laser tag, bowling, arcade games and more with their $15 game card and unlimited laser tag. // The Zone: 43811 Central Station Drive, Suite 100, Ashburn; $20.20 per person
New Year’s Eve in London – A Family Party
Dec. 31, 5-8 p.m.
The clocks are set ahead by five hours, which means you and the family get to party five hours early! Come bowl the evening away at Bowl America Dranesville with three hours of unlimited bowling, assorted appetizers and unlimited soft drinks. // Bowl America Dranesville: 46940 Woodson Drive, Sterling; $7.99 and up
British New Year’s Eve Party
Dec. 31, 5-10 p.m.
The entire world celebrates New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day to some extent, and Vanish is celebrating the holiday Liverpool-style. Come out for the “British New Year’s Eve Party,” to enjoy food specials, test the new cider release, have your child’s face painted, listen to live music and watch the balloon drop in honor of 2020. // Vanish: 42245 Black Hops Lane, Leesburg; free admission, food and drink prices vary
Family New Year’s Eve Party
Dec. 31, 7-9 p.m.
Comedian and juggler Mark Nizer will bring his one-man show fit for kids to the Franklin Park Arts Center for a New Year’s Eve celebration like no other. Don’t miss your chance to laugh and see the juggling, movement, music and technology that comes along with a one-man band. // Franklin Parks Art Center: 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville; $10 per person, $35 for family for four or more
New Year’s Eve Family Party
Dec. 31, 7 p.m.-midnight
Salamander Resort & Spa is a great place to celebrate the holidays and New Year’s Eve is no exception. Fill your festive night with music, dancing, drinking, games and a dinner buffet, while waiting to celebrate the ball drop. Twenty-one-and-older attendees will have special access to the New Year’s Eve party in the living room, but children are welcome throughout other parts of the resort. // Salamander Resort & Spa: 500 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg; $45-$179
Prince William County
Uptown Alley’s New Year’s Eve Party
Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
All-day entertainment is the way to go when you have no other plans for you and the kids. Head to Uptown Alley to enjoy 90 minutes of bowling (with shoe rentals included), four games of laser tag, $40 in game cards for the arcade and one single-topping pizza with soft drinks. The location will be giving out over $1,000 in prizes throughout the day and hosting a balloon drop for the kids at 4 p.m. // Uptown Alley: 8300 Sudley Road, Manassas; $100 for four people, $20 per additional person
New Year’s Disco Party
Dec. 31, noon-5 p.m.
Disco, dance and skate your way into the New Year at Skate N Fun, and you could be entered to win a brand-new set of roller skates. The rink will be hosting games, giving out prizes and playing all of your favorite family-friendly disco tunes for the afternoon. Plus, don’t miss the balloon drop for everyone at 4 p.m. // Skate N Fun: 7878 Sudley Road, Manassas; $12 admission, $4.50 skate rental
Leap into 2020
Dec. 31, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
Ring in the New Year by giving your family the chance to battle each other at Laser Quest. The entire family can join in on the fun with themed missions, creative challenges and the heart-pumping excitement of laser tag. Light snacks are included. // Laser Quest: 14517 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge; $25-$30 per person