We found six kid-friendly New Year’s Eve events in and around Baltimore with 2026 dates: five Noon Year’s Eve countdowns and one early-evening celebration, three of them free. They’re spread over six areas, from Inner Harbor to Pikesville. A noon countdown means a balloon drop or bubble-wrap stomp at midday, home in time for nap.
New here?
A real countdown, balloon drop and all, at a time that works for toddlers. These are typical times; each card has the venue’s exact ones.
Countdown at noon
Confirmed for 2026, with times, prices and ticket details from each venue’s own page.
Port Discovery Children’s Museum · 35 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
With littles: A countdown to noon in the atrium with confetti, plus a quieter sensory-friendly countdown with no confetti, hat making and a dance party.
National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation · 901 W. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21223
With littles: Party hats, a resolution station, a ball drop and a toast with apple juice. A New Year’s run of the Reindeer Railway leaves at 11:30am and 1pm, with train tickets sold on site.
Baltimore County Public Library – Catonsville Branch · Catonsville
With littles: A crafting hour where kids make paper sparklers and countdown clocks to ring in the new year.
Baltimore County Public Library – Randallstown Branch · Randallstown
With littles: A dance party for babies, toddlers and preschoolers that builds up to the noon countdown.
Baltimore County Public Library – Pikesville Branch · Pikesville
With littles: Activities for preschool and elementary kids, with a countdown to noon in the middle of the hour.
Early bedtime friendly
Countdowns and celebrations that wrap up early enough for little kids.
Symphony Woods, Merriweather Post Pavilion · Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
With littles: A walk-through night at the light show that rings in the new year early.
Before you go
TicketsIf it’s ticketed, book earlyNoon countdowns can fill up, so book once tickets open.
TimingArrive 30 minutes earlyCoats off, snack in, spot found before the countdown starts.
NoiseBring ear muffs for babiesBubble-wrap stomps and cheering get loud right at noon.Keep planning
November: things to do in BaltimoreEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in BaltimoreEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in BaltimoreFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in BaltimoreIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in BaltimoreBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in BaltimoreHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in BaltimoreParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Christmas parades in BaltimoreParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in BaltimorePolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in BaltimoreBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in BaltimoreChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in BaltimoreWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in BaltimoreDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Noontime New Year at Port Discovery at Port Discovery Children’s Museum: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 10am–3pm; confetti at noon (Included with admission ($25.95 ages 1+)). Noon Year’s Eve at the B&O Railroad Museum at National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 10am–1pm (Museum admission: $28 adults, $18 kids). Noon Year's Eve at Catonsville Library at Baltimore County Public Library – Catonsville Branch: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 11am–noon (Free). Noon Year's Eve Baby Rave at Randallstown Library at Baltimore County Public Library – Randallstown Branch: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 11:30am–12:30pm (Free).
Midnight at 7 at Symphony of Lights: Evening walk-through; check the event site for times.
Yes: Noon Year's Eve at Catonsville Library, Noon Year's Eve Baby Rave at Randallstown Library and Noon Year's Eve at Pikesville Library.
A New Year’s countdown for little kids held at noon on Dec. 31 instead of midnight, usually with a balloon drop, bubble-wrap stomp, crafts and music. It’s over before nap, so nobody has to stay up late.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday in December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Baltimore that weekend, through the holidays.
