We found three kid-friendly New Year’s Eve events in and around Virginia Beach–Norfolk with 2026 dates: three Noon Year’s Eve countdowns, two of them free. They’re spread over three areas, from Portsmouth to Suffolk. 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.
Children’s Museum of Virginia · 221 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704
With littles: Party-favor decorating, face painting, a juice-box toast and a glittery ball drop at noon.
Russell Memorial Library · 2808 Taylor Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321
With littles: Dancing, crafts and games for preschoolers and their families. Free.
Suffolk Public Library – North Suffolk Library (Children’s Area) · 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Rd, Suffolk, VA 23435
With littles: For kids from birth to age 5: crafts, snacks, dancing and a balloon drop to ring in the new year at noon.
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
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Indoor play in Hampton RoadsIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in Hampton RoadsBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
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Christmas parades in Hampton RoadsParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in Hampton RoadsBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in Hampton RoadsChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
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Good questions
Noon Year’s Eve at the Children’s Museum of Virginia at Children’s Museum of Virginia: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 11am–1pm (Included with museum admission). Noon Year’s Eve at Russell Memorial Library at Russell Memorial Library: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 11:30am–12:30pm (Free). Noon Year’s Eve at North Suffolk Library at Suffolk Public Library – North Suffolk Library (Children’s Area): Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 11am–noon (Free).
Yes: Noon Year’s Eve at Russell Memorial Library and Noon Year’s Eve at North Suffolk 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 29, 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 Hampton Roads that weekend, through the holidays.
