Kid Friendly New Year’s Eve Events In Calvert County

Ever since I had kids, and slightly before that if I am being truly honest, I have never been into the hoopla of the New Year’s Eve (NYE) celebration. I prefer to kick off my New Year’s Day being productive, not in recovery.

To support this effort, I was on the prowl for some local, kid-friendly NYE events. The recently renovated Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) is hosting a “Noon” Year’s Eve party on Wednesday, December 31, in the Harms Gallery. The family event will be held from 10 a.m. – noon. Party-goers will make festive hats and a New Year’s Wish Ornament and will also hear a special story. The real celebrating will happen at the bubble dance party. At noon, there will be a sparking ginger ale toast and snacks to ring in the “noon year.” The fee for the event is $2 per child with museum admission. For more information visit calvertmarinemuseum.com.

After the ringing in the noon year, go home and take a nap to get ready for the Garden in Lights at Annmarie Garden in Dowell, Maryland. From 6-9 p.m. on December 31, Annmarie Garden trail will be completely lit up. This traditional Calvert County holiday event is stepping up with even more unique light sculptures. The garden will use LED lights to provide rich, vivid colors, and are environmentally friendly. As your family walks through the wooded path, do not forget to search through the trees to look for hidden treasures

The tours start in the Murray Arts Building where you will find the nightly entertainment, exhibits, and the Hardesty Haven Holiday Cafe. Your family is going to have a great time playing “Holiday I-Spy”, which features a green shamrock hidden in each vignette. A complete schedule of nightly entertainment and activities is available online.

The admission for the NYE celebration, Annemarie-style, is $6 for ages 5 and older. All children under 5 years old and Annmarie members are free. A $1off coupon is available online at annmariegarden.org.

In my family we have two adults, a 6 year old, and a 3 year old. Our cost to attend both local, family friendly events is $54, which is less than we would spend for a sitter and dinner on NYE and we will ring in the new year together. I hope to see you all (and your kids) at one, or both, of these events!