ICE at the National Harbor: Part of National Harbor’s Christmas on the Potomac, ICE creates a winter wonderland that you could imagine when you were a child. Built by some of the world’s finest sculptors, ICE features ten different holiday scenes made from two million pounds of ice. It also contains 2 stories tall ice slides that will blow you away. The ICE exhibit runs until January 3, 2010. You can buy your tickets here.
First Night Alexandria: Celebrating its 15th year, First Night Alexandria providing fun, affordable, safe venues that are alcohol free. The family friendly activities starts are 2:30 p.m. with a fun hunt. From 7:00 p.m. to Midnight, guests are greeted with live music, comedy, theater and more. One of the events for the night is a live performance by Virginia Coalition. Some events are free, but others require purchases. A list of events can be found here.
First Night Leesburg: The city of Leesburg celebrates the New Year with their annual Alcohol-free, family friendly first night event on December 31st. This year’s event features 100 wonderful performances at 20 indoor locations in downtown Leesburg. Guests will be treated to live musical performances, puppet shows, magicians and other family friendly entertainment. The event ends at midnight with traditional Grand Illumination gathering on the courthouse green. Everyone who participates receive a candle to pass the flame to their neighbor as they say goodbye to 2009 and hello to 2010. Admission to the event costs $8 with senior citizens tickets at $6 and $3 tickets for children ages 3-12.
Watch Night in Falls Church: Similar to First Night events in Alexandria and Leesburg, Watch Night is an annual family friendly New Year’s Event for the city of Falls Church. This event is free to city residents and guests. The fun activites for kids to enjoy include a giant dragon obstacle course, a Velcro wall, karaoke, face painting, caricaturist drawings, inflatables, Scavenger Hunt, magic shows, dance lessons, free popcorn and other fun games. There’s also live music, dance shows and special Walking Watch Night menus by participating Falls Church restaurants. The event runs from 7:00 p.m. to Midnight. Get there early to take advance of Free Parking.
The Puppet Co. presents The Nutcracker: Before the New Year’s Eve Party takes place, take your kids to the Puppet Co. Theater the morning or afternoon in Glen Echo Park to catch a performance of the Nutcracker. Watch as this timeless Tchaikovsky’s musical adaptation of the E. T. A. Hoffman story comes to life for children of all ages. It has 2 shows on New Year’s Eve: 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. It’s best to buy your tickets early because it will sell out.
New Year’s Eve Swing Party at Glen Echo Park: Celebrate the New Years with a blast from the past dance party at Glen Echo Park. American Swing brings you live Swing Party with a performance by New York City’s Lady Luck and the Suicide Kings! For those who are new to swing dance, there’s a beginner’s class from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. before the dance party. Tickets to the event are $20, and it’s an all age event.
New Year’s Eve at Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center: Kick off your New Year’s Event celebration at the Kennedy Center Millennium stage. For their New year’s Eve Show, it features withbig band swing tunes by Sidney’s Full Swing. The concert starts at 6 p.m., and it gives you some to do before the other New Year’s Eve events in town.
The Fairfax Four Miler: While most New Year’s Eve Parties has dancing as the main activity, The Fairfax Four Miler is about running. Entering its 2nd year, this end of the year running event brings residents and running enthusiasts together for an evening of healthy fun in the heart of Old Town Fairfax. Last year’s event features over 1700 runners. You can expect more runners to participate for this year’s event. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. If you’re interested in participating it, this link has more details.
