We're in the home stretch of 2023, and that means it's time to make your plans for New Year's Eve.
Now, we know that New Year's Eve is cold and can feel like the most expensive night of the year to go out. But we'll only get to kick it up for the roaring 2020s once!
Glitzy, all-inclusive parties are a one-transaction ticket to a fun time, and we love a good dance party. And it's always worth a trip out to see a great concert or a hilarious comedian!
One pro tip: It's always a good idea to check on what your favorite bar, restaurant or venue has going on. Bonus points if it's an easy trip on foot or transit from home!
Metrorail will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. on New Year's Eve, two hours more than the usual time. Because last train times vary by station, Metro urged riders to check station pages. Add two hours to the Sunday closing time at any station to find out when the last train will leave.
3...2...1.... Here are our picks for New Year's Eve 2023 in D.C., Maryland and Virginia!
Note: We've sorted most categories from cheapest to most expensive (before fees) to help you get a head start on your money resolutions! Prices reflect the day we published this article.
New Year's fireworks in the DC area
Alexandria is the place to be if you want a front-row seat to New Year's Eve fireworks at midnight around the Beltway. Or if you want fireworks early!
Two fireworks shows will light up the skies over Old Town this year: One at 6 p.m. and another at midnight.
Old Town Alexandria’s fireworks will fire from Waterfront Park starting at midnight, popping over the Potomac River. The best places to see the fireworks are from waterfront restaurants; riverside parks between Oronoco Bay and Jones Point and the First Night Alexandria festivities.
Here are the recommended viewing locations, courtesy of Visit Alexandria:
- Canal Center Plaza (Center Canal Plaza)
- Rivergate Park (2 Montgomery St.)
- Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St.)
- Founders Park (351 North Union St.)
- Waterfront Park (1A Prince St.)
- Windmill Hill Park (501 South Union St.)
- Fords Landing boardwalk (99 Franklin St.)
- Jones Point Park (Jones Point Dr.)
- George Washington Masonic Temple (101 Callahan Dr.)
Your other DMV options for midnight fireworks are Annapolis, Maryland and WinterFest at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia. Merriweather Symphony of Lights will host fireworks at 7 p.m.; tickets are required. They cost $15 for people over the age of 4.
You can also go to National Harbor on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 5:30 p.m. for fireworks and the last tree lighting of the season.
Kid-friendly New Year's Eve
First Night Alexandria
📍 Various indoor venues around Old Town
💲 Up to $50
🔗 Details
A host of Alexandria institutions, from museums to churches to hotels, will open their doors for dance parties, activities, live music and more. The party starts at 2 p.m. and goes until midnight, with a short pause for the family-friendly 6 p.m. fireworks show.
From 4-6 p.m., there will be an outdoor pre-fireworks block party with a live DJ, dancing, demonstrations and giveaways to hype everyone up for the early fireworks show.
Heads up: This event is known to sell out on the early side! Prices are based on each guest's age, and there are two tiers: FNA Matinee for access from 2-6 p.m. and FNA All-Access for activities until the end of the night.
Noon Yards Eve
📅 Sat., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
📍 The Yards Park
💲 Free
🔗 Details
How about we ring in the new year at noon?
Along the Capitol Riverfront in Southeast, delight kids at the annual Noon Yards Eve, complete with music, face painting, balloon art and a special trackless train ride.
Bonus: Light Yards is still shining bright with huge art light installations.
Falls Church Watch Night
📍 Falls Church near E Broad Street and N Washington Street
💲 Free
🔗 Details
This free and family-friendly festival is taking over Falls Church. The main stage at Broad and Washington will feature live music from 7 p.m. until midnight, leading up to the annual “dropping of the star” to welcome 2024.
Bringing kids? Stop by Grand Fun Alley (the 100 block of West Broad Street) for karaoke (until 10:30 p.m.), moon bounces, rock walls, swing rides and more. You’ll find live children’s entertainment plus a Victorian-era-style family portrait activity at The Falls Church Presbyterian Church.
Here’s info on free parking and road closures.
Free and no-cover New Year's Eve
Calico Game Night
📅 Sun., 1 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
📍 50 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, D.C.
💲 Free entry, first come, first served
🔗 Details
In D.C., Calico is hosting their third annual New Year’s Game Night. Board games, all-day drink specials and a complimentary midnight toast make the Blagden Alley bar a cozy and laid-back spot to pregame or watch the ball drop.
Entry is first come, first served, and the game night will go until 12:30 p.m.
Sparkling NYE at Lulu’s Winegarden
📍 1940 11th Street NW, Washington, D.C.
💲 Free entry
🔗 Details
All-night happy hour (3:30 to close at 12:30 a.m.), “2023: Year in Review” Music Bingo (3-5 p.m.) and $35 bubbly bottles can be found at the cute U Street wine garden’s NYE event. It's free to attend; reservations are recommended if you'd like a seat.
New Year's Eve concerts
Oh He Dead New Years Rockin’ Eve
📍 Union Stage (The Wharf in Southwest D.C.)
💲 $35-$60
🔗 Details
Known for putting on a great live show, the D.C.-based indie soul and totally infectious group just wrapped up a tour promoting their sophomore album, “Pretty.” Modern go-go greats Mambo Sauce will open.
White Ford Bronco
📍 The Lincoln Theatre (Northwest D.C.)
💲 Tickets are $55 each
🔗 Details
The ‘90s cover band makes every show a blast with the energy, sound and range of classics that get the crowd going.
The Lincoln Theatre is a seated venue, and seating for this show is first come, first served. Tickets include a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.
emmet swimming
📍 The Atlantis (Northwest D.C.)
💲 $55
🔗 Details
The rock band born at George Mason University in 1991 headlines The Atlantis’ first New Year’s Eve show. The band says their friends from Fairfax, ebo, will open, and promises special guests.
Ja Rule & Ashanti
📍 The St. James Sports, Wellness and Entertainment Complex (6805 Industrial Road Springfield, Virginia)
💲 $115-$135
🔗 Details
Ja Rule and Ashanti want to Rock Wit U in a party hosted by Little Bacon Bear and The Scholar DJ Akademiks. Doors open at 8 p.m. for the show at 9 p.m. opened by all-female go-go band Be'La Dona.
Guests will be treated to complimentary hats and horns. This event is 16+ with food and beverages available for purchase.
New Year's Eve comedy shows
New Year’s Eve Showcase
📍 Hotbed Comedy Club (2477 18th Street NW, Washington, D.C.)
💲 $25
🔗 Details
Doors open at 9:10 p.m. for this comedy showcase in Adams Morgan. After the show, head to the upstairs bar to toast to midnight with a DJ.
Martin Amini and Friends Comedy Show
📍 Room 808 (808 Upshur St. NW, Washington, D.C.)
💲 $30
🔗 Details
Silver Spring native Martin Amini headlines this early show at this BYOB venue in Petworth. The 90-minute show is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
Adam Conover
📍 Arlington Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Virginia)
💲 $38
🔗 Details
He’s known for “Adam Ruins Everything,” but that probably won’t apply to your New Year’s Eve? Adam Conover is bringing his standup to Arlington Drafthouse for five shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of New Year’s weekend.
There will be two shows on New Year’s Eve, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. The late show includes a champagne toast and a broadcast of the ball drop.
Food and drinks are available, but there are no minimums.
Felonious Munk
📍 The Comedy Loft Of DC (1523 22nd St NW)
💲 $35-$45
🔗 Details
Felonious Munk caps three nights in D.C. with a New Year’s Eve show.
General admission seating is first come, first served, so come early if you’re in a large group. The Comedy Loft has a two-item food and beverage minimum. This show is 18+.
New Year's Eve dance parties
Midnight Train to New Year's Party
📍 metrobar DC (640 Rhode Island Avenue Northeast Washington, D.C.)
💲 $10-$12
🔗 Details
Now boarding: metrobar's cheap New Year's party in their new, enclosed heated bar deck. There will be campfires to keep you warm at this mostly outdoor venue as DJ Miggl provides the soundtrack.
A Gatsby New Year's Eve
📍 The Brighton on The Wharf
💲 $15
🔗 Details
The $15 GA ticket is a pretty good deal for a DJ party with complimentary midnight champagne at The Wharf. NYC’s ball drop will be shown on a big screen. Drink discounts and special menu pricing will be on tap.
The Taylor Party presents The Last Great American Dance Party
📍 The Anthem (The Wharf in Southwest D.C.)
💲 $35 in advance, $45 day of show
🔗 Details
It was Taylor Swift’s year, so why shouldn’t it be Taylor Swift’s New Year’s Eve? This Swiftie-approved celebration will have friendship bracelet giveaways, a photobooth, themed cocktails and an Eras costume contest with prizes worth $250-$1,000 and, of course, all the songs so Taylor lovers can shake it off… 2023 that, is.
There will be a complimentary champagne toast for the first midnights of our new era.
Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA
📍 9:30 Club in Northwest D.C.
💲 $55
🔗 Details
Break out your most glittery disco outfit, dancing queens. The 9:30 Club’s NYE party includes a free champagne toast to kick things up at midnight.
BTW: The Howard Theatre is also hosting a disco ABBA dance party for New Year’s Eve.
New Year's Eve at Thompson Hotel Navy Yard DC
📍 221 Tingey St SE, Washington, D.C.
💲 $55-$75
🔗 Details
Take in 360-degree views over Navy Yard with a DJ playing top hits starting at 9 p.m. Tickets include a complimentary midnight toast. The dress code is stylist semi-formal.
DCBX 11th Ultimate Tropical New Year's Eve
📍 The Westin Washington, DC Downtown
💲 $109-$1,199
🔗 Details
Looking for a party that goes literally all night – until 8 a.m.? DCBX has your answer. Eight ballrooms in this downtown hotel will be bumping with dancing, shows, DJs and live music. A complimentary champagne toast is just the cherry on top at this pumped up Latin dance party.
Open bars and a midnight breakfast buffet will be available for an extra charge.
All-inclusive New Year's Eve bashes
City Tap House NYE Party
📍 City Tap House Dupont (1250 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, D.C.)
💲 $80-$299
🔗 Details
City Tap House is offering among the cheapest open bar deals we’ve found: $80 for craft beer, mixed drinks, wine, champagne, and soft drinks from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. There’s also a $40 open bar from 12:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. A DJ will provide the beats.
The Roaring 20’s
📍 The Mayflower Club (1223 Connecticut Avenue Northwest Washington, D.C.)
💲 $95-$115
🔗 Details
Mayflower's Roaring 20's celebration includes an open bar from 8-11 p.m., passed hors d’oeuvres, a dessert bar, Gatsby-inspired favors and a countdown alongside Times Square.
Formal Kegger: A Capitol Hill New Year’s Eve
📍 Union Pub (201 Massachusetts Ave., NE Washington, D.C.)
💲 $100
🔗 Details
The Capitol Hill watering hole is going for prom afterparty vibes with self-serve keg beer (plus politically-themed cocktails, wine, spirits, etc.) in attire as formal as your heart desires. Tuxedo shirts are OK, too.
Fire & Ice New Year's Eve
📍 Smokecraft Modern Barbecue in Arlington
💲 $100-$175
🔗 Details
The barbecue joint in Clarendon will ring in the new year with an open bar from 8 p.m. to midnight, BBQ, passed hors d’oeuvres, party favors and a midnight champagne toast.
Cirque du 2024 International Global Gala
📍 Omni Shoreham Hotel (2500 Calvert Street Northwest Washington, D.C.)
💲 $114-$299
🔗 Details
For a glam, open bar party that goes until 2 a.m., check out the circus-themed gala at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel in Woodley Park. Roam four ballrooms with live bands, DJs, roaming entertainers, international performances until a huge balloon drop at midnight.
The VIP options include dinner. General admission doors open at 10:30 p.m. and those tickets include a dessert bar. The dress code is black tie preferred, or cocktail dresses, the organizers say.\
Midnight in Mykonos
📍 Limani at The Wharf (670 Wharf St SW, Washington, D.C.)
💲 $135-$3,375
🔗 Details
Take a journey to Greece at Limani’s party with sweeping views and a 360-degree heated rooftop terrace overlooking The Wharf. Tickets include an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and hot food stations.
Big Night DC
📍 Gaylord National Resort & Hotel
💲 $139.99 and up
🔗 Details
With a deep lineup of live entertainment, full open bar until 2 a.m. and multiple rooms of fun, this is sure to be a memorable night (take pictures to be sure!). Several ticket tiers have sold out, so get up to speed if you’re ready to live it up at National Harbor.
Black Tie New Year's Eve Gala at the Luxurious Willard
📍 The Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest Washington, D.C.)
💲 $185 -$1,995
🔗 Details
Stay classy, D.C., at the ornate Willard Hotel party hosted by International Events Washington DC. Dress to impress while indulging in an open bar, live bands and a DJ in internationally-themed rooms. A balloon drop at midnight will make the night pop.
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