Baltimore families found a unique way to welcome 2026 with their little ones in tow, thanks to Port Discovery Children's Museum's daytime celebration. Hundreds of people, called by the promise of an event catered to the typically bedtime-bound, gathered early to count down to the New Year in a kid-friendly, balloon-filled bash. According to FOX Baltimore, when the clock struck 12 p.m., not midnight, a sea of balloons descended on a crowd flush with the excitement of the noon-year.
"It's become a tradition for a lot of families who came last year and are here this year since we started having the event," Caite Debevec, the museum's director of learning and visiting experience, told WMAR-2 News. Parents and children alike engaged in crafting their own confetti cannons and decorating number templates, capturing memories in front of a New Year's Eve backdrop, whilst resolutions adorned a Wish Tree, standing witness to the hopes of a fresh calendar page.
Not all revelers are fans of the razzle-dazzle typically associated with New Year's Eve, and the museum was applauded for ensuring that everyone could partake in the festivities. Offering a sensory-friendly countdown, Port Discovery provided a quieter space with lower lighting and reduced noise levels, with confetti notably absent.
The 12 Days of Play at Port Discovery continued, offering kids ongoing activities through January 4th.
