Best Events for Kids in Washington DC
in November 2025

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Día de los Muertos Block Party (at Bryant Street Market)
Washington, DC - Saturday, November 1, 2025
Free
Celebrate the vibrant Mexican tradition of Día de Los Muertos at the second annual Block Party, an evening filled with music, art, and remembrance. Visitors can immerse themselves in the colorful atmosphere while honoring departed loved ones with joyful festivities. From intricate face painting to traditional altar displays, experience the rich cultural heritage of Mexico. Website

Día de los Muertos at the Wharf
Washington, DC - Saturday, November 1, 2025
Free
The DC Wharf is hosting a Day of the Dead celebration with live music, street food, face painting, sugar skull decorating, an illuminated lantern procession, and more. Website

Pumpkin Chunkin' at Great Country Farms
Bluemont, VA - Saturday - Tuesday, November 1-4, 2025
Wondering what to do with those carved pumpkins after Halloween? Join in the Pumpkin Chunkin' fun at Great Country Farms and watch those orange faces fly! Website

STEM Fest at Bright Horizons
Various locations - Thursday, November 6, 2025
Free
Join Bright Horizons centers across the country for STEM Fest. This is your chance to see science, technology, engineering, and math in action with fun, hands-on activities for you and your child. Website

Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights
Vienna, VA - Daily, November 7, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights is an elegant garden trail decorated with thousands of sparkling lights. The half-mile walk through the enchanting Meadowlark Botanical Gardens features lighted nature themes and animated displays along a paved wheelchair- and stroller-accessible trail. Stay warm by sipping on a hot beverage (with or without spirits) while walking, and enjoy s’mores to finish out the evening. Website

Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Live In Concert with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
Tysons, VA - Friday, November 7, 2025
“What’s this?” See Tim Burton’s beloved classic in its entirety like never before! Experience Disney’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” projected in stunning HD on the big screen, with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and conductor Jason Seber performing Danny Elfman’s iconic score live. Don't miss this magical evening, where the enchantment of the film and the brilliance of live music come together to celebrate the perfect blend of Halloween and Christmas! The film is rated “PG.” Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. Website

International Spy Museum's Parade of Trabants
Washington, DC - Saturday, November 8, 2025
Free
Celebrate the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with everyone’s favorite Cold War car—the Trabant. Visitors can check out these vintage vehicles, do some graffiti Berlin-style, and try to fit in tiny spaces like those escaping East Berlin. Website

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical (at Hylton Performing Arts Center)
Manassas, VA - Saturday, November 8, 2025
A beloved children's book springs to life on stage in Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical. Teeming with vibrant songs, energetic dancing, and whimsical puppets, this performance captivates kids and adults alike! Playful chaos ensues as alphabet letters race each other to climb the coconut tree, only to tumble down in a cascade of color and laughter. With plenty of audience interaction and lively performances, children will delight in exploring sound, rhythm, and reading in this fun and engaging spectacle. Website

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks
All National Parks - Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Free
On select days throughout the year, all national parks in the United States are open to the public with no admission fee. Website

Side Yards
Washington, DC - Friday, November 14, 2025
Free
Side Yards is a family-friendly event in Yards Park featuring DC’s best performers. Multiple stages showcase the talents of contortionists, magicians, escape artists, sword swallowers, aerialists, lollipop lyra performers, and more. Attendees can also enjoy interactive activities including tarot card and palm reading, balloon artistry, glitter tattoos, and more. Website

ICE! featuring The Polar Express (at Gaylord National Resort)
National Harbor, MD - Daily, November 14, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Visitors can experience the beloved holiday ICE! featuring The Polar Express, a dazzling, immersive, story-driven holiday showplace complete with larger-than-life ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels. Website

LuminoCity Wonder Journey (at Montgomery County Fairgrounds)
Gaithersburg, MD - Various dates, November 14, 2025 - January 1, 2026
The Montgomery County Fairgrounds are lighting up with six sparkling worlds including Holidayville, Wonder Journey, Luna’s Enchanted Tales, Zoofari Funland, Underwater Voyage, and Prehistoric Adventure. Marvel at whimsical fairytales, immersive holiday scenes, enchanting animal displays, interactive light art sculptures, and endless photo ops. Website

Champions of Magic: Holiday Spectacular (at The Kennedy Center)
Washington, DC - Tuesday - Sunday, November 18-23, 2025
Celebrate the season with Champions Of Magic and their all-new Holiday Spectacular featuring dazzling illusions, breathtaking, grand-scale magic, and festive surprises for the whole family. This high-energy, interactive show blends their signature humor, jaw-dropping magic, and holiday cheer, creating a one-of-a-kind experience perfect for the season. Don’t miss this enchanting celebration filled with wonder, spectacle, and joy! Website

Winter City Lights (in Olney, MD)
Olney, MD - Fridays - Sundays, November 21 - December 30, 2025
(also on December 23-26)
The largest light show in the DC and Baltimore areas, Winter City Lights is one of the most technologically advanced Christmas light experiences in the US. It includes a 1.5-mile-long trail of Christmas lights and displays through the woods, a 52-foot-high programmable Christmas lights tree and light show, an eight-lane snow tubing ride, 14 bonfires, and more. Website

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical (at Hylton Performing Arts Center)
Manassas, VA - Friday, Saturday & Sundays, November 21-30, 2025
Actor’s Theatre at the ARTfactory presents Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. This beloved stage adaptation of the classic holiday TV special tells the heartwarming story of Rudolph, the misfit reindeer with a glowing red nose, and his journey to find acceptance and save Christmas. Website

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
Wheaton, MD - Various dates, November 21, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Brookside Gardens transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland with over one million colorful lights. The display includes original works depicting animals, flowers, and other natural elements, as well as computerized light displays complete with music and fog. Website

DowntownDC Holiday Market at Gallery Place/Chinatown
Washington, DC – Daily, November 21 - December 23, 2025
Free
With regional artisans, crafters, and boutique businesses of ethically produced goods, the DowntownDC Holiday Market brings a unique and festive shopping village to the heart of downtown DC. There's also a live stage featuring regional performers. Website

Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade
Silver Spring, MD - Saturday, November 22, 2025
Free
The streets are being overrun with turkeys, dinosaurs, penguins, and reindeer. No, the zoo hasn’t opened its gates – it's the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade! With marching bands, Bolivian dancing groups, floats, giant characters and balloons, and Santa, it is the only Thanksgiving Parade in the metro DC area. Website

Cincinnati Ballet: The Nutcracker® (at The Kennedy Center)
Washington, DC - Wednesday - Sunday, November 26-30, 2025
Full of warmth and holiday cheer, Cincinnati Ballet is back to enchant with its colorful, family-focused production of The Nutcracker. Follow Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on a grand adventure, where no holiday is complete without a trip to the Land of Sweets! Website

Reston Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting
Reston, VA - Friday, November 28, 2025
Free
The Reston Holiday Parade marches down Market Street in Reston Town Center. Featuring balloons, marching bands, antique cars, and more, the half-mile parade ends with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus via horse-drawn carriage. Following the parade, kids can meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Fountain Square at 6pm. Website

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival
Gaithersburg, MD - Daily, November 28 - December 31, 2025
(except on December 25)
The popular drive-thru winter lights display at Seneca Creek State Park includes more than 450 illuminated displays and beautiful lighted trees. Website