Christmas Activities and Holiday Events
in Washington DC for Kids

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Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights
Vienna, VA
Daily, through 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

Bull Run Festival of Lights
Centreville, VA
Daily, November 14, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Experience the magic of the holidays at the Bull Run Festival of Lights, Northern Virginia’s largest drive-through holiday light experience with 2.5 miles of lighted holiday and fairytale vignettes. At the end of the drive, enjoy a Holiday Village and carnival that includes a market and a petting zoo. Website

DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle
Washington, DC - FREE
Daily, November 14 - December 23, 2025 (except November 27 and December 1)
The DC Holiday Market features over 35 small businesses with artisans, boutique brands, worldwide handcrafts, and unique gift items. The market brings its signature style, local performers, festive decor, and popular holiday treats to an iconic location adjacent to Dupont Circle and Kramer’s Books & Café. 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

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
Wheaton, MD
Daily, November 21, 2025 - January 4, 2026 (except November 24-27, December 24 & 25, & January 1)
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

German Christmas Village (in Baltimore, MD)
Baltimore, MD - FREE
Wednesdays - Sundays, November 22 - December 24, 2025 (except November 26; also on December 22 & 23)
Experience an authentic German Christmas market at West Shore Park at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. There are a variety of vendors, thousands of Christmas lights, live music, rides, food, and more. Website

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival
Gaithersburg, MD
Daily, November 28 - December 31, 2025 (except 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

Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park
Washington, DC
Daily, November 28 - December 30, 2025
Celebrate the season with Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park! Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities on the field, including a tubing slide, curling lanes, a train ride, LED seesaws, putt-putt and snowball speed-throw challenges, a Northern Lights experience, a sculpture garden, and more. Grown-ups can enjoy a 21-and-over area with a hidden speakeasy. Website

Winter City Lights (in Olney, MD)
Olney, MD
Fridays - Sundays, November 28 - December 28, 2025 (also on December 22-26 & 29)
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

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at B&O Railroad Museum
Baltimore, MD
Various dates, November 28 - December 23, 2025
Whether you’re starting a family tradition, planning a festive date night, or celebrating with friends, The Polar Express Train Ride brings the spirit of Christmas to life—for all who believe. This adventure includes live performances, hot chocolate and a sugar cookie, a special moment with Santa presenting the First Gift of Christmas, and continued magic at the North Pole with holiday crafts, cozy s’mores, and festive shopping. Website

Holly-Days at Maryland Zoo
Baltimore, MD
Various dates, November 29 - December 31, 2025
Celebrate the magic of the season with Holly-Days at the Zoo. This festive event includes holiday crafts, photo ops, special appearances, and more. Website

The Washington Ballet: The Nutcracker (at The Warner Theatre)
Washington, DC
Wednesdays - Sundays, November 29 - December 28, 2025 (except December 25)
This classic ballet has a historic twist this holiday season in one of DC's most iconic theaters, the Warner Theatre. The Washington Ballet's adaptation is set in 1882 Georgetown, with characters that include George Washington, Harriet Tubman, King George III, and others. Website

Willard Holiday Caroling
Washington, DC - FREE
Daily, December 1-23, 2025
Each night, highly accomplished choral and vocal ensembles from around the DC area perform holiday songs for free at The Willard hotel. Website

National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Washington, DC - FREE
Thursday, December 4, 2025
The annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Ellipse features live musical performances. The tree will be lit every evening and open to the public from December 6 through January 1. Website

Santa Suite at the Fairmont Washington, DC Georgetown
Washington, DC
Saturdays & Sundays, December 6-21, 2025
Santa and his elves are heading to the Santa Suite at the Fairmont Washington, DC, Georgetown. This year's Suite is a whimsical winter wonderland set up for Santa and his special guests, including Garfield, Winnie the Pooh, Elsa, Skye, Peppa Pig, Sponge Bob, Mickey Mouse, and Harry Potter. Families can enjoy 15-minute visits of up to 10 people to the Suite, where they can eat gingerbread treats and write letters to Santa. Website

Greater Manassas Christmas Parade
Manassas, VA - FREE
Saturday, December 6, 2025
The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade includes marching bands, floats, high-flying balloons, dancers, and more. This year's theme is "Christmas in Candyland." Website

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Alexandria, VA - FREE
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Head to the Alexandria waterfront at 5:30pm for a dazzling light display as decorated boats light up the Potomac River. While the parade is the main attraction, families can also enjoy dockside festivities from 2-8pm in Waterfront Park including a pop-up beer garden, food, activities, and more. Website

National Menorah Lighting (on The Ellipse)
Washington, DC - FREE
Wednesday, December 14, 2025
One of the most prominent public Hanukkah programs in the world is the annual lighting ceremony of the National Menorah on the Ellipse, just across from the White House. Ticket holders get hot latkes and donuts as well as free dreidels and menorah kits. The US Navy Band performs. Website

Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, VA
Saturday & Sunday, December 20 & 21, 2025
Join Mount Vernon for a family-friendly celebration of the holiday season with an enchanted evening of Christmas Illuminations. Watch stunning holiday fireworks over the Potomac River and enjoy the atmospheric setting of an 18th-century winter encampment. Greet General George Washington, visit with Aladdin the Camel, tour the mansion, and shop at a winter market featuring 18th-century wares and crafts. Website

ZooLights at the National Zoo
Washington, DC
Various dates, through January 3, 2026
This annual festive event features a variety of attractions including light shows, musical performances, inflatable slides, a train ride, and an outdoor market. ZooLights does not feature animals, and all indoor exhibits are closed. Attractions may not be open when temperatures are 35 degrees or below. Website