Free Events and Activities for Kids
in Washington in January 2026

Fun Free Activities To Do in DC in January 2026

Creature Feature at Brookside Nature Center
Boyds, MD - Thursday, January 1
Join Brookside Gardens for an up-close encounter with an animal ambassador. Why does it live at the nature center? What would its wild counterparts be doing at this time of year? An expert will answer these questions and more. Website

Wildlife Rescue - An AR Experience (at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center)
National Harbor, MD - Daily, through Sunday, January 4
Take a virtual safari through Gaylord National! Search for 12 endangered animals using tracking markers and bring them to life with augmented reality (AR). Learn fun facts, snap photos, and enjoy this tech-savvy adventure. A smartphone and free app download are necessary. Website

Season's Greenings at United States Botanic Garden
Washington, DC - Daily, through January 4
Celebrate the holiday season in the US Botanic Garden's annual holiday display, with the Conservatory full of poinsettias, holiday decor, and DC landmarks made from plants. In the outdoor gardens, find festive lights and decor and a model train show. This year, G-gauge model trains will chug through displays of dinosaurs made from plant parts, including T-rex, Triceratops, Velociraptor, and more, plus living plants whose ancestors lived alongside them such as cycads, ferns, and magnolias. Website

Folger Frost Fair
Folger Shakespeare Library
Washington, DC - Daily, through January 4
Celebrate the season with a month-long winter festival at the Folger. Enjoy festive decorations, holiday music, free activities, and more, through the first weekend in January! Website

Winterfest at Mason Neck State Park
Lorton, VA - Thursday, January 1
Bundle up and celebrate the wonder of the season! Join Mason Neck State Park for a day of frosty fun, nature exploration, and cozy community cheer. Discover how wildlife adapts to winter, take a guided hike through the quiet woods, create nature-inspired crafts, and warm up by the campfire with a hot beverage. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the beauty and magic of winter outdoors! Website

First Day Hike: Seneca Creek State Park
Gaithersburg, MD - Thursday, January 1
Hikers are invited to take a self-guided hike around the Lakeshore Trail at Seneca Creek State Park. This 3.7-mile loop along natural surface trails offers scenic views of nature and the opportunity to observe winter wildlife. Maps, field guides, scavenger hunt activities, and trivia games are available. Friends of Seneca Creek State Park is providing coffee and hot chocolate as supplies last. Website

Winter Block Party at McLean Community Center
McLean, VA - Saturday, January 3
Join McLean Community Center for the 5th annual Winter Block Party! Participants will enjoy entertainment, games, food, and a wide variety of amusements, crafts, and more. Website

Three Kings Day (Fiesta de los Reyes Magos) at GALA Theatre
Washington, DC - Sunday, January 4
GALA Hispanic Theatre is holding a Three Kings Day celebration. This festive end to the holiday season features the timeless story of the Magi, performances by local musicians and dance troupes, a street parade, and free gifts for children. Website

Wheaton Family Theatre Series: Dancing Our Way Through Books (at Highland Elementary School)
Wheaton, MD - Saturday & Sunday, January 10 & 11
The new year at InterAct Story Theatre kicks with Artistic Director Ali Oliver-Krueger leading kids and adults in exploring a folktale together through movement, drama, and song. Website

The Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade
Washington, DC - Saturday, January 17
Coordinated by the Coalition for Peace, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Peace Walk is held annually on the MLK holiday. Over a thousand Peace Walkers join in the two-mile walk along MLK Ave in Southeast DC. Website

MLK Service Cleanups with Montgomery Parks
Montgomery County, MD - Saturday - Monday, January 17-19
Recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day through a volunteer park cleanup at parks across Montgomery County. Participants can help clear litter from streams, beautify green spaces, and do other things to protect natural spaces and wildlife. Website

Drawing Stories: Family Art Day at National Museum of the American Indian
Washington, DC - Saturday, January 17
Learn about historical and contemporary ledger art and narrative art through tours of the exhibition Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains, along with storytime and family-friendly hands-on activities. Website

MLK Birthday Celebration Especially for Youth (at Reston Community Center)
Reston, VA - Sunday, January 18
Children can rotate through a series of activities including a performance, an age-appropriate video, and arts and crafts. All activities are based on the history of Dr. King and the civil rights movement. Website

MLK Service and Learning Day at Frying Pan Farm Park
Herndon, VA - Monday, January 19
Introduce your young ones to Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center. Learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and the importance of giving back to our community. Rotate through stations to hear about the Civil Rights Movement, participate in a service project, and reflect on the power of community cooperation. Website

Mosaic Polar Plunge
Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA - Saturday, January 24
Supporters of the Special Olympics take a chilly polar plunge at Mosaic District to raise money for Special Olympics athletes. Watch the costume contest and pool plungers, or register online to participate. Website

Dinosaurs are Wow with Mindy Thomas in Baltimore
Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MD - Saturday, January 24
Join Mindy Thomas to discuss "Wow in the World: Dinosaurs Are Wow!" New York Times bestselling author and award-winning podcast creator Mindy Thomas, host of the hit podcast Wow in the World, will give readers a prehistoric primer on history’s most bonkerballs beasts! Website

Stargazing at the Udvar-Hazy Center
Chantilly, VA - Saturday, January 24
Join Museum staff and members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club for a view of the night sky through telescopes. Stargazing will take place outside in the bus parking lot. Website

Try Hockey for Free Day at The Wharf Ice Rink
Washington, DC - Sunday, January 25
Caps Youth Hockey is heading to The Wharf Ice Rink for the first-ever outdoor Try Hockey for Free event. All players will be provided a hockey stick to use and must bring their own helmet (a bike helmet works well) and warm winter gloves. Website

A Day of Community at the National Portrait Gallery
Washington, DC - Sunday, January 26
Activate and uplift! Teens and young adults are encouraged to find their voices. Art is activism and portraiture is powerful. Honor the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and his commitment to community action by joining the Portrait Gallery and its partners for A Day of Action. Website

Stellar Star Show at Rock Creek Park Nature Center
Washington, DC - Fridays - Sundays in January
Come and enjoy a ranger-led program in the only planetarium in the National Park Service! The Stellar Star Show will be a 30-minute ranger-led program about the planets and the night sky. Website

Sailing Through the Winter Solstice
Carroll Creek Park, Frederick, MD - Daily, through March 14
Carroll Creek Park once again comes alive with individually designed lighted sailboats. Visitors can view the boats anytime day or night, with the lights turning on at sunset. Website

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Free Events and Activities for Kids in Washington in January 2026

Free Events and Activities for Kids
in Washington in January 2026