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The DC Winter Lantern Festival features over 1,000 Chinese lanterns. Photo courtesy of the festival
The DC Winter Lantern Festival features over 1,000 Chinese lanterns. Photo courtesy of the festival
12/20/23 - By Jennifer Swope

Looking for the best things to do in DC this Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this holiday weekend.

Santa Claus is coming to town this weekend, and there are plenty of fun things to do to celebrate. Most holiday light shows in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia are open and are a perfect activity to enjoy with out-of-town guests. Outdoor ice skating rinks will also help keep that festive energy under control.

Children can delight in eating breakfast with Santa on Christmas Eve at Theismann's Restaurant, Ada's on the River, or Mia's Italian Kitchen. And be sure to catch Santa on waterskis in Old Town Alexandria on Christmas Eve.

For even more fun ideas, check out our list of what is open on Christmas Day in DC. Whatever you do, happy holidays from your friends at Mommy Poppins!

More Things To Do in Washington, DC this Week with Kids:

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Season's Greenings at the US Botanic Garden is a quintessential DC holiday experience. Photo courtesy of the Garden
Season's Greenings at the US Botanic Garden is a quintessential DC holiday experience. Photo courtesy of the Garden

Things to do in Washington, DC this Christmas Weekend with Kids

The Hip Hop Nutcracker (at National Theatre)

North Bethesda, MD - Tuesday - Friday, December 19-22
This remixed version of the holiday classic combines Tchaikovsky's music with fun, modern hip hop dance. MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, opens the show with a short set. READ MORE

Disney's Frozen at the Kennedy Center

Washington, DC - Daily (except Mondays),December 20 - January 21, 2024
The Tony-nominated Best Musical Frozen features fan-favorite songs from the film, plus new numbers. This theatrical experience is filled with special effects, stunning sets, and powerhouse performances. READ MORE

Monster High Live at Eagle Bank Arena

Fairfax, VA - Thursday - Saturday, December 21-23
Monster High Live features fan-favorite monsters in an all-new live show with electrifying music, clawesome dancing, and friendship that never ends. Clawdeen Wolf, Draculaura, and Frankie Stein are getting ready for the school's annual Monster Ball. Audiences will howl, clap, stomp, and sing along to tunes as these ghouls learn that the best fright of the year will be more spooktacular and fierce when they embrace their differences and all work together. READ MORE

Virginia National Ballet's Nutcracker (at Capital One Hall)

Tysons, VA - Friday, December 22
Virginia National Ballet’s professional company presents its magical production of The Nutcracker, featuring beautiful scenery and costumes. This popular production sells out early and is perfect for the whole family.  READ MORE

Holly Trolley Fest

Colesville, MD - Saturday, December 23
The National Trolley Museum presents its annual Holly Trolley Fest. Families can ride the street cars, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy a holiday model railroad display, do crafts, and more.  READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Theismann's Restaurant

Alexandria, VA - Saturday & Sunday, December 23 & 24
Enjoy a family-style breakfast in Old Town Alexandria with French toast, scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, and more. Adult tickets include a mimosa, and child tickets include a photo with Santa. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Ada's on the River

Alexandria, VA - Saturday & Sunday, December 23 & 24
Ada's on the River offers a family-style breakfast with pancakes, scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, and more. Adult tickets include a mimosa, and kids' tickets include a Santa photo. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Mia's Italian Kitchen

Alexandria, VA - Saturday & Sunday, December 23 & 24
Enjoy a family-style breakfast with Santa that includes French toast, scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, and more at this Old Town Alexandria Italian restaurant. Adult tickets come with a mimosa, and kids get a keepsake Santa photo. READ MORE

A Family Christmas Concert (at The Kennedy Center)

Washington, DC - Sunday, December 24
The Choral Arts Chorus sings holiday classics in this one-hour performance. Families are invited to sing along to their favorites and enjoy a visit from Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty. READ MORE

Waterskiing Santa (Alexandria Waterfront)

Alexandria, VA - Sunday, December 24
Free
Watch Santa take to the Potomac on waterskis! After the show, he, Mrs. Claus, and his merry crew greet children on the waterfront and behind the Torpedo Factory. READ MORE

Fairmont Washington Christmas Day Brunch

Washington, DC - Monday, December 25
Enjoy a delicious and festive Christmas Day buffet brunch with Santa at the Fairmont hotel. The buffet includes all the classic breakfast items, a children's buffet table, delectable desserts, and more. Santa visits each table, and an electric violinist performs holiday favorites. Adults can purchase drinks from a Bloody Mary and mimosa bar.  READ MORE

Enchant Christmas: Reindeer Games

Washington, DC - Daily, through Sunday, December 31
Enchant Christmas includes a giant light maze, a magical ice skating trail, a kids' play place, live music, and a Christmas market and eatery. Kids can also have professional photos taken with Santa and enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Ice! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas (at Gaylord National Harbor)

National Harbor, MD - Daily, through Sunday, December 31
Visitors can experience the beloved holiday ICE! featuring "A Charlie Brown Christmas", a dazzling, immersive, story-driven holiday showplace complete with larger-than-life ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels. READ MORE

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGO Discovery Center Washington DC

Springfield, VA - Daily, through Sunday, December 31 (except December 25)
Build the best memories at Holiday Bricktacular! Families can enjoy a winter wonderland of activities, festive decorations, and more at LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC.    READ MORE

Season's Greenings at US Botanic Garden

Washington, DC - Daily, through Monday, January 1, 1024
Free
The US Botanic Garden's popular holiday display returns this year with both indoor and outdoor displays. The garden-wide "Season's Greenings" features G-gauge model trains in the outdoor gardens, while the Conservatory features DC landmarks made of plants, holiday decor, and more. READ MORE

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Here are our picks for the best holiday and Christmas lights displays in the DC area. READ MORE

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids and Families

Bring the kids to one of these DC outdoor ice skating rinks for winter fun. READ MORE

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights Near DC in Maryland and Northern Virginia

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Immersive Experiences Open Christmas Weekend in DC

Dinos Alive: Immersive Experience

Washington, DC - Daily (except Tuesdays & Thursdays), through January 31, 2024 (also on December 21, 26, 28, and January 4)
Dinos Alive is an immersive exhibition featuring over 80 life-sized animated dinosaurs. The experience offers a peek at the world as it was millions of years ago. Guests explore the dense jungles of the Jurassic era and see the dinos in their natural habitat with the help of the latest VR technology and a fully decorated venue. READ MORE

Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience

Washington, DC - Thursdays - Sundays, through February 11, 2024 (also on December 26, 27, and January 2)
Dopamine Land is a multisensory experience combining media, technology, and play in one place. Visitors travel through an interactive museum boasting multiple rooms and activities that provide something new and exciting at every corner. READ MORE

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Washington, DC - Daily (except Tuesdays), through January 31, 2024 (also on December 26)
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is a digital art exhibition that invites visitors to step into the universe of the Dutch genius and explore his life, work, and secrets as never before through cutting-edge, 360-degree digital projections, a one-of-a-kind VR experience, and a uniquely atmospheric light and sound show. The tour is traveling through cities around the world.  READ MORE

LuminoCity Winter Light Festival

Gaithersburg, MD - Daily (except Tuesdays), through January 15, 2024
LuminoCity brings its winter wonderland experience to the DC area this season. This luminescent adventure has three themed rooms—Winter Fantasy, Wild Adventure, and Sweet Dreams. LuminoCity contains the magic of unicorns, a glowing bamboo forest, shining pandas, and a captivating donut tunnel for vistors to slide down.  READ MORE

Titanic: The Exhibition

National Harbor, MD - Tuesdays - Sundays, through January 28, 2024
Travel back to 1912 through photographs, handwritten letters, wayward keepsakes, and other personal belongings telling countless stories about the fates and heroic deeds onboard the Titanic. READ MORE

Candytopia

Tysons, VA - Thursdays - Mondays, through January 7, 2024 (except December 25 & January 3; also on December 26 & 27)
Delight in an an interactive, delicious experience where candy becomes art and there's a sugary treat for all the senses. Guests walk through a candy wonderland and immerse themselves in different candy-themed environments. They also enjoy packaged candy samples. READ MORE

Winter Lantern Festival (at Tysons Corner)

Tysons, VA - Fridays - Sundays, through February 18, 2024 (also on December 25-28)
The Winter Lantern Festival is back this holiday season, with a display of electrifying lights made from more than 1,000 handmade Chinese lanterns. Guests will enter and wander through a wonderland of light and color inspired by Chinese myths, legends, and zodiacs. Attractions will include a bounce house, sugar paintings, dino ride, interactive light swings, see-saws, tunnels, and many majestic creatures. READ MORE

Hot Wheels Champion Experience

Tysons, VA - Tuesdays - Sundays, through February 25, 2024
Hot Wheels Champion Experience combines exhilarating digital and hands-on play in a 16,000-square-foot immersive environment. Visitors of all ages can imagine, create, and experience Hot Wheels like never before. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Montgomery County Fairgrounds
The Exhibit in National Harbor
Lerner Town Square at Tysons II