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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
12/20/24 - 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, and there are plenty of fun things to do to celebrate. My family likes to see holiday lights when we have out-of-town guests and need something to do. There are also outdoor ice skating rinks to 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.

Hanukkah begins on December 25 and the National Menorah will be lit on the Ellipse that evening.

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 near DC this Week with Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The Hip Hop Nutcracker (at National Theatre) is a modern twist on the classic ballet. Photo by Timothy Norris
The Hip Hop Nutcracker (at National Theatre) is a modern twist on the classic ballet. Photo by Timothy Norris

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

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

National Harbor, MD - Daily, through Saturday, December 28, 2024
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 Monday, December 30, 2024 (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

Manassas Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker (at Hylton Performing Arts Center)

Manassas, VA - Wednesday - Monday, December 18-23, 2024
Experience Drosselmeyer’s whimsy and magic as you travel with Clara and the Nutcracker Prince through a dreamy fantasy with treats and sweets along the way. The Nutcracker is a beloved holiday show for all ages, featuring an international cast of company dancers accompanied by the Manassas Ballet Theatre Orchestra. READ MORE

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live (at The Lyric)

Baltimore, MD - Friday, December 20, 2024
A Charlie Brown Christmas comes to life in a stage adaptation that celebrates the timeless television classic so the whole family can join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the Peanuts characters in their journey to uncover the true meaning of Christmas. READ MORE

The Hip Hop Nutcracker (at National Theatre)

Washington, DC - Friday - Sunday, December 20-22, 2024
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

Holiday Spectacular (at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall)

Baltimore, MD - Friday & Saturday, December 20 & 21, 2024
The esteemed Pops conductor Stuart Chafetz returns to the BSO to conduct the annual Holiday Spectacular. A perfect wintertime outing, this performance features special guest artists, audience sing-a-longs, and the ever-popular tap-dancing Santas. Make this concert a part of your holiday family traditions! READ MORE

Maryland Youth Ballet: The Nutcracker (at Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center)

Rockville, MD - Thursdays - Sundays, December 20-26, 2024
The Maryland Youth Ballet's live production of The Nutcracker features mechanical dolls, life-sized mice, dancing snowflakes, and an enchanting kingdom of sweets, set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. READ MORE

Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA - Friday - Sunday, December 20-22, 2024
At this family-friendly celebration, the historic area is lit up by lanterns, the mansion is aglow in amber light, and the upper garden and greenhouse are blue and lavender with moving wintry light patterns. There's also an 18th-century winter market and winter encampment, holiday food and drinks, season's greetings by George Washington, and a dazzling fireworks display over the Potomac River. READ MORE

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

Tysons, VA - Saturday, December 21, 2024
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 & Sunday, December 21 & 22, 2024
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 Ada's on the River

Alexandria, VA - Saturday & Sunday, December 21 & 22, 2024
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 21 & 22, 2024
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

Breakfast with Santa at Theismann's Restaurant

Alexandria, VA - Saturday & Sunday, December 21 & 22, 2024
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

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker with the Fairfax Ballet (at GMU Center for the Arts)

Fairfax, VA - Saturday & Sunday, December 21 & 22, 2024
The Fairfax Symphony joins The Fairfax Ballet to present The Nutcracker. This production is unique in the Washington region as one of few presented with live musical accompaniment. READ MORE

A Family Christmas Concert (at The Kennedy Center)

Washington, DC - Tuesday, December 24, 2024
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 - Tuesday, December 24, 2024
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 - Wednesday, December 25, 2024
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

Family Program: Hanukkah Cheer (at Capital Jewish Museum)

Washington, DC - Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Embrace the holiday spirit with family-friendly crafts and activities, in partnership with PJ Library. READ MORE

National Menorah Lighting (on The Ellipse)

Washington, DC - Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Free
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. 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

Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience (at Friendship Center)

Washington, DC - Fridays - Sundays, through January 31, 2025 (also open on January 20)
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

Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures at Rhode Island Center

Washington, DC - Daily (except Tuesdays), through January 5, 2025 (also open December 24 & 31)
Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures is an exhibition that offers guests an unprecedented glance into Ancient Egypt. With hundreds of perfectly reconstructed objects, breathtaking decorations, and fascinating explanations, visitors can step right into the wonder of the most famous archaeological discovery site of the 20th century. Ready to travel to the era of the pharaohs? READ MORE

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience (at Morven Park)

Leesburg, VA - Thursdays - Mondays, through January 26, 2025 (also open on December 24 & 31 and January 1 & 22)
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience lets fans venture into an illuminated forest brought to life. Unicorns, Nifflers, and Hippogriffs are only some of the magical creatures guests come face-to-face with. The interactive, family-friendly experience also gives fans the opportunity to cast spells to illuminate the dark forest and try their hand at summoning a Patronus. In the depths of the Forbidden Forest, who knows what spellbinding surprises could be lurking between the trees?  READ MORE

Winter Lantern Festival (at Tysons Corner)

Tysons, VA - Thursdays - Sundays, through January 12, 2025 (also open December 23-25, 30-31, and January 1)
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

Monet: The Immersive Experience (at Rhode Island Center)

Washington, DC - Daily (except Tuesdays), through January 31, 2025 (also open December 24 & 31)
Embark on an astonishing journey through the incomparable universe of Claude Monet, one of the greatest artistic geniuses of the 19th century. Explore his life, his career, and his secrets like never before with the help of 360-degree digital projections and a unique virtual-reality experience. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center
George Mason University Center for the Arts
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown
Lerner Town Square at Tysons II

About the Author

Jennifer Swope
Jennifer Swope, a DC resident since 2003, transitioned from humanitarian work to freelance editing in 2012 to stay home with her two kids. This shift sparked her passion for finding fun ways to keep them entertained—and inspired her to contribute to Mommy Poppins. When she's not navigating DC's chaos with her kids, she and her husband love watching sports, planning their next trip, and attending concerts. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferswope.
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