Christmas is a magical time of year in Washington, DC. During the holidays, DC and its surrounding areas absolutely sparkle with spectacular holiday light shows, dazzling neighborhood Christmas light displays, and so much more.

Whether you're a DC native, you live nearby and are planning a holiday day trip, or you're coming from afar to experience the holidays in our nation's capital, read on for some of the best things to do during Christmas in DC. We've pulled our holiday must-do's into a magic-filled three-day itinerary.

If this cheer-filled plan leaves you craving even more Christmas in DC, be sure to check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids.

If you've ever been to Philadelphia's Franklin Institute, you surely have seen or even climbed inside of the Giant Heart. Arguably the most popular exhibit in the entire museum, the Giant Heart has been closed for renovations since May of 2024 and it's finally back! Not only did they make improvements to the heart itself, but the entire three room 8,500 square foot exhibit around the heart has been completely redone and it's truly incredible. As someone who grew up visiting the Franklin Institute, Body Odyssey has to be my favorite exhibit.

Looking for even more museum fun? Check out our Museum Guide for everything you need to know about Philadelphia museums.

From small towns to big cities, Texas shines bright during the holidays.

Outdoor ice skating rinks in sunny Los Angeles? Oh, I happen to know about a few! One thing Angelenos love doing during the winter months is pretending that it’s winter, and the most fun way to do it is by turning parking lots and other open spaces into outdoor ice skating rinks for the holidays. 

Whether your family is trying ice skating for the first time or you've got budding figure skaters and hockey players looking for a change of scenery, nothing says Southern California quite like the sight of kids and families in tank tops and mittens figure skating in the sunshine. From Downtown Los Angeles to the beaches of Santa Monica, keep reading below for where to find the best cool-yet-sunny ice skating rinks in Los Angeles and Orange County. 

For more holiday fun, from Polar Express train rides to nutcracker performances in LA, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families. 

A magical winter wonderland, complete with snow tubing, is a treat for Houston kids.

Santa Claus is coming to the Garden State, and we’ve found 11 New Jersey Christmas towns that prove it. We're talking about the places where sleigh bells ring, carolers sing, and thousands of Christmas lights sparkle. These local New Jersey Christmas towns are getting into the holiday spirit with decked-out trees, strolling entertainment, and visits with Santa.

So, pull out the warm clothes, cue the holiday music, and drive to one of these charming, Christmas-crazed New Jersey towns. Then, keep the holiday fun going with a ride on one of these Polar Express trains in New Jersey, or find more ways to be merry in our New Jersey Holiday Fun Guide.

This December, Westchester Ballet Company returns to Lehman Center for the Performing Arts with its enchanting presentation of the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker. The full-length ballet features exquisite choreography, opulent costumes, incredible special effects, and a cast that includes renowned adult guest performers and nearly 100 young dancers from 30 towns across the Westchester area and beyond.

This annual performance is a regional favorite, welcoming thousands of kids and families each and every holiday season. Read on to learn more about The Nutcracker and purchasing tickets.

Elf on the Shelf is back! It's almost the holidays, so it's almost time for Elf on the Shelf. Elves typically arrive sometime after Thanksgiving and return to the North Pole on Christmas Day, giving families about a month to fill with hilarious Elf on the Shelf ideas.

Like any good house guest, your elf should be able to keep mischievous acts mostly mess-free and easy to set up. We've put together a list of 50 easy ideas that are also impressive elf antics that delight kids— including funny Elf on the Shelf ideas, easy Elf on the Shelf ideas, and last-minute Elf on the Shelf ideas for hectic mornings. Did we mention they don't take a lot of time to set up and require very few props?

Find more Christmas activities and crafts for kids, plus other fun things to do this season, in our Christmas and Holiday Fun Guide.