Seeing The Nutcracker ballet is a classic holiday experiences for families, and no two productions are alike. The DC area has shows from both local and touring companies, as well as abridged versions for the youngest audience members. If you have very small children, consider The Mini-Nut or The Nutcracker Sweet, both tailored for short attention spans. There's also The Hip Hop Nutcracker for a modern twist on the show.

Some families, like mine, have seen The Nutcracker ballet and are looking for a new holiday tradition. Step Afrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show at Arena Stage brings holiday cheer in the form of stepping. And A Family Christmas Concert at the Kennedy Center is a one-hour choral performance of holiday classics.

Our list below has more than two dozen productions of The Nutcracker 2024 and other holiday shows. Keep in mind that many of them are popular and sell out quickly, so be sure to purchase advance tickets.

Find more festive fun in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids.

Looking for new Christmas events and holiday activities for your family? The DC area is packed with light displays, holiday shows, and other holiday events.

I'm partial to holiday light shows and can definitely recommend a couple. If you're looking for a drive-thru light show with activities and treats at the end, Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville, Virginia, is for you. Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland, is a magical walk-through with glittering lights and one of our favorites to visit.

And what are the holidays without gift giving? DC hosts two month-long holiday markets this year; one in Gallery Place/Chinatown and one in Dupont Circle. Scroll down for our complete list of holiday markets where you can support local artisans.

Find more sparkly, festive fun in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more Christmas events and holiday activities all over the DC area. Whatever you celebrate, we're wishing you all the wonders of the season!

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

Veterans Day weekend includes three days off from work and school for many DC-area families, with plenty of opportunities for kids and parents to enjoy some quality time together. Your family can honor veterans at events across the region, including at the Library of Congress' Family Day on Saturday or at the Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.

Two super fun annual events in DC are happening this weekend. Side Yards is on Friday night and includes a variety of circus and magic performances alongside activities for kids. And on Saturday, the International Spy Museum celebrates the fall of the Berlin Wall with the Parade of Trabants, with opportunities to try your hand at Berlin-style graffiti.

And if your family is ready for the holidays, several Christmas and holiday events kick off this weekend, such as Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights and National Harbor's Holiday Tree Light Show.

What could be more enjoyable than ice skating on a beautiful winter's day? In 2024, families will have plenty of ice skating options in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, from ice skating rinks that are part of special holiday events to outdoor ice skating rinks that stay open all winter long.

Weather permitting, outdoor ice skating rinks generally open in mid to late November and close in February or March. Many of them also host special skating events, so check the websites for more information. Otherwise, lace up your skates and enjoy ice skating at one of these great rinks near DC.

For more fun things to do this winter—from the best museums for kids in the DC area to the best places to go snow tubing near DC—check out out Winter Activities Guide for DC Kids.

November doesn't disappoint with Diwali, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and the official start of the holiday season.

Two words - Pumpkin Chunkin'. November launches with this two-day annual event at Great Country Farms where pumpkins go flying. I can't think of a better post-Halloween event to please everyone.

Want to keep it exciting in early November? Head down to Navy Yard for Side Yards, where you can watch aerialists, sword swallowers, magicians, and many more circus acts. My family loves this event, though be warned—your kid might want to try something new after seeing these acts.

Holiday light shows kick off this month, including Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights in Virginia and the Gaithersburg Winter Festival of Lights in Maryland. I 10/10 recommend getting tickets for one or more of the fabulous light displays in the area. Some you can walk, some you drive, but all will thrill your family.

We have so many more great events listed below for your family in November, but don't forget to check our family activity calendar every day, as we're always adding more events.