Kick off the holiday season with a ride on the Polar Express at the B&O Railroad Museum. Photo courtesy of the B&O Railroad
Thanksgiving Day Weekend in DC: Parades, Holiday Lights, and More Things To Do
See the National Zoo in a whole new light at ZooLights. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo
29 Best Things to Do in DC November 2024 with Kids: Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Holiday Lights
There are so many restaurants at which to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in the DC area. Photo by Cotton Bro Studio via Pexels
21 Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Main photo by Tim & Selena Middleton/CC BY 2.0
GUIDE
DC Fall Day Trips Guide: Farms, Festivals, and Kid-Friendly Getaways 2024
Take a stroll through the Marshall Pond Christmas Village in Burke, VA. Photo courtesy of Kristy Case, from the Marshall Pond Christmas Village Facebook page
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights Near DC in Maryland and Northern Virginia
Pull on a signature blue parka for Ice! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National Resort
Christmas in DC: Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary for a Magical Holiday with Kids
Find the perfect tree for your family at Snickers Gap Tree Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm
Christmas Tree Farms Near DC
Enjoy snow every night at Winter City Lights. Photo by Kyle Lanzer courtesy of the Winter City Lights .event.
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks
30 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in DC for Kids
The popular Sculpture Garden ice rink is back at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0
Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids and Families
There are so many places to have breakfast with Santa throughout the DC area. Photo courtesy of Theissman's Restaurant's Facebook page
Breakfast with Santa in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Sometimes you can lend a helping hand, sometimes you need a helping hand. Because every kid deserves presents on Christmas. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
How To Find Free Toys for Kids this Christmas and Holiday Season—Apply Soon!
GUIDE
Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids
Child's Play has a great selection of toys, games, children's books, and more. Photo by Tony Ventouris Photography
Coolest Stores for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Enjoy storytime each Wednesday at the Hirshhorn. Photo courtesy of the Hirshorn Museum
75 Free Fun Things To Do in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia with Kids

Best Things To Do in DC in January with Kids: MLK Weekend, Presidential Inauguration

Log on to the Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival's presentation of Luz. Image courtesy of the festival
Log on to the Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival's presentation of Luz. Image courtesy of the festival
12/30/20 - By Drew Kristofik

Happy New Year and buh-bye, 2020!

While every new year brings change, changes wrought by 2020 have been decidedly "unprecedented." The changes in 2021 may be equally challenging, but we're up for it and confident that America and the world are ready to vaccinate, rebuild, and reconnect.

January in DC has always come with small parenting challenges ... finding things to do to get the kids out of the house when the weather is cold and changeable. This January, we're turning our eyes again to the treasure trove of virtual experiences the pandemic has provided. When cabin fever rattles our equilibrium, we're looking forward to hiking, skating, nature bathing (dressed for the weather, of course) in a local park, and —with any luck—participating in a snowball fight or two as part of our roundup of fun things to with DC kids this winter.   

This is the perfect month to hunker down with history and celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. And on January 20, we'll be virtually holding hands with the rest of the country, watching as the 46th President is inaugurated to office on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

In 2021, we're looking forward to all the goodies percolating on our Poppins@Home pages, including a virtual faery hunt, music classes with Hopalong Andrew, and a virtual camp focusing on wizardry. We're updating this page and the DC calendar constantly, this month especially, as things pop up or are postponed and rescheduled, so keep them bookmarked and check often.

While we try to promote safe activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, keep your family and others safe by wearing a mask and maintaining an appropriate distance. If you arrive at an event that appears too crowded, try using the “nearby” search feature on our event calendar to find something else to do.

Cheers!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Join the Meadowside Nature Center for its First Day Hike. Photo courtesy of Meadowside Parks
Join the Meadowside Nature Center for its First Day Hike. Photo courtesy of Meadowside Parks

Best Things To Do in Washington DC in January

First Day Hike

Rockville, MD—FREE
Friday, January 1
IRL
Start your year off right with a hike in the woods around Meadowside Nature Center. Feel free to bring along your binoculars and be sure to dress in layers. READ MORE

First Day Teeny Tiny Hike and Campfire

Bethesda, MD
Friday, January 1
IRL
Take your first steps into the New Year in the scenic beauty of Cabin John Regional Park. This easy, 0.5 mile hike along natural surface trails will go at a relaxing pace that's perfect for first-time hikers and families. READ MORE

Freedom Skies: A New Years' Remembrance

Mount Vernon, VA
Friday, January 1
IRL
Brenda Parker, a Mount Vernon Character Interpreter & African American Interpretation & Special Projects Coordinator, portrays the experiences of four individuals at Mount Vernon on Manumission Day—January 1, 1801—when Martha Washington freed her late husband’s slaves. READ MORE

Winter Insect Exploration

FREE
Friday, January 8
Virtual
Kids are invited to join a virtual bug hunt and explore the pond, stream, and soil in search of active insects. READ MORE

59th Presidential Inauguration - Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

Wednesday, January 20, 2021
In case you prefer to view it virtually
Celebrate the inauguration of of 46th president—virtually—as President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris take their oaths of office at the U.S. Capitol during a historic ceremony that includes vigorous health and safety protocols. READ MORE

Crystalline

SW Waterfront, DC
Daily, through February 28
Crystalline explores the color blue’s connection with earth and crystals through a journey that is both an adventure and a contemplation—an exploration through an illusory, blue-hued castle. READ MORE
Thrill to the pageantry of the Hip Hop Nutcracker. Photo by Timothy Norris
Thrill to the pageantry of the Hip Hop Nutcracker. Photo by Timothy Norris

Fun Virtual Events for Kids in January

15th Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival

Now through Sunday, January 3, 2021
The 15th annual Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival adapts for the times, this year welcoming a global audience. The festival offers more than 80 short films and animation from around the world, presented completely online via Vimeo Showcase. READ MORE

The Hip-Hop Nutcracker with Kurtis Blow at Kings Theater

Now through Sunday, January 3, 2021
A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip-Hop Nutcracker re-imagines Tchaikovsky’s classic score through explosive hip-hop choreography, a dozen all-star dancers, on-stage DJ, an electric violinist, and digital scenery. READ MORE

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker

Now through Sunday, January 3, 2021
New York City Ballet's iconic Nutcracker goes virtual in a special streaming event filmed during the 2019 season at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. READ MORE

A Faery Hunt Show and Fairy New Year's Party! - Online

Saturday, January 2
It's time to celebrate the New Year in Fairyland. The festivities begin with an enchanted musical recorded performance of Auntie Angelica's Fairy Garden, featuring beautiful fairies, a silly Gnome, and the King of Fairyland, not to mention a talking eggplant and a magical unicorn! READ MORE

The Little Princess

Now through Sunday, January 3, 2021
Quintessence Theatre presents The Little Princess, an interactive virtual holiday adventure for the whole family. Frances Hodgson Burnett's timeless tale of one little girl’s resilience comes to life right in your home, and you get to play too.   READ MORE

Online Family Program: Songwriting 101 - Martin Luther King Jr Day

FREE
Saturday, January 16
Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement he led inspired songs promoting freedom and justice, including Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” and Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released.” In this introductory workshop, join a museum educator on Zoom to write a song as a group. READ MORE

2021 MLK Tribute

FREE
Sunday, January 17
Virtual
Arlington, Virginia’s annual tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is virtual in 2021! Log in to a free online event where you can choose what you want to see, when you want to see it, from music and dance to spoken word and community dialogues. READ MORE

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement

FREE
Monday, January 18
Families can virtually dive into the stories of civil rights activists in New York, not only Dr. King but also Ella Baker, Milton Galamison, Bayard Rustin, Malcolm X, and Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture).  READ MORE

59th Presidential Inauguration - Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

Wednesday, January 20, 2021
In case you prefer to view it virtually
Celebrate the inauguration of of 46th president—virtually—as President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris take their oaths of office at the U.S. Capitol during a historic ceremony that includes vigorous health and safety protocols. READ MORE

2021 Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest

Now through Sunday, January 31, 2021
Children are invited to enter the free 2021 Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest for kids. Youths, ages 4-15, can submit drawings of dream cars. Multiple art submissions accepted. What imaginative vehicle will your kids dream up?  READ MORE

The Snow Queen: An At Home Theater Experience

Now through Sunday, February 28, 2021
Hans Christian Andersen's wintry tale comes to life in a two-part virtual theatrical presentation. Viewers discover the world of the play in a live 25-minute interactive prequel story . A full-length recorded performance of the play follows. READ MORE
Delight in New Year's traditions from around the world.
Delight in New Year's traditions from around the world.

More Things To Do in DC this Winter

Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 35 Best Things To Do with Kids in DC

Shake off the winter doldrums with these fun things to do in DC in 2024. READ MORE

23 Family-Friendly New Year’s Traditions from around the World

Onion tapping? Wave jumping? Discover NYE traditions around the world. READ MORE

40 Outdoor Activities for Kids this Winter

These activities will have kids begging to play outside this winter! READ MORE

How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs in 5 Easy Steps

Trendy cocoa bombs deliver a sweet winter treat. READ MORE

Skiing, Snowboarding, & Snow Sports Guide

Find great family slopes, tubing, and boarding spots all around the country with our kid-friendly ski guide. READ MORE

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks Near DC for Kids and Families

Places featured in this article: