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Take a lighted trail walk at Reston's Winterfest. Photo courtesy of Winterfest
Take a lighted trail walk at Reston's Winterfest. Photo courtesy of Winterfest
12/2/22 - By Jennifer Swope

This December is filled with sparkles and merriment, from holiday lights and parades to menorah lightings and New Year's Eve events.

You've seen our round-up of must-do Christmas events and holiday activities, and you may have purchased tickets to a holiday show or a Christmas light display. Now I'm going to tell you about events this month that aren't on those lists.

Imagination Stage's Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood opens mid-month and runs until early February 2025. My kids have always loved this theater's productions, and I can't recommend them enough.

And the Udvar-Hazy Center is hosting a family day about Rocket Blasts and Star Bursts. I don't know about your kids, but explosions are super exciting to mine.

And when this year closes, so do two immersive experiences. Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience closes December 29 and Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures closes December 31.

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

More Things To Do in DC This December With Kids:

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Wave hello to waterskiing Santa on the Alexandria Waterfront! Photo by Toni Genburg via Flickr 2.0
Wave hello to waterskiing Santa on the Alexandria Waterfront! Photo by Toni Genburg via Flickr 2.0

Top Things To Do in DC with Kids this December

National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Washington, DC - Thursday, December 5, 2024
The annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Ellipse features live musical performances. The tree will be lit every evening and open to the public from December 7, 2024 through January 1, 2025.  READ MORE

Winterfest (in Reston, VA)

Reston, VA - Thursday - Saturday, December 5-7, 2024
Reston Association's Winterfest includes a 0.41-mile lighted trail walk through the Enchanted Forest and a visit to the Vendor Village with luminaries, fire pits, musical performances, food, drinks, and keepsakes. Kids also have an opportunity to meet and write a letter to Santa and do a craft as part of the Santa Experience. Bring a camera to capture a photo with Santa.  READ MORE

'Twas The Night Before Christmas at Adventure Theatre

Glen Echo, MD - Fridays - Sundays, December 6, 2024 - January 5, 2025
"‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” But wait! A mouse is stirring – because Santa missed his house last year. Before you can say “Merry Christmas!," we are off on the wild adventures of a mouse, an elf, and a spunky little girl who just will not take no for an answer. Do not miss this joyful tribute to the holiday season! READ MORE

Holiday on the Farm (at Frying Pan Farm Park)

Herndon, VA - Fridays & Saturdays, December 6-21, 2024
Celebrate the holidays at Frying Pan Farm Park with an evening of wagon rides, indoor activities, food, animal interactions, campfires, and s'mores.  READ MORE

Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, December 7, 2024
Free
The annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade is back for its 52nd year to benefit programs that help children and families. Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town Alexandria, joined by pipe and drum bands, terriers and hounds, and more. READ MORE

Greater Manassas Christmas Parade

Manassas, VA - Saturday, December 7, 2024
Free
The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade includes marching bands, floats, high-flying balloons, dancers, and more. This year's theme is "Christmas in Candyland." READ MORE

Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-A-Long

Vienna, VA - Saturday, December 7, 2024
Free
Wolf Trap’s Annual Holiday Sing-A-Long hosts a performance by the United States Marine Band and a sing-a-long of Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs with local choir and vocal groups from the metropolitan DC area. READ MORE

Santa's Farm Fest at Green Meadows Farm

Ijamsville, MD - Saturdays & Sundays, December 7-15, 2024
Santa is coming to Green Meadows Farm. Visitors can meet Santa, take pictures with the Grinch and his sleigh, see the animal barn, warm up in the heated stables and around firepits (s'mores kits are available for purchase), enjoy a Frozen-themed snow globe with Elsa and Olaf, take a holiday hayride, and purchase food. READ MORE

Big Screen on the Green (at Vienna Town Green)

Vienna, VA - Friday, December 13, 2024
Free
Vienna screens family-friendly flicks on the Vienna Town Green during the summer, with a special holiday feature in December. Bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

A Christmas Festival (at Capital One Hall)

Tysons, VA - Friday, December 13, 2024
This show features ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas with full symphony orchestra, alongside music from Christmas movies including Home Alone, The Polar Express, and It’s A Wonderful Life. Sing-along carols complete the perfect holiday concert. READ MORE

Jungle Book at The Kennedy Center

Washington, DC - Friday - Sunday, December 13-15, 2024
Step into the jungle, where adventure awaits! Orphaned child Mowgli seeks refuge with a group of wolves deep in the jungle. Should the pack accept Mowgli as its own, even if it makes an enemy of the dangerous tiger Shere Khan? READ MORE

Holiday Trains and Planes at College Park Aviation Museum

College Park, MD - Friday - Sunday, December 13-15, 2024
Holiday-themed miniature trains, railroads, and villages are displayed at the museum located at the world's oldest continuously operating airport. READ MORE

Family Day: Rocket Blasts and Star Bursts at Udvar-Hazy Center

Chantilly, VA - Saturday, December 14, 2024
Free
What is an explosion, and why are they important for air and space? Most people know about the quick, sudden burst of a rocket engine, but now they're going to discover other exciting explosions featured in aerospace.  READ MORE

Water Park Winter Wonderland at National Landing

Arlington, VA - Saturday, December 14, 2024
Free
This festive event features Santa and Mrs. Claus, a snow globe photo booth, a wreath-making station, a hot chocolate bar, LED games, Arlington Philharmonic performances, and so much more. READ MORE

Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood at Imagination Stage

Bethesda, MD - Various dates, December 14, 2024 - February 8, 2025
A Cajun Red Riding Hood updates the classic tale, sending the plucky heroine—now a red-robed little duck—and her ‘fraidy cat friend Te Jean on a perilous journey through the bayou. Along the way the pair tangle with a Big Bad Gator. Petite is no sitting duck, though, and leads her nemesis on a merry Mardi Gras chase through New Orleans. A chorus of swamp dwellers sings backup to the Zydeco-driven score in this foot-stomping musical. READ MORE

Sing! Holiday Concerts (at Atlas Performing Arts Center)

Washington, DC - Sunday, December 15, 2024
The Capital City Symphony’s annual holiday concert fills the air with joyous music once again, featuring the dynamic sounds of The Capital Hearings. Audiences are invited to sing along as the orchestra takes them on a whirlwind tour of seasonal favorites. READ MORE

Santa & a Movie: The Polar Express at Publick Playhouse

Cheverly, MD - Sunday, December 15, 2024
Embrace the joy of the season by joining Publick Playhouse at its annual December family event. Children can visit and take pictures with Santa. There will also be coloring activities and a short, animated movie to entertain the youngest guests before the feature film, The Polar Express. READ MORE

A Family Christmas Concert (at The Kennedy Center)

Washington, DC - Sunday, December 15 & 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

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

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

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

Noon Yards Eve

Washington, DC - Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Free
This family-friendly celebration at Yards Park includes train rides, an inflatable slide and bounce houses, glitter tattoos, games, musical performances, and more. When the clock strikes noon, guests can enjoy a signature moment to ring in 2025. READ MORE

Noon Time New Year at Port Discovery

Baltimore, MD - Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Little ones can celebrate the new year at noon with a play session at Port Discovery Children's Museum. Families can go on a New Year Around the World scavenger hunt, make confetti cannons and noisemakers, and do so much more on all levels of the museum. Don't forget to draw a resolution on the Wish Tree. READ MORE

First Night Alexandria New Year's Event

Alexandria, VA - Tuesday, December 31, 2024
First Night Alexandria is back with a variety of performances and events for all ages. The Countdown to 2025 features a variety of activities, activations, dance parties, live music, and more. The festivities kick off at 2pm and conclude at midnight as thousands welcome in the New Year.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Brown's Chapel Recreation Area
Historic Downtown Manassas
Wolf Trap Filene Center
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Water Park at National Landing
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
Old Town, Del Ray, West End