Ice Castles New Hampshire makes for a great winter day trip. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 30 Things To Do with Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Roam the the cedar walk and gardens at Caramoor for a free, fun outing. Photo by Gabe Palacio
70 Free Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids
Visit the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum for all kinds of interactive fun during Family Free Nights. Photo courtesy of the museum
Top Free Things To Do with Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley in January 2026, According to MP Editors
Kids under 1 are FREE hours at the Westchester Children’s Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things to Do with Westchester Kids
Create your own glow-in-the-dark sculptures at the Neuberger Museum of Art.
Free Museum Days (and Always Free Museums!) in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Hit the ice at the scenic Mohonk Mountan House, which offers winter day passes to enjoy its spectacular resort amenities. Photo courtesy of the venue
23 Fun Winter Day Trips from NYC
Enjoy glorious views on the Walkway Over the Hudson. Photo by Fred Schaeffer/courtesy of the Walkway.
50 Best Things To Do in the Hudson Valley with Kids
GUIDE
Westchester & Hudson Valley Winter Vacation Guide
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
Kids can run, swing, slide, and even make music at Sally’s Dream Playground in Montgomery. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
Top Playgrounds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley Worth Driving To
The Saugerties Lighthouse is a stunning getaway no matter the season.
Sleep in a Lighthouse and More Hudson Valley Family Resorts and Hotels
Summer camps are a great way to make new friends and develop new skills
GUIDE
Summer Camps Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
The Play Place in Elmsford is one of Westchester's top indoor play spaces.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Westchester
Roam the the cedar walk and gardens at Caramoor for a free, fun outing. Photo by Gabe Palacio
70 Free Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids
Enjoy water sports at Westchester Summer Day in Mamaroneck. Photo courtesy of the camp
Best Summer Day Camps in Westchester for Kids
Palisade Center's Climbzone features themed rock walls as high as 40 feet. Photo courtesy of Climbzone.
20 Best Things To Do at the Palisades Center Mall with Kids
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Poughkeepsie's Gravity Vault is an indoor rock-climbing gym with classes for kids as young as 5. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in the Hudson Valley
Mount Kisco's Grand Prix New York, a go-kart hot spot, offers birthday parties with racing, arcade play, and virtual reality.
17 Best Indoor Party Places for Kids in Westchester
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Fun for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
Learn how the seasons affect nature at Hudson Highlands Nature Center. Photo courtesy of the center
School Break Camps in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Days Off from School
At Moe's Southwestern Grill, kids eat free on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult entree. Photo courtesy of the restaurant
Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Kids can peek into the marine life in the aquariums at the Marine Education Center in Mamaroneck. Photo by Susan Miele
22 Free Things To Do Indoors in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Castle Fun Center in Chester has a giant inflatable park, a rock wall, laser tag, and more. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
15 Family Fun Centers in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Grab a colorful treat at Harley's Sweet Shop in Woodstock. Photo courtesy of the shop
25 Best Things To Do in Woodstock, NY, with Kids
Kids can climb the walls at the Cliffs in Valhalla. Photo courtesy of the Cliffs
32 Things To Do on a Rainy Day Indoors in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Touch the soft rabbits at the Greenburgh Nature Center's petting zoo in Scarsdale. Photo courtesy of the center
Best Animal Petting Zoos near Westchester and the Hudson Valley Where Kids Can Meet Animals
Peekskill, NY, is a lovely riverfront community that acts an the unofficial gateway to the Hudson Valley.
25 Best Things To Do in Peekskill, NY, with Kids
Explore what makes things fly with the Westchester Children's Museum's Wind Tunnel Design Challenge. Photo courtesy of the museum
Visiting the Westchester Children's Museum in Rye: New and Ongoing Exhibits
Romp through the woods in the beautiful Catskills. Photo by Deborah Dadlani
40 Best Things To Do in the Catskills with Kids
GUIDE
Classes Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
Tig & Peach offers drop-in, no reservations required, open play 7 days a week.
7 Indoor Playgrounds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for a Wild Romp
Friends young and old enjoy the attractions and Legoland New York, the first major theme park in the Northeast in 40 years.
  VIDEO
Legoland New York: A Guide to Visiting the Hudson Valley Theme Park with Kids
Frost Valley YMCA offers a variety of day and overnight camps for kids ages 5-14. Photo courtesy Frost Valley YMCA
Best Affordable Summer Camps in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Kids love a birthday party filled with games and pizza at Chuck E. Cheese. Photo courtesy of Chuck E. Cheese
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in Westchester
Create your own glow-in-the-dark sculptures at the Neuberger Museum of Art.
Free Museum Days (and Always Free Museums!) in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
These kids' movies are classic hits!
75 Best Movies for Kids: Top Family Movie Night Ideas
GUIDE
Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in Westchester & the Hudson Valley
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas

The DC Must-Do Christmas Events to Book Now Before They Sell Out

Now is the time to buy tickets for popular holiday light shows and other events! Photo courtesy of Brookside Gardens
Now is the time to buy tickets for popular holiday light shows and other events! Photo courtesy of Brookside Gardens
10/24/25 - By Stephanie Shipman

DC's most popular holiday events for families are already starting to go on sale, and many of them sell out fast! Book them—or be ready to book them—before you miss out.

The holidays in DC are magical, but the season is jam-packed. Between school schedules, holiday parties, and shopping lists, it can be hard to keep track of all the holiday and Christmas events for kids and families.

Whether you’re visiting a cherished family tradition or starting a new one, DC offers countless things to do with kids at Christmas and the holidays. Hop aboard a holiday train ride, watch a Christmas-themed performance, or wander through an impressive light display. You’ll also find plenty of Santa sightings along the way.

Here are 15 DC family Christmas events 2025 that will likely sell out, plus when tickets for them go on sale. Book these events ASAP, then explore more holiday activities with DC's Holiday Fun Guide. Sign up for our free newsletter to ensure you don't miss anything!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Christmas and Holiday Events for Families in DC to Book Now

Ford's Theatre A Christmas Carol

Downtown
Various dates, November 20 - December 31, 2025
Experience a reinterpretation of Charles Dickens' classic Christmas story in historic Ford's Theatre. This version of Ebenezer Scrooge's story is a music-infused production, capturing the magic and joy of this Yuletide classic. READ MORE

ZooLights at the National Zoo

Woodley Park
Various dates, November 21, 2025 - January 3, 2026
This annual festive event features a variety of attractions including light shows, musical performances, inflatable slides, a train ride, and an outdoor market. ZooLights does not feature animals, and all indoor exhibits are closed. Attractions may not be open when temperatures are 35 degrees or below.  READ MORE

Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park

Navy Yard
November 28 - December 30, 2025
Celebrate the season with Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park! Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities on the field, including a tubing slide, curling lanes, a train ride, LED seesaws, putt-putt and snowball speed-throw challenges, a Northern Lights experience, a sculpture garden, and more. Grown-ups can enjoy a 21-and-over area with a hidden speakeasy.  READ MORE

The Washington Ballet: The Nutcracker (at The Warner Theatre)

Downtown
Various dates, November 29 - December 28, 2025
This classic ballet has a historic twist this holiday season in one of DC's most iconic theaters, the Warner Theatre. The Washington Ballet's adaptation is set in 1882 Georgetown, with characters that include George Washington, Harriet Tubman, King George III, and others.  READ MORE

Santa Suite at the Fairmont Washington, DC Georgetown

Georgetown
Saturdays & Sundays, December 6-21, 2025
Santa and his elves are heading to the Santa Suite at the Fairmont Washington, DC, Georgetown. This year's Suite is a whimsical winter wonderland set up for Santa and his special guests, including Garfield, Winnie the Pooh, Elsa, Skye, Peppa Pig, Sponge Bob, Mickey Mouse, and Harry Potter. Families can enjoy 15-minute visits of up to 10 people to the Suite, where they can eat gingerbread treats and write letters to Santa.  READ MORE

Family Christmas Events 2025 to Book Now in Maryland

ICE! featuring The Polar Express (at Gaylord National Resort)

National Harbor
Daily, November 14, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Visitors can experience the beloved holiday ICE! featuring The Polar Express, a dazzling, immersive, story-driven holiday showplace complete with larger-than-life ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels. READ MORE

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens

Wheaton
Various dates, November 21, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Brookside Gardens transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland with over one million colorful lights. The display includes original works depicting animals, flowers, and other natural elements, as well as computerized light displays complete with music and fog. READ MORE

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at B&O Railroad Museum

Baltimore
Various dates, November 28 - December 23, 2025
Whether you’re starting a family tradition, planning a festive date night, or celebrating with friends, The Polar Express Train Ride brings the spirit of Christmas to life—for all who believe. This adventure includes live performances, hot chocolate and a sugar cookie, a special moment with Santa presenting the First Gift of Christmas, and continued magic at the North Pole with holiday crafts, cozy s’mores, and festive shopping. READ MORE

Holly TrolleyFest at the National Capital Trolley Museum

Colesville
Saturdays & Sundays, November 29 - December 21, 2025
The National Trolley Museum presents its annual Holly TrolleyFest. 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 B&O Railroad

Baltimore
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Our favorite guest, Santa, is visiting the B&O, and he is hungry! Join him for a breakfast buffet to welcome the holiday season. Bring out the family for a delicious meal, a visit with Santa (and a special gift for every child), special photos, and a train ride!  READ MORE

Holiday and Christmas Events for Kids in Virginia to Book Now

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (at Capital One Hall)

Tysons
Sunday, November 30, 2025
This acclaimed holiday tradition is live in theaters again this Christmas season. The show includes larger-than-life puppets, breathtaking acrobatics, and dazzling costumes. The international cast features stars of Ukraine ballet, performing at the highest level of classical technique.  READ MORE

Whistle Stop Hobbies Annual Santa Train

Alexandria
Mondays, December 1-15; Thursday, December 18, 2025
Take a train ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus from Alexandria's King Street Station to Old Town Manassas. There you 'll enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, a storytime in the station, and a Q&A with Santa on the platform before returning to King Street. The entire journey takes three hours, and every kid will receive a special holiday treat. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park

Fairfax Station
Saturdays & Sundays, December 6-21, 2025
Climb aboard the Holiday Express for a train ride, take a spin on the Carolers Carousel, play Gingerbread Man Golf, and warm up by the fire and cook s'mores. Enjoy hot chocolate and candy canes. Don't forget to visit with Santa. READ MORE

VRE Santa Train

Manassas
Saturday, December 13
Ride a VRE train to meet Santa and friends, who are on board to promote rail safety and Operation Lifesaver’s “Look, Listen and Live” campaign. Santa’s helpers hand out candy canes and coloring books. READ MORE

Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon
Saturday & Sunday, December 20 & 21, 2025
Join Mount Vernon for a family-friendly celebration of the holiday season with an enchanted evening of Christmas Illuminations. Watch stunning holiday fireworks over the Potomac River and enjoy the atmospheric setting of an 18th-century winter encampment. Greet General George Washington, visit with Aladdin the Camel, tour the mansion, and shop at a winter market featuring 18th-century wares and crafts. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: