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Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in DC: Parades, Holiday Lights, and More Things To Do

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
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
11/24/23 - By Jennifer Swope

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

We can't believe Thanksgiving weekend is already here! This year, we are grateful for meaningful time with family and for all of the magical moments families will make at holiday events around DC. From Christmas lights displays like ZooLights at the National Zoo to a festive holiday parade in Reston to taking a ride on The Polar Express, there is an activity for your entire family.

This week also marks the opening of two dazzling light festivals, LuminoCity Winter Light Festival in Gaithersburg and the DC Winter Lantern Festival at Tysons Corner.

If you're not quite ready for Christmas—or simply need a break from all the holiday madness—check out Ringling Bros.and Barnum & Bailey in Baltimore or Bluey's Big Play at the Kennedy Center. However your family celebrates, we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend together!

Don’t miss our lists of Christmas tree farms near DC and must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in DC, as well as our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids.

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See the National in a whole new light at ZooLights. Photo by Skip Brown, courtesy of the Zoo
See the National in a whole new light at ZooLights. Photo by Skip Brown, courtesy of the Zoo

Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend in DC

Bluey’s Big Play at The Kennedy Center

Washington, DC - Tuesday - Sunday, November 21-26, 2023
When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time-out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans. Adapted from the children's television series, Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation featuring the Heelers brought to life through puppets. READ MORE

Ballet West: The Nutcracker

Washington, DC - Wednesday - Sunday, November 22-26, 2023 (except November 23)
Be swept away in a flurry of holiday magic as Ballet West presents America’s first and longest-running production of The Nutcracker. The Intermountain West’s preeminent company returns with one of the most visually striking productions of this seasonal family favorite.  READ MORE

America's Trot for Hunger

Washington, DC - Thursday, November 23, 2023
The annual Trot for Hunger 5K presented by SOME (So Others Might Eat) is the largest Turkey Trot in the DC area and the only one in the District. The 5K starts at 9:40am, and a Little Turkey one-miler begins at 9:15am. Proceeds help end homelessness and poverty in DC. The fun begins at 8am and includes live music and games for kids. READ MORE

Season's Greenings at US Botanic Garden

Washington, DC - Daily, November 23, 2023 - January 1, 2024 (except December 25)
Free
The US Botanic Garden's popular holiday display returns this year with both indoor and outdoor displays. The garden-wide "Season's Greenings" features G-gauge model trains in the outdoor gardens, while the Conservatory features DC landmarks made of plants, holiday decor, and more. READ MORE

Merriweather Symphony of Lights

Columbia, MD - Various dates, November 23, 2023 - January 1, 2024
The Symphony of Lights drive-thru light show is back for the holidays with one mile of beautiful light displays and holiday music. On November 26, December 5 (dogs welcome), and December 31 (fireworks), families can walk through the light display for an additional fee. READ MORE

ZooLights at the National Zoo

Washington, DC - Various dates, November 24 - December 30, 2023
This annual festive event features a variety of attractions including light shows, musical performances, inflatable slides, a train ride, and an outdoor market. READ MORE

Enchant Christmas: Reindeer Games

Washington, DC - Daily, November 24 - December 31, 2023
Enchant Christmas includes a giant light maze, a magical ice skating trail, a kids' play place, live music, and a Christmas market and eatery. Kids can also have professional photos taken with Santa and enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival

Gaithersburg, MD - Daily, November 24 - December 31, 2023 (except December 25)
The popular drive-thru winter lights display at Seneca Creek State Park includes more than 450 illuminated displays and beautiful lighted trees. READ MORE

Festival of Trees

Lutherville-Timonium, MD - Friday - Sunday, November 24-26, 2023
Returning to the Maryland State Fairgrounds, the Festival of Trees is a three-day holiday celebration benefiting the patients, students, and programs at Kennedy Krieger Institute. It includes gorgeously decorated trees and gingerbread houses, holiday entertainment, visits with Santa Claus, artisan vendors, and a silent auction.  READ MORE

Gingerbread House Contest and Show

Upper Marlboro, MD - Fridays- Sundays, November 24 - December 10
Darnall’s Chance House Museum hosts an amazing display of edible gingerbread houses. Visitors can vote for their favorite entries in the Viewer’s Choice Competition. READ MORE

Holly-Days at Maryland Zoo

Baltimore, MD - Friday - Sunday, November 24 - November 26, 2023
Celebrate the magic of the season with Holly-Days at the Zoo. This festive event includes a Member Morning (9:30 early entrance) and Santa and Friends parade on Friday. The rest of the weekend is filled with holiday crafts, delightful carolers, and so much more. READ MORE

LuminoCity Winter Light Festival

Gaithersburg, MD - Daily (except Tuesdays), November 24, 2023 - January 15, 2024
LuminoCity brings its winter wonderland experience to the DC area this season. This luminescent adventure has three themed rooms—Winter Fantasy, Wild Adventure, and Sweet Dreams. LuminoCity contains the magic of unicorns, a glowing bamboo forest, shining pandas, and a captivating donut tunnel for vistors to slide down.  READ MORE

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey at CFG Arena

Baltimore, MD - Friday - Sunday, November 24-26, 2023
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® has reimagined The Greatest Show on Earth. Complete with superhuman feats, pushing the limits of possibility, it no longer has animals as part of its performance. Audiences of all ages will love this new show. READ MORE

The 36th Annual Nutcracker

Glen Echo, MD - Thursdays - Sundays, November 24 - December 31, 2023 (also on December 26 & 27)
The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park presents its 34th annual performance of The Nutcracker, featuring the familiar story of Clara and the nutcracker prince with some nursery rhyme spin. READ MORE

The Polar Express at the B&O Railroad Museum

Baltimore, MD - Fridays - Sundays, November 24 - December 19, 2023 (also on December 18)
Chris Van Allsburg's classic book comes to life from the moment passengers climb aboard this Polar Express train ride, when the conductor punches their golden tickets. Once aboard, passengers can indulge in hot chocolate and cookies and receive the first gift of Christmas from Santa himself.  READ MORE

Watkins Regional Park Festival of Lights

Upper Marlboro, MD - Daily, November 24, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Watkins Regional Park brings a little twinkle to the holidays with a drive-thru event featuring dazzling displays of more than 2.5 million lights throughout the park, culminating in a giant, 54-foot LED musical tree. READ MORE

Mosaic Holiday Tree Lighting & Firetruck Parade

Fairfax, VA - Friday, November 24, 2023
Free
Head to Mosaic District's Strawberry Park for its holiday tree lighting. Families can see Santa arrive on a fire truck and meet him. READ MORE

Reston Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting

Reston, VA - Friday, November 24, 2023
Free
Now in its 32nd year, the Reston Holiday Parade marches down Market Street in Reston Town Center. Featuring balloons, marching bands, antique cars, and more, the half-mile parade ends with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus via horse-drawn carriage. Following the parade, kids can meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Fountain Square at 6pm. READ MORE

DC Winter Lantern Festival

Tysons, VA - Fridays - Sundays, November 24, 2023 - February 18, 2024
Lerner Town Square at Tysons II transforms into a dazzling world of light with over 1,000 Chinese lanterns portraying Chinese myths, legends, and zodiacs; a world of ice including mammoths, polar bears, and penguins; and bounce houses and a  performance stage. READ MORE

Mount Vernon by Candlelight

Mount Vernon, VA - Fridays & Saturdays, November 24 - December 16, 2023
Visit with Martha Washington and other 18th-century residents of Mount Vernon in a 45-minute candlelit tour of the historic area at Mount Vernon, followed by a reception with live music, cider, and cookies. READ MORE

CityCenterDC Holiday Tree Lighting

Washington, DC - Saturday, November 25, 2023
Free
CityCenterDC's larger-than-life tree lighting features live performances, a curated holiday art tree installation, sweet surprises, and a limited-edition charitable commemorative ornament. READ MORE

Northern Virginia Ballet's The Nutcracker

Manassas, VA - Saturday, November 25, 2023
Kick off the holiday season with the Northern Virginia Ballet’s traditional and family-friendly production of The Nutcracker. Featuring guest artists and company dancers, the performance includes exquisite costuming and Russian-produced sets. READ MORE

Old Town Manassas Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show

Manassas, VA - Saturday, November 25, 2023
The Old Town Manassas Christmas Market features unique gift items from over 60 local artisans and shops, baked goods, and more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Montgomery County Fairgrounds
Lerner Town Square at Tysons II
Prince William Street Commuter Lot