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Santa Sightings, Holiday Parades, and More Fun Things To Do in DC this Weekend with Kids

Things get real festive on the water at the District's Holiday Boat Parade. Photo courtesy of The Wharf DC
Things get real festive on the water at the District's Holiday Boat Parade. Photo courtesy of The Wharf DC
12/3/25 - By Stephanie Shipman

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

Are your kids ready to meet Santa? There are plenty of places to go see him this weekend, and many of them are FREE, like Holiday Fest at Torpedo Arts Factory and Baltimore Christmas Fest at Rock City Church.

This weekend is also the beloved Holiday Boat Parade, which can be seen from Alexandria or the Wharf, as well as other parades like the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade—all FREE, too! And if you're looking for a FREE holiday light show, try the Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park in Woodbridge. 

If your family is preparing for Hanukkah, Chanukah in the Dark at Theater J kicks off this weekend. This show is perfect for ages 5 and up!

Want even more fun things to do this weekend? Our DC events calendar is packed with great family activities every day of the week— and you can filter by age, location, or even free events!

Not on our newsletter list yet? Subscribe for free and get the best local family fun sent straight to your inbox. Already subscribed? Share it with a friend and start planning your weekend together!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The National Tree is relit every night and sparks much Christmas joy. Photo courtesy of The National Parks Service
The National Tree is relit every night and sparks much Christmas joy. Photo courtesy of The National Parks Service

Top Things To Do in DC This Weekend With Kids

National Christmas Tree and Pathway of Peace

Washington, DC - Daily, December 4, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Free
The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse is lit every evening and open to the public. Surrounding it are more than 50 smaller trees representing the US states and territories, each featuring unique ornaments created by students. READ MORE

Heurich House Christmas Markt

Washington, DC - Thursday - Sunday, December 4-7, 2025
The Heurich House Museum hosts its annual German-style holiday market outdoors with vendors from local small businesses, tastings of local beer and food trucks, and a kids' tent featuring free festive ornament-making and games. READ MORE

Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park

Woodbridge, VA - Daily, December 4-28, 2025
Free
Experience the magic of the season at the 3rd Annual Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park and Boardwalk. Stroll through a sparkling winter wonderland filled with thousands of twinkling lights, holiday-themed characters, a holiday market, and joyful holiday music. Enjoy a hot beverage, seasonal treats and food vendors, and special photo ops along the illuminated paths, perfect for families, friends, and holiday lovers of all ages. READ MORE

Winterfest (in Reston, VA)

Reston, VA - Thursday - Saturday, December 4-6, 2025
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

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC

Springfield, VA - Daily, December 4-24, 2025
Build the best memories at Holiday Bricktacular! Create joy in the biggest-ever donation of LEGO® sets to children in need by building a LEGO heart. Enjoy the MINI WORLD Winter Wonderland takeover, which includes wintry city streets featuring iconic holiday scenes. Decorate a LEGO ornament and hang it on the tree for all to see. Meet the LEGO® Gingerbread character. Spot an elf hiding somewhere in the attraction.​ And enjoy other festive activities! READ MORE

Holiday on the Farm (at Frying Pan Farm Park)

Herndon, VA - Fridays & Saturdays, December 5-20, 2025
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

Fairfax City Holiday Market

Fairfax, VA - Fridays - Sundays, December 5-14, 2025
Shop for holiday gifts from local artisans and small businesses at the Fairfax City Holiday Market. On Sunday, December 7, bring a camera to take a free photo with Santa.  READ MORE

Baltimore Christmas Fest at Rock City Church

Baltimore, MD - Friday, December 5, 2025
Free
The Family Christmas Fest is open to the public and designed for children of all ages. Guests can move freely between activity stations, decorate cookies and ornaments to take home, and enjoy a moonbounce, face painting, games, and local craft vendors and food trucks.  READ MORE

Greater Manassas Christmas Parade

Manassas, VA - Saturday, December 6, 2025
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

Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, December 6, 2025
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

Santa Fly-in at the College Park Aviation Museum

College, MD - Saturday, December 6, 2025
Watch Santa fly into the College Park Airport and Aviation Museum! Enjoy festive activities and crafts, take pictures with Santa, and more.  READ MORE

Holiday Fest at Torpedo Factory Arts Center

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, December 6, 2025
Free
Visit Torpedo Factory Art Center during Alexandria's most festive weekend of the year. Santa arrives by fire boat at 3:30pm, and music fills the halls and the Waterfront, beckoning people to browse three floors of open artists’ studios and galleries. To visit Santa (4-6pm), families need a timed-entry ticket. READ MORE

The Lodge: Winter Festival at National Landing

Arlington, VA - Saturday, December 6, 2025
Free
Step into “The Lodge” as Metropolitan Park becomes a winter wonderland for guests of all ages and four-legged friends. Highlights include a holiday vendor market, live music, a peppermint mocha latte competition, holiday train rides, photos with Santa, face painting, an ornament-decorating station, a dog sweater contest, and more holiday fun.  READ MORE

The District's Holiday Boat Parade

Washington, DC - Saturday, December 6, 2025
Free
More than 60 beautifully decorated boats pass by the Wharf at this iconic annual DC holiday event. Other activities include ornament decorating, s'mores, family photos with Santa, live music under the Wharf's Christmas tree, and a fireworks finale. READ MORE

Children's Holiday Shopping at Historic Colvin Run

Great Falls, VA - Saturday & Sunday, December 6 & 7, 2025
Children are accompanied by a secret shopper to help them buy holiday gifts at the Colvin Run Mill General Store. Assistants help wrap and tag gifts. Cost of the gifts is not included. Adults can tour the site and visit the Miller's House exhibit while waiting. READ MORE

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, December 6, 2025
Free
Head to the Alexandria waterfront at 5:30pm for a dazzling light display as decorated boats light up the Potomac River. While the parade is the main attraction, families can also enjoy dockside festivities from 2-8pm in Waterfront Park including a pop-up beer garden, food, activities, and more.  READ MORE

Bethesda Winter Wonderland

Bethesda, MD - Saturday, December 6, 2025
Free
Celebrate the holiday season with Santa at the Norfolk Avenue Streetery in downtown Bethesda. Enjoy live ice sculpting, a visit with Santa Claus, a student concert, face painting, games, arts and crafts, and a holiday market.  READ MORE

Chanukah in the Dark at Theater J

Washington, DC - Saturdays & Sundays, December 6-21
When the lights go out during Chanukah, Max and family begin sharing songs, stories, and traditions – only to discover the lights they needed and the miracles they searched for were in their midst all along. Perfect for ages 5 and up. Join us December 14 for a Chanukah Party at 10am and then a performance at 11am! Tickets available on our website READ MORE

Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park

Burke, VA - 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

Celebration of Lights at Great Falls Village Field

Great Falls, VA - Sunday, December 7, 2025
Free
Great Falls celebrates the beginning of the season at its annual Christmas tree lighting. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, performances by local school choirs, a petting zoo, and pony rides before Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by fire truck to light the tree at 5pm. Children are then welcome to share their holiday wishes with Santa. The evening closes with a live Nativity. READ MORE
There's plenty of indoor fun to be had if it's too nippy outside. Photo courtesy of Climb Zone
There's plenty of indoor fun to be had if it's too nippy outside. Photo courtesy of Climb Zone

More Things To Do in DC This Week With Kids

25 Best Things To Do in DC with Kids December 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Here are our top picks for things to do in DC in December 2025. READ MORE

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Where to go when it's too cold, rainy, or snowy to play outside! READ MORE

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There are so many ways for families to have fun in and around DC without spending a dime! READ MORE

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights Near DC (in Maryland and Northern Virginia)

These houses and neighborhoods near Washington, DC really bring the holiday magic. READ MORE
Holiday light shows are in full swing! Photo courtesy of Winter City Lights
Holiday light shows are in full swing! Photo courtesy of Winter City Lights

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Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids and Families

Bring the kids to one of these DC outdoor ice skating rinks for winter fun. READ MORE

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Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids

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Christmas Activities and Holiday Fun for Kids

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Places featured in this article:

Brown's Chapel Recreation Area
Historic Downtown Manassas
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
Great Falls Village Centre