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Holiday Theater, Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon, and More Fun Things To Do in DC this Weekend with Kids

The Talent Machine Co.'s annual Holiday Spectacular is always a great show! Photo courtesy of Talent Machine
The Talent Machine Co.'s annual Holiday Spectacular is always a great show! Photo courtesy of Talent Machine
12/17/25 - 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.

Hanukkah kicked off last Sunday! Take part in fun festivities like the Hanukkah Cookie Playdate with Red Bandana Bakery at Pink Moon in Bethesda. 

If you want to stay warm this weekend, there are lots of holiday shows happening. The Christmas Wish, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, and Step Afrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show are just a few. There were still tickets available at press time, but hurry before they get snapped up!

Feel like braving the cold? This is the last weekend for the free Lighted Nights at Claude Moore Park and the holiday markets in DC. Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon also takes place on Saturday and Sunday.

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!

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See Mount Vernon in a whole new light at Christmas Illuminations. Photo courtesy of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
See Mount Vernon in a whole new light at Christmas Illuminations. Photo courtesy of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

Top Things To Do in DC This Weekend With Kids

Stellar Star Show at Rock Creek Park

Washington, DC - Daily, through January 31
Free
Come and enjoy a ranger-led program in the only planetarium in the National Park Service! The Stellar Star Show will be a 30-minute ranger-led program about the planets and the night sky. READ MORE

Wheaton Family Theatre Series Welcomes Happy Theater: The Light House

Wheaton, MD - Saturday & Sunday, January 10-11
InterAct Story Theatre Presents FREE performances for kids and families, no tickets or registration needed. The Light House is an interactive show with shadow puppets. On an island in a faraway sea, a little girl tends a lighthouse and never ever smiles…until one day, when she must set out for the horizon beyond the sea! With live ukulele tunes, a ticklish octopus, and a little help from the audience, this show by Happy Theater celebrates kindness, magic adventures, and friendship.  READ MORE

Winter Skate Spectacular at National Building Museum

Washington, DC - Through February 8
The Winter Skate Spectacular at the National Building Museum has an indoor synthetic ice rink featuring themed skating days, including disco and glow nights, as well as specific times for young children. READ MORE

Balloonacy at Imagination Stage

Bethesda, MD - Saturday, January 10 - Sunday, February 15
This beautiful, movement-based show revisits the classic film The Red Balloon and will delight audiences of all ages and speakers of all languages. Nothing can go right for the old man, whose days are gray and dreary, until he is visited by a friendly red balloon. In the playful physical style of 1930s silent movies, the old man—an adult version of the boy in the film—regains his youthful spirit. READ MORE

Open Studio at the Hirshhorn Museum

Washington, DC - Saturday, January 10
Free
Join Art School this July as they take inspiration from the best of summer camp with that extra-special Art School flair. Every Saturday throughout the month, come together at the Hirshhorn’s Open Studio for community camp-style crafts inspired by artists on view at the Museum. READ MORE

STEAM Saturday at National Building Museum

Washington, DC - Saturday, January 10
Free
In honor of Women’s History Month, learn about Maya Lin, the visionary architect and artist known for her environmental artworks, architectural works, and memorial designs, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Then, design and build your own monument using craft materials, exploring key design principles as you create your structure. READ MORE

Watson Adventures’ Wizard School Scavenger Hunt at the National Gallery of Art

Washington, DC - Saturday, January 10
Follow in the footsteps of young wizards on a field trip to the National Gallery in search of art that echoes characters, places, and enchanted objects in the famed Harry Potter books and movies. The hunt is not an addition to or variation on Harry’s adventures, but instead references to the books will provide a surprising bridge to many strange and wonderful works of art. This hunt is designed for kids and adults to do together, but all-adult teams can compete separately. READ MORE

Winter Lantern Festival (at Tysons Corner)

Tysons, VA - Through Sunday, January 18
The Winter Lantern Festival is back this holiday season, with a display of electrifying lights made from more than 1,000 handmade Chinese lanterns. Guests will enter and wander through a wonderland of light and color inspired by Chinese myths, legends, and zodiacs. Attractions will include a bounce house, sugar paintings, dino ride, interactive light swings, see-saws, tunnels, and many majestic creatures. READ MORE

Great Big Game Show | DC

Washington, DC - Daily
Great Big Game Show, brought to you by The Escape Game, is a live-hosted game show experience. Two teams come on stage to face off in a battle for points and glory! READ MORE

Sunday Storytime at Planet Word Museum

Washington, DC - Sunday, January 11
Free
Join Planet Word for Sunday Storytime, a free monthly program designed especially for young children and their grownups. Featuring songs and read-alouds presented by children’s librarians from the DC Public Library, Sunday Storytime is ideal for ages 2–6. 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

101 Free Things To Do in DC with Kids

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

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