Jennifer Swope

Latest posts by Jennifer Swope

Champions of Magic, Holiday Markets, and More Fun Things To Do in DC This Weekend With Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Wed, 11/20/2024 - 9:02am

See dazzling lighted sailboats at Sailing Through the Winter Solstice. Photo courtesy of the Tourism Council of Frederick County

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.

Holiday markets open this weekend. Baltimore's German Christmas Market is one you won't want to miss with its unique shopping, food, and fun for all ages. Mosaic Holiday Village also offers more than just shopping, with carolers and Santa.

A Christmas Carol opens at Ford's Theatre this week, and is a timeless show that every kid should see once. Who doesn't want to know the references of Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim?

As you plan for your kids to be out of school and family to be in town, check below for more performances happening this week, many of which run through December. These are great ways to get out of the house and do something that will entertain everyone.

The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 11/10/2024 - 9:09am

The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography

Seeing The Nutcracker ballet is a classic holiday experiences for families, and no two productions are alike. The DC area has shows from both local and touring companies, as well as abridged versions for the youngest audience members. If you have very small children, consider The Mini-Nut or The Nutcracker Sweet, both tailored for short attention spans. There's also The Hip Hop Nutcracker for a modern twist on the show.

Some families, like mine, have seen The Nutcracker ballet and are looking for a new holiday tradition. Step Afrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show at Arena Stage brings holiday cheer in the form of stepping. And A Family Christmas Concert at the Kennedy Center is a one-hour choral performance of holiday classics.

Our list below has more than two dozen productions of The Nutcracker 2024 and other holiday shows. Keep in mind that many of them are popular and sell out quickly, so be sure to purchase advance tickets.

Find more festive fun in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids.

30 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in DC for Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 11/08/2024 - 10:40am

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks

Looking for new Christmas events and holiday activities for your family? The DC area is packed with light displays, holiday shows, and other holiday events.

I'm partial to holiday light shows and can definitely recommend a couple. If you're looking for a drive-thru light show with activities and treats at the end, Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville, Virginia, is for you. Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland, is a magical walk-through with glittering lights and one of our favorites to visit.

And what are the holidays without gift giving? DC hosts two month-long holiday markets this year; one in Gallery Place/Chinatown and one in Dupont Circle. Scroll down for our complete list of holiday markets where you can support local artisans.

Find more sparkly, festive fun in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more Christmas events and holiday activities all over the DC area. Whatever you celebrate, we're wishing you all the wonders of the season!

Veterans Day Weekend 2024 in DC: 15 Best Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Wed, 11/06/2024 - 11:45am

Honor veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters for Mommy Poppins

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

Veterans Day weekend includes three days off from work and school for many DC-area families, with plenty of opportunities for kids and parents to enjoy some quality time together. Your family can honor veterans at events across the region, including at the Library of Congress' Family Day on Saturday or at the Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.

Two super fun annual events in DC are happening this weekend. Side Yards is on Friday night and includes a variety of circus and magic performances alongside activities for kids. And on Saturday, the International Spy Museum celebrates the fall of the Berlin Wall with the Parade of Trabants, with opportunities to try your hand at Berlin-style graffiti.

And if your family is ready for the holidays, several Christmas and holiday events kick off this weekend, such as Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights and National Harbor's Holiday Tree Light Show.

29 Best Things to Do in DC November 2024 with Kids: Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Holiday Lights

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 10/27/2024 - 12:09pm

See the National Zoo in a whole new light at ZooLights. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo

November doesn't disappoint with Diwali, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and the official start of the holiday season.

Two words - Pumpkin Chunkin'. November launches with this two-day annual event at Great Country Farms where pumpkins go flying. I can't think of a better post-Halloween event to please everyone.

Want to keep it exciting in early November? Head down to Navy Yard for Side Yards, where you can watch aerialists, sword swallowers, magicians, and many more circus acts. My family loves this event, though be warned—your kid might want to try something new after seeing these acts.

Holiday light shows kick off this month, including Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights in Virginia and the Gaithersburg Winter Festival of Lights in Maryland. I 10/10 recommend getting tickets for one or more of the fabulous light displays in the area. Some you can walk, some you drive, but all will thrill your family.

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

12 Things To Do to Celebrate Día de los Muertos in DC

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 10/13/2024 - 10:00am

The Wharf goes all out for Dia de los Muertos! Photo courtesy of Wharf DC

Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. It honors the memory of deceased relatives through ofrendas (home altars), marigold flowers, calaveras (decorative skulls), and food.

The DC area has a rich Latino culture and hosts several family-friendly events for people of all backgrounds to gather. From family days at Smithsonian museums to a festival on the National Mall, there are many opportunities to celebrate Día de Los Muertos—and nearly all of them are FREE!

For more autumn activities, visit our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Kids. And don't forget to check our family activity calendar, as we're always adding more events.

Top Free Halloween Events in DC: Halloween Festivals, Parades, Trunk-or-Treats, and More

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 10/04/2024 - 8:12am

Light up the night at Baltimore's Great Halloween Lantern Parade. Photo courtesy of Creative Alliance

Halloween doesn’t have to cost money to be memorable. There are many free Halloween events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia throughout the month of October to keep kids entertained without breaking the bank. From Halloween festivals and parades to trunk-or-treats and trick-or-treat events, these free Halloween events offer a ton of spooky—and not-so-spooky—fun for DC families.

For even more Halloween fun, check out our Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Kids in Washington, DC, which includes our ultimate roundup of the best Halloween events near DC for kids and families. Happy hauntings!

37 Best Things To Do in DC October 2024 with Kids: Halloween Events, Fall Festivals, and More

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 09/29/2024 - 12:28pm

Photo ops abound at the Great Country Farms Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters, courtesy of the farm

Spooky season arrives with October, and we have the best family-friendly events for little ghosts and goblins all month long.

Halloween events and fall festivals will keep your family busy this month as you celebrate the harvest season, pick pumpkins, and dress up for trick-or-treating.

Two new shows opening in October that your kids might want to see are She Persisted at Adventure Theatre and Spells of the Sea at The Kennedy Center. And for your budding wizard, Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience returns to Morven Park in Leesburg at the end of the month.

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