Stephanie Shipman

Latest posts by Stephanie Shipman

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

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Wed, 12/03/2025 - 12:00pm

Things get real festive on the water at the District's Holiday Boat Parade. Photo courtesy of The Wharf DC

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!

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

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Sun, 11/30/2025 - 10:09am

Scottish Santa is coming through town bag pipes and all. Photo courtesy of the Scottish Christmas Walk

This December is filled with sparkles and merriment, from holiday lights and parades to menorah lightings and New Year's Eve events.

You've seen our round-up of must-do Christmas events and holiday activities, and hopefully you've added some of them to your December to-do list. Smithsonian institutions have reopened just in time to bring back one of the DC area's most iconic holiday light shows, ZooLights at the National Zoo. Another must-do holiday event, Season's Greenings at the US Botanic Garden, has a dinosaur theme this year. It's also FREE!

If you're looking for a unique holiday show, try Imagination Stage's The Snowman and the Snowdog. My kids have always loved this theater's productions, and I can't recommend them enough.

And if you need a break from the holiday madness, check out the FREE Embassy Showcase Winternational, when over 70 embassies from around the world come together to share their food, culture, art, and traditions.

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Fri, 11/28/2025 - 9:10am

Enjoy snow every night at Winter City Lights. Photo by Kyle Lanzer courtesy of the Winter City Lights event

The DC area is always merry and bright with so many Christmas light shows, holiday lights drive-thrus, and other festive displays. I know I'm having trouble selecting the one (or three) my family will visit because they're all so good.

Light Yards is always a fun and quick stop, especially when you get to swing on the bells as they light up. For years, I've been wanting to check out the Holiday Boat Parade which is visible from both The Wharf and Alexandria. And then there are the tree and menorah lightings, neighborhood displays, and twinkles all over the area.

Below I've compiled the ultimate list of 33 amazing Christmas light shows, holiday lights drive-thrus, and tree and menorah lightings around the DC area.

While you're in a festive mood, check out 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!

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2025 in DC: Parades, Holiday Lights, and More Things To Do

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Tue, 11/25/2025 - 10:42am

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

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 Merriweather Symphony of Lights to a festive holiday parade to taking a ride on The Polar Express, there is an activity for your entire family.

Lots of Nutcracker shows also start this week, and Santa will soon follow! Your kids can get ahead on their lists with a breakfast with Santa at B&O Railroad Museum.

33 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Sun, 11/23/2025 - 10:51am

The Holiday Boat Parade is visible from both the Wharf and the Alexandria waterfront. Photo courtesy of the Wharf DC

The holiday season can be as expensive as it is festive. Luckily, there are loads of free holiday events throughout the DC area for families. Tree and menorah lightings, such as the National Harbor Tree Light Show and the National Menorah Lighting, are some of the most popular. Then there are the parades like the Scottish Christmas Walk in Old Town Alexandria and the Christmas and Holiday Parade in Leesburg.

These are just a few of the many free events I've found for your family. Don't miss the section dedicated to holiday markets, where you can soak up the cheer while buying unique gifts for family and friends.

Read on for the ultimate list of free holiday and Christmas events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia in 2025. For more ideas for seasonal fun, check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids, which includes our list of must-do Christmas and holiday activities in DC for kids. Happy holidays!

Breakfast with Santa in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia in 2025

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Fri, 11/14/2025 - 11:27am

There are so many places to have breakfast with Santa throughout the DC area. Photo courtesy of Theissman's Restaurant's Facebook page

Want to kick your family's morning meal up a notch this holiday season? Treat your kids to brunch or breakfast with Santa! There are so many Breakfast with Santa events in DC, Northern Virginia, and the Maryland suburbs. Many of them offer additional activities like storytimes and crafts. And, of course, all of the events offer great photo ops with the big guy himself.

The Breakfast with Santa events listed below range from simple pancake meals to elaborate buffet-style brunches. Most of them require reservations, so be sure to click the links to learn how to buy tickets.

Once you've finished your meal, continue the holiday cheer by checking out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids, which includes our roundup of the best holiday and Christmas activities and events in DC. Season's greetings!

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

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Sun, 11/09/2025 - 12:00pm

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 family holiday fun, from Christmas shows for kids to holiday lights in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

I'm partial to holiday lights 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, VA, is for you. Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD, 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. There's also the authentic German Christmas Village in Baltimore.

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 2025 in DC: 15 Best Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Wed, 11/05/2025 - 12:00pm

Celebrate Veterans Day at Mount Vernon! Photo courtesy of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

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.

Is this weekend too early to start holiday festivities? Absolutely not! Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights starts this weekend, as does the National Harbor tree lighting. And The Nightmare Before Christmas - Live in Concert is playing for one night only—this Friday!—at Capital One Hall.

Not quite ready for the holidays yet? There are plenty of non-festive fun events. The International Spy Museum is having its 9th annual Parade of Trabants, and Flight Adventure Park in Springfield, VA is having a 10-year anniversary bash. For some musical theater, check out Chicka Chicka Boom Boom at Hylton Performing Arts Center.

And if you're still clinging to fall, this is the last weekend for the Cox Farms Fall Festival. You can also attend a Fall Festival at The Shops at Wisconsin Place in Chevy Chase, MD.

See our DC activity calendar for even more fun things to do with kids. We add new events every day!

Latest posts by Stephanie Shipman

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