Jennifer Swope

Latest posts by Jennifer Swope

24 New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, Drone Shows, and Other DC Celebrations for Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 12/22/2024 - 3:08pm

Ring in the new year at First Night Alexandria. Photo by Geoff Livingston via Flickr 2.0

New Year's Eve with kids might feel as wild as those pre-children celebrations with sugar highs and post-holiday excitement. You're just likely celebrating it a bit earlier in the day. I know when my kids were little I wanted to ring in the coming year, but also be asleep well before midnight. (Let's be honest—I still want to be in bed before midnight).

When my now teenagers were a baby and a toddler, we attended the very first Noon Yards Eve. It's grown and become the premier DC event for kids to celebrate the new year. I can't recommend it enough.

But this isn't the only incredible event. Check out early celebrations at Shipgarten or the B&O Railroad Museum. Families with older kids might enjoy nighttime parties like the popular First Night Alexandria or the new New Year's Eve Drone & Fireworks Show in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

Still clinging to Christmas? Most holiday light shows in the area are open on New Year's Eve, or you can get tickets to a holiday performance before they end their seasonal runs. Happy New Year!

Christmas Weekend 2024 in DC Top Things To Do: Christmas Lights, Breakfast with Santa, Waterskiing Santa, and More

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 12/20/2024 - 10:46am

The DC Winter Lantern Festival features over 1,000 Chinese lanterns. Photo courtesy of the festival

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

Santa Claus is coming to town, and there are plenty of fun things to do to celebrate. My family likes to see holiday lights when we have out-of-town guests and need something to do. There are also outdoor ice skating rinks to help keep that festive energy under control.

Children can delight in eating breakfast with Santa on Christmas Eve at Theismann's Restaurant, Ada's on the River, or Mia's Italian Kitchen. And be sure to catch Santa on waterskis in Old Town Alexandria on Christmas Eve.

Hanukkah begins on December 25 and the National Menorah will be lit on the Ellipse that evening.

For even more fun ideas, check out our list of what is open on Christmas Day in DC. Whatever you do, happy holidays from your friends at Mommy Poppins!

Christmas Vacation in DC: 19 Staycation Ideas for Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 12/13/2024 - 12:34pm

Christmas vacation is the perfect time to catch Monet: The Immersive Experience before it leaves town in January! Photo courtesy of the experience

Keep kids entertained with these fun things to do over Christmas vacation 2023.

Three Kings Day and More Things To Do in DC This Weekend With Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 9:51am

Have a fun day with Santa at the Public Playhouse. Photo courtesy of the event

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.

Welcome to the first weekend of 2025! I hope your winter break has been everything you hoped and you're ready to jump into a new year. DC goes a little quiet this time of year, but that doesn't mean there isn't family-frienly fun.

The McLean Community Center hosts a Winter Block Party on Saturday with lots of fun activities for all ages. And GALA Theatre will hold its annual Three Kings Day, which is a festive (and free) event for families on Sunday.

While the new year kicks off, many holiday-related activities come to a close this weekend, including holiday lights and holiday shows. If you want to squeeze just a little more sparkle in before the kids go back to school, make sure to check out these lists and get tickets.

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

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 12/01/2024 - 12:00pm

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 2024. 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!

24 Best Things to Do in DC December 2024 with Kids: Sing-A-Longs, Christmas Events, and New Year's Eve

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 10:09am

Take a lighted trail walk at Reston's Winterfest. Photo courtesy of Winterfest

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 you may have purchased tickets to a holiday show or a Christmas light display. Now I'm going to tell you about events this month that aren't on those lists.

Imagination Stage's Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood opens mid-month and runs until early February 2025. My kids have always loved this theater's productions, and I can't recommend them enough.

And the Udvar-Hazy Center is hosting a family day about Rocket Blasts and Star Bursts. I don't know about your kids, but explosions are super exciting to mine.

And when this year closes, so do two immersive experiences. Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience closes December 29 and Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures closes December 31.

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

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

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Tue, 11/26/2024 - 8:49am

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.

LEGO Discovery Center in Springfield, Virginia, kicks off its Holiday Bricktacular on Friday. LEGO lovers won't want to miss seasonal activities, decorations, and more ways to build memories.

If you're not quite ready for Christmas—or simply need a break from all the holiday madness—check out Sesame Street Live! Say Hello in Tysons, Virginia. However your family celebrates, we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend together!

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

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 11/24/2024 - 12:13pm

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 29 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!

Latest posts by Jennifer Swope

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