Jennifer Swope

Latest posts by Jennifer Swope

Hanukkah, Enchant Christmas, and More Fun Things To Do in DC this Weekend with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Wed, 12/06/2023 - 9:35am

Enchant Christmas: Reindeer Games transforms Nationals Park into a sparkling winter wonderland. Photo courtesy of Enchant 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.

Hanukkah begins at sundown on Thursday, December 7. Over the following eight days, enjoy Menorah lightings, festivals, and other events to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

For another festive activity, head down to Nationals Park for Enchant Christmas. Your family will delight at this dazzling event with a holiday maze, an ice rink, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more fun activities for kids and parents.

And if you need a little break from holiday cheer, this weekend is the perfect time to visit Titanic: The Exhibition in National Harbor.

Don't miss our lists of the best neighborhood Christmas light displays and holiday lights, restaurants open on Christmas in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, and eight ways to celebrate Hanukkah with kids. Plus, bookmark our Family Activity Calendar for more things to do every day.

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

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 12/01/2023 - 9:45am

The National Christmas Tree lights up the Ellipse every evening through New Year's Day. Photo by Kelsey Graczyk, courtesy of the National Park Service

The holiday season can be an expensive time of year. Luckily, the DC area is full of free Christmas events and holiday activities to get families into the festive spirit. These free holiday events and Christmas activities include tree and menorah lightings such as the National Harbor Tree Light Show and the National Menorah Lighting, Christmas markets like the Downtown Holiday Market, dazzling Christmas light installations such as Georgetown GLOW and Light Yards, and so much more.

Read on for the ultimate list of free holiday and Christmas events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia in 2023. 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!

Pictures with Santa Claus in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 11/26/2023 - 12:00pm

Take pictures with Santa and enjoy loads of other holiday activities at Gaylord National Resort. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National

The holiday season is full of festive photo ops, including the most important photos of all: pictures with Santa. There are so many places for families to meet Santa Claus and take Santa photos throughout DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. You can take pictures with Santa at the mall, visit him at fun events, and even see him on the rails at the National Capital Trolley Museum.

Many visits with Santa are free with the option to purchase photo packages, but there are even some places where you can get free pictures with Santa. Don't forget to secure a reservation ahead of time at most of these places—Santa is very busy this time of year.

Read on for our list of places to take Santa pictures near DC. Then check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids, which includes our roundups of must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in DC, where to have breakfast with Santa in the DC area, and more. Happy holidays!

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

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 11/24/2023 - 9:10am

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

When you've gotta glow, DC is merry, bright, and lit up like—well—a Christmas tree. In fact, there are so many dazzling Christmas light shows, holiday lights drive-thrus, and other Christmas lights displays in the DC area in 2023 that your only problem will be fitting them all in!

There are Christmas light displays that you can walk through, such as Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights and Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens. There are holiday lights drive-thrus like the Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival and Bull Run Festival of Lights. And there are tree and menorah lightings, boat parades, and other Christmas lights displays throughout the area. Plus, don't miss the always-popular ZooLights at the National Zoo.

Here are over 25 amazing Christmas light shows and holiday lights drive-thrus in the DC area. While you're in a festive mood, check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids, and keep an eye on our Washington, DC event calendar for up-to-the-minute access to all the great events happening for DC families.

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in DC: Parades, Holiday Lights, and More Things To Do

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 11/24/2023 - 9:05am

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 ZooLights at the National Zoo to a festive holiday parade in Reston to taking a ride on The Polar Express, there is an activity for your entire family.

This week also marks the opening of two dazzling light festivals, LuminoCity Winter Light Festival in Gaithersburg and the DC Winter Lantern Festival at Tysons Corner.

If you're not quite ready for Christmas—or simply need a break from all the holiday madness—check out Ringling Bros.and Barnum & Bailey in Baltimore or Bluey's Big Play at the Kennedy Center. However your family celebrates, we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend together!

Don’t miss our lists of Christmas tree farms near DC and must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in DC, as well as our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids.

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

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 11/12/2023 - 11:14am

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

Seeing The Nutcracker ballet is one of the most classic holiday experiences for families, and no two productions are alike. We've found nearly 20 variations of The Nutcracker taking place in the DC area in 2023, from the Washington Ballet's historic twist to The Hip Hop Nutcracker to Maryland Youth Ballet's abbreviated version of the show, The Mini-Nut.

In addition to the The Nutcracker, families can take in a variety of other holiday shows, including A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theatre, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins at Glen Echo Park, and contemporary shows such as Step Afrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show.

Read on for our list of performances of The Nutcracker 2023 and other holiday shows near DC. For more holiday fun, check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC kids and our Family Activity Calendar.

Veterans Day Weekend 2023 in DC: 16 Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Wed, 11/08/2023 - 11:46am

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 a Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and Veterans Day at Spirit Park in National Harbor.

The Indian Festival of Lights, Diwali, continues this weekend with celebrations around the area, like Celebrate Diwali! in Rockville.

And if your family is ready for the holidays, several Christmas and holiday events kick off this weekend, such as the Bull Run Festival of Lights and National Harbor's Tree Light Show and Fireworks.

Don’t miss our lists of must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in DC for kids and our review of the new Titanic: The Exhibition. Plus, bookmark our Family Activity Calendar for more things to do every day.

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

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 11/05/2023 - 12:00pm

Seasons Greenings at the US Botanic Garden is a DC holiday tradition. Photo courtesy of the US Botanic Garden

If your family is ready to get into the holiday spirit, the DC area is brimming with fun Christmas events and holiday activities where you can do just that. It's best to start planning now, because many of these holiday activities and Christmas events near DC require advance tickets or registration. Whether it's a holiday boat parade, a drive-thru light show, or a Christmas market, there is something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season.

We've rounded up the ultimate list of the best Christmas events and holiday activities in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia to help you with your holiday planning. For even more fun things to do this holiday season, check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids.

Remember: We're adding new events to our DC event calendar daily, so keep checking back for more holiday fun. Whatever you celebrate, we're wishing you all the wonders of the season!