Stephanie Shipman

Latest posts by Stephanie Shipman

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!

21 Best Things To Do in DC with Kids November 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Fri, 10/31/2025 - 12:00pm

LuminoCity will light up the night in Gaithersburg, Photo courtesy of LuminoCity

November doesn't disappoint with Day of the Dead, 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 Lights Festival 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.

The DC Must-Do Christmas Events to Book Now Before They Sell Out

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Fri, 10/24/2025 - 10:34am

Now is the time to buy tickets for popular holiday light shows and other events! Photo courtesy of Brookside Gardens

DC's most popular holiday events for families are already starting to go on sale, and many of them sell out fast! Book them—or be ready to book them—before you miss out.

The holidays in DC are magical, but the season is jam-packed. Between school schedules, holiday parties, and shopping lists, it can be hard to keep track of all the holiday and Christmas events for kids and families.

Whether you’re visiting a cherished family tradition or starting a new one, DC offers countless things to do with kids at Christmas and the holidays. Hop aboard a holiday train ride, watch a Christmas-themed performance, or wander through an impressive light display. You’ll also find plenty of Santa sightings along the way.

Here are 15 DC family Christmas events 2025 that will likely sell out, plus when tickets for them go on sale. Book these events ASAP, then explore more holiday activities with DC's Holiday Fun Guide. Sign up for our free newsletter to ensure you don't miss anything!

3 Days in Luray, VA with Kids: The Perfect Fall Weekend Itinerary

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Fri, 10/17/2025 - 12:00pm

Check out Luray Caverns, the largest cavern in the eastern US! Photo by the author

Luray, Virginia is only about a one-to two-hour drive southwest of DC proper, but it feels like a world away. Home to caverns to explore, kid-friendly wineries and breweries, and fun campgrounds, Luray truly comes alive in autumn, when Shenandoah National Park and the surrounding areas burst into an array of vibrant fall colors. There is something for everyone to enjoy in Luray in the fall.

Read ahead for the perfect fall-weekend itinerary that combines classic fall fun with attractions unique to Luray, Virginia. Then check out our DC Fall Day Trips Guide for more autumn family fun, including the best fall hikes to see fall foliage.

Scary & Spooky Teen Halloween Events Near DC (Creepy, Cool, and Teen-Approved)

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Fri, 10/10/2025 - 10:41am

Can your teens escape Nights of Terror?Photo courtesy of Bond's Escape Room

While there are tons of Halloween events throughout the DC area, many of them fall into the not-so-spooky category. Those activities are perfect for the younger crowd, but don't quite fit the bill for tweens and teens looking for a good scare.

But never fear (or maybe you should be afraid)... there are plenty of haunted houses, spooky trails, and other creepy events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia that brave tweens and teens will love. Laurel House of Horrors in Maryland; Workhouse Haunt in Lorton, Virginia; and nighttime theme-park events like Kings Dominion Halloween Haunt are just a few.

If your teen is looking for less scary and more unique Halloween events, have them check out the Hill Family Biking of the Monuments, which takes tweens and teens around the monuments at night, or the 17th Street High Heel Race, which supports the LGBTQ+ community and encourages costumes.

Read on for the top scary, spooky, and teen-approved Halloween events near DC. Our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for DC Kids has many more ways to celebrate the spooky season!

Latest posts by Stephanie Shipman

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