Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids

The most magical time of year is here: the holiday season! Find fun Christmas activities near DC, restaurants open on Thanksgiving, Hanukkah events, holiday day trips to see Christmas lights, and find out where to call and see Santa Claus this season.

Check out our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide to all the best things to do in DC this season, as well as in nearby NOVA and Maryland.

Christmas Activities for DC Kids
The Holiday Boat Parade is visible from both the Wharf and the Alexandria waterfront. Photo courtesy of the Wharf DC
33 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks
21 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in DC for Kids
Take a stroll through the Marshall Pond Christmas Village in Burke, VA. Photo courtesy of Kristy Case, from the Marshall Pond Christmas Village Facebook page
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights Near DC (in Maryland and Northern Virginia)
The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Enjoy snow every night at Winter City Lights. Photo by Kyle Lanzer courtesy of the Winter City Lights event
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Enjoy milk and cookies and meet Santa aboard the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad's North Pole Express. Photo by Kimberly Byard
Best Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near DC (2025 Guide for Families)

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids
picture of a baby with a wrapped birthday gift photo by canva
Mommy Poppins Gift Guide 2026 for Kids
Make baby's first Christmas extra special with these awesome gift ideas.
Baby's First Christmas Gifts
Toys make perfect first birthday gifts for budding toddlers! But which ones? We've got you covered.
Best First Birthday Gifts: Toys and More for 1-Year-Olds
The KidKraft Wooden Train Set & Table is hours of creative fun that grows with your kids.
Best Toddler Gifts: Toys, Books, and More for 2- & 3-year-olds
There are tons of creative ways to use Magna-Tiles, like playing matching games or making your own marble runs. Photo courtesy of Magna Tile
Best Gifts and Toys for 4- & 5-Year-Olds: Top Birthday Gift Ideas for Preschoolers
Suspend Family is a game the whole family can play. Photo courtesy of the Melissa & Doug Toy Company
Gift Guide to the Best Toys & Gifts for Kids, 5-Year-Olds to 9-Year-Olds
Holiday & Christmas Crafts for Kids
Armed with our giant list of Christmas crafts, you'll keep kids busy until the New Year!
101 Fun Christmas Crafts and Games for Kids to Do at Home
Those eight crazy nights are approaching and we’ve got everything you need to celebrate Hanukkah with your family. Photo courtesy Cottonbro Studios
8 Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah with Kids: Hanukkah Gifts, Fun Crafts, and a Little History
There are so many fun ways to incorporate dreidels into your Hanukkah festivities.
How To Play Dreidel and Other Dreidel Games
The Furoshiki method is a practical way to wrap gifts using pieces of cloth. Photo courtesy of Invaluable
Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas Kids Can Do: Holiday and Christmas Gift Wrap with Less Waste
Easy Handmade Thumbprint Holiday Cards Kids Craft
Hot chocolate bombs are a tasty winter treat for kids!
How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs in 5 Easy Steps

Latest Christmas/Hanukkah News

NYC's dazzlng department store windows glow on Christmas Day and make for an enchanting holiday walk. Photo by Jody Mercier
What’s Open on Christmas Day 2025? Stores, Grocery Stores & Family-Friendly Places for Parents in NYC
Here's a list of great things to do in NYC with kids on December 25.
READ MORE
The Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo shine brightly into the new year. Photo by Terria Clay/Bronx Zoo
New York City's Top Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year’s with Kids
Start plotting your NYC winter break activities now.
READ MORE
The soaring Cathedral of St. John the Divine hosts several family-friendly church services this holiday season.
Where to Find Family-Friendly Christmas Masses and Church Services in NYC
Raise your voice in heavenly song at these family-friendly Christmas services.
READ MORE
The gingerbread structures at The Gingerbread City are far from ordinary!
The Gingerbread City Returns to The Seaport with Playful, Candy-Coated Fun
What better to put you in a Christmas mood than a spice-filled Gingerbread City to explore?
READ MORE
Il Gattopardo serves a seafood-inspired feast in honor of the Christmas holiday.
Best Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in NYC 2025
When it comes to holiday dining, the time to place orders and book reservations is now.
READ MORE
Hundreds of tuba players converge on Rockefeller Center each December for a merry afternoon of carol playing. Photo courtesy of Tishman Speyer
NYC's Most Unusual Christmas Events
Looking for something new this holiday season? Here are some off-the-beaten path picks.
READ MORE
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