Best of December: Christmas Lights, Holiday Events, First Night Alexandria, and More Fun Things To Do in DC with Kids

Kids can delight in a holiday train show. Photo courtesy of the College Park Aviation Museum and the Field of Firsts Foundation
Kids can delight in a holiday train show. Photo courtesy of the College Park Aviation Museum and the Field of Firsts Foundation
12/2/22 - By Jennifer Swope

The are so many festive things to do in DC with kids this December, from Christmas light shows and holiday parades to menorah lightings and New Year's Eve events. Here are our favorite kid-friendly events and activities near DC this month.

Don't miss seeing Santa while he visits the DC area. He'll fly into the College Park Airport early in the month, then waterski around the Alexandria waterfront on Christmas Eve. You can also find him riding the rails on one of these Christmas and Polar Express trains.

Throughout the month, learn to construct and decorate a gingerbread house, kick off your Hanukkah celebration at the National Menorah Lighting, or ring in 2023 at Noon Yards Eve or First Night Alexandria. If you need a break from holiday activities, catch Disney's Beauty and the Beast or Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed live on stage, or check out Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experiencebefore it leaves town in early February.

Find more top December fun in our lists of the best outdoor ice skating rinks near DC, places to have breakfast with Santa near DC, and the best holiday activities and Christmas events near DC in 2022.

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Places featured in this article: