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

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks
11/8/24 - By Jennifer Swope

Looking for new Christmas events and holiday activities for your family? The DC area is packed with light displays, holiday shows, and other holiday events.

I'm partial to holiday light 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, Virginia, is for you. Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland, 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. Scroll down for our complete list of holiday markets where you can support local artisans.

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!

See Mount Vernon all aglow during Christmas Illuminations. Photo courtesy of Mount Vernon
See Mount Vernon all aglow during Christmas Illuminations. Photo courtesy of Mount Vernon

Holiday and Christmas Light Displays in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Winter Lantern Festival (at Tysons Corner)

Tysons, VA
Thursdays - Sundays, through January 12, 2025
The Winter Lantern Festival is back this holiday season, with a display of electrifying lights made from more than 1,000 handmade Chinese lanterns. Guests will enter and wander through a wonderland of light and color inspired by Chinese myths, legends, and zodiacs. Attractions will include a bounce house, sugar paintings, dino ride, interactive light swings, see-saws, tunnels, and many majestic creatures. READ MORE

Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights

Vienna, VA
Daily, November 8, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights is an elegant garden trail decorated with thousands of sparkling lights. The half-mile walk through the enchanting Meadowlark Botanical Gardens features lighted nature themes and animated displays along a paved wheelchair- and stroller-accessible trail. Stay warm by sipping on a hot beverage (with or without spirits) while walking, and enjoy s’mores to finish out the evening. READ MORE

Bull Run Festival of Lights

Centreville, VA
Daily, November 15, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Experience the magic of the holidays at the Bull Run Festival of Lights, Northern Virginia’s largest drive-through holiday light experience! A family favorite for three decades, the Bull Run Festival of Lights dazzles with a 2.5-mile display of holiday and fairytale vignettes. READ MORE

Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run

Alexandria, VA
Daily, November 15, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Ice & Lights offers a fun, outdoor family experience to see unique holiday lights, take family pictures or selfies with a variety of displays, and take a spin on the outdoor ice rink. The Village opens on November 15, 2024, and ice skating begins on November 29. READ MORE

ZooLights at the National Zoo

Washington, DC
Various dates, November 22, 2024 - January 4, 2025
This annual festive event features a variety of attractions including light shows, musical performances, inflatable slides, a train ride, and an outdoor market. ZooLights does not feature animals, and all indoor exhibits are closed. Attractions may not be open when temperatures are 35 degrees or below.  READ MORE

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens

Wheaton, MD
Daily, November 22, 2024 - January 5, 2025 (except November 25-28, December 24 & 25, January 1)
Brookside Gardens transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland with over one million colorful lights. The display includes original works depicting animals, flowers, and other natural elements, as well as computerized light displays complete with music and fog. READ MORE

Winter City Lights (in Olney, MD)

Olney, MD
Various dates, November 23 - December 29, 2024
The largest light show in the DC and Baltimore areas, Winter City Lights is one of the most technologically advanced Christmas light experiences in the US. It includes a 1.5-mile-long trail of Christmas lights and displays through the woods, a 52-foot-high programmable Christmas lights tree and light show, an eight-lane snow tubing ride, 14 bonfires, and more. READ MORE

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival

Gaithersburg, MD
Daily, November 29 - December 31, 2024 (except December 25)
The popular drive-thru winter lights display at Seneca Creek State Park includes more than 450 illuminated displays and beautiful lighted trees. READ MORE

Merriweather Symphony of Lights

Columbia, MD
Various dates, November 29, 2025 - January 4, 2025
The Symphony of Lights drive-thru light show is back for the holidays with one mile of beautiful light displays and holiday music. READ MORE

National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Washington, DC - Free
Thursday, December 5, 2024
The annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Ellipse features live musical performances. The tree will be lit every evening and open to the public from December 7, 2024 through January 1, 2025.  READ MORE

Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA
Friday - Sunday, December 20-22, 2024
At this family-friendly celebration, the historic area is lit up by lanterns, the mansion is aglow in amber light, and the upper garden and greenhouse are blue and lavender with moving wintry light patterns. There's also an 18th-century winter market and winter encampment, holiday food and drinks, season's greetings by George Washington, and a dazzling fireworks display over the Potomac River. READ MORE

National Menorah Lighting (on The Ellipse)

Washington, DC - Free
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
One of the most prominent public Hanukkah programs in the world is the annual lighting ceremony of the National Menorah on the Ellipse, just across from the White House. Ticket holders get hot latkes and donuts as well as free dreidels and menorah kits. The US Navy Band performs. READ MORE
The Potomac River sparkles at the District's Holiday Boat Parade. Photo courtesy of Wharf DC
The Potomac River sparkles at the District's Holiday Boat Parade. Photo courtesy of Wharf DC

Holiday and Christmas Parades in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Alexandria, VA - Free
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Head to the Alexandria waterfront at 5:30pm for a dazzling light display as decorated boats light up the Potomac River. While the parade is the main attraction, families can also enjoy dockside festivities from 2-8pm in Waterfront Park including a pop-up beer garden, food, activities, and more.  READ MORE

The District's Holiday Boat Parade

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday, December 7, 2024
More than 60 beautifully decorated boats pass by the Wharf at this iconic annual DC holiday event. Other activities include ornament decorating, s'mores, family photos with Santa, and live music under the Wharf's Christmas tree. READ MORE

Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade

Alexandria, VA - Free
Saturday, December 7, 2024
The annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade is back for its 52nd year to benefit programs that help children and families. Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town Alexandria, joined by pipe and drum bands, terriers and hounds, and more. READ MORE

Greater Manassas Christmas Parade

Manassas, VA - Free
Saturday, December 7, 2024
The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade includes marching bands, floats, high-flying balloons, dancers, and more. This year's theme is "Christmas in Candyland." READ MORE
Experience an authentic German Christmas Market without even leaving Baltimore. Photo courtesy of Christmas Village in Baltimore
Experience an authentic German Christmas Market without even leaving Baltimore. Photo courtesy of Christmas Village in Baltimore

Holiday and Christmas Markets and Villages in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle

Washington, DC - Free
Daily, November 22 - December 23, 2024 (except November 28)
The DC Holiday Market features 30-plus small businesses with artisans, boutique brands, worldwide handcrafts, and unique gift items. The market brings its signature style, local performers, festive decor, and popular holiday treats (Migues Mini Donuts and the Capital Candy Jar’s hot roasted nuts) to an iconic location adjacent to Dupont Circle and Kramer’s Books & Café. READ MORE

DowntownDC Holiday Market at Gallery Place/Chinatown

Downtown DC - Free
Daily, November 22 - December 23, 2024 (except November 28)
With regional artisans, crafters, and boutique businesses of ethically produced goods, the DowntownDC Holiday Market brings a unique and festive shopping village to the heart of downtown DC. There's also a live stage featuring regional performers.  READ MORE

Maryland Christmas Show (at Frederick Co. Fairgrounds)

Frederick, MD
Fridays - Sundays, November 22 - December 1, 2024
The annual Maryland Christmas Show includes seven buildings of local artists and craftspeople offering fine art, pottery, furniture, jewelry, clothing, wreaths and garlands, toys, and Christmas ornaments. There is also a food pavilion with lots of holiday goodies, and Santa is there to visit and take pictures with kids. READ MORE

German Christmas Village (in Baltimore, MD)

Baltimore, MD - Free
Various dates, November 23 - December 24, 2024
Experience an authentic German Christmas market at West Shore Park at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. There are a variety of vendors, thousands of Christmas lights, live music, rides, food, and more. READ MORE

Heurich House Christmas Markt

Washington, DC
Various dates, December 6-13, 2024
The Heurich House Museum hosts its annual German-style holiday market outdoors with vendors from local small businesses, tastings of local beer and food trucks, and a kids' tent featuring free festive ornament-making and games. READ MORE

Fairfax City Holiday Market

Fairfax, VA - Free
Fridays - Sundays, December 6-15, 2024
Shop for holiday gifts from local artisans and small businesses at the Fairfax City Holiday Market. On Sunday, December 8, bring a camera to take a free photo with Santa.  READ MORE
For some families, it's just not Christmas without seeing The Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of the Washington Ballet
For some families, it's just not Christmas without seeing The Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of the Washington Ballet

Other Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Ice! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas (at Gaylord National Harbor)

National Harbor, MD
Daily, November 15 - December 28, 2024
Visitors can experience the beloved holiday ICE! featuring "A Charlie Brown Christmas", a dazzling, immersive, story-driven holiday showplace complete with larger-than-life ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels. READ MORE

Kings Dominion WinterFest

Doswell, VA
Various dates, November 19, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Kings Dominion transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of shimmering lights, holiday decor, and lavish displays. The Eiffel Tower becomes a 300-foot-tall Christmas tree, and the fountain on International Street turns into an ice skating rink. The WinterFest Wonderland Parade features extravagantly decorated floats, live performers, and an appearance by Santa himself. There are also holiday stage shows. READ MORE

Season's Greenings at US Botanic Garden

Washington, DC - Free
Daily, November 28, 2024 - January 5, 2025 (except December 25)
The US Botanic Garden's popular holiday display returns this year with both indoor and outdoor displays. The garden-wide "Season's Greenings" features G-gauge model trains in the outdoor gardens, while the Conservatory features DC landmarks made of plants, holiday decor, and more. READ MORE

Festival of Trees (at Maryland State Fairgrounds)

Lutherville-Timonium, MD
Friday - Sunday, November 29 - December 1, 2024
Returning to the Maryland State Fairgrounds, the Festival of Trees is a three-day holiday celebration benefiting the patients, students, and programs at Kennedy Krieger Institute. It includes gorgeously decorated trees and gingerbread houses, holiday entertainment, visits with Santa Claus, artisan vendors, and a silent auction.  READ MORE

Holly-Days at Maryland Zoo

Baltimore, MD
Various dates, November 29 - December 31, 2024
Celebrate the magic of the season with Holly-Days at the Zoo. This festive event includes holiday crafts, photo ops, special appearances, and more.  READ MORE

The Polar Express at the B&O Railroad Museum

Baltimore, MD
Fridays - Sundays, November 29 - December 22, 2024 (also on December 12, 18, & 19)
Come in your pajamas to watch a live performance of The Polar Express. Once on the train, the classic hot chocolate song and dance is performed and everyone meets Santa and receives the First Gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell. At the North Pole, enjoy crafts at Santa’s village, shop for fun goodies, and have your picture taken with Santa. READ MORE

The Washington Ballet: The Nutcracker (at The Warner Theatre)

Washington, DC
Wednesdays - Sundays, November 30 - December 29, 2024 (except December 10 & 25)
This classic ballet has a historic twist this holiday season in one of DC's most iconic theaters, the Warner Theatre. The Washington Ballet's adaptation is set in 1882 Georgetown, with characters that include George Washington, Harriet Tubman, King George III, and others.  READ MORE

Santa's Farm Fest at Green Meadows Farm

Ijamsville, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, December 7-15, 2024
Santa is coming to Green Meadows Farm. Visitors can meet Santa, take pictures with the Grinch and his sleigh, see the animal barn, warm up in the heated stables and around firepits (s'mores kits are available for purchase), enjoy a Frozen-themed snow globe with Elsa and Olaf, take a holiday hayride, and purchase food. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Lerner Town Square at Tysons II
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
Historic Downtown Manassas
1500 block of 19th Street, NW
F Street sidewalk in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
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