The winter holidays are in full swing an here is our handy list of 100 Holiday Events and Activities! We have so many amazing opportunities for theater shows, visiting historical spots, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Take a look at these ideas and have fun creating memories as a family!
100 Holiday Events and Activities for Families
- ZooLights at the National Zoo
- Attend a Tree lighting event
- Tree Light Show & Fireworks at National Harbor
- Cut down a Christmas Tree at a Tree Farm
- Chanukah in the Dark at Theater J
- Ice Skate on the National Sculpture Gardens
- Visit the Capitol Tree
- Season’s Greenings U.S. Botanic Gardens
- Take a ride on a Holiday Train
- Pink Moon Playcare, Class, or Event
- DC Holiday Lights in Various Neighborhoods
- Take a photo with Santa at Westfield Mall
- Visit the Willard Hotel’s decorations
- Volunteer with kids at the DC Diaper Bank
- Georgetown Jingle
- Play at the National Children’s Museum
- First Saturday Festival at National Gallery of Art
- Visit an independent bookstore like Politics & Prose
- 54th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk in Old Town
- Enjoy local bakeries like Baked by Yael
- DowntownDC Holiday Market
- Get some local holiday-themed ice cream
- Head to a Christmas Eve Service
- Visit the White House Tree
- Get cozy and watch a holiday movie
- Shop at your favorite local store
- Pop by The Play Shop
- Military Christmas Concert
- Holiday Boat Parade at The Wharf
- Enjoy hot cocoa and smores by a fire
- Drive through a lights display
- Walk in and around the National Cathedral
- Walk through a lights display
- Holly Trolley Fest at National Capital Trolley Museum
- Make a Winter Craft with supplies at home
- Visit a Holiday Market and Craft Fair
- See Lights from the Washington Monument
- Go to a local library storytime or activity
- Brookside Nature Center Lights
- Get Brunch at Ted’s Bulletin & get a holiday tart
- Go on a winter hike at Rock Creek Park
- Kwanzaa Celebrations at the National Museum of African Art
- Head to a spa
- Encore Theatrical Arts Project’s The Christmas Wish
- ICE! at Gaylord National
- Ski with Kids
- Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
- Attend a Hanukkah Event
- A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theater
- Renwick Gallery + Walk near White House
- Dine at a Winter Dining Spot like Iron Gate
- Visit a local winery and spot decor
- The Nutcracker by Festival Ballet Virginia
- Decorate Cookies at home and deliver to neighbors
- Schedule a White House Tour
- Take a photo at City Center DC
- See The Snowman and the Snowdog at Imagination Stage
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas at The National Theatre
- Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park
- Cheer on a Washington Capitals Game
- Pick-up some locally made donuts
- Waterskiing Santa at Old Town Waterfront – Dec. 24
- Washington Wizards Games
- Kwanzaa Party at Anacostia Community Museum – Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 at 12 pm
- Schedule a Capitol Building Tour
- Enjoy a Nutcracker performance
- DAR Holiday Open House
- Head to a Capital City Go-Go Game
- Family Day at the Library of Congress – Dec. 26
- Order local Pizza + Tip generously
- Make Grinch Cupcakes
- Check out Candy Cane Playground
- Enjoy a Hanukkah Party
- Noon Yards Eve at the Yards Park
- Smithsonian Natural History Museum
- Have family time at Kid-friendly Breweries
- Meadowlark Gardens Light Display
- B&O Railroad Museum Santa Experience
- Make a Gingerbread House
- See Natural Wonders at Luray Taverns
- Stay warm and swim at an Indoor Pool
- Winter Clocktower Tea at Waldorf Astoria
- Symphony of Lights at Merriweather
- Bull Run Festival of Lights
- Host a Holiday Cookie Exchange
- Make a Wreath with friends
- Santa Fly at College Park Aviation Museum – Dec. 6
- Ride an indoor carousel & see the sights
- Have a holiday staycation at the Conrad Hotel
- Shop for local art like Paige Janes Art
- Lincoln’s Cottage Decor and Tour
- Festival of Lights at DC Temple Grounds
- Drink Cocoa from Open City National Cathedral & Play at Beauvoir
- Go rock climbing at DC Bouldering Project
- View Wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery
- Warm up on a Capital Wheel at the National Harbor
- Shop at a local mall and buy gifts
- Explore the Museum of the Bible
- See a holiday movie at a theater
- Visit Postal Museum and get holiday stamps
Do you have any favorite holiday events, activities, or traditions in the Washington, DC area? Please share them in the comments!
