100 Holiday Events and Activities for Families in the DC Area

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

1. ZooLights at the National Zoo
2. Attend a Tree lighting event
3. Tree Light Show & Fireworks at National Harbor
4. Cut down a Christmas Tree at a Tree Farm
5. See Tiny Lights at Theater J
6. Ice Skate on the National Sculpture Gardens
7. Visit the Capitol Tree
8. Season’s Greenings U.S. Botanic Gardens
9. Take a ride on a Holiday Train
10. Our Deck the Walls Wreath Making Event!!!!
11. DC Holiday Lights in Various Neighborhoods
12. Take a photo with Santa at Westfield Mall
13. Visit the Willard Hotel’s decorations
14. Volunteer with kids at the DC Diaper Bank
15. Georgetown Jingle
16. Play at the National Children’s Museum
17. First Saturday Festival at National Gallery of Art
18. Visit an independent bookstore like Politics & Prose
19. 53rd Annual Scottish Christmas Walk in Old Town
20. Enjoy local bakeries like Baked by Yael
21. DowntownDC Holiday Market
22. Get some local holiday-themed ice cream
23. Head to a Christmas Eve Service
24. Visit the White House Tree
25. Get cozy and watch a holiday movie
26. Shop at your favorite local store
27. Pop by The Play Shop Winter Pop-Up
28. Military Christmas Concert
29. Holiday Boat Parade at The Wharf
30. Enjoy hot cocoa and smores by a fire
31. Drive through a lights display
32. Walk in and around the National Cathedral
33. Walk through a lights display
34. Holly Trolley Fest at National Capital Trolley Museum
35. Make a Winter Craft with supplies at home
36. Visit a Holiday Market and Craft Fair
37. See Lights from the Washington Monument
38. Go to a local library storytime or activity
39. Brookside Nature Center Lights
40. Get Brunch at Ted’s Bulletin & get a holiday tart
41. Go on a winter hike at Rock Creek Park
42. Kwanzaa Community Day at the National Museum of African American History & Culture 
43. Head to a spa
44. Encore Theatrical Arts Project’s Holiday Musical
45. Tingle Bells at Artechouse
46. Ski with Kids
47. Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
48. Attend a Hanukkah Event
49. Enjoy Do Portugal Circus in Hyattsville
50. Renwick Gallery + Walk near White House
51. Dine at a Winter Dining Spot like Iron Gate
52. Visit a local winery and spot decor
53. The Nutcracker by Festival Ballet Virginia
54. Decorate Cookies at home and deliver to neighbors
55. Schedule a White House Tour
56. Take a photo at City Center DC
57. See Petit Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood at Imagination Stage
58. A Magical Cirque Christmas at The National Theatre
59. Navidad Flamenca at Atlas Performing Arts Center
60. Cheer on a Washington Capitals Game
61. Pick-up some locally made donuts
62. Waterskiing Santa at Old Town Waterfront – Dec. 24
63. Washington Wizards Games
64. Kwanzaa Party at Anacostia Community Museum – Dec. 26 at 12 pm
65. Schedule a Capitol Building Tour
66. Enjoy a Nutcracker performance
67. DAR Holiday Open House
68. Head to a Capital City Go-Go Game
69. Holiday Family Day at the Library of Congress
70. Order local Pizza + Tip generously
71. Make Grinch Cupcakes
72. Check out Candy Cane Playground
73. A Taste of Kwanzaa Book Event at NMAAHC
74. Noon Yards Eve at the Yards Park
75. Smithsonian Natural History Museum
76. Have family time at Kid-friendly Breweries
77. Meadowlark Gardens Light Display
78. B&O Railroad Museum Santa Experience
79. Make a Gingerbread House
80. See Natural Wonders at Luray Taverns
81. Stay warm and swim at an Indoor Pool
82. Get a Call Your Mother Bagel with family
83. Symphony of Lights at Merriweather
84. Bull Run Festival of Lights
85. Host a Holiday Cookie Exchange
86. Make a Wreath with friends
87. Santa Fly at College Park Aviation Museum – Dec. 7
88. Ride an indoor carousel & see the sights
89. Visit SCOUT Bags‘ Festive Georgetown Store
90. Have a holiday staycation at the Conrad Hotel
91. Lincoln’s Cottage Decor and Tour
92. Festival of Lights at DC Temple Grounds
93. Drink Cocoa from Open City National Cathedral & Play at Beauvoir
94. Go rock climbing at DC Bouldering Project
95. View Wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery
96. Warm up on a Capital Wheel at the National Harbor
97. Shop at a local mall and buy gifts
98. Explore the Museum of the Bible
99. See a holiday movie at a theater
100. 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!