During the government shutdown, I had the chance to volunteer for one of Howard University (WHUT)’s monthly reading events called Book Buddies, which takes place at Shaw Library in NW DC. While there, I walked around and gave my business cards to families in attendance in case they were looking for things to do in the city. I met a mom who was there with her infant son. She instantly recognized 4DMV Kids and mentioned they’d just moved here. She knew the logo from posts she’d been sent from multiple friends in the area. How awesome is that! As I take time to reflect on the ups and downs of this past year, I’d like to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who follows my channels, tunes into reels and videos, checks for my lists and subscribes to the list-serv among the many other ways you can support my family and I through this journey. It doesn't go unnoticed. Thank you! Sending much love to the 4DMV Village this Holiday Season.
Note: This weekly listing is full of events happening all weekend long for kids (ages 3+) – teens. I place a special emphasis on literacy, STEM & other educational based events as well as family fun festivities. Please click the links to review the most up-to-date information prior to heading out. Happy planning!
Upcoming Events
Last Chance!
November is Military Appreciation Month at LEGO Discovery Center in Springfield, VA. All through November, military personnel receive FREE entry plus 30% off for their friends and family-up to six (6) guests. Purchase in advance to reserve your time slot.
Friday, November 28, 2025
Washington, DC
- [Just Added] 10:00 am | Season’s Greetings: Dino-Mite! 2025 Holiday Exhibit at the US Botanic Garden Outdoor Gardens
- 10:30 am | School’s Out Program: CANstruction Workshop at National Building Museum ($) (Best for ages 6+)
- Complete a scavenger hunt, choose a favorite structure and its origin, then return to the classroom to build their own version using cardboard and other materials.
- 11:30 am, 1:30 pm & 3:30 pm | Native American Heritage Day at Smithsonian’s American Indian Museum
- Join award-winning hoop dancer Joseph Secody (Navajo) as he demonstrates the power and art of the Hoop Dance.
- 1:30 pm & 4:00 pm | Go, Dog, Go! at The Kennedy Center ($)
- Based on the children’s book by P. D. Eastman, this playful bilingual production is a heartwarming spectacle of accordion tunes, colorful costumes, and charming movement.
Maryland
- 10:00 am | ICE! featuring The Polar Express at Gaylord National at National Harbor ($)
- Save up to 40% off tickets through their BF sale.
- 11:30 am & 1:00 pm | The Puppet Co. presents The 37th Annual Nutcracker at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- 1:00 pm | The Snowman and the Snowdog at Imagination Stage ($)
- 2:00 pm | Afternoon Movie: How to Train Your Dragon (2025) at Gaithersburg Library ♣
- Includes snacks and movie bingo!
- 4:30 pm | Cookies with Santa! at Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department
- 5:00 pm | Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton ($)
- 5:00 pm | Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro ($)
- From the comfort of your own car, bring the family to experience dazzling scenes that celebrate the magic of the holiday season at the annual Festival of Lights! Open through January 1st.
- 6:00 pm | Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park ($)
- The 3.5 mile drive through enchanting Seneca Creek State Park takes you past more than 450 illuminated displays and gorgeously lit trees.
Northern Virginia
- 11:00 am | Reston Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
- The one-of-a-kind, one-hour, half-mile parade along Market Street also welcomes the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn carriage.
- 2:45 pm | Holiday Train Rides at Reston Town Center ($)
- 5:00 pm | Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run in Alexandria ($)
- Village & Ice Skating now open!
- 6:00 pm | Holiday Tree Lighting + Santa Firetruck Parade at Mosaic in Fairfax
- Bring your family and friends to experience the Jolly Man as he spreads holiday cheer and makes his way through Mosaic on a firetruck and greets onlookers. Includes performances & selfies with Santa!
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Washington, DC
- [Just Added] 10:00 am | Season’s Greetings: Dino-Mite! 2025 Holiday Exhibit at the US Botanic Garden Outdoor Gardens
- 10:00 am | Crafty Tales: Very Good Hats at Merry Pin in NW
- Drop-in activity based on a book/artist
- 11:00 am | CANstruction Drop-in Activity at National Building Museum
- Try building with pool-noodle “cans,” create a CANstructure stamp collage, and share your thoughts about food security on our community board. Bring a canned-good donation to vote for your favorite CANstructure on display.
- [Just Added] 12:00 pm | District Motherhued’s Holiday Shop and Play – 2025 at metroBar in NE
- 12:00 pm | Go-Go Fitness at Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum
- 1:30 pm & 4:00 pm | Go, Dog, Go! at The Kennedy Center ($)
- Based on the children’s book by P. D. Eastman, this playful bilingual production is a heartwarming spectacle of accordion tunes, colorful costumes, and charming movement.
- 3:00 pm | Book Event – The Vegetarian Fox at Sankofa Cafe in NW
- Hear the story & meet the author – “The Vegetarian Fox” is a delightful tale that explores the challenges of inter-personal relationships through the eyes of a lovable character with a unique perspective.
- 3:30 pm | Storytime at Capital Jewish Museum in NW
- 5:00 pm | 12th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at CityCenter
- With a special performance by Michelle Williams!
- 6:00 pm | Miss Chief Rocka at The Kennedy Center
- Miss Chief Rocka’s dance background is on full display, mixing her nehiyaw culture and love for hip hop.
Maryland
- 10:00 am | Garden Railway Exhibit Opens at Brookside Gardens’ Conservatory at Wheaton
- See model trains traversing tracks between iconic buildings, bridges, and miniature landscapes of Montgomery County. Closes Saturday, January 3rd!
- 10:00 am | The Santa Experience at The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar Old Ellicott City ($)
- Santa will visit to read a story, visit with the children, and take pictures! Includes coloring craft & light refreshments. Tickets required.
- 10:30 am | 2025 Holly Trolleyfest at National Capital Trolley Museum ($)
- Visit with Santa on the mile-long woodland railroad, featuring a holiday ride on our historic street cars. Enjoy a holiday model railroad display in collaboration with the Washington, Virginia & Maryland Garden Railway Society, crafts for children, photo opportunities, hot chocolate and treats, and more!
- 11:00 am | Ready 2 Read STEM at Bowie Library (Best for ages 3-5)
- In honor of Native American Heritage Month
- 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Frosty the Snowman at Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo ($)
- 11:30 am, 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm | The Puppet Co. presents The 37th Annual Nutcracker at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm | The Snowman and the Snowdog at Imagination Stage ($)
- 2:00 pm | The Sound of Music (Sing-Along) at Harmony Hall Arts Center ($)
- 3:30 pm | All Ages Show at Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar at National Harbor ($)
- 5:00 pm | Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton ($)
- 5:00 pm | Coca-Cola Kindness Village at National Harbor
- Take free family photos with Santa and have your moment printed on a postcard. Send it via Santa’s Magic Mailbox to loved ones across the country on us!
- 6:00 pm | Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park ($)
- The 3.5 mile drive through enchanting Seneca Creek State Park takes you past more than 450 illuminated displays and gorgeously lit trees.
Northern Virginia
- 9:30 am | Author Storytime: Laurel Snyder at Old Town Books in Alexandria (Best for ages 4-8)
- Laurel will read her new picture book, The Book of Candles, a story of Hanukkah told through eight unforgettable poems.
- 10:00 am | 9th Annual Holiday Ornament Open House: Cookies & Crafting at AR Workshop in Alexandria ($)
- 10:00 am | A Victorian Christmas at Cherry Hill Farmhouse in Falls Church
- Hosted by the Victorian Society of Falls Church, costumed re-enactors welcome friends and neighbors to experience this winter holiday from an 1860s and 1870s point of view. Period decorations, music and Christmas carols, and children’s activities are all part of the festivities.
- 10:00 am | Old Town Manassas Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show
- Includes Christmas music & fun activities for kids like holiday crafts and games!
- 12:00 pm | Wicked hosts Kids and Family Festival at Shipgarten in McLean
- Includes face painting and arts & crafts, live music, moonbounces, and a full outdoor playground!
- 2:00 pm | Family Sushi Class at Cookology in Arlington ($) (Best for ages 6+)
- Hands-on cooking class making sushi. There will not be any raw fish used in the class.
- 3:00 pm | Snake and Turtle Feeding at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale ($)
- Enjoy a brief presentation and demonstration by our animal caretaker staff. At least one snake, two turtles and a toad will be fed.
- 5:00 pm | Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run in Alexandria ($)
- Village & Ice Skating now open!
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Washington, DC
- [Just Added] 10:00 am | Season’s Greetings: Dino-Mite! 2025 Holiday Exhibit at the US Botanic Garden Outdoor Gardens
- 11:00 am | CANstruction Drop-in Activity at National Building Museum
- Try building with pool-noodle “cans,” create a CANstructure stamp collage, and share your thoughts about food security on our community board. Bring a canned-good donation to vote for your favorite CANstructure on display.
- 1:30 pm & 4:00 pm | Go, Dog, Go! at The Kennedy Center ($)
- Based on the children’s book by P. D. Eastman, this playful bilingual production is a heartwarming spectacle of accordion tunes, colorful costumes, and charming movement.
Maryland
- 9:30 am | Storytime: Erica S. Perl for “Whale and the Birthday Rocks” at People’s Book Takoma
- 10:30 am | 2025 Holly Trolleyfest at National Capital Trolley Museum ($)
- Visit with Santa on the mile-long woodland railroad, featuring a holiday ride on our historic street cars. Enjoy a holiday model railroad display in collaboration with the Washington, Virginia & Maryland Garden Railway Society, crafts for children, photo opportunities, hot chocolate and treats, and more!
- 11:00 am | Sunday Workshop: Intro to Electronics: Motor Circuits Make Things Move! at KID Museum in Bethesda ($) (Best for grades 2nd – 5th)
- 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Frosty the Snowman at Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo ($)
- 11:30 am & 1:00 pm | The Puppet Co. presents The 37th Annual Nutcracker at Glen Echo Park ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- 1:00 pm | The Snowman and the Snowdog at Imagination Stage ($)
- 2:00 pm | Elf – Holiday Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor ♣
- 3:00 pm | Reptiles! with Critter Connection at White Oak Library (Best for ages 4-12)
- 3:00 pm | A Celebration of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month: Interactive Read Along at Arts’tination National Harbor
- Join Dr. Yemonja Smalls for an inspiring, interactive read-along celebrating Alzheimer’s Awareness Month through art, story & connection.
- 3:00 pm | Greenbelt’s Concert Band’s Holiday Lights Concert at Greenbelt Community Center
- Come hear a live concert of all your holiday favorites, played by the members of your community band.
- 5:00 pm | Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton ($)
- 6:00 pm | Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park ($)
- The 3.5 mile drive through enchanting Seneca Creek State Park takes you past more than 450 illuminated displays and gorgeously lit trees.
Northern Virginia
- 11:00 am | Holiday Breakfast Cooking Class at Cookology in Arlington ($)
- Includes an alcoholic beverage for adults! Menu: Welcome Drink-Cranberry Orange Mimosa Bellini, Gingerbread Pancakes, Smoked Sausage Hash, Veggie & Goat Cheese Omelet!
- 11:00 am | Ring in the Season Holiday Event at Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center in Herndon ($)
- Ring in the holiday season with singing performances, dancing, crafts and photo opportunities with Santa, the snow sisters and friends!
- 12:00 pm | An Afternoon Under the Stars at Shirlington Library in Arlington
- See the stars under the portable planetarium.
- 12:45 pm | Holiday Train Rides at Reston Town Center ($)
- 5:00 pm | Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run in Alexandria ($)
- Village & Ice Skating now open!
This Week's Book Recommendation
Related Blogs
Family-Friendly Holiday Markets
See our list of holiday markets, local brands we love and experience gifts to consider in the 4DMV Kids' Holiday Gift Guide.
Ready for a winter Vacay?
Check out the 4DMV Kids' Winter Guide to Great Wolf Lodge Maryland in Perryville. This guide includes booking info, what to pack, activities we love and more helpful tips to assist with planning your next trip.
