Upcoming Events
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Kids can create a Holiday Cocoa Mug at Home Depot Stores beginning at 9:00 am on Saturday (12/6)!
Washington, DC
- 10:00 am | First Saturdays at National Gallery of Art
- Includes art making, face painting, pop-up library & an interactive family concert for storytime!
- [Just Added] 10:00 am | Christmas Village hosted by National Community Church at Capital Turnaround
- 10:00 am | Winter Festival at the U.S. National Arboretum
- Shop from 20+ local artisans in the gift vendor village, take a holiday train ride around the Capitol Columns, and enjoy free family-friendly activities! There will also be plenty of hot chocolate and caroling to ring in the holiday season.
- 10:00 am | 2025 Santa Celebration at Freshfarm MVT Market in NW
- Take a photo with Santa, write a letter to the North Pole, sip on a warming beverage and enjoy the festive sounds of live carolers while shopping local produce and goods at the MVT FRESHFARM Market.
- 10:00 am | Joy to the Word! Caroling & Holiday Cheer at Planet Word
- Enjoy holiday harmonies from Capital Blend, the award-winning and nationally acclaimed a cappella ensemble + holiday cookies and seasonal decor.
- 10:00 am | Sweater Fest ~ Metro Holiday Pop-Up Shop at MLK Memorial Library
- 10:30 am | The Sky Tonight: Live Planetarium Show at National Air & Space Museum
- 11:00 am | Adventuring Party ~ Dungeons & Dragons for Kids at Woodridge Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 8-11)
- 11:00 am | Holiday Bazaar at Anacostia Neighborhood Library
- 11:00 am | Soulful Santa at Skyland Town Center in SE
- 11:00 am | Story Time with Shout Mouse Press at Petworth Neighborhood Library
- 11:00 am | Fort Dupont Ice Arena Ribbon Cutting & Open House in SE
- Includes figure skating routine, community open skate, lessons & more!
- 11:00 am | art Enables & Friends Holiday Market in NE
- Little ones (and the young at heart) can meet Santa, get their faces painted, and join our free ornament-making workshop to craft a keepsake to take home. Sweet treats and seasonal sips will keep your spirits bright as you shop and celebrate with us.
- 11:00 am & 1:30 pm | Art Guardians | Family Workshop: Roll It Up! at National Museum of Asian Art (Best for ages 6-11)
- Learn how art conservators preserve paintings that are mounted on scrolls and screens. Inspired by the paintings on view, families will design and assemble their own hanging scrolls.
- [Just Added] 11:30 am | Santa’s Suite at Fairmont Washington ($)
- Families touring his suite can share their Christmas wishes with Santa, and take their own photos with him.
- 12:00 pm | Chevy Chase Winter Market in NW
- 12:00 pm | Elf Movie Party at Alamo Drafthouse DC ($)
- 12:00 pm | Holiday Craft Festival at Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Library
- Local artists will be leading art workshops non-stop so kids and families can make and wrap gifts free of charge.
- 12:00 pm | Cheers from the Shelf: Family Brunch at Morris American Bar ($)
- Elf on a Shelf themed brunch!
- 12:00 pm | Cocoa and Coffee Clutch at Benning Neighborhood Library
- 1:30 pm & 4:00 pm | Go, Dog, Go! at The Kennedy Center ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- 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.
- 2:00 pm | GoGo Santa 2025 at Sycamore & Oak in SE
- Includes live performances, photos with Santa, holiday crafts & activities, free food & more!
- 5:00 pm | Zoo Lights at Smithsonian’s National Zo0 ($)
- 5:00 pm | Luminary Walk on Upshur Street in NW
- 5:00 pm | Holiday Boat Parade & Party at The Wharf
- Activities throughout The Wharf include s’mores, ornament decorating, live music, visits with Santa & much more!
Maryland
- 9:00 am | Mount Rainier’s Sweaty Sweater Fun Run at Memorial Park
- Participants are invited to wear their favorite holiday sweaters and join the community for a fun and festive morning. Choose between a 5K run or a 1-mile walk and celebrate the season with fitness and holiday cheer.
- 10:00 am | Santa Fly-In at College Park Aviation Museum ($) ♥
- Experience magic, fun, and family with Santa as he makes his annual return to the museum and flies in (weather permitting) for a day of holiday merriment. Be dazzled with The Berwyn Ballet’s excerpts from “The Nutcracker” and explore how other cultures celebrate winter traditions with fun and festive crafts and activities.
- 10:00 am | Hands on History: Winter Series at Riversdale House Museum Historic Site ($) (Best for ages 6-12)
- Experience History at Riversdale through unique hands-on activities focused on holiday traditions worldwide. This session will dive into Belgium’s heritage and traditions!
- 10:30 am | Winter Winds: Family Concert at Germantown Library
- 10:30 am | Winter Craft for All Ages ~ Make a Wreath at Rockville Memorial Library
- 10:30 am | Mucha Música with Cantare at Potomac Library
- Be transported to Latin America to experience the many rhythms and unique instruments from different regions, while learning about the three cultures that shaped Latin music: Indigenous, European and African.
- 10:30 am | Movie: Elf at Wheaton Library ♣
- 11:00 am | STEM Explorers: Create Your Own Gingerbread House at Quince Orchard Library in Gaithersburg
- 11:00 am | The Mount Rainier Holiday Craft Fair at Joe’s Movement Emporium
- 11:00 am | Kaydee Puppets at Chevy Chase Library
- Since 1972 Kaydee Puppets has been delighting children with their fun and funny puppet shows.
- 11:00 am | Holiday Traditions from Around the World at Montpelier House Museum (Best for ages 5+)
- On-going activities – stories, games, and crafts for families. Learn how other cultures celebrate in December and the New Year!
- 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm & 5:30 pm | Maryland Youth Ballet: The Mini Nut at Montgomery College in Silver Spring ($)
- This 50-minute abbreviated version is a great introduction to ballet for our younger theatre goers.
- 12:00 pm | Santa Claus is Coming to Town at Old Town Bowie Welcome Center
- Enjoy a festive craft, write your letter to Santa, and capture a special photo with the jolly man himself.
- 1:00 pm | Santa’s Visit at Greenbelt Youth Center ($)
- 1:00 pm | Letters to Santa at Germantown Community Recreation Center
- Enjoy writing letters to Santa, decorating cookies, doing art projects and playing fun games. Pizza will be provided at 3 pm.
- 2:00 pm | Kids Create: Snow Globes at Accokeek Library
- 2:00 pm | Pinecone Holiday Craft at Germantown Library
- 2:00 pm | Winter Wonderland Festival & Tree Lighting at City Hall Plaza in College Park
- Includes live music on a main stage, as well as arts and crafts, story readings and a petting zoo.
- 3:15 pm | Puzzlepalooza! at Glenarden Library
- 4:00 pm | 2nd Annual Winter Wonderland with the Flash Bus at East County Community Recreation in Silver Spring
- Free toy giveaway (first come, first served), send a letter to Santa and take a photo with him and enjoy hot cocoa, candy canes, games, crafts, holiday music and more.
- 5:00 pm | 5th Annual Winter Wonderland at Mowatt Memorial United Methodist Church in Greenbelt ($)
- Includes a Santa visit, hot cocoa, caroling, campfire, face painting, story time, model train village & more!
- 7:00 pm | The Nutcracker with National Ballet Company at Prince George’s Publick Playhouse ($)
Northern Virginia
- 10:00 am | Make Melted Snowmen Inspired Cake Pops at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 4-8)
- 10:00 am | Rosslyn Cheer 2025: Holiday Market at Central Place Plaza ♥
- Includes letters to Santa, storytime, custom dog bone ornament engraving, live music & more!
- 10:00 am | FOAL Holiday Pop-Up Book Shop at Central Library in Arlington
- 11:00 am | 54th Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town
- Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands, as well as terriers and hounds, community groups and more.
- 11:00 am | 2nd Annual Toy Swap at Beatley Central Library in Alexandria
- 11:30 am | Kids’ Winter Movie Morning featuring Snow Dogs at Burke Branch Library in Alexandria ♣
- 12:00 pm | DIY Ornament Station at Ballston Quarter
- Make an ornament while you wait to visit Santa!
- 12:00 pm & 1:15 pm | Elf Movie Party at Alamo Drafthouse Crystal City ($)
- 1:00 pm | The Lodge at National Landing ♥
- Includes holiday train rides, selfies with Santa, bingo, live performances & more!
- 2:00 pm | 25th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights ♥
- Enjoy dockside festivities in Waterfront Park including a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company, food, activities and more.
- 2:00 pm | Make Ship Biscuit Ornaments at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum
- A nearly complete ship’s biscuit from the 18th century was found in Alexandria. Make your own stamped with this year at Alexandria Archaeology!
- 3:00 pm | Builders’ Club at Columbia Pike Library (Best for grades K-5)
- 3:00 pm | Encore Stage & Studio’s Jingle Bell Jam at Gunston Theatre Two in Arlington ($)
- There’s a Preshow experience that includes a Santa meet & greet, celebration with candy canes, coloring pages, and classic carols!
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Washington, DC
- 10:00 am | Breakfast with Santa at the Willard InterContinental ($)
- Held in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom, this festive family event features a lavish buffet with seasonal favorites and a dedicated kids’ buffet, along with a Champagne Bar for adults. Children will delight in hands-on activities including cookie decorating, painting, and balloon twisting, while Santa makes special visits throughout the morning.
- 10:00 am | Free Community Day & Makers’ Market at the National Museum of Women in the Arts
- 11:00 am | Gingerbread Workshop at National Building Museum ($)
- There’s a second workshop at 1:30 pm too!
- 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Parent + Me: The Gingerbread Factory in NW ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- [Just Added] 11:30 am | Santa’s Suite at Fairmont Washington ($)
- Families touring his suite can share their Christmas wishes with Santa, and take their own photos with him.
- 1:00 pm | Winter Family Festival at MLK Memorial Library ♥
- Includes cookie decorating, winter writing station, The Nutcracker demonstration, puppet show, face painting, Photo Booth, DJ & more!
- 2:00 pm | Elf Movie Party at Alamo Drafthouse DC ($)
- 2:00 pm | Ne Zha 2 at National Museum of Asian Art ♣
- Free Movie Screening!
- 5:00 pm | Zoo Lights at Smithsonian’s National Zo0 ($)
Maryland
- 9:30 am | Storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus at People’s Book Takoma
- 11:00 am, 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm | Maryland Youth Ballet: The Mini Nut at Montgomery College in Silver Spring ($)
- This 50-minute abbreviated version is a great introduction to ballet for our younger theatre goers.
- 1:00 pm | Holiday Craft Show at Clara Barton Neighborhood Recreation Center in Cabin John
- 4:00 pm | The Nutcracker with National Ballet Company at Prince George’s Publick Playhouse ($)
Northern Virginia
- 9:00 am | 4MR 4th Annual Holiday Makers Market in Alexandria
- Includes food, live music, family fun & unique gifts
- 10:00 am | Rosslyn Cheer 2025: Holiday Market at Central Place Plaza ♥
- Includes letters to Santa, storytime, custom dog bone ornament engraving, live music & more!
- 12:00 pm | Gingerbread Decorating at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum ($)
- Learn about local architecture as you decorate a flat “façade” (front) based on historic buildings around Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. Ticket includes one flat gingerbread façade, all the supplies needed to decorate, and admission to the museum.
- 12:00 pm | Kinder Maker Market at R.E.A.D Bookstore in Arlington ($)
- Make homemade bookish gifts!
- 2:00 pm | Elf Movie Party at Alamo Drafthouse Crystal City ($)
- 3:00 pm | TubaChristmas! Come One, Come All! at Market Square in Alexandria
- 3:00 pm | Encore Stage & Studio’s Jingle Bell Jam at Gunston Theatre Two in Arlington ($)
For Tweens & Teens
Washington, DC
- Saturday (12/6) at 2:30 pm | Teen Studio: Sound On at Hirshhorn Museum (Best for ages 13-18)
- Explore Laurie Anderson’s Four Talks (2021), an immersive installation that combines painting, text, sculpture, and sound. Create your own sculpture using clay, wire, or found objects, then take your artwork to the next level by adding sound!
- Sunday (12/7) at 2:00 pm | Fall Teen Studio Series: Fashion Upcycling and Fabric Painting at National Gallery of Art (Best for ages 13-19)
- You’ll transform old clothes into something new, custom, and fully yours—no sewing skills required. Bring your used clothes or work with what’s on hand.
Maryland
- Saturday (12/6) at 11:00 am | Sew it Seams: Beginner and Intermediate Open Sewing Lab at Oxon Hill Library (Best for ages 8+)
- Saturday (12/6) at 2:30 pm | Tween Book Share: Graphic Novels at Twinbrook Library in Rockville
- Sunday (12/7) at 2:00 pm | Teen DIY: Happy New Year Garland and Mask at Germantown Library (Best for ages 13+)
Northern Virginia
- Saturday (12/6) at 1:00 pm | Make Melted Snowmen Inspired Cake Pops at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 9-14)
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