Holiday Activities for Kids & Teens in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

- Updated: 12/27/2024
Seasons Greetings! This updated listing now includes winter break ideas & holiday themed activities and events for kids and teens of all ages to explore through the first week of January. Events we've enjoyed in years past include the holiday story time with Tara Hoot, the week of Kwanzaa celebrations at the Anacostia Community Museum & Winterfest at Kings Dominion. We're hoping to see a few light shows and performances this year including the Nutcracker! This list of holiday activities includes free and paid events. Don't forget to check back frequently for updates! As new events are released, I will add them here. Feel free to leave a review of events you enjoy through the form below. I'd love to feature quotes about your experiences.
Enjoy the holidays and remember to live in the moment this festive season.

Sarah Acors
Creator of 4DMV Kids & Founder of BCB DMV+
Notes: Although this list of holiday and winter break activities is reviewed for accuracy frequently, things can change at any moment. Please click through to confirm the details prior to heading out.
The grayed out events are either sold out or have taken place already. They are still clickable if you’d like to see what you missed!
Holiday Fun
New Years Activities
Washington, DC
- 12/29 – 12/30 at 10:00 am | Winter Craft Workshop: New Year’s Eve Ball Drop at National Building Museum ($)
- 12/31 at 10:00 am | Noon Yards Eve at The Yards
- Kick off the New Year early at Noon Yards, the ultimate family-friendly celebration at Yards Park!
- 12/31 at 11:00 am | Community Day: Watching and Waiting for Freedom at the National Museum of African American History & Culture
- 12/31 at 11:00 am | Pinstripes Georgetown Noon Years Eve Party ($)
- Includes a free kids entree, balloon drop at noon, dance party, arts & crafts & more!
- 12/31 at 11:30 am | Noon Year’s Eve ~ A Daytime Party for Children & Families at Georgetown Library
- 12/31 at 4:00 pm | Family New Year’s Party with Live Music at metrobar ($)
- One ticket per family!
- 1/1 at 9:00 am | FITDC Fresh Start 5K at Anacostia Park
- Kids Dash starts at 10:15 am!
- 1/1 at 11:00 am | First Ring: Litter Bell at the Anacostia Community Museum
- The Litter Bell is made entirely from discarded metals, reclaimed from area parks and rivers and will be on site at the museum throughout 2025.
Maryland
- 12/28 at 11:00 am | Happy Noon Year at Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville ($)
- 12/29 at 11:00 am | Party Poppers & Noise Makers at KID Museum in Bethesda ($) (Best for grades 2nd – 8th)
- 12/29 at 1:00 pm | Celebration Station: New Year’s Edition at Black Hill Discovery Center in Boyds
- 12/29 at 1:00 pm | Afternoon Tea & A Toast: New Year’s at the B&O Railroad Museum ($)
- 12/30 at 2:00 pm | Craft Pop-Up Shop: New Year’s Edition at Miller Branch Library in Ellicott City (Best for ages 4+)
- 12/31 at 10:00 am | Noontime New Year at Port Discovery ($)
- 12/31 at 10:00 am | Noon Year’s Eve at B&O Railroad Museum ($)
- 12/31 at 10:30 am | Happy New Year at Davis Library in Bethesda
- Dance party & games for the whole family!
- 12/31 at 11:00 am | Smokey Bear New Year’s Eve Countdown at Maydale Nature Classroom in Colesville ($)
- 12/31 at 11:00 am | Noon Year’s Eve Party at sweetFrog Laurel ($)
- 12/31 at 11:00 am | Pinstripes Bethesda Noon Years Eve Party ($)
- Includes a free kids entree, balloon drop at noon, dance party, arts & crafts & more!
- 12/31 at 11:15 am | Noon Year’s Eve at Olney Library
- 12/31 at 11:15 am | Noon Year’s Eve Penguin Ball at Glenwood Branch Library in Cooksville
- Wear black and white, and ring in the New Year Penguin style! Enjoy stories, music, and more- of course! There will be a special countdown with a “champagne-juice” toast. Children will take home a memorable souvenir too! With limited space, tickets will be available at the Children’s desk 15 minutes before class.
- 12/31 at 11:30 am | Noon Year’s Eve at Gaithersburg Library
- 12/31 at 11:30 am | Noon Year’s Eve at Damascus Library (Best for ages 3-9)
- Includes stories, crafts, music and countdown.
- 12/31 at 11:30 am | Noon Year’s Eve at Carroll Baldwin Hall in Savage
- 12/31 at 11:30 am | Noon Year’s Eve at Odenton Library
- 12/31 at 11:30 am | Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at Discoveries: The Library at Westfield Annapolis
- 12/31 at 11:30 am | Noon Year’s Eve at Twinbrook Library in Rockville (Best for ages 3-12)
- Includes family-friendly activities, a scavenger hunt, & balloon drop at 12pm!
- 12/31 at 12:00 pm | Noon Year’s Eve Party at White Oak Library
- 1/1 at 1:00 pm | First Day Hike for Families at Black Hill Discovery Center
Virginia
- 12/31 at 10:00 am | New Year’s Eve Around the World at Children’s Science Center LAB in Fairfax ($)
- Celebrate at the Lab by creating a lively atmosphere by engineering New Year’s thaumatrope, indulging in glittery excitement of Celebration Slime, and creating your own 2025 Headbands!
- 12/31 at 11:00 am | Noon Year’s Eve! featuring “Oh Susannah!” at Barrett Branch Library
- 12/31 at 11:15 am | Noon Year’s Eve at Central Library in Arlington
- 12/31 at 12:00 pm | Olde Year’s Day 2024 at Torpedo Factory Art Center
- 12/31 at 12:00 pm | Kids Noon Year’s Eve at Shipgarten in McLean
- 12/31 at 2:00 pm | 30th Annual First Night Alexandria ($)
- Includes Kids Celebrate event featuring Culture Queen, Groovy Nate & more!
- 12/31 at 7:00 pm | Watch Night: New Year’s Eve Celebration in Falls Church
Winter Break Activities (12/23 - 1/5)
- 1/4 at 9:00 am | Build a piggy bank at any Home Depot store.
- 1/4 at 10:00 am | Create your own construction hat at any Lowes Home Improvement store.
Washington, DC
- 11/22 – 1/5 | Tingle Bells at Artechouse DC ($)
- 11/28 – 1/5 | “Season’s Greenings” Holiday Exhibit 2024 at U.S. Botanic Garden
- Includes the Outdoor Train Display
- 12/16 – 1/4 | Downtown DC Holiday Skate Spectacular
- Free to skate with your own skates. Skate rentals are $5! There’s a toddler skate hour and family-friendly hours. Closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays!
- 12/30 & 12/31 | Family Program: Flower to Fruit: A Pollination Journey at the U.S. Botanic Garden
- Dissect a flower to learn about its different parts and how these components attract and interact with pollinators.
- 12/30 at 2:00 pm | Crafts and Cocoa at Lamond-Riggs Library in NE
- 12/31 at 12:00 pm | Create Your Own Fake Snow! at Bellevue Library in SW
- 12/31 at 12:00 pm | Make a Snowman! at Bellevue Library in SW
- [Just Added] 1/1 at 2:00 pm | Trash to Treasure Kids Event at Merry Pin in NW
- Unguided up-cycling event
- 1/2 at 11:00 am | Storytime at the National Building Museum
- 1/3 at 10:00 am | Storytime: The Snowy Day at National Gallery of Art
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 1/2 at 10:00 am | Wonders of Winter at Watkins Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 5-9)
- Children will learn about the uniqueness of snowflakes and create their own crystal snowflake to take home.
- 1/2 at 4:30 pm | Tail Waggin’ Tutors at Laurel Library
- Build your child’s confidence as they read to specially trained therapy dogs.
- 1/3 at 10:00 am | Storyland: Connor Crow & Wanda Woodpecker at Watkins Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 2-4)
- 1/3 at 1:00 pm | Nature Knowledge at Clearwater Nature Center in Clinton ($) (Best for ages 8-14)
- A home-school science club where children will experience nature through multimedia presentations, discussion, stories, hikes, and/or hands-on activities.
- 1/4 at 10:00 am | Adventure Seekers: Patuxent Research Refuge at Mount Rainier Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 8-12)
- 1/4 at 10:00 am | Sneaker Design Workshop at Harmony Hall Regional Center in Ft. Washington ($) (Best for ages 10-15)
- 1/4 at 1:00 pm | Winter Wonderland at Suitland Community Center ($)
- 1/5 at 1:00 pm | Live Animal Show: Mixed Ages at Clearwater Nature Center in Clinton ($)
Montgomery County
- 11/30 – 1/4 at 10:00 am | Garden Railway Exhibit at Brookside Gardens
- closed 12/24, 12/25 & 1/1
- 12/23 – 1/3| Read to a Dog ~ School age children are welcome to practice reading to a therapy dog (Best for ages 5-12)
- 12/30 at 5:00 pm at Germantown Library
- 1/2 at 4:00 pm at Olney Library
- 1/2 at 4:45 pm at Damascus Library
- 1/3 at 4:30 pm at White Oak Library
- 12/30 at 2:00 pm | Pokemon Day at Rockville Memorial Library (Best for ages 6-12)
- [Limited Seats Left] 12/31 at 2:00 pm | Tweens & Teens come compete in The Chocolate Wars at Olney Library (Best for ages 8-18)
- Come for the wars, stay for the chocolate. Individual and team competitions involving chocolate. A short video highlighting the chocolate making process will be shown.
- 1/3 at 11:00 am | Musical Story Hour with Bach to Rock at Gaithersburg Library (Best for ages 0-5)
- 1/4 at 10:00 am | Mr. Gabe Music at People’s Book Takoma
- 1/4 at 11:00 am | Superb Saturday STEAM at Noyes Library for Young Children in Kensington
- 1/4 at 1:00 pm | Science Splash: Environmental Innovation Project with Team Capybaras at Gaithersburg Library (Best for grades 1st – 6th)
- The Robotics team will demonstrate its prototype and share how they’re working to contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet.
- 1/4 at 3:00 pm | Painting with ScribbleArtz at Gaithersburg Library (Best for grades K-5th)
- 1/5 at 3:00 pm | Mr. Jon & Friends at Long Branch Library in Silver Spring
More Maryland Events
- 11/22 – 12/31 on select days | Holiday Festival of Trains at B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore ($)
- 11/27 – 1/5 | Holiday Train Garden at Gary J. Arthur Comm Center in Cooksville
- 11/29 – 1/5 | Holiday Train Garden at B&O Ellicott City Station Museum
- [Limited Seats Left] 12/30 at 2:00 pm | So You Want to be a Librarian? at P.D. Brown Branch Library in Waldorf (Best for ages 9-14)
- 12/30 at 3:00 pm | Beginning Modular Robotics at Central Branch Library in Columbia (Best for ages 11-13)
- 12/31 at 10:30 am | Mobile Library: Nanjemoy Community Center
- Create a bouquet of flower bookmarks
- 1/2 at 10:00 am | Winter Book Bags at Discoveries: The Library at Westfield Annapolis
- 1/2 at 10:45 am | Cute and Courteous Canines at La Plata Branch Library
- Join us to interact with and pet furry, friendly, four-footed friends courtesy of Southern Maryland Pets on Wheels.
- 1/3 at 1:00 pm | Discovery Lab Demo Days at Potomac Branch Library in Indian Head
- This mobile lab’s mission is to bring technology to our patrons by bringing it directly to their areas, including things like computers, laptops, tablets, hotspots, printers, gaming equipment, STEM/STEAM activities/games, 3D printer, 3D printer pens, charging station, camera equipment, supplies for science, technology, engineering, art and math projects (take and make kits, project kits), and more!
- 1/4 at 2:00 pm | Saturday Family Crafternoon at Potomac Branch Library in Indian Head
- Feeling frosty? Join us for a winter wonderland of snowy-themed crafts!
- 1/5 at 12:00 pm | Bird Feeder Craft at SweetFrog Laurel
Virginia
Arlington County
- 12/30 at 11:00 am | Introduction to Scratch for Kids at Central Library (Best for ages 9-11)
- 1/2 at 4:30 pm | Kids Club at Courthouse Library (Best for grades K – 5th)
- 1/3 at 1:00 pm | Paint Tree Cookies at Gulf Branch Nature Center ($)
- 1/4 at at 10:00 am | Family Art Lab: Ceramic Coasters at Arlington Mill Community Center ($)
- 1/5 at 10:00 am | Chocolate with Chickadees at Potomac Overlook (Best for ages 7+)
City of Alexandria
- 12/30 at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm | Festive Frosting: Creative Cookie Art hosting by Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 6-12)
- 1/4 at 9:30 am | Author Story Time: Snow is… with Laura Gehl at Old Town Books Junior
- 1/4 at 10:00 am | Free Kids Crafts at Made in ALX
- 1/5 at 12:00 pm | Family Friendly Wood + Canvas Workshop at AR Workshop ($)
More Virginia Events
- 11/30 – 12/30 | Holiday Bricktacular at LEGO Discovery Center ($)
- Festive activities include LEGO ornament decorating, meet & greets with characters and letters to the master builder!
- 12/7 – 2/17 | Winter Wonder Lab at Children’s Science Center LAB in Fairfax ($)
- 1/5 at 12:00 pm | Bring your Dog Day – Kids & Family Festival at Shipgarten in McLean
Light Shows
Washington, DC
- 11/22 – 01/04 | Zoo Lights at the National Zoo ($)
- 11/25 – 1/1 | Light Yards at The Yards
- Swinging bells you can ride on!
Maryland
- 11/11 – 12/28 on Saturdays at 5:30 pm | Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks at National Harbor
- 11/17 – 1/5 | ICE! at Gaylord National featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at National Harbor ($)
- 11/22 – 1/5 | Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens ($)
- 11/29 – 1/1 | Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park ($)
- 12/23, 12/26 – 12/31 | Reindeer Railway Train Rides at B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore ($)
- 12/27 & 12/29 | Reindeer Railway: Evening Train Rides & Holiday Lights at B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore ($)
Virginia
- 10/31 – 1/12 | Winter Lantern Festival at Tysons ($)
- 11/15 – 2/14 on select days | Ice & Lights The Winter Village at Cameron Run in Alexandria ($)
On the Topic of Christmas
Kwanzaa-Themed Activities
Washington, DC
- 12/26 – 12/27 & 12/30 – 12/31 at 11:00 am | Kwanzaa 2024 at National Museum of African Art
- 12/26 at 12:00 pm | Umoja (Unity): Kwazaa Opening Program at the Anacostia Community Museum
- 12/27 at 12:00 pm | Kujichagulia (Self Determination) with the Culture Queen
- 12/28 at 12:00 pm | Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility): Honoring Our Village with Verbal Gymnastics
- 12/29 at 12:00 pm | Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): Creating Family Memory Boxes
- 12/30 at 12:00 pm | Nia (Purpose): African dance Workshop with Khepera Wellness
- 12/31 at 12:00 pm | Kuumba (Creativity): Creating Family Kwanzaa Bags
- 1/1 at 12:00 pm | Imani (Faith): Mime & Spiritual Dance Workshop with Crazee Praize
Maryland
- 12/27 at 2:00 pm | Kwanzaa Celebration: Exploring African Traditions and Creativity at East Columbia Branch Library
- 12/28 at 10:30 am | Kwanzaa Tales at Discoveries: The Library at Westfield Annapolis
- 12/28 at 2:00 pm | City of Laurel Kwanzaa Celebration
- 12/30 at 7:00 pm | 35th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration at Rollingcrest Chillum Community Center in Hyattsville
Hanukkah-Themed Activities
Washington, DC
- 12/25 at 11:00 am | Family Day: Hanukkah Cheer at Capital Jewish Museum
- 12/25 – 1/2 | Celebrate Hanukkah at Union Market District
- Nightly menorah display, illuminated at sundown from December 25 through January 2. Gather with family and friends to enjoy the warmth of the season, indulge in delicious bites, sip festive drinks, and explore the market’s unique shops.
Maryland
- 12/26 at 3:00 pm | Hanukkah Celebration at Westfield Montgomery
- 12/26 at 5:00 pm | Menorah Lighting at Rockville Town Square
- 12/29 at 9:30 am | Chanukkah Storytime with Ruth Polk at People’s Book Takoma
- 12/30 at 5:00 pm | Chanukah Community Celebration with Chabad Potomac
- Create a beautiful Menorah of Unity and Light, enjoy delightful Chanukah treats, music, dance, fun activities for kids and more.
Virginia
- 12/30 at 5:30 pm | Menorah Lighting at Metropolitan Park
Holiday & Kids Performances
Washington, DC
- 11/21 – 12/31 | A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre ($) (Best for ages 5+)
- See our performance review for A Christmas Carol!
- 11/30 – 12/29 | The Nutcracker at The Warner Theatre ($)
- 12/24 at 11:00 am | A Family Christmas at The Kennedy Center ($) (Best for ages 5+)
Maryland
- 11/29 – 12/31 | The Puppet Co. presents the 36th Annual Nutcracker at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 12/6 – 1/5 | Ken Ludwig’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 12/26 – 12/31 & 1/4 – 1/5 | Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood at Imagination Stage in Bethesda ($)
- 12/28 – 12/29 at 10:00 am | Jennie the Cat: A Wintertime Adventure at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 12/29 at at 1:15 pm | Wheaton Winter Ice Show
Holiday & Kids Movies
Washington, DC
- 12/23 – 12/24 at 2:00 pm | Holiday Movie Matinees at the US Navy Memorial
- 11/23 – The Santa Clause
- 11/24 – It’s a Wonderful Life
- 12/23 at 4:00 pm | Children’s Movie featuring Jingle Jangle at Woodridge Library in NE
- 12/23 at 7:00 pm | Elf at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- 12/24 at 9:00 am | Holiday Movie Marathon at Parklands-Turner Library in SE
- 12/27 at 4:30 pm | The Polar Express at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- 12/27 at 7:00 pm | Elf at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- 12/28 at 1:00 pm | Holiday Movie Matinee at Bellevue Library in SW
- 12/28 at 2:00 pm | Home Alone at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- 12/28 at 4:30 pm | Miracle on 34th Street (1947) at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- 12/28 at 7:00 pm | It’s a Wonderful Life at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- 12/29 at 2:00 pm | A Christmas Story at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- [Sold Out] 12/29 at 3:00 pm | Extraordinary Cinema: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at The Kennedy Center
Maryland
- 12/23 at 11:00 am | Family Movie Matinee: Penguins of Madagascar at Glenwood Library in Cooksville
- 12/23 at 6:00 pm | City of Laurel Holiday Movie ~ The Grinch at Partnership Hall
- 12/29 at 11:30 am | The Polar Express at National Harbor
- 12/30 at 2:00 pm | Afternoon Movie: The Wild Robot at Gaithersburg Library
- 1/4 at 10:30 am | Movie: Encanto at Kensington Park Library

DC Museums
Check out this list of 20+ Best Museums for kids and teens in DC. Some of these museums may feature holiday activities too. I suggest reviewing the lists above of Washington, DC events or check out the museums' websites through the link below.
Festive