Kid-friendly Activities in DC, Maryland & Northern Virginia this Weekend (12/13 - 12/15)

Washington, DC

• 9:00 am | Capitol Riverfront BID: Jolly Jog at Yards Park
  • All ages festive 5K ~ Pick up your holiday-centric hair accessories when at the Jolly Jog check-in, and end your jog at Yards Park to enjoy a complimentary coffee, hot apple cider, and pastry.
• 9:30 am | Little Critters: Nature Play (Pond Animals) at Smithsonian National Zoo (Best for ages 0-5)
• 9:30 am | Saturday Morning Live! Happy Birthday Mon Ami performed by Alex and Olmsted at The National Theatre
  • • This performance will be ASL-interpreted. The space is wheelchair accessible.
• 10:00 am | Family Activity: Wooden Ornament at DAR Museum
• [Just Added] 10:00 am | Paint & Cocoa in Historic Anacostia
• 10:00 am | The Phillips Plays: Music and Art at The Phillips Collection ($)
• 10:15 am | Crafty Tales: Tyree Gutyon at Merry Pin in NW
  • Free art workshop based on artist/book
• 10:30 am | Storytime for the Spectrum at Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 0-5 but all are welcome)
• 10:30 am | Open Studio: Animated Imagination at Hirshhorn Museum
  • This workshop is based on the OSGEMEOS exhibit. Here are kid-friendly tips for visiting this exhibit.
• [Just Added] 11:00 am | 14th Annual Magical Mirrors Children’s Book Fair at Sankofa Cafe in NW
• 11:00 am | Holly Jolly Sidewalk Market at Logan Circle
• [Just Added] 11:00 am | Umoja Holiday Market at Anacostia Arts Center 
• 11:00 am | Holiday Craft Festival at Mt. Pleasant Library
  • Local artists will lead art workshops!
• 12:00 pm | Elf Movie Party at Alamo Drafthouse DC ($)
• 12:00 pm | Signing Santa at Union Market Courtyard in NE
  • Santa is fluent in English, Spanish and ASL.
• 12:00 pm | Neighborhood Block Party at THEARC in SE
• 12:00 pm | Cleveland Park Winter Market in NW
  • Includes photos with Santa Claus and the Grinch, Writopia Poem Tree Arts & Crafts Activity & Holiday Caroling
  • There’s also a Santa Bar Crawl for the adults afterwards at 5:30 pm!
• 12:00 pm & 5:00 pm | Jungle Book at The Kennedy Center ($)
• 1:00 pm | STEAM Saturday at National Building Museum ($)
• 1:00 pm & 7:00 pm | Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show at Arena Stage ($) 
• 1:30 pm & 4:00 pm | Finn at The Kennedy Center ($)
• 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm | A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre ($)
• 3:00 pm | Photos with Santa at Bryant Street Market in NE
• 2:00 pm | Home Alone Screening with ASL and open captions at MLK Memorial Library
• 4:00 pm | Christmas Card Craft at Southwest Neighborhood Library (Best for ages 2+)
• 5:00 pm | ZooLights at Smithsonian National Zoo ($)
• 5:00 pm | Parents Night Out at iGen Educational Academy ($) (Best for grades pre-k 3 – 5th)

Maryland

Prince George’s County

• 9:00 am | SAARC Holiday Concert in Brandywine
  • Include a meet and greet with Santa, hot chocolate stations, as well as arts and crafts.
• 10:00 am | Holiday Planes & Trains at College Park Aviation Museum ($) 
• 10:00 am | Saturday Fun with Santa at the Gym in Bowie (Best for ages 10 & under)
  • It will be a festive atmosphere with moon bounces, live holiday music, and face painting. Admissions is free; but Toys for Tots donations are welcome.
• 10:00 am | Riversdale Holiday Traditions in Riverdale Park ($)
  •  Includes crafts, scavenger hunts, photo ops, and holiday treats!
• 11:00 am | Brentwood Artisan Shop Craft Holiday Fair and Mead Tasting Lounge at Brentwood Arts Exchange 
• 11:00 am | Holiday Crafts with Santa at Peppermill Community Center in Capitol Heights ($) (Best for ages 3-12)
  • Meet up with Santa for crafts, games, breakfast, and a photo too!
• 11:00 am | All Ages Christmas Show at Bobby McKeys Dueling Piano Bar ($) 
• 11:00 am | P.L.A.Y. – Santa’s Workshop at Largo / Perrywood / Kettering Community Center ($) (Best for ages 5-12)
  • Presented by Disability Services, there will be stations, a photobooth with Santa Claus, cookie decorating, gift making/wrapping area, and an arts and crafts section.
• 12:00 pm | Magic Elf Hunt! at Belair Mansion in Bowie
• 1:00 pm | STEM-tastic: Plus Plus at Mount Rainier Library
  • Plus-Plus is a unique construction toy with one shape and endless possibilities! Use Plus-Plus pieces to build a variety of structures and shapes.
• 1:30 pm | Legos: Creative Club at Oxon Hill Library 
• 2:00 pm | Snow Queen Performance at Greenbelt Community Center ($)
• 2:00 pm | Legos: Creative Club at Upper Marlboro Library 
• 2:00 pm | Ice Skate with Santa at Herbert W. Wells Ice Rink in College Park ($) 
• 3:00 pm | Tail Waggin’ Tutors at Beltsville Library
  • Build your child’s confidence as they read to specially trained therapy dogs.
• 3:00 pm | Elf Screening at Greenbelt Cinema 
• 4:00 pm | City of Hyattsville Winter Market
  • Includes hot chocolate, hot cider, popcorn, fire pits, glow-in-the-dark hopscotch & live music!

Montgomery County

• 10:30 am | Beginner Origami at Potomac Library (Best for ages 8+)
  • There’s also a 2:00 pm class!
• 10:30 am | Movie: Detective Pikachu at Aspen Hill Library 
• 11:00 am | Build Your Own Lego Snowman at JC Penney at Westfield Wheaton 
• 11:00 am | Winter Wonderland at Damascus Community Recreation Center (Best for ages 5-13)
  • Enjoy a free winter wonderland with gingerbread houses, photos with Sanra, a gift wrapping station and much more!
• 1:00 pm | Crafts at the Library: Teen Drop-in Craft Hour at Kensington Park Library 
• 1:00 pm | Holly Trolley at National Capital Trolley Museum ($) 
• [Opening Day] 1:00 pm | Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood at Imagination Stage ($) (Best for ages 5+) 
• 2:00 pm | Write to Right at Gaithersburg Library (Best for ages 9-14)
  • Social change writing workshop 
• 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm | Rockville Civic Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre ($)
• 3:00 pm | Science Saturday – Amazing Polymers! presented by Science Connections at Maggie Nightingale Library in Poolesville (Best for ages 6-10) 
•  3:00 pm | Teen Movie Time: Unaccompanied Minors at Wheaton Library 
• 4:00 pm | Crafts at Little Falls Library in Bethesda (Best for ages 4+)
  • Paper Crafts: Weaving and Scissor-free Collage
• 5:30 pm | Winter Celebration at Longwood Community Recreation Center in Brookeville ($) (Best for ages 8-14)
  • Celebrate with crafts, games, a hot chocolate bar, cookie decorating and more! 

More Maryland Events

• 9:00 am | Frozen Fest at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia ($)
  • Learn about winter constellations in the planetarium, create tracks in the snow, and see an outdoor puppet show. Warm up by the fire with a roasted marshmallow and enjoy other winter-friendly fun.
• 10:00 am | The Polar Express Train Ride at B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore ($)
• 10:00 am | Winter Holiday Celebration at Central Branch Library in Columbia
  • Includes live music and crafts!
• 10:30 am | Science Saturday: Helicopters and Parachutes at Maryland City Library (Best for ages 6-10)  
• 10:30 am | Winter Solstice Lantern Making at Maydale Nature Classroom in Colesville ($) 
• 12:00 pm | Celebrate the Holidays with Crafts at Central Branch Library in Columbia 
• 12:00 pm | Biz Kidz Academy: Anti-Bullying Workshop at Elkridge Branch Library (Best for ages 8-10) 
• 12:00 pm | Upcycled Denim Apron! JEAN-ius Lab; Upcycling & the Science of Denim at Miller Branch Library in Ellicott City (Best for ages 11-18)
  • Intermediate sewing class 
• 1:00 pm | Kids Winter Art Workshop in Ellicott City ($) (Best for ages 8-12) 
• 1:00 pm | Discover Long Branch Winter Mercado at Flower Urban Park 
• 1:00 pm | Takoma Cocoa Crawl along Main Street Takoma 
• 1:30 pm | Nature Ornaments at Black Hill Discovery Center in Boyds ($) 
• 2:00 pm | Let’s Draw… Winter! at Miller Branch Library in Ellicott City (Best for grades 3-5) 
• 2:00 pm | Swimming with Santa at Lackey Indoor Pool in Indian Head ($) 
• 2:00 pm | Safari Series: Owl Diaries at Glen Burnie Library (Best for ages 6-10) 
• 2:30 pm | Tunnel Book Making at Savage Branch Library in Laurel (Best for ages 6-11)
  • Tunnel books are made with layered pages with cut outs that create a 3D effect. Make a beautiful winter scene tunnel book.
• 3:00 pm | Craft Wars: Gingerbread Houses at Central Branch Library in Columbia (Best for ages 9-12) 
• 3:00 pm | Mindful Mosaics: Create Your Own Stress Toys Workshop at Elkridge Branch Library (Best for Teens) 
• 3:00 pm | Personalized Snowflakes with Laser at Glenwood Branch Library in Cooksville 
• 4:00 pm | Misako Ballet presents: Holiday Dance Party at Miller Branch Library in Ellicott City
  • Misako Ballet Company will perform ballet pieces featuring ballet dance with a Japanese twist. Young children in the audience will be invited to learn a quick piece and perform it – a great opportunity to expose children to the art of dance.
• 6:00 pm | Aeolians An Old Fashioned Christmas Concert in Takoma Park 
• 6:30 pm | Cabin John Winter Ice Show 

Virginia

Arlington County 

• 8:00 am | Wreaths Across America Day at Arlington Cemetery
  • Volunteer opportunity
• 10:00 am | Crafty Kids: Take and Make ~ Make a cotton-ball snowman!
  • Courthouse Library
  • Columbia Pike Library
• 11:00 am | Search for Santa’s Critters at Potomac Overlook Regional Park ($) 
• 12:30 pm | Elf Movie Party at Alamo Drafthouse Crystal City ($)
• 12:30 pm | Wishing Campfire at Long Branch Nature Center ($)
  • Includes stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, S’mores.
• 1:30 pm | Second Saturday Crafternoon Workshops at Fairlington Community Center
  • Make Holiday Cards
• 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm | Jingle Bell Jam at Gunston Arts Center ($)
• 3:30 pm | Reptile and Amphibian Keepers at Long Branch Nature Center (Best for ages 6-10)
  • Learn what animals eat and how to be a responsible animal keeper.
• 4:00 pm | Winter Waterland at National Landing Water Park
  • Enjoy ice skating, hot chocolate bar, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a fun interactive photobooth, as well as arts and crafts and beautiful performances from the Arlington Philharmonic!
• 6:00 pm | Family Skate Night at Thomas Jefferson Community Center ($)
• 7:00 pm | Jane Franklin Dance at Theatre on the Run ($)
• 7:30 pm | Holiday Cheer performed by the National Chamber Ensemble at Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington ($)
• 8:00 pm | Explore! Planetarium Show at David M. Brown Planetarium ($) (Best for ages 10+)

City of Alexandria

• 10:00 am | Breakfast with Santa at Mt. Vernon Recreation Center ($) (Best for ages 1-7)
• 10:00 am | A Carlyle Family Yuletide at Carlyle House Historic Park ($)
  • Experience the holiday season with Carlyle House focusing on how the Carlyles and their enslaved workers observed the holidays during the 18th century.
• 10:00 am | Wrap It Green ~ DIY Sustainable Gift Wrapping Kits at Charles Beatley Library
• 10:00 am | Upcycled Wrapping at Kate Barrett Branch Library
  • Wrap your gifts at the Library
• 10:00 am | Story Time for Little Historians at Alexandria Black History Museum (Best for ages 5-8)
• 10:00 am | Gingerbread House Decorating hosted by Tiny Chefs ($) 
• 10:00 am | Gustave Marche de Noel in Del Ray
  • Taste of a European Christmas ~ includes seasonal celebrations 
• 10:30 am | Toy Swap at Charles Beatley Library
• 11:00 am | Brunch with Santa at Hank’s Oyster Bar Old Town Alexandria ($) 
• 11:00 am | Kwanzaa Workshop at the Alexandria Black History Museum
  • Come out and learn about the origins, concepts, practices, and foods of Kwanzaa!
• 11:00 am | A Victorian Christmas at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden ($)
  • Activities include: seasonal crafts, writing letters to Santa, snacks/drinks, and special gift shop deals for last-minute holiday shopping.
• 12:00 pm | Christmas in Camp at Fort Ward Museum
  • Get in the holiday spirit and learn how Christmas was observed during the Civil War at this popular family-oriented event. Enjoy a patriotic Civil War Santa Claus, reenactors in winter camp settings, period decorations, fort tours, and kids’ activities.
• 2:00 pm | Book Journaling at Kate Barrett Library (Best for teens & adults)
• 3:00 pm | SONOVA World of Winter A Global Celebration at George Washington Masonic National Memorial Theater ($)
• 6:30 pm | Annual Alexandria Holiday Lights Walk
• 7:00 pm | Teen Winter Pool Jam at Minnie Howard Swimming Pool (Best for middle and high school students)

More Virginia Events

• 9:00 am | Legacies Family Day at Mount Vernon Estate ($) 
• 9:00 am | Holiday Market & Santa Train Rides in Downtown Manassas 
• 10:00 am | Rocket Blasts and Star Bursts: Soar Together Family Day at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly
  • Parking is $15 & there’s also a virtual component starting Friday.
• 11:00 am | Winter Wonderland Event at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax ($) 
• 12:00 pm | Winter Market in Tysons
  • Includes free photos with Santa 
• 2:00 pm | Caroling Wagon Ride & Campfire at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($) 
• 3:30 pm | Santa at Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls
  • Experience old-fashioned holiday fun at Colvin Run Mill. Visit Santa in the Mill, tour the Miller’s House decorated for the holidays, roast a marshmallow, and enjoy cocoa.
• 5:30 pm | Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon ($)
• [Just Added] 6:30 pm | Kids’ Night Out PJ Party at Children’s Science Center LAB in Fairfax ($)

Virtual

• [Limited Seats Left] 11:00 am | Virtual Dungeons and Dragons – Homebrew via Charles County Public Library