Visit with Santa at the B&O Railroad Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Winter Holiday Activities Near DC for Kids and Families

1. Have Breakfast with Santa at Lansdowne Resort — Leesburg, VA

There are many places to have breakfast with Santa throughout the DC area—just check out our full list! But Lansdowne Resort makes it extra special: After breakfast, families can step into Santa's Workshop for ornament building, cookie decorating, and a meet-and-greet with the big guy.  

2. Look at Christmas Lights

The DC area dazzles at Christmastime, and there are some breathtaking holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows to check out. Or, keep it simple and head to some of our favorite neighborhood Christmas light displays near DC.

3. See The Nutcracker

If seeing The Nutcracker each year isn't yet a holiday tradition for your family, why not start this winter? Our list of The Nutcracker ballet and other holiday shows for kids near DC includes some great performances.

4. Take a Festive Train Ride

Hop aboard a Polar Express train ride or another one of the many Christmas trains near DC for hot chocolate, caroling, Santa visits, and all sorts of other magic.

There are so many ways to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the DC area. Photo courtesy of the Arlington National Cemetery Tour

Best Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids in DC

5. Check out the DC Winter Lantern Festival

On Thursday through Sunday evenings through January 18, 2026, Lerner Town Square in Tysons, Virginia shines with the glow of over 1,000 Chinese lanterns portraying Chinese myths, legends, and zodiacs.

6. Go Ice Skating

Ice skating is one of the most popular winter activities, and there are plenty of places to skate in the DC area. Glide around the ice at one of these outdoor ice skating rinks in DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Many of them require booking ice time in advance, so check the details before heading out.

7. See Lighted Sailboats

Carroll Creek Park in Frederick, Maryland comes alive with individually designed lighted sailboats every day through March 14, 2026 as part of the Sailing Through the Winter Solstice event. Vote on your favorite boat and make a donation to support local non-profit organizations.

8. Honor Martin Luther King Jr.

What better time to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial than on MLK Day itself on January 19, 2026? The memorial to the civil rights icon is near the National Mall. Families can also join the MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade or participate in the MLK Day of Service.


There are lots of places to hit the slopes near DC. Photo courtesy of snowshoemountain.com

9. Hit the Ski Slopes

There are several great ski resorts near DC that are perfect for everyone from young kids and beginners to the most seasoned skiers. Many of them are also on our list of snow tubing spots near DC, so you can have a full day or weekend of wintry fun in the snow!

10. Visit Mount Vernon

Whatever the weather, a visit to Mount Vernon is always worthwhile. What better time than on Presidents Day or on George Washington's birthday, when admission is free? Get tickets for a mansion tour so your family can warm up indoors for a bit. And look at our handy guide to visiting Mount Vernon with kids.

11. Go Snow Tubing

Take a day or overnight trip to one of these great places to go snow tubing near DC and participate in one of the most classic winter activities there is. Don't forget hats and gloves!

Indoor Things To Do Near DC This Winter for Kids and Families

12. Visit a Museum or Two (or Three!)

There are so many free museums in DC to visit with kids, including Smithsonian institutions like the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. But there are also plenty of other great options on our lists of the best museums for kids in the DC area and the top quirky museums for kids near DC, including the National Children's Museum.

13. See a Live Show

The DC area offers many opportunities to introduce kids to theater, and there are some great shows happening this winter. Check out Disney's Frozen at the Olney Theatre Center, Black Diamond at Discovery Theater, Paper Dreams at Imagination Stage, Dragons Love Tacos at Adventure Theatre, or Roald Dahl's Matilda at Little Theatre of Alexandria.

Free Things To Do in DC in Winter with Kids

14. Explore the US National Arboretum

Winter is a gorgeous time to visit the 446-acre US National Arboretum. Many shrubs have berries or blossoms that visitors won't see in other seasons, and evergreen trees such as pine, cedar, spruce, and hemlock trees abound. Be sure to stop by the on-site Washington Youth Garden!

15. See DC's Famous Monuments and Memorials

With thinner crowds, winter can be a great time to visit DC's National Mall and Memorial Parks. Bundle up and check a bunch of the monuments and memorials off your list. Hint: Climbing or jogging the steps at the Lincoln Memorial and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial can warm you up quickly!

16. Celebrate Lunar New Year

Celebrate the Year of the Horse at the DC Chinese Lunar New Year Parade on February 22, 2026! The high-energy parade includes traditional lion and dragon dances, live music and marching bands, Kung Fu demonstrations, and more, culminating in a dazzling firecracker finale in the middle of H Street.

Laying wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery is a great way to volunteer with kids. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

17. See Arlington National Ceremony at Christmastime

Wreaths Across America takes place at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, December 13, 2025, and kids of all ages can volunteer to lay wreaths at gravesites. But even if you can't attend that event, the cemetery is a site to behold in the days before Christmas, with wreaths resting against rows and rows of white headstones. Our guide to visiting Arlington National Cemetery with kids will tell you everything you need to know before you go.

Writers James Smith, Drew Kristofik, and Christine Mooney contributed additional reporting.