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Santa Sightings, Holiday Cheer and More Fun Things To Do in DC this Weekend with Kids

Kick off the holiday week at the fun and festive Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade. Photo courtesy of the Montgomery Parks MNCPPC
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11/19/25 - By Stephanie Shipman

Looking for the best things to do in DC this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

If your kids are anxiously looking for Santa, there are plenty of places to go see him this weekend, and many of them FREE - like Holiday Fest at Torpedo Arts Factory, PRCS Winterfest, The Lodge at National Landing or Baltimore Christmas Fest at Rock City Church.

There are some fun holiday festivals that won't have Santa, like the Winter Festival at MLK Jr. Library or 

 

Want even more fun things to do this weekend? Our DC events calendar is packed with great family activities every day of the week— and you can filter by age, location, or even free events!

Not on our newsletter list yet? Subscribe for free and get the best local family fun sent straight to your inbox. Already subscribed? Share it with a friend and start planning your weekend together!

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See gorgeously lit boats at Sailing Through the Winter Solstice at Carroll Creek Park. Photo courtesy of the Tourism Council of Frederick County
See gorgeously lit boats at Sailing Through the Winter Solstice at Carroll Creek Park. Photo courtesy of the Tourism Council of Frederick County

Top Things To Do in DC This Weekend With Kids

National Christmas Tree and Pathway of Peace

Washington, DC - Thursday, December 4 - Thursday, January 1
Free
The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse is lit every evening and open to the public. Surrounding it are more than 50 smaller trees representing the US states and territories, each featuring unique ornaments created by students. READ MORE

Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park

Woodbridge, VA - Thursday, December 4 - Sunday, December 28
Free
Experience the magic of the season at the 3rd Annual Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park and Boardwalk. Stroll through a sparkling winter wonderland filled with thousands of twinkling lights, holiday-themed characters, a holiday market, and joyful holiday music. Enjoy a hot beverage, seasonal treats and food vendors, and special photo ops along the illuminated paths, perfect for families, friends, and holiday lovers of all ages. READ MORE

Baltimore Christmas Fest at Rock City Church

Baltimore, MD - Friday, December 5
Free
The Family Christmas Fest is open to the public and designed for children of all ages. Guests can move freely between activity stations, decorate cookies and ornaments to take home, and enjoy a variety of family-friendly games and interactive experiences throughout the evening. Families are encouraged to RSVP and to invite friends, neighbors, and extended family to attend. For more information about A Rock City Christmas: Family Christmas Fest, or to learn more about Rock City Church, please... READ MORE

Frosty the Snow Man at Adventure Theatre

Bethesda, MD - Through Sunday, January 11
Do you want to build a snow man? How about watching him spring to life in front of you for one day of adventures before he melts away? In this merry wintertime romp, chock-full of chuckles and comic antics, Frosty gallops into the hearts of kids and adults alike- even the heart of one skeptical cop– through his uproarious antics. READ MORE

Holiday Tea at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City

Washington, DC - Thursday - Sunday through January 4
Unwind with freshly baked scones, delicate sandwiches, and festive pastries paired with premium loose-leaf teas at Holiday Tea, a timeless Ritz-Carlton tradition. Kids can delight in a Teddy Bear Tea, complete with child-friendly treats, hot chocolate, and a personally selected bear to take home. READ MORE

ZooLights at the National Zoo

Washington, DC - Friday, November 21 - January 3
Free
This annual festive event features a variety of attractions including light shows, musical performances, inflatable slides, a train ride, and an outdoor market. ZooLights does not feature animals, and all indoor exhibits are closed. Attractions may not be open when temperatures are 35 degrees or below.  READ MORE

Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park

Washington, DC - Thursday - Sunday through December 30
Celebrate the season with Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park! Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities on the field, including a tubing slide, curling lanes, a train ride, LED seesaws, putt-putt and snowball speed-throw challenges, a Northern Lights experience, a sculpture garden, and more. Grown-ups can enjoy a 21-and-over area with a hidden speakeasy.  READ MORE

Holiday on the Farm (at Frying Pan Farm Park)

Herndon, VA - Fridays & Saturdays, December 5 - December 20
Celebrate the holidays at Frying Pan Farm Park with an evening of wagon rides, indoor activities, food, animal interactions, campfires, and s'mores.  READ MORE

Greater Manassas Christmas Parade

Manassas, VA - Saturday, December 6
Free
The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade includes marching bands, floats, high-flying balloons, dancers, and more. This year's theme is "Christmas in Candyland." READ MORE

Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, December 6
Free
The annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade is back for its 52nd year to benefit programs that help children and families. Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town Alexandria, joined by pipe and drum bands, terriers and hounds, and more. READ MORE

Santa Fly-in at the College Park Aviation Museum

College, MD - Saturday, December 6
Watch Santa fly into the College Park Airport and Aviation Museum! Enjoy festive activities and crafts, take pictures with Santa, and more.  READ MORE

Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park

Burke, VA - Saturdays & Sundays, December 6 - 21
Climb aboard the Holiday Express for a train ride, take a spin on the Carolers Carousel, play Gingerbread Man Golf, and warm up by the fire and cook s'mores. Enjoy hot chocolate and candy canes. Don't forget to visit with Santa. READ MORE

Holiday Fest at Torpedo Factory Arts Center

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, December 6
Free
Visit the Torpedo Factory Art Center during Alexandria's most festive weekend of the year. Santa will visit, and music fills the halls and the Waterfront, beckoning people to browse three floors of open artists’ studios and galleries. To visit Santa (4-6pm), families will need a timed entry ticket. READ MORE

The Lodge: Winter Festival at National Landing

Arlington, VA - Saturday, December 6
Free
Step into “The Lodge” as Metropolitan Park becomes a winter wonderland for guests of all ages and four-legged friends. Highlights include a holiday vendor market, live music, a peppermint mocha latte competition, holiday train rides, photos with Santa, face painting, an ornament-decorating station, a dog sweater contest, and more holiday fun.  READ MORE

PRCS Winterfest

Aldie, VA - Saturday, December 6
Free
Come enjoy this FREE event, featuring ice activities, a winter market with local vendors, free kid’s activities, music from DJ BiFocals and DJ Skylarr, miniature train rides, a visit from Santa, and appearances by winter characters including Elsa, Anna, and Olaf from Frozen, and more! In addition to these winter-themed activities, WinterFest will host various local nonprofit organizations along an interactive walking path. READ MORE

One Loudoun Menorah Lighting

Ashburn, VA - Saturday, December 6
Free
Celebrate the Hanukkah season at One Loudoun with the lighting of the Menorah. READ MORE

The District's Holiday Boat Parade

Washington, DC - Saturday, December 6
Free
More than 60 beautifully decorated boats pass by the Wharf at this iconic annual DC holiday event. Other activities include ornament decorating, s'mores, family photos with Santa, live music under the Wharf's Christmas tree, and a fireworks finale. READ MORE

Winter Family Festival at MLK Jr. Library

Washington, DC - Sunday, December 7
Free
Join a magical afternoon of holiday fun! This free, family-friendly event is packed with creative activities, entertainment, and festive cheer for children of all ages. READ MORE

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Places featured in this article:

The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City
Historic Downtown Manassas
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center