Jennifer Swope

Jennifer Swope, a DC resident since 2003, transitioned from humanitarian work to freelance editing in 2012 to stay home with her two kids. This shift sparked her passion for finding fun ways to keep them entertained—and inspired her to contribute to Mommy Poppins. When she's not navigating DC's chaos with her kids, she and her husband love watching sports, planning their next trip, and attending concerts. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferswope.

Latest posts by Jennifer

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 11/24/2024 - 12:13pm

Enjoy snow every night at Winter City Lights. Photo by Kyle Lanzer courtesy of the Winter City Lights .event.

The DC area is always merry and bright with so many Christmas light shows, holiday lights drive-thrus, and other festive displays. I know I'm having trouble selecting the one (or three) my family will visit because they're all so good.

Light Yards is always a fun and quick stop, especially when you get to swing on the bells as they light up. For years, I've been wanting to check out the Holiday Boat Parade which is visible from both The Wharf and Alexandria. And then there are the tree and menorah lightings, neighborhood displays, and twinkles all over the area.

Below I've compiled 29 amazing Christmas light shows, holiday lights drive-thrus, and tree and menorah lightings around the DC area.

While you're in a festive mood, check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more Christmas events and holiday activities all over the DC area. Whatever you celebrate, we're wishing you all the wonders of the season!

The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 11/10/2024 - 9:09am

The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography

Seeing The Nutcracker ballet is a classic holiday experiences for families, and no two productions are alike. The DC area has shows from both local and touring companies, as well as abridged versions for the youngest audience members. If you have very small children, consider The Mini-Nut or The Nutcracker Sweet, both tailored for short attention spans. There's also The Hip Hop Nutcracker for a modern twist on the show.

Some families, like mine, have seen The Nutcracker ballet and are looking for a new holiday tradition. Step Afrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show at Arena Stage brings holiday cheer in the form of stepping. And A Family Christmas Concert at the Kennedy Center is a one-hour choral performance of holiday classics.

Our list below has more than two dozen productions of The Nutcracker 2024 and other holiday shows. Keep in mind that many of them are popular and sell out quickly, so be sure to purchase advance tickets.

Find more festive fun in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids.

30 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in DC for Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Fri, 11/08/2024 - 10:40am

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks

Looking for new Christmas events and holiday activities for your family? The DC area is packed with light displays, holiday shows, and other holiday events.

I'm partial to holiday light shows and can definitely recommend a couple. If you're looking for a drive-thru light show with activities and treats at the end, Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville, Virginia, is for you. Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland, is a magical walk-through with glittering lights and one of our favorites to visit.

And what are the holidays without gift giving? DC hosts two month-long holiday markets this year; one in Gallery Place/Chinatown and one in Dupont Circle. Scroll down for our complete list of holiday markets where you can support local artisans.

Find more sparkly, festive fun in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more Christmas events and holiday activities all over the DC area. Whatever you celebrate, we're wishing you all the wonders of the season!

Veterans Day Weekend 2024 in DC: 15 Best Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Wed, 11/06/2024 - 11:45am

Honor veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters for Mommy Poppins

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

Veterans Day weekend includes three days off from work and school for many DC-area families, with plenty of opportunities for kids and parents to enjoy some quality time together. Your family can honor veterans at events across the region, including at the Library of Congress' Family Day on Saturday or at the Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.

Two super fun annual events in DC are happening this weekend. Side Yards is on Friday night and includes a variety of circus and magic performances alongside activities for kids. And on Saturday, the International Spy Museum celebrates the fall of the Berlin Wall with the Parade of Trabants, with opportunities to try your hand at Berlin-style graffiti.

And if your family is ready for the holidays, several Christmas and holiday events kick off this weekend, such as Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights and National Harbor's Holiday Tree Light Show.

29 Best Things to Do in DC November 2024 with Kids: Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Holiday Lights

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 10/27/2024 - 12:09pm

See the National Zoo in a whole new light at ZooLights. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo

November doesn't disappoint with Diwali, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and the official start of the holiday season.

Two words - Pumpkin Chunkin'. November launches with this two-day annual event at Great Country Farms where pumpkins go flying. I can't think of a better post-Halloween event to please everyone.

Want to keep it exciting in early November? Head down to Navy Yard for Side Yards, where you can watch aerialists, sword swallowers, magicians, and many more circus acts. My family loves this event, though be warned—your kid might want to try something new after seeing these acts.

Holiday light shows kick off this month, including Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights in Virginia and the Gaithersburg Winter Festival of Lights in Maryland. I 10/10 recommend getting tickets for one or more of the fabulous light displays in the area. Some you can walk, some you drive, but all will thrill your family.

We have so many more great events listed below for your family in November, but don't forget to check our family activity calendar every day, as we're always adding more events.

12 Things To Do to Celebrate Día de los Muertos in DC

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 10/13/2024 - 10:00am

The Wharf goes all out for Dia de los Muertos! Photo courtesy of Wharf DC

Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. It honors the memory of deceased relatives through ofrendas (home altars), marigold flowers, calaveras (decorative skulls), and food.

The DC area has a rich Latino culture and hosts several family-friendly events for people of all backgrounds to gather. From family days at Smithsonian museums to a festival on the National Mall, there are many opportunities to celebrate Día de Los Muertos—and nearly all of them are FREE!

For more autumn activities, visit our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Kids. And don't forget to check our family activity calendar, as we're always adding more events.

Family-Friendly Fun for Oktoberfest Near Washington, DC

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Mon, 09/23/2024 - 2:59pm

Get in on the action at the Gaithersburg Oktoberfest. Photo courtesy of the festival

While we can't all go to Munich for the annual Oktoberfest celebration, we can celebrate Oktoberfest near DC at a variety of family-friendly events. From dachshunds racing at The Wharf to a month-long kid festival at Shipgarten, these festivities include food and fun for all ages. Read on for our list of Oktoberfest events near DC you won't want to miss.

For more autumn activities, visit our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Kids. And don't forget to check our family activity calendar, as we're always adding more events.

Best Attractions and Things To Do in DC that are Kid-Friendly

Submitted by Jennifer Swope on Sun, 08/18/2024 - 11:57am

Wegmans Wonderplace is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Photo courtesy of Wegmans Wonderplace at the National Museum of American History

It can be hard to narrow down the best things to do in DC with kids. As our nation's capital, the DC area is full of some of the best attractions in the world for families, including fantastic museums, breathtaking monuments, immersive experiences, and tours of government buildings. And the best part is, many of them are free!

Read on for our list of the best attractions and things to do in DC that are kid-friendly. If you want even more, check out these top attractions in DC, as well as our lists of free museums near DC and best museums for kids in the DC area. And don't forget to check our calendar often, as we're always adding more events and attractions.

Jennifer Swope

Latest posts by Jennifer

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