Why These Family Holiday Getaways Near DC are Worth the Trip

Festive Decor

With over-the-top decorations, dazzling lights, and festive activities, your can experience all the magic of the holidays in one place!

Family-friendly Events and Dining

From Santa sightings and tree lightings to train rides and caroling, all of these Christmas towns and festive hotels near DC offer kid-friendly holiday events the whole family will love. They also all have dining options with kids menus, festive bites, or holiday-themed meals like breakfast with Santa.

Easy Day Trips or Overnight Stays

Most of these festive hotels and Christmas hotels near DC make for easy day trips. Those that don't are perfect for a quick, overnight getaway.

Insider Tips for Visiting Christmas Towns and Holiday Hotels Near DC with Kids

• Arrive early to secure parking and allow plenty of time for exploring.
• Dress for cold weather, and bring hand warmers!
• Check hotel websites and local event calendars for parades, tree lightings, and other holiday events.
• Book hotels early—many of them sell out quickly!
• Make it a family holiday tradition to visit a new festive hotel or Christmas town each year.

The Polar Express train ride is just one of the magical Christmas activities in Baltimore. Photo courtesy of B&O Railroad Museum

Christmas Towns Near DC Worth the Drive

1. Baltimore, MD

Baltimore's Inner Harbor is fun all year long, but during the holidays it's also home to the Christmas Village, an authentic German Christmas Market. Over 60 vendors in charming wooden booths sell everything from holiday decor to toys to jewelry. Kids can ride a carousel and Ferris wheel and take photos with Santa and Gingy the Gingerbread Man. Enjoy German food and drinks, and stop by the Baltimore Visitor Center to see 12 themed Christmas trees.

Another free way to get into the holiday spirit in Baltimore is the famous Miracle on 34th Street light display, located on the 700 block of 34th Street in the Hampden neighborhood. Every single house puts up over-the-top decor like inflatable snow globes, Disney-themed displays, and musical trains. Santa sometimes makes an appearance, too.

Other fun holiday events in Baltimore include Holly-Days at the Maryland Zoo and The Polar Express Train Ride at B&O Railroad Museum. And don't miss our list of the 50 best things to do in Baltimore with kids!

2. Middleburg, VA

A trip to Middleburg feels like A Christmas Carol come to life! Middleburg’s historic downtown is dotted with antique street lamps and twinkling lights, and Federal-style buildings are decked with antique wooden Christmas ornaments. Carolers, actors, musicians, dancers, and shop owners bring holiday joy throughout the town.

Middleburg's famous holiday parade is a family favorite, but don't miss other fun events and activities throughout the season. There's the tree lighting in early December, carriage rides all month long, free hot cocoa from Scruffy's Ice Cream Parlor on most weekend days, and more. If you need a Christmas tree (and even if you don’t) a visit to the picturesque Snickers Gap Tree Farm is in order.

3. Annapolis, MD

You might feel like you're in Europe as you stroll the quaint cobblestone streets of Historic Downtown Annapolis, all lit up for the holidays. Experience Midnight Madness on the first two Thursdays of December from 4pm until midnight, when Downtown transforms into a winter wonderland with on-the-street entertainment, dazzling decor, and free refreshments in some shops. Be sure to visit Snowflake Alley and the alpacas at the top of Main Street.

Other holiday highlights in Annapolis include a Christmas tree lighting and chocolate festival on the first Sunday in December, a Holiday Market, and the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade on Annapolis Harbor. A short drive away is SPCA Lights on the Bay, a spectacular drive-thru light show at Sandy Point State Park that's been a long-time holiday tradition for many families.

4. Williamsburg, VA

Take in the charm of an old-fashioned Christmas with a family getaway to Colonial Williamsburg. Christmas festivities include shows, workshops, music, tours, and more. Catch the Grand Illumination fireworks show that includes firing guns and musical performances and a special appearance by Father Christmas.

To extend the festivities and thrills, visit the nearby Busch Gardens Christmas Town. There, you can celebrate the season with holiday entertainment, roller coasters and rides, a Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt, sweet treats, and meeting Santa in his Workshop. Our list of the best things to do in Williamsburg, VA and our guide to visiting Colonial Williamsburg with kids include top picks for where to eat and stay in Williamsburg.

5. Charlottesville, VA

This charming, historic town offers plenty of festive fun throughout the holiday season. Magic on the Mall transforms downtown Charlottesville into a holiday wonderland, with shops competing to have the best-decorated windows. Families can also enjoy holiday-themed scavenger hunts, a peppermint trail, photos with Santa, and other fun activities. Be sure to take a ride on the Downtown Holiday Express train every Saturday.

Downtown isn't the only part of Charlottesville that brings the magic. Boar's Head Resort's Winter Wander Trail of Lights is absolutely dazzling and includes nightly live shows and entertainment. Lighting of the Lawn at the University of Virginia and holiday tours at Monticello, Highland, and Montpelier round out the festive fun.

Gaylord National Resort offers a variety of festive activities at Christmastime. Photo courtesy of the resort

Festive Hotels Near DC for Families

6. Gaylord National Resort — National Harbor, MD

This resort transforms into a holiday wonderland each year from mid-November through early January. With so many festive activities, you may need to stay overnight to do them all! Experience ICE! featuring The Polar Express, enjoy cookies and storytime with Mrs. Claus, meet Santa, go ice tubing down Snow Flow Mountain, and more. Plus, enjoy two shows in the dazzling atrium, Cirque: Spirit of Christmas and a FREE nightly light show. Don't miss the gingerbread display in the lobby.

7. Fairmont Washington, DC Georgetown

Holiday festivities at this luxury hotel kick off with the annual lighting of its courtyard Christmas tree, which includes live holiday music, kids' activities, prizes, and pictures with Santa. There's also a tree and a gingerbread village in the lobby, weekly Nutcracker afternoon teas, and a Christmas Day brunch. But the most unique holiday attraction is Santa's Suite! Guests can ride the elevator up to visit Santa in his suite, which is all decked out for Christmas. It's truly magical!

8. Willard InterContinental — Washington, DC

This downtown hotel is simply breathtaking during the holiday season. The decor—from the lit garlands wrapped around the columns out front to the towering Christmas tree in the grand lobby—is dazzling and elegant. The large gingerbread display, usually created by local culinary students, is a highlight. Each night from December 1-23, guests can enjoy free caroling performances by local choirs in the lobby. The Willard even releases its own annual holiday ornament! Splurge on a lavish Breakfast with Santa.

9. Massanutten Resort — Massanutten, VA

This massive resort with indoor and outdoor water parks and loads of other activities is a playground for all ages in every season—just read about our writer's visit to Massanutten. The resort takes things up a notch during the holidays with Light Up the Park, a stunning light display with a snowflake tunnel, an interactive orb field, an ice throne, a dancing tree show, and more. Santa will also be there on certain days. 

For an extra fee, families can also visit Splash's Workshop, where kids can build their own gingerbread house and make reindeer antlers and a Christmas ornament. Winter activities like ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing add to the winter festivities. When it's time to warm up, there's plenty of hot cocoa to go around!

10. The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City — Arlington, VA

Enjoy elegant decorations, a lobby gingerbread display, and some truly magical experiences each holiday season at the Ritz-Carlton. In 2025, the hotel is offering a Gingerbread House Workshop and Breakfast with Santa. Every Thursday through Sunday, families can enjoy an elegant Holiday Tea featuring a Teddy Bear Tea for kids with child-friendly treats, hot chocolate, and a bear for each child to take home.

Bonus: The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City is attached to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (it even has its own mall entrance) to make holiday shopping convenient!

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