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Veterans Day Weekend 2025 in DC: 15 Best Things To Do With Kids

Celebrate Veterans Day at Mount Vernon! Photo courtesy of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
Celebrate Veterans Day at Mount Vernon! Photo courtesy of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
11/5/25 - 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.

Is this weekend too early to start holiday festivities? Absolutely not! Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights starts this weekend, as does the National Harbor tree lighting. And The Nightmare Before Christmas - Live in Concert is playing for one night only—this Friday!—at Capital One Hall.

Not quite ready for the holidays yet? There are plenty of non-festive fun events. The International Spy Museum is having its 9th annual Parade of Trabants, and Flight Adventure Park in Springfield, VA is having a 10-year anniversary bash. For some musical theater, check out Chicka Chicka Boom Boom at Hylton Performing Arts Center.

And if you're still clinging to fall, this is the last weekend for the Cox Farms Fall Festival. You can also attend a Fall Festival at The Shops at Wisconsin Place in Chevy Chase, MD. 

See our DC activity calendar for even more fun things to do with kids. We add new events every day!

More Things To Do in Washington, DC this Week with Kids:

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See some cool cars at the Parade of the Trabants. Photo courtesy of the International Spy Museum
See some cool cars at the Parade of the Trabants. Photo courtesy of the International Spy Museum

Things To Do This Veterans Day Weekend in Washington, DC with Kids

Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights

Vienna, VA - Daily, November 7, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights is an elegant garden trail decorated with thousands of sparkling lights. The half-mile walk through the enchanting Meadowlark Botanical Gardens features lighted nature themes and animated displays along a paved wheelchair- and stroller-accessible trail. Stay warm by sipping on a hot beverage (with or without spirits) while walking, and enjoy s’mores to finish out the evening. READ MORE

Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Live In Concert with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra

Tysons, VA - Friday, November 7
“What’s this?” See Tim Burton’s beloved classic in its entirety like never before! Experience Disney’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” projected in stunning HD on the big screen, with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and conductor Jason Seber performing Danny Elfman’s iconic score live. Don't miss this magical evening, where the enchantment of the film and the brilliance of live music come together to celebrate the perfect blend of Halloween and Christmas! The film is rated “PG.” Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. READ MORE

Flight Adventure Park's Big Bang Bash - 10-Year Anniversary Celebration

Springfield, VA - Saturday, November 8
Join Springfield’s ultimate trampoline and adventure park for the Big Bang Bash, celebrating 10 incredible years of high-flying fun at Flight. This all-day party includes fun on Flight's attractions, a live DJ, local vendors and food trucks, raffles, and giveaways. There will also be a special appearance by former astronaut, aviation legend, and Flight advisory council member Robert "Hoot" Gibson, who will take pictures, sign autographs, and answer questions. READ MORE

Family Fun Day at Washington National Cathedral

Washington, DC - Saturday, November 8
Share the wonder of the world’s sixth-largest Cathedral with special activities tailored just for kids and families. Join hands-on activities and see demonstrations about Cathedral artforms like carved stone, stained glass, and needlepoint. Explore favorite Cathedral features on a themed scavenger hunt. Take a break at the coloring station and pop-up library cart. Stop by the incredible LEGO® exhibit to see progress and donate to add bricks to a LEGO® Cathedral model. READ MORE

Annual TPK Fall Fest and Fun Run (in Fairfax, VA)

Fairfax, VA - Saturday, November 8
Truro Preschool & Kindergarten’s annual Fall Fest & Fun Run begins with a one-mile fun run. Runners, walkers, strollers, and cheer squads are all welcome. After the run, the celebration continues on campus with a moon bounce, carnival games, face painting, a raffle with exciting prizes, and more kid-friendly activities. ​ READ MORE

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical (at Hylton Performing Arts Center)

Manassas, VA - Saturday, November 8
A beloved children's book springs to life on stage in Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical. Teeming with vibrant songs, energetic dancing, and whimsical puppets, this performance captivates kids and adults alike! Playful chaos ensues as alphabet letters race each other to climb the coconut tree, only to tumble down in a cascade of color and laughter. With plenty of audience interaction and lively performances, children will delight in exploring sound, rhythm, and reading in this fun and engaging spectacle. READ MORE

Saturday Morning Live! Presents: Capoeira with EducArte

Washington, DC - Saturday, November 8
Free
Experience the vibrant Afro-Brazilian tradition of capoeira, a blend of dance, music, acrobatics, and martial arts. Through interactive play, EducArte’s instructors introduce the audience to capoeira’s dynamic movements, drumming, and call-and-response songs, fostering creativity and cooperation in a fun, inclusive environment. READ MORE

Courthouse Fair on the Square (in Manassas, VA)

Manassas, VA - Saturday, November 8
Free
  Courthouse Fair on the Square is a free, family-friendly event featuring local agencies and organizations, food trucks, live demonstrations, and hands-on activities. READ MORE

International Spy Museum's Parade of Trabants

Washington, DC - Saturday, November 8
Free
Celebrate the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with everyone’s favorite Cold War car—the Trabant. Visitors can check out these vintage vehicles, do some graffiti Berlin-style, and try to fit in tiny spaces like those escaping East Berlin. READ MORE

National Harbor Holiday Tree Light Show

Oxon Hill, MD - Saturday, November 8
Free
Each night, families can enjoy a beautiful light show as a 60-foot Christmas tree at National Harbor lights up. On Saturdays at 5:30pm, the show is followed by fireworks. READ MORE

Cox Farms Fall Festival

Centreville, VA - Friday - Sunday, November 7-9
Cox Farms' popular fall festival includes hayrides, milking demos, slides and tunnels, swings, a corn maze, and live musical performances. Kids can also pet the animals in the goat farm, wander through the Imaginature Trail, and search for treasure in Cox's mining company. Indulge in kettle corn, caramel apples, and BBQ. READ MORE

Sunday Storytime at Planet Word Museum

Washington, DC - Sunday, November 9
Free
Join Planet Word for Sunday Storytime, a monthly program designed especially for young children and their grownups. Featuring songs and read-alouds presented by children’s librarians from the DC Public Library, Sunday Storytime is ideal for ages 2–6. READ MORE

Native American Heritage Month Celebration at KID Museum

Bethesda, MD - All Sundays in November
Throughout the month of November, KID Museum will be honoring and celebrating Native American innovators and artists with hands-on activities, exciting performances, and workshops with visiting artists. READ MORE

Mount Vernon Salutes Veterans

Arlington, VA - Tuesday, November 11
Celebrate military veterans of the United States Armed Forces at the home of George Washington. Visitors can watch 18th-century military drills, visit Washington’s Tomb, write letters to veterans, and more. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

All National Parks - Tuesday, November 11
Free
On select days throughout the year, all national parks in the United States are open to the public with no admission fee.  READ MORE

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