A Dino-Mite exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden!
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!
Posts full of ideas for mainstay DC activities:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* The Great Indoors
* Off-the-Beaten-Path DC Museums
* MD & VA Museums
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Inside Action
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Thanksgiving Day Play
Where: Around the DC area
When: Thursday (and beyond)
Admission: Varies by activity
How about a side of recreation to go with your Thanksgiving meal? If you’re looking for pre- or post-feast activities, this post suggests some ways to complement the main event of the day.
Season’s Greenings
Where: US Botanic Garden | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Starts Thursday through January 5
Admission: Free
DC’s most popular holiday attraction just opened for the season. The highlight is the garden railway, which never fails to impress and enchant with intricate, imaginative designs — all of them constructed of plant materials. A pollinator theme is back this year, and it’s adorable — kids will love seeing model trains chug around The conservatory exhibit features Washington landmarks also constructed from plant materials with some new ones added this year.
Let There Be (Holiday) Lights
Where: Around the DMV
When: Evenings throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Twinkling lights forming enchanting displays are easily a holiday season favorite. Several parks and gardens in the area have transformed into sparkling wonderlands. Some you can walk through for an up-close experience, others you tour by car. If you opt for the latter, dress the kids in PJ’s, turn up the holiday tunes, and bring along a thermos of hot chocolate — it doesn’t get much cozier than that.
DowntownDC Holiday Market
Where: 8th & F Streets NW | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The holiday market in the heart of Penn Quarter is festive as ever, and great to walk around with the fam. Browse a variety of vendor booths along the bustling, closed-to-traffic street, and enjoy some bites and treats and photo ops, to boot. After you’ve done your shopping, you can pop into the National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum that are literally right next to the market.
#OptOutside
Where: Around the DC area
When: Friday (or anytime)
Admission: Varies by locale
This initiative started by REI a bunch of years ago was so good it became one of the most popular hashtags… Skip the Black Friday shopping (or do it off-hours online) and get out to enjoy some family QT outdoors. You’ve got your pick of places around the DC-Metro for adventures in the fresh air. Take a hike, hit a playground, explore a garden, or see what else there is to do al fresco in this post with loads of inspiration for fun in the sun.
Shakespearean Feast
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am-12:30pm & 1-2pm
Admission: Free ($3 suggested donation)
Take a bite out of Shakespeare’s words and learn Elizabethan table manners! Shakespeare’s plays are crowded with feasts and drama-filled dinner parties. Create an imaginary feast based on table manners and act out an interrupted dinner party from a Shakespeare play. There are two sessions available with these recommended ages: The 11:30am session is recommended for ages 5-7, the 1pm for ages 8-11.
Native American Heritage Day
Where: American Indian Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Friday, 11:30am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Learn about the art and power of the Hoop Dance with performances (11:30am, 1:30pm, & 3:30pm) by award-winning dancer Joseph Secody. At 12:30pm and 2:30pm, join curator Anya Montiel for a closer look at the museum’s special installation Making a Statement, featuring custom Gucci gowns worn by actress Lily Gladstone at the 96th Academy Awards.
Winter Wonderfest
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Starts Friday (through December 30)
Admission: $29.50
Celebrate the season at Nationals Park as the stadium transforms into a Winter Wonderfest of all things thrilling, chilling, and fantastically fun. A variety of family-friendly activities located on the Nationals Park field include a 100’+ ice slide, the Polar Lights Pavilion, a mini train ride, LED SeeSaws, a 9-Hole Frosty Fairways, the Snowball Showdown, Snowflake Studio featuring local artists, and a 21+ area if you opt for a KidFree night.
Caps vs. Maple Leafs
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Friday, 5pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary (check for discounts)
Watch some sports action on ice. The Caps are hosting the Islanders on Friday afternoon. Plan on a pre-game lunch in Penn Quarter — there are plenty of family-friendly places to go in the neighborhood — or check out the DowntownDC Holiday Market, right across from the arena.
DIY Workshop: Teddy Bear Ornament
Where: Home Depot locations
When: Saturday, 9am
Admission: Free
Get ready for the holiday at this workshop! All supplies are provided, including a little apron, and kids get to keep their craft along with a certificate of achievement and collectible pin. All attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. Register in advance.
Holly Trolley Fest
Where: National Capitol Trolley Museum | Colesville, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10:30am – 5pm
Admission: $12.75
Explore a unique DC area museum this holiday season. Visit with Santa down our mile-long woodland railroad, featuring a holiday ride on our historic street cars. In addition, enjoy a holiday model railroad display in collaboration with the Washington, Virginia, & Maryland Garden Railway Society, crafts for children, photo opportunities, and more. Reservations required.
Small Business Saturday
Where: Around the DC area
When: Saturday
Admission: Free, but plan to buy & support local
If you’re planning to do some holiday shopping this weekend, make a point of going to local, independent stores, both to score great, unique gifts and to support people and places that help make our communities thrive. The KFDC Holiday Gift Guide: DC-Inspired has all kinds of suggestions for gifts from many local businesses.
12th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
Where: CityCenter | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 5-7pm
Admission: Free
Kick off the holiday season at CityCenterDC’s annual holiday tree lighting. The evening will include a joyful music performance by headliner, Jordin Sparks, alongside the incredible American Pops Orchestra, balloon artists, face painters, holiday treats and more. NBC4’s Eun Yang will host the official tree lighting ceremony and countdown. Enjoy the dazzling 75-foot tree, visit two resident 25-foot reindeer, and capture the spirit of the holidays with a photo under the Palmer Alley Dream Closet art installation!
Holiday Tree Lighting + Santa Firetruck Parade
Where: Mosaic District | Fairfax, VA
When: Saturday, 6pm
Admission: Free
Welcome the arrival of the holiday season at Mosaic with a merry and bright tree lighting. Experience the Jolly Man as he spreads holiday cheer and makes his way through Mosaic on a firetruck and greets onlookers. Visitors can also meet and greet Santa in the Target lobby after the tree lighting and enjoy live entertainment from 6-9pm and a holiday parade from 6:30-6:50pm. The Tree Lighting is at 7pm.
Frosty the Snowman
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am & 2pm
Tickets: $28
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.
More Holidays on the Stage
Where: Local theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
If you’re looking for holiday-inspired entertainment to get into the spirit, it’s starting! The Nutcracker at the Warner Theatre is a classic that will enchant audiences of all ages. Or take littles to see a version on strings at The Puppet Co. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead Scrooge on A Christmas Carol journey at Ford’s Theatre. Get details on these shows and see what else is coming up soon in the 2025 Guide to the Holiday Season.
Fiddler on the Roof
Where: Signature Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: Fri, 8pm | Sat, 2pm & 8pm | Sun, 2pm & 7pm
Tickets: $47-133 (look for discount)
The iconic musical gorgeously staged like never before in Signature’s intimate setting. Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman, his family and their tightknit community honor tradition but must contend with a changing world and a rise in anti-Semitism at their home in Czarist Russia. The glorious score with songs “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” and “Matchmaker” unite with exquisite dance in this classic of the musical theater canon filled with humor, heart – and life. Recommended for age 13+.
Wicked Kids and Family Festival
Where: Shipgarten | Tysons, VA
When: Sunday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a day of family-friendly excitement as Wicked hosts this kids and family festival. Bring the whole crew for fun, including face painting and arts & crafts for little ones. There’s also live music, great drinks, moonbounces, and a full outdoor playground to ensure everyone has a blast. Dogs are welcome, too, on-leash or in the off-leash dog park.
Ice It
Where: Ice rinks around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
With sunny skies and cool temps in part of the forecast, csome of the upcoming days should be great for outdoor ice skating. Many ice rinks have already opened for the season, and at east one is opening this weekend. See this post for details on all of the places you can glide the day (and night) away!
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* There are a LOT of holiday happenings coming up over the next month, so be sure to read the 2025 KFDC Guide to the Holiday Season to help plan your fun and reserve tickets.
* Woolly Mammoth theatre is hosting a special Childcare Matinee performance of ho ho ho ha ha ha ha on Sunday, December 7, at 5pm. This childcare is for age groups 3-5 and 6-12 and will feature special workshops at Woolly so guardians can enjoy the performance. Sign up here. (Note that show tickets are purchased separately — use code HOHOCARD to get $5 off!)
* There’s a Family Workshop coming up at he National Museum of Asian Art next weekend. They often fill up, so save your (free) spot soon!
* If you’re doing some online holiday shopping, start with this list of great Black Friday sales.
* NPR’s 2025 Books We Love.
* I just added this novel and this one to my to-read list.
* Breaking news! (Haha.)
* I put together another Thanksgiving playlist, if interested. It’s a random mix that includes songs I or my kids liked from the last year, some past faves, and a few oldies but goodies as a nod to my dad ❤️ (Here’s last year’s playlist.)
* This essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, daughter of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, about her terminal cancer diagnosis is heartbreaking but poignant…and very much worth a read.
