Happy Weekend!
Quick links to round-ups of mainstay DC fun:
* The Great Indoors
* Off-the-Beaten-Path DC Museums
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Inside Action
* MD & VA Museums
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Winter Breakin’
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The Winter Break from school begins for most area kids this this weekend. If you’re going to be in town and seeking ways to keep the whole gang happy (and that includes us parents), this annual KFDC guide has you covered. Find recommendations for the best things to do now, from holiday-inspired happenings to special exhibits to live entertainment to outdoor adventures to indoor action to awesome day trips… and even more.
Celebrate the Season
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
If you haven’t yet gotten your holiday spirit on, this is the weekend to do it. There are only a few more days to enjoy some of the season’s best events and activities, and the vibe is sure to be extra festive with the big day coming up. Tree and train displays, lights shows, holiday entertainment, and much more are happening around the area all weekend long. Check out the KFDC Holiday Guide for the scoop on all of it.
Holiday Marketing
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Mostly free
Several holiday markets are still open through the weekend, so if you have some gift shopping to do, considering hitting one (or more) to browse all kinds of great items and enjoy yummy treats, live entertainment at some, and great seasonal vibes at just about all of them. This section of the holiday guide has details, and there is also The Procrastinator’s Market at Kraken this weekend.
Winter Fest
Where: Song Dog Farm Distillery, | Boyds, MD
When: Friday 5-9pm | Saturday & Sunday, 12-9pm
Admission: Free
Montgomery County’s newest destination for spirits lovers, is turning up the heat for winter. Warm up around new fire pits with hot cocoa and Hot Toddies, enjoy the heated porch, or head inside to the cocktail bar and distillery. This weekend there will also be photo ops with Santa, holiday games & crafts, a photo booth, and tours and tastings. Reserve fire pits in advance or enjoy one during their visit if they’re not booked. Families, friends, and dogs are all welcome to toast the season (and get toasty)!
Winter Craft Drop-In
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: $10/adult, $7/child & senior
Beat the winter blues and embrace the cozy! Join the Building Museum to create winter-themed decorations to bring comfort, warmth, and joy into your home in a drop-in workshop included with the price of museum admission.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Where: MGM National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Friday, 8pm & Saturday, 12pm & 4pm
Admission: $41+
Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the stage in this popular and dazzling family holiday spectacular. This annual tradition wraps a whimsical, Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry into the ultimate holiday gift for the entire family!
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, you have many options! Stomp along with Step Afrika’s Holiday Step Show at Arena Stage. 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 more in the 2025 Guide to the Holiday Season.
Fun on Ice
Where: Ice rinks around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
With sunny skies and chilly temps in the forecast, it’ll be great weather outdoor ice skating — the activity will warm you up! All of the ice rinks have opened for the season, so see this post for details on all of the places you can glide the day (and night) away!
Open Studio: Artist Reflections
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Explore how artists use light, reflection, and shadow at Open Studio. This Saturday, we draw inspiration from Olafur Eliasson’s artwork Your oceanic feeling (2015) and create your own suspended sculpture. Join the museum and Boolean Girl to use LED lights and circuits to play with reflections of light and color!
Search for Santa’s Critters
Where: Potomac Overlook Park | Arlington, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: $5/child
Santa’s animal friends are lost in the park and need rescuing! Go on a scavenger hunt to locate the critters so they can help Santa deliver candy and treats for the holidays! Appropriate for families and children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Teen Studio: You’re So Gelli!
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 2:30-4
Admission: Free
Teens ages 13-19 can drop in at the Hirshhorn and dive into printmaking! Experiment with various printmaking techniques by creating a design to use over and over again. This Saturday, take in the vivid color variations in Aliza Nisenbaum’s painting Mis Cuatro Gracias (Brendan, Camilo, Carlos, Jorge). Then use gel printing plates and acrylic paint to create a vibrantly colorful work of art.
Caps Holiday Party
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Sunday, 5pm
Admission: Tickets start at $79 (check for discount)
Caps fans can celebrate the holidays with their favorite hockey team at this game against the Red Wings. There will be a vibe of holiday cheer, and maybe a special giveaway like last year.
Christmas Illuminations
Where: Mount Vernon Estate | Mount Vernon, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 5:30-8:30pm
Admission: $29-36/youth, $48-57/adult
Celebrate the holiday season at George Washington’s place, with an evening of festive lights and spectacular fireworks over the Potomac River. Talk to soldiers at an 18th-century winter encampment, and meet special holiday guest, Aladdin the Camel.
Moonshot Studio Holiday Workshops
Where: The REACH | Kennedy Center
When: Saturday & Sunday, 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a cozy night of winter wonder workshops at the Moonshot Studio, the studio within The REACH at the Kennedy Center, where you can partake in various art projects and activities. On Saturday, help Santa’s sleigh fly by building a hand-cranked automaton. On Sunday, build a candle-powered carousel. These projects are recommended for families with kids ages 7 and up.
Kids and Family Festival: Santa, Mrs. Claus, & the Grinch
Where: Shipgarten | Tysons, VA
When: Sunday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
Step into a winter wonderland of family-friendly fun and join a jolly day of festive excitement hosted by Santa, Mrs. Claus, and The Grinch. Let your little ones’ imaginations sparkle with free face painting and arts & crafts. The holiday cheer continues with live music, great drinks, moon bounces, and a full outdoor playground. Furry friends welcome, too!
Wizards vs Spurs
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Sunday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets prices vary (check for discount)
The Wizards are playing at home on Sunday evening — see if they can work some on-court magic against the San Antonio Spurs. It’s Fremch Heritage Night, and any tickets purchased here gets you a a special edition Hawaiian shirt. Plan on a pre-game dinner in Penn Quarter — there are plenty of family-friendly places to go in the neighborhood.
Night Lights
Where: Around the DMV
When: Evenings throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Visit one of many parks or city corridors in the area that has transformed into a sparkling wonderland. Some you can walk through for an up-close experience, others you tour by car. Either way, expect to be dazzled. But if you opt for a drive, 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.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* There’s a new giveaway for a chance to win tickets to the Omnium Circus coming in March!
* You can still enter for a chance to win a holiday bundle from International School of Music, too.
* The Yards DC is hosting their annual Noon Yards Eve, a family-friendly daytime New Years Eve event on December 31. Reserve free tickets!
* The 10 best movies of 2025, according to the Washington Post.
* Just watched this dramatic series and was riveted.
* Sequins + T-shirt = 👌
* Time’s Top 100 Photos of 2025
* A few last minute gift suggestions (ie, will deliver in time): A good cookbook for the chefs in your life; special mugs for sports peops; a fun, old school game; or go big with this one; something snuggly to wear; for adults, too; and something for furry family members.
* Goldbelly is also great for gifting yummy eats (or a gift card for them to choose their faves).
* And many of the ideas in the KFDC Holiday Gift Guide are experiences that can easily be bought online.
* If you also love West End Girl, this Lily Allen Brunch will make you chuckle.
* How many more versions of this article will The Onion have to publish?
