Happy Weekend!
Link up to ongoing activities galore around DC:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Kid-Friendly Dining
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Indoor Action
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* The Great Indoors
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Light Up the Season
Where: Around the area
When: Evenings
Admission: Varies by locale
Twinkling lights forming enchanting displays are easily a holiday season favorite. A few opened last weekend, and several more are starting to welcome guests to their sparkling wonderlands. A few are listed in this round-up, and you can see other locations in the 2024 Guide to the Holiday Season. 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. Either way, be prepared to be dazzled!
ICE, ICE, Baby
Where: National Harbor, MD
When: Starts Friday thru December 31
Admission: Starts at $27/child, $36/adult, free/under 3
The popular holiday spectacle, ICE!, begins on Friday, and tickets are still available for opening day. This year it’s with an “A Charlie Brown Christmas” theme, and you walk through frozen holiday scenes depicting the story and slide down small ice slides — all kept at a very chilly 9 degrees. Read more about it, plus other National Harbor holiday activities, in this post from a couple of years ago.
Ice & Lights
Where: Cameron Run Park | Alexandria, VA
When: Starts Friday through January 5
Admission: Starts at $8.55, free/under 2
Glide the evening away, see illuminate outdoor displays,and enjoy more festive fun at Ice & Lights, The Winter Village at Cameron Run in Alexandria. The waterpark is transformed into a winter wonderland with an ice rink, beautifully lit photo ops, music, and more! Grab a slice of pizza, roast a marshmallow over the fire pits, and enjoy the winter village.
Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade
Where: Silver Plaza | Downtown Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Larger than life inflatable turkeys and penguins, glittering floats, marching bands, dancing groups, and Santa and his elves! Montgomery County’s annual procession is the only Thanksgiving Parade in the DC Metro area. Heralding the start of the holiday season, the parade steps off from Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street and proceeds south on Georgia Avenue, ending at Silver Spring Avenue.
Roam Free
Where: Dumbarton Oaks Gardens | Georgetown, DC
When: Throughout the weekend, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
One of my favorite KFDC tips to impart because it’s one of my favorite places in DC: From November through mid-March, there is no fee to roam the enchanting gardens at Dumbarton Oaks. Stroll among the various plats, find lovely tucked away places to sit, and get ready for delights as you turn every corner. Hours are limited, but you can make a longer day of it with play time at Montrose Park next door, a hike at Dumbarton Oaks Park right behind the gardens, or a bite to eat at one of of the many options in Georgetown. This KFDC post about Dumbarton also has some food recs, this one has more suggestions for Georgetown eats, and this one from early KFDC days has more Dumbarton info and scenes.
Holiday Kick-Off Celebration
Where: Tysons Corner Center | Tysons, VA
When: November 15, 6-8pm
Admission: Free
Join Tysons for an enchanted evening to celebrate the start of the Holiday season. Enjoy Santa’s grand arrival, holiday performances, complimentary s’mores and custom beverages, a fireworks display, retailer market, giveaways, and more, all in the midst of our expanded Enchant Holiday Light Experience sponsored by George Mason University.
Kids DIY Workshop
Where: Lowes locations around the DC Area
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Kick-off the festive spirit with this DIY-U kids’ Holiday Countdown Chalkboard workshop! Mini builders will use their creativity and building skills designing a personalized chalkboard adorned with seasonal motifs, perfect for marking the days until your favorite winter celebrations. Not only will mini builders enjoy the process of creating their own festive decor, but they’ll also learn about timekeeping in a fun, interactive way. Be sure to register in advance before Saturday!
Family Workshop: Cram Thee with Food
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 12:30pm & 1-2pm
Admission: Free
Take a bite out of Shakespeare’s words and Elizabethan table manners. Shakespeare’s plays are filled with meals, feasts, and drama-filled dinner parties. Create an imaginary feast based on modern and Elizabethan table manners and act out an interrupted dinner party from Shakespeare’s plays.Note that the 11:30am workshop is recommended for ages 5–7, and the 1pm workshop for ages 8–14. Free registration required.
Sounds of US Festival
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday
Admission: Vaies by performance (some free)
This immersive new music festival draws inspiration from America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, reflecting on values that have shaped the nation — mentorship, innovation, and the passing of traditions — to envision a brighter future. The day will be filled with nonstop music, featuring both ticketed concerts and free performances. Seethe website for specifics and to reserve tickets.
Lucketts Holiday House
Where: Lucketts Store | Leesburg, VA
When: Through December 15, Thursday – Sunday
Admission: $20-25
Join Lucketts for their fabulous Holiday Design House and decked out Store. A magical holiday event filled with Christmas shopping, fun holiday murals + photo vignettes, Vanish wine garden and more. Your ticket gets you entry to the Design House, a 19th century farmhouse that Lucketts transforms into a winter wonderland. All decor inside is available for purchase and additional surprises will take place throughout each weekend. [Note: Admission to the store and grounds are free, just the Holiday House requires a ticket.]
Six
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Through December 1
Admission: $25-99
The Broadway show started its DC run this week… Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over! Recommended for ages 10+, but everyone is welcome.
Disney’s Frozen
Where: Olney Theater | Olney, MD
When: Through January 5
Admission: $41-110
Disney has asked a select few regional theaters to take a shot at their own productions of this animated classic, and it’s no surprise that Olney Theatre Center got the call! Their production promises to deliver everything families love about the adventures of Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf, along with a unique production you won’t experience anywhere else. So get your tickets early; this promises to be a show so epic you won’t want to “Let It Go.”
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Where: Signature Theater | Arlington, VA
When: Through January 12
Admission: $59-126 (look for discount)
In one of the greatest musical comedies of all time, three households reside next to each other in ancient Rome. Just outside their doors, the exploits of a quick-thinking Roman slave, a braggart soldier, a beautiful courtesan, a lovesick young man and others devolve into uproarious chaos in a fast-paced, witty and monumental escapade. With mistaken identities, wily ruses, madcap chases, a love story, and a happy ending of course, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’s audacious and irreverent spectacle has something for everyone. Recommended for age 6+.
Spirit in the Semis
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 12:30pm
Admission: Look for resale
The Washington Spirit are headed to the NWSL playoff semifinals after winning an exciting quarterfinal match last weekend! This round, they’re playing Gotham FC for a chance to move on to the finals. Tickets are sold out, but you can check here for resale — there are good seats still available!
Disney in Concert: A Dream is a Wish
Where: Capitol One Hall | Tysons, VA
When: Sunday, 5pm
Admission: Starts at $22
Disney in Concert: A Dream is a Wish transports audiences into the musical world of classic and contemporary Disney Animated Feature films to discover that dreams really do come true. The stories of The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Aladdin, and more, are told through the talents of some of the region’s most brilliant young artists, with sweeping symphonic scores performed by YAA’s own brilliant orchestra, singers, and dancers, plus original Disney film footage.
Watch the Wizards
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Sunday, 6pm
Admission: Tickets start at $32
The Wizards are playing at home Sundayevening. Catch the action on the court as they play the Detroit Pistons. Plan on a pre-game meal in Penn Quarter — some family-friendly recs: Jaleo, Carmine’s, Reren, and Shake Shack.
U of Basketball
Where: Colleges around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The college basketball season has begun, and with so many universities in the area, there’s always some good hoops action going on — and it’s also a great time for families. Here are some games you can catch this weekend: Maryland men vs Marquette on Friday at 8pm. Georgetown Men vs Notre Dame on Saturday at 1pm. Maryland women vs Towson on Sunday at 7pm.
Savor Autumn
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The trees may be starting to lose their leaves, but there’s still plenty of autumn left in the area — and a bunch of great ways to enjoy it. This post has recommendations for where to savor the season around the DMV.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* The round-up of places offering indoor fun and games is not just good for planning a family outing; many of the spots would also be great for birthday parties!
* This time of year is lovely to visit Glenstone, the indoor/outdoor art museum in Potomac. Note that kids must be at least 12, and you don’t need to reserve tickets if you bring them, thanks to Guaranteed Entry.
* Destinations for the holiday season.
* A guide to Thanksgiving side dishes.
* Do you know these children’s books?
* Just added Orbital, the Booker Prize winner, to my to-read list.
* The very early sunset has made this a must-have for Teddy’s walks in the evenings. Other options: this and this.
* REI’s deals section is worth a browse… it icludes some great items like this duffle, these kids rain boots, and a variety of bikes.
* Have you seen My Old Ass? The sweet, funny, coming-of-age movie just started streaming (free on Prime Video, and teens could watch, too).
