Don’t miss out on the holiday fun in the DMV this holiday season. Read on below for our favorite holiday events happening in the DMV this year. 

VIRGINIA

For a full list of events happening in Alexandria check out our blog here. For other holidays throughout Virginia, check out our favorites below! 

Light Up the Night at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Mid Nov – early Jan, 5-9pm

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens – 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA

Stroll through the beautifully lit gardens, featuring themed displays and a winter wonderland ambiance. Hot chocolate and other seasonal refreshments are available to enhance the experience. Website: Meadowlark Gardens

Santa Mailbox 

Dec 1-18

Gulf Branch Park – 3608 Military Rd, Arlington, VA

Drop off a letter from your child to Santa. If you send a letter by December 18, you will receive a postcard from Santa!

Santa Train 

Dec 14

VRE – 1500 King Street, Suite 202, Alexandria, Virginia 

Every year just before Christmas, kids and their parents are given the opportunity to ride a VRE train to meet Santa and friends, who are on board to promote rail safety and Operation Lifesaver’s “Look, Listen and Live” campaign. Santa’s helpers hand out candy canes and coloring books, along with other festivity-makers. Click here for tickets.

Christmas in Middleburg  

Dec 6-8

Middleburg,VA 

Join one of the most fun-filled family festivals of the year in Middleburg with activities, special events, great eats, the famous Middleburg Hunt Review, and a mile-long Christmas parade.

Friday – O Holy Night! The Tree Lighting Ceremony and Carols, behind the Pink Box, 12 North Madison St, 5 pm on Friday.

Saturday – 8 am Breakfast with Santa

11 am Middleburg Hunt and Hounds Review

2 pm Christmas Parade

3-6 pm Spirits of Middleburg

Sunday – 2 pm Christmas Pageant

For more information check out the website here. 

WASHINGTON DC

ZooLights at the National Zoo

Nov 22 – Jan 4, 5-9pm 

The National Zoo – 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC

Experience the National Zoo transformed into a winter wonderland with over 500,000 lights, animated displays, and festive activities. There are also animal encounters and seasonal treats available. Check out ZooLights for more information.

Downtown Holiday Market

Nov 22 – Dec 23, 12-8pm

F Street NW (Between 7th and 9th Streets NW)

This outdoor market features local artisans, unique crafts, gourmet food, and live entertainment, all set in a festive atmosphere. It’s a great spot to shop for holiday gifts and enjoy seasonal treats. There also will be a central bar called the Winter Chalet (run by Dirty Habit at the Hotel Monaco), a children’s play area, and a photo station called “Chilling with My Snowmies.”

US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains  

Nov 28 – Jan 5, 10am-5pm 

US Botanic Gardens – 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 

Wonderful model trains plus an Indoor Conservatory with DC landmarks made of plants. For more information and evening/music hours check out the website here. 

National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 

Dec 5 

The Ellipse at The White House, Washington DC

The annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Ellipse features live musical performances and the lighting of the large tree as well as the 58 smaller trees representing the US states and territories each featuring ornaments created by students. If you miss the lighting ceremony, you can still see the tree every evening from December 2 – January 1. Oct 23: Free ticket lottery opens at 10am. Oct 30: Free ticket lottery closes at 3pm. November 8: Results of ticket lottery announced. Enter the lottery here!

A Holiday Pops! With Special Guest Jessica Vosk National Symphony Orchestra 

Dec 6-7, 8pm & Dec 7, 2pm  

Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center – 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 

Washington’s most dazzling holiday concert returns! Get ready to sing along, laugh, and embrace the magic of the season with sparkling renditions of your favorite holiday classics. This year, the Heritage Signature Chorale and Broadway darling Jessica Vosk—celebrated for her sold-out Carnegie Hall performances and star turn as Elphaba in Wicked—light up the festively decorated Concert Hall as special guests. Get tickets here!

The District’s Holiday Boat Parade 

Dec 7, 6-9pm 

The Wharf DC – 760 Maine Ave SW, Washington DC

Celebrate the holidays with this iconic DC event that features over 60 beautifully decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel. Event details here. 

Winter Festival & Christmas Tree Sale

Dec 7, 10am-4pm 

US National Arboretum – 2400 R St NE, Washington DC

Holiday market and family activities. Get directions here. 

Ice Rink at the National Building Museum

Dec 16 – Jan 4 

401 F St NW, Washington, DC 

Don’t miss your chance to ice skate at the National Building Museum.

National Menorah on the Ellipse

Dec 25

The Ellipse at The White House, Washington DC

Watch as the giant menorah is lit and celebrate with musical performances and special guests including the President and Vice President. Visitors will also be able to grab some latkes, donuts, and dreidels during the free event. Tickets will be available to the public on November 10th at 5pm. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – The Ghosts of Christmas Eve

Dec 23, 3pm & 7:30pm

Capital One Arena – 601 F St NW, Washington, DC

Celebrate Christmas with Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s allegorical rock opera, in a story of a runaway girl who turns her life around on a snowy Christmas Eve. Purchase tickets here. 

A Family Christmas at the Kennedy Center

Dec 15, 1 pm & Dec 24, 11am

The Kennedy Center – 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 

Don’t miss this magical holiday experience– join in on the merry tour of Christmas favorites that will have the whole family singing all the way home. Expect a visit from Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph! This one-hour concert is perfect for children ages 5 and up. Purchase tickets here.

MARYLAND

National Harbor Tree Light Show 

Nov 11 – Jan 3, evenings 

National Harbor – 165 Waterfront St, National Harbor, MD 

One of the prettiest tree lightings in the region! Plus the giant Ferris wheel is all lit up for the holidays as well. Bonus– on Saturday nights from Nov 11 – Dec 30 at 5:30pm you’ll also be able to view a free spectacular fireworks display.

Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park

Late Nov – early Jan, 5-9pm

Watkins Regional Park – 301 Watkins Park Dr, Upper Marlboro, MD

This drive-through light display features millions of twinkling lights, holiday scenes, and themed displays, making it a wonderful family outing. Some nights also include visits from Santa. Website: Watkins Festival of Lights

The City of Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival 

Nov 29 – Dec 31, 6-9pm

Seneca Creek State Park – 11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg Maryland 

This wondrous display of lights at Seneca Creek State Park will be open nightly. The 3.5-mile drive through the enchanted setting takes you past more than 450 illuminated displays and beautifully lit trees. Purchase tickets here. 

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas at the Olney Theatre 

Nov 29 – Dec 29 

Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab – 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD 

It wouldn’t be the holidays without Olney’s favorite Christmas tradition – a unique twist on a timeless classic, A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. Audiences come back season after season for Paul Morella’s captivating solo performance and masterful storytelling. Purchase tickets here. 

Montgomery County’s Holiday Festival

Dec 7, 12-5pm

This family-friendly festival features crafts, entertainment, and activities for kids, including visits with Santa. Enjoy a day of holiday fun, food, and local shopping. Website: Montgomery County Holiday Festival.

Annapolis Christmas Lights Parade

Dec 14, 5pm

This charming parade winds through the historic streets of Annapolis, featuring beautifully decorated floats, marching bands, and, of course, Santa Claus. It’s a festive way to kick off the holiday season. Click here for more info: Annapolis Christmas Parade

The Hip Hop Nutcracker at The Strathmore 

Dec 19 – 22, 8pm & Dec 21, 2pm 

Don’t miss this reimagined version of the classic story that tells the story of love and community. This holiday mash-up is back by popular demand! Follow Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince on a magical adventure set in modern-day New York City.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker features a combination of Tchaikovsky’s classic score and all-star contemporary and hip-hop dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and Kurtis Blow, one of hip-hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set. Using innovative visual effects, the production transforms the traditional 19th century German landscape of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s beloved story into a vibrant and diverse representation of modern urban life. Purchase tickets here. 

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