Juneteenth: Our Day of Freedom (Step into Reading)
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom
Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth
(re) discover Washington DC through the eyes of your children
April 1- April 16 : Great Country Farms Egg Hunt & Marshmallow Harvest
(18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA 20135)
After a long cold winter, nothing chases away the chill like a visit to the farm! The Easter Bunny has hidden some eggs filled with treats to enchant the children. Be sure to get advance tickets as the Egg Hunts sell out every year! Come see spring chicks and baby animals, take a wagon ride, and rejoice that it is spring! The annual Easter Egg Hunt is a $7.50 add-on per child with your paid farm admission.
April 2, 3, 9, 10, 14-17: Easter Egg Hunt at Green Meadows Petting Farm
(10102 Fingerboard Rd. Ijamsville, MD 21754)
There will be three weekends of Easter egg hunts! No pre-registration is available. Purchase your admission to the farm/hunts when you arrive. Hunts will be happening all day, between 10:30am and 3:30pm. Egg hunt areas are sectioned off according to ages 1-3 & 4-12.
April 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 18, 23, 24 Closed April 17 from 9:00am-6:00pm: Bunnyland at Butler’s Orchard
(22200 Davis Mill Road Germantown MD 20876)
Enjoy a hayride down the Bunny Trail, race the Rubber Duck Derby, hunt for colorful eggs, exchange eggs for a goodie basket to take home, visit with the farm’s very own Country Bunny, ride pedal tractors, play in Hayromp and Playground, hop in inflatables, ride the giant slides, see bunnies, lambs and chicks, get your face painted and ride a pony.
April 9-18 (various times): Egg Hunt at Clark’s Elioak Farm
(10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042)
Children of different ages (ages 1 to 3 and 4 to 6) will have a chance to hunt for eggs all day (10 AM, 10:30, 11 AM, 11:30, 12 noon, 12:30, 1 PM, 1:30, 2 PM, 2:30, 3 PM, 3:30, 4 PM, 4:30 and 5 PM) on both Saturday and Sunday April 9-10 and 16-17. On weekdays the hunts will be at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 2:30 and 3:30. Our $8 per person admission fee for the farm applies, but there is no extra charge for the egg hunt. The petting farm, rides and play areas are open for you to enjoy. When you are ready to participate in the egg hunt, come to the Egg Hunt area and your child will line up with other children and pick up eggs. The eggs will then be turned in for a goodie bag. The first egg hunt each time will be for the 1-3 year olds. Once they are finished and while they are turning in their eggs for the goodie bags, the 4-6 year olds start their egg hunt.
April 9 from 10:00am-12:00pm: Eggstravaganza! at Tudor Place
(1644 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007)
Eggstravaganza! is back. Join this spring tradition of the classic Easter egg hunt and egg roll on the South Lawn. Make crafts and take a picture with the Easter Bunny. What to bring: each child must bring a basket, hard-boiled egg and spoon to participate. The egg hunt begins at 10:30AM and the egg roll begins at 10:45AM. This is an in-person program and will take place rain or shine. Dress accordingly.
April 9 from 11:00am-2:00pm: Eggstravaganza at The St. James Sports Complex
(6805 Industrial Rd, Springfield, VA 22151)
Celebrate the Easter season! Fun for the whole family with games and prizes.
April 15 from 10:00am-12:00pm: Eggstravaganza! at Tudor Place
(1644 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007)
Eggstravaganza! is back. Join this spring tradition of the classic Easter egg hunt and egg roll on the South Lawn. Make crafts and take a picture with the Easter Bunny. What to bring: each child must bring a basket, hard-boiled egg and spoon to participate. The egg hunt begins at 10:30AM and the egg roll begins at 10:45AM. This is an in-person program and will take place rain or shine. Dress accordingly.
April 16 & 17 (various times): The Lee-Fendall House Annual Easter Egg Hunt
(614 Oronoco Street Alexandria, VA)
Find Easter eggs hidden in the Lee-Fendall garden during our popular annual egg hunt! Sessions also include crafts, games, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Sessions are offered on Saturday, April 16 at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM and on Sunday, April 17 at 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. Attendance is limited and reservations MUST be made in advance. Tickets are $15 per participating child age 2-12. Accompanying adults are $5 each and infants under 2 are free. Face masks are recommended. Bring your own basket.
April 16 from 10:00am-12:00pm: Eggstravaganza! at Tudor Place
(1644 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007)
Eggstravaganza! is back. Join this spring tradition of the classic Easter egg hunt and egg roll on the South Lawn. Make crafts and take a picture with the Easter Bunny. What to bring: each child must bring a basket, hard-boiled egg and spoon to participate. The egg hunt begins at 10:30AM and the egg roll begins at 10:45AM. This is an in-person program and will take place rain or shine. Dress accordingly.
April 16 from 10:30am-1:00pm: Bunny Hop Parade at Stead Park
(Stead Park, 1625 P Street, NW)
Join the Friends of Stead Park for the Annual Egg Hunt at Stead Park for 3 hunts. There will be games, crafts, egg hunt and snacks. The event is free with timed entries for safety. Advance registration is recommended- Register here.
April 16 from 12:00pm-3:00pm: Eggstravaganza at Lincoln Park
(East Capitol between 11th and 13th in Washington, DC)
Celebrate the Easter season! Fun for the whole family with games and prizes.
Check out these EventBrite events for more hunts in and near Washington, DC
Need Easter brunch reservations? Trip Savvy has you taken care of
Hasn’t been announced yet:
Annual Egg Hunt at Tregaron Conservancy
A Very Hoppy Easter w The Station at Riverdale Park
Ticonderoga Farms Spring Easter Festival (currently closed)
Related Posts:
Easter basket gift ideas
Spring break camps
Spring classes
Last year we did a post on Easter basket ideas and readers loved it! They were not bunny focused but had more of a ‘spring and summer are approaching’ vibe. So this year we have added some bunny inspiration and kept some of the fun spring goodies as well.
What’s a basket without some ears?:
Highlights Easter Hidden Pictures
Be Puzzled: 3D crystal jigsaw puzzle
Easter sidewalk chalk
Fuzzy Bunny & Chick
Aaron’s Thinking Putty: Speckled Egg & Hidden Pictures
Mad Libs Junior & Mad Libs
Younger Bambinos:
Taggies Lamb Toy
Find & Match Eggs
Lift the Flap Eric Carle board book
Easter themed books:
Spot’s First Easter
Would you Rather: Easter Edition
Highlights Easter Googly-Eyed Jokes
Best Bunny Book Ever
Rocket Finds an Egg
Easter Egg
Not on theme but good for spring:
Jump rope
Comic book kit
Melissa & Doug on-the-go activities are great to throw in the car or in your bag- origami activity set and felt friends sticker
Lip Smackers and sunglasses are a must
Between Mom & Me (guided journal for Mother & Son)
Watercolor paper + watercolor colored pencils
Wreck this Journal
Bath bombs (dinosaur and jungle themed are cute too)
Jeopardy (Junior Edition) Card Game is a favorite in our house!
Aerobie frisbees
Books:
The Who Was? Trivia Book
Dude Perfect 101 Tricks & Tips
The Bad Guys #1-5, #6-12
Guess How Much I Love You
The Spring Book
Shapes of Spring
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
This year President’s Day coincides with DCPS mid-winter break. We’ve got some great camps to occupy your Bambinos if you can’t take off work when they are off school. We also have a round-up of 16 ways to explore Washington, DC which always comes in handy.
Monday, February 21, 2022:
8:00am-5:00pm: Washington’s Birthday Celebration at Mt. Vernon
Celebrate the first President on the most exciting day of the year for FREE or pay admission any other day, children under 5 are free! Story time, character performances, card making, birthday cake and more. See link above for a complete list of the day’s events! Also, taking place Tuesday, Feb 22: 9:00am to 4:00pm.
9:00am-5:00pm: National Museum of the United States Army
Discover techniques used by the U.S. Army’s first spymaster: George Washington. Winning the Revolutionary War took cunning as well as courage. He built a robust spy network to learn about the enemy’s plans and best thwart them. Children ages 4-12 are invited to experiment with codes, secret writing, and spy techniques at the Experiential Learning Center. Participation is free and included with a general admission ticket.
9:30am: Harambe at BloomBars
Ten years and more than 1,600 shows later, Harambee at BloomBars has become a Washington DC institution and a cultural/moral compass for thousands of parents and youth. In Swahili, Harambe means “All pull together.” At BloomBars, Harambe is the practice of hope, possibility and compassion – basically, all the things that happen when we all come together. Think of it as your little one’s first opportunity to express his or her voice (into a microphone), dance, play a drum or percussion instrument, shout, or sing-along to songs that build character, confidence and community. With more than 10 years of experience in youth development, education and conflict resolution, program instructor Baba Ras D’s “Harambee” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children.
10:00am-5:30pm: National Museum of American History
Check out the American Presidency exhibit, The First Ladies contributions, George Washington sculpture, Star Spangled flag and anthem that plays on the second floor and more. Be sure to visit the kids Spark!Lab where they will become inventors.
11:30am: Disney on Ice
Grab your Mickey ears and get ready for non-stop fun when 50 of your favorite Disney friends come to life through world-class ice skating.
1:00pm-3:00pm: George Washington Birthday Parade in Alexandria
The largest parade in the USA that celebrates Washington’s Birthday – in his chosen hometown! It winds through a one-mile route along the historic streets of Old Town on President’s Day.
Visit:
Getaways:
What is the Super Bowl without a party?! Welp, for some the pandemic has put a damper on a big celebration but others may be having a shing-dig. Last year we watched from home as a family and had some Zoom calls to talk trash with family and friends while also betting on football squares. My favorite part aside from the half-time show and commercials are the delicious appetizers and Pinterest inspired food!
Super Bowl LVI will be the championship game of the National Football League for the 2021 NFL season. It will be played between the National Football Conference champion Los Angeles Rams and the American Football Conference champion Cincinnati Bengals. Who are you rooting for?
Decor:
-Cincinatti Bengals decor and LA Rams decor
–Football squares board
-Super Bowl decor (includes a cute banner)
-Keep it simple with this tablecloth and grab a few of these cups
Food:
–Delish has a great 80+ list of Super Bowl food to make
-This is the dessert my kids look forward to each Super Bowl
-Use these fun football bags to serve snacks
Fun:
-Grab this free printable bingo card
-Surprise them with photo booth props and backdrop fun
-Everyone loves a piñata
-For the crafty person, Good Housekeeping has a list of Super Bowl DIY crafts
-Pure Wow has a great post 15 Super Bowl party games
Recent posts:
Celebrate Valentine’s Day
2022 Summer Camp
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Milk Bar: Logan Circle & Online
Send treats so decadent they’re proven to get you a second date. Try the red velvet cheesecake cake, fudgy frosting squares, better than roses truffles and more.
Artisan Confections: Arlington, VA
Jason Andelman’s recipes creatively blend high-quality ingredients that subtly enhance the star of the show – Valrhona chocolate – considered the best in the industry. The result is a collection of smooth and creamy confections that look as stunning as they taste. These truffles are beautiful and definitely are a treat for the eyes as well as the palate.
The Capital Candy Jar: NE, DC
We continue to make all of our candy by hand in small batches. It’s sold in gourmet grocery stores, gift shops and coffee shops all over the United States but you can also have them shipped to you from their website. They have a large assortment from chocolate dipped strawberries, gummy candy and chocolates.
Neuhaus: Bethesda Row & Union Station
For over 100 years, ever since Jean Neuhaus Jr. invented the Belgian praline in 1912, all Neuhaus chocolates have been made entirely in Belgium. You can find Valentine’s boxes, truffles and chocolate collections.
Fleurir Chocolates: Alexandria, VA
Hand made artisan chocolates that are works of art made of high-quality, natural ingredients in small batches. You can purchase truffles, caramels and chocolate bars.
June B. Sweet: Chevy Chase, DC
They have a selection of Brigadeiro flavors, mini cakes and Brazilian Mousse available every day at Chevy Chase Stationary (formerly Write for You).
Henry’s Sweet Retreat: Bethesda, MD
Hot cocoa bombs, truffles, dipped chocolates and candies in addition to all of the old school candy from your childhood.
Velatis: Silver Spring, MD
Velatis has been making small batch gourmet handcrafted caramels since 1866. You can purchase caramels and toffee.
The Chocolate House: DuPont Circle, DC
The Chocolate House is a tasting room and boutique store where you can experience over 400 unique chocolate bars and confections from artisan chocolate makers and chocolatiers from all corners of the world. You can purchase chocolate gift baskets, truffles and a variety of chocolate bars.
Harper Macaw: Various locations
Harper Macaw is a fine chocolate venture founded by a Brazilian chocolate maker and a U.S. Marine Veteran with an ambitious yet tangible objective: To turn chocolate into a force for tropical reforestation. They offer a large assortment of chocolate bars, some even being aged in whiskey barrels.
SPAGnVOLA:Gaithersburg, MD
Crisoire Reid is an award winning Chocolatier and co-owner of SPAGnVOLA. She was raised in Hato Del Rey, Dominican Republic and has a passion in land cultivation and agriculture and now grows her beans there. They offer gift boxes, truffles, bonbons, hot chocolate, caramels and more.
Chocolate Chocolate: Downtown, DC
D.C.’s first independent chocolate shop, since 1984 serving chocolate from around the world.
Godiva: Various locations
Hand dipped strawberries, truffles for miles and drinks made to order.
Balduccis: Locations in Bethesda, Alexandria and McLean
This is a premiere destination for many things such as meats and cheeses. The selection of chocolates and confections is very impressive too.
Henry’s Sweet Retreat in Bethesda will have Valentine’s goodies; likely cookies to decorate.
Gifts:
Mad Libs Dear Valentine Letters
Pop-it Crossbody heart bag
Mad Libs
Giant pop-it heart
Wooden heart magnets
Decorate your own wooden heart box
Pete the Cat Valentine’s Day is Cool
Decor and games:
Year Cheer creates fun family moments instantly with holiday celebrations in a box.
46 fun and easy Valentine’s crafts from PureWow
5 Handmade Valentine’s Day gifts from KiwiCo
Spread love:
Eliana’s Light invites you and your family members, friends, and/or colleagues to participate in “Spreading Kindness”, their 7th Annual community service program in advance of Valentine’s Day. Due to the pandemic, this year’s program will again be virtual, and you can participate where you are. They welcome photos of homemade cards, poems, printable artwork for coloring pages, and songs that give uplift, hope and encouragement to children with serious illnesses and complex medical conditions. Please email items to Eliana’s Light before Feb. 10th. They also welcome donations to purchase art supplies for these families in financial need. Please make a financial donation by clicking here. Questions? Please email!
Events:
Jan. 30 & Feb. 6: Virtual Valentine’s Card Workshop
Feel the love with some Valentine fun at our latest handmade cards workshop. Perfect for virtual hang out with your gals or some cozy solo crafting time. Make one-of-a-kind cards that you can gift to your significant other or your bestie on Valentine’s Day.
Feb. 11: American Girl Valentine’s Cake Decorating
Your girl will enjoy this extra-sweet Valentine’s-inspired cake-decorating class in our store. After learning the basics of this tasty craft, girls can take their creative masterpiece home to admire—and eat with family! Each class will have an on-trend cake-decorating theme as well as two facilitators to help girls with any decorating questions they may have. Girls will leave with their personalized cake, plus each girl will receive the “American Girl Baking Cookbook.”
Feb. 13: Laurie Berkner Virtual Valentine’s Day Concert
2 shows: 12p & 5p ET! Join Laurie Berkner for an 80+min LIVE interactive, virtual performance (plus pre-show!) for the whole family! Sing, dance, & play games through your device with Laurie as she performs fan favorites and Valentine’s songs, interacts with you through the screen, & brings in a few surprises – from her house to yours! Your ticket gives you access to BOTH shows (12p & 5pET) and helps the LBB team continue operations while we can’t tour! You can purchase a meet & greet add-on above. Group rates available, email to inquire. Please note there will now be a 15% service fee added to tickets, which supports the wonderful folks at the platform that hosts our events.
Feb. 13: Paint & Sip at AU Prosper
When was the last time you did something special with your children just to make memories? There’s going to be free food & drinks, music (DJ) , love, and happiness. The event space is made up into two sections one will be the Dance floor and the other will be holding the Paint and Sip. Come and make memories with us!! You’ll have a blast!!!
Feb. 14: All Fired Up
Reserve a table for two on February 14 to paint with your sweetie. Bring your wine and enjoy a relaxing and fun experience being creative at All Fired Up. When you visit us you can choose from pottery painting, mosaics, fused glass, and acrylic painting.
Local:
Chaia Tacos For one day only, our tacos will be served in our fresh, home-made tortillas made Valentine’s Day-festive with a dash of beet root powder!
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do… you have to keep moving forward.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The National Museum of African American History & Culture has a great resource complete with activities for children and families to learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr. and what he stood for. It also includes talking points to start a conversation with kids about racism and activism.
We encourage you to volunteer with your family in whatever capacity fits your needs as we celebrate the legacy and life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Visit: Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial and Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Library. After a recent library renovation, you’ll be amazed you are in a library; complete with a recording studio, dance studio, an indoor slide and a rooftop terrace.
Children’s books about Martin Luther King, Jr. and marches:
Let the Children March
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sometimes People March
I am Martin Luther King, Jr
All weekend
Rock Creek Park, in partnership with Rock Creek Conservancy will host the 12th annual MLK Weekend of Service in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy of community action. With service events planned at Rock Creek Park and throughout the Rock Creek watershed, we invite our neighbors to join us and help their communities by picking up litter and removing invasive species from our beloved public green spaces! Service events will take place Saturday, Jan. 15, through Monday, Jan. 17, with several opportunities for community members to get involved throughout the watershed.
Join visiting artist, Sarah Matthews, and learn how to create your own stamps to design and print uplifting posters to hang in your community at MLK Days at Anne Marie Sculpture Garden. Make two posters: one to leave at the Garden and one to hang in your favorite gathering spot. This project is inspired by Dr. King’s quote, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” This event is free but RESERVATIONS REQUIRED; masks required; activity stations will be socially distanced.
Sunday
10:00am-3:00pm: FUTURES We Dream Family Day
Calling all young FUTURES agents: do-gooders, plant lovers, tree huggers, citizen scientists, activists, advocates, creators and makers. Help us celebrate the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream with a day full of hope, justice seeking and collaboration. Learn about the Smithsonian’s 175 years of changemaking and reckoning with our history on the SI Story wall. Join family-friendly guided tours exploring social justice and more equitable futures at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm. Take inspiration from Dr. King’s speeches and many other future thinkers to craft your inspirational messages for the future you dream in drop-in workshops at 11:00 am and 1:00pm. Pop in for hands-on activities for our youngest future makers throughout the day. Celebrate your voice, and speak out for your dream.
Monday
DC Public Library events
From an Advocate Speech Contest, Essay & Poetry, Word Searches and more at various libraries.
Come experience the National Parks for free on January 17! National parks are America’s best idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. The others are free all the time. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.
9:30am: MLK Jr Peace Walk
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Peace Walk is held annually on the federal MLK holiday. The Peace Walk is coordinated by the Coalition for Peace, a group of individuals and non-profits dedicated to peace and positivity for the Washington DC metropolitan communities. Over a thousand ‘Peace Walkers’ join annually in the two-mile walk along MLK Ave in Southeast DC. Notable previous year attendees include Nick Cannon, Mayor Muriel Bowser, former Mayor and Current Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray, radio personality Donnie Simpson, music virtuoso Blake Miles Hopkins, and the late civil rights legend Dick Gregory who spoke at the beginning and end of our 2014 Peace Walk.
10:00am-1:00pm: Clean Waterways Cleanup: MLK Day of Service 2022
This collaborative event celebrates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the memory of Joseph Glover, Founder, and Chair of Pope Branch Park Restoration Alliance. 9:30 AM Registration, 10:00 AM Welcome and safety talk, 10:30 AM – 1:00PM Cleanup. All equipment is provided, please wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Rain or Shine. All supplies provided.
10:00am: Virtual MLK Dare to Dream Day
Join in a free celebration honoring one of history’s greatest visionaries. Now accepting submissions for the Open Mic and Poetry Slam. Videos to be shown on AVAM social media.
12:00pm: 49th Annual MLK Jr Day Virtual Celebration
A virtual interactive event will be added to the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. This event will be hosted by Harmony’s African American Legacy Organization (HALO), which was founded by a quartet of African American singers, who broke ground as the first quartet of African American singers to compete on the international contest stage of any of the major barbershop organizations. The organization utilizes singing and the active listening experience of barbershop music as a framework for conversations concerning socio-political issues like racial equity. Programming is developed by artistic directors that include a Board-Certified Musical Therapist and a Board-Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker. As part of this event, The Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Award will be presented by the Human Rights Commission to a student at a Rockville high school who has worked to fulfill King’s dream in either their school or the community. Rockville’s Channel 11 will air a video recap of past MLK events (details on how to tune in are forthcoming).
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
We are thankful for some fun options that our Bambinos can participate in safely this NYE. Perhaps our kids stay up until midnight and watch the ball drop this year, because why not?! Or maybe we order from a local restaurant to show our support and set it up at home like we are dining out at a fancy eatery. Whatever you choose, we wish you a happy and healthy 2022 and are so thankful to have spent another year sharing adventures and events with you all.
10:00am-2:00pm: Midnight Noon
Everyone’s favorite ball drop before bedtime is back! Count down to the new year at the Maryland Science Center’s annual Midnight Noon celebration! Enjoy loads of festive activities that will get you in the mood to celebrate. Explore all three floors of hands-on science exhibits. Rock out to the bright and exuberant tunes of Marsha and the Positrons, and help us ring in the New Year with a noontime ball drop! All activities are free with paid admission or membership.
10:00am-1:00pm: Noon Yards Eve
Ring in 2022 at Noon Yards Eve! Come enjoy complimentary family-friendly activities for kids of all ages, including train rides through The Yards, an inflatable slide, glitter tattoo artists, carnival games, music by DJ Alex Love and The Uncle Devin Show, crafts, a magician, and more! The event will culminate with a countdown and celebration at noon to ring in the New Year! Register here.
10:00am-1:00pm: Noon Time New Year: Rock the Boat- Morning Play Session at Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Meet Seashell the Mermaid, jam out to music provided by a special DJ, listen to a fun winter-themed story during Tot Tales, watch Greg May do circus performances and stilt walking and Countdown to Noon at 12:00pm. The Countdown to Noon will be happening during the Morning Play Session ONLY.
10:30am-1:00pm: Noon Year’s Eve at The St. James
Ring in the New Year with a New Year’s Eve kids party in the active entertainment center. Super, Awesome & Amazing will feature a magician, DJ, photo booth, face painting and an epic count down at noon. We’ll have a few desserts and snacks and juice and water for the kids in case they get hungry. Children 2-and-under are FREE. Parents do not need to purchase tickets but need to register when signing up a child. Parents will have access to a cash bar. Tickets are limited and may sell out prior to the event. If available, ticket prices will increase and be available for purchase at the door.
11:00am-9:00pm: Christmas at the Gaylord
There is no better way to celebrate Christmas than gathering your family at Gaylord National. Explore acres of twinkling lights and decorations and hours of exciting holiday activities, shows, and events, including our Gaylord Hotels Original Experience, I Love Christmas Movies™ featuring five beloved films. See this list of all of the fun activities.
12:30pm: Tunes with Tim Livestream Countdown to New Year’s Eve
Sing and dance your way into 2022 with Tunes with Tim & Monica+Andy! No, you don’t need to keep the kiddos up until midnight — our countdown to noon concert will be a hit! This virtual event is free but advanced registration is required.
3:00pm-4:00pm: Story Pirates New Years Bash
DJ Squirm-a-Lot is throwing his annual New Year’s Eve Bash, and he wants to celebrate with the whole world! That’s why he’s inviting you to his 2022 Bash on the moon, where he can launch a fireworks show so big everyone will be able to see it back on Earth. Join us for fun, games, special guests from the Story Pirates Podcast, and a big New Year’s Eve party that definitely WON’T be interrupted by DJ Squirm-a-Lot’s old nemesis Yorma the Ice Dragon, who is definitely NOT living on the moon now, and definitely WON’T be mad at having her peace and quiet broken by a New Year’s Eve party.
5:30pm-7:30pm: Midnight at 7 at Merriweather Symphony of Lights
The Symphony of Lights has been a time-honored Howard County holiday tradition enjoyed by many for over 25 years. Set in historic Merriweather Post Pavilion and made up of more than 300,000 bulbs, this family-oriented spectacular is a dazzling display of larger-than-life animated and stationary holiday light creations. With the addition of new lights (and a 150 foot screen!), your time through our refreshed course guarantees a night to remember. Midnight at 7 is a walk-through experience and there are no cars permitted.
6:00pm-10:00pm: Light Yards
The larger-than-life light installation of Light Yards 2021 will feature illuminated, 22 feet tall trees trimmed top to bottom in holiday decor and festooned lights that will cast The Yards’ Sun Deck with beautiful, colored patterns. This light-filled wonderland is the perfect place for the whole family to get in the holiday spirit and snap some Instagram-worthy pics, or wander before or after drinks and dinner at one of The Yards’ 20+ eateries. The installation was designed by Australian artist studio Amigo & Amigo and will be crafted locally in Baltimore. Amigo & Amigo created last year’s popular Light Yards installation of ‘fallen stars’. The installation is FREE and open to all.
7:00pm: NYE 80’s Glow Party at Jammin Java
All ages are welcome. If you love the 80’s, this is the place to be for NYE! Put on your favorite 80’s neon and bright colors so you will GLOW, tease up your hair with that bottle of AquaNet that we know you still have, and let’s welcome in 2022 with a totally rad 80’s “GLOW” party!!!
Year Cheer can help you get in the celebrating mood, while supplying fun decorations and games in a box that is delivered to your doorstep. We are big fans of the curated boxes and love supporting a local Mom!
Also, don’t forget about ice skating, holiday light displays and checking off ideas from our winter bucket list.
Family friendly events happening through January 2:
Winterfest at Adventure Theatre
Get three winter-themed shows for the price of one! Adventure brings favorites from the digital Jingle in July festival to the live stage. Playing through Jan. 2, 2022.
The Nutcracker on Strings at The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo
Join the Puppet Co. for our 33rd annual The Nutcracker! This time honored seasonal celebration includes Tchaikovsky’s familiar story of Clara and her prince, with some Puppet Co. nursery rhyme spin. Playing through Jan. 2, 2022.
Enchant Christmas: The Mischievous Elf is at Nationals Park through January 2, 2022. The magical World of Enchant is filled with dazzling displays that feel like they come right out of a childhood Christmas dream. Marvel at the 100 ft. animated tree, glide across the glistening Ice Skating Trail, pose for photos with Santa himself, and sip and savor delicious festive holiday treats every step of the way. Become part of the magical Christmas story of “The Mischievous Elf”. Eddie the elf has misplaced some very important gifts and needs your help finding them within the North Pole’s dazzling lights. Will you come and help save Christmas?
(First Night Alexandria- Cancelled)
logo design courtesy of New Leaf Design