holidays in dc

It’s that time of year when holiday events take over the town! See the posts below for all of the details:
Holiday lights, Christmas trees and holiday markets
Holiday shows, ballets and concerts
Hanukkah celebrations

**Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights**

All weekend

The Polar Express at B&O Railroad Museum
Climb aboard The Polar Express to create a Christmas memory that you and your family will cherish forever! Come in your pajamas as a family to watch the live performance of The Polar Express. Once on the train, the classic Christmas tale will be performed and little ones will have the opportunity to meet Santa and receive their first gift of Christmas! Santa’s helpers will greet you upon arrival to the North Pole, where you can take pictures with Santa and have lots of holiday fun.

Annual MERRI & Bright Holiday Market at Merriweather District
Have yourself a MERRI little holiday season with a visit to the annual Merriweather District Holiday Market. Support unique small businesses as you venture through a variety of holiday pop-ups from regional vendors. Warm up with hot cocoa from The Charmery, sip some wine in the outdoor wine chalet and enjoy carolers while checking off your holiday shopping list. ‘Tis the season to celebrate with Merriweather District!

Holly Trolley Fest at The National Capital Trolley Museum
Visit with Santa down a mile-long woodland railroad, featuring a holiday ride on 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. Come join for this special holiday event!

Arts on the Horizon: Winter Festival
Celebrate the season with Arts on the Horizon! They’re hosting a weekend of winter wonderland fun for the whole family. Come meet and greet some of your favorite AOTH characters, make winter wonderland crafts, participate in one of the interactive storytimes, share the holiday cheer in a winter-themed sing-a-long, and more!

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe at Adventure Theatre
In a two-person version of the classic tale, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy discover a secret portal to a magical world called Narnia. With an evil White Witch ruling the kingdom, can Lucy, her new friend Mr. Tumnus, and her family band together to save this land from the eternal winter?

A Year With Frog & Toad at Imagination Stage
Inspired by the acclaimed children’s books, this Broadway musical favorite follows two best friends with opposite personalities as they wake up from hibernation and enjoy hilarious adventures through the seasons. Join cheerful Frog and grumpy Toad as they eat too many cookies, fly a faulty kite, and celebrate the holidays together, learning valuable life lessons along the way. Don’t miss out on this light-hearted, musical celebration of friendship, sprinkled with nostalgia and holiday fun.

Saturday

9:00am: Holidays at the Tavern
For generations, the Great Falls Tavern at C&O Canal hosted gatherings and festivities. Join us in kicking off the winter season by exploring holiday traditions and sharing in the spirit of community, both past and present. Come enjoy a day of holiday music, crafts, and a celebration of community!

10:00am-2:00pm: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 20th Anniversary Celebration
Twenty years ago this December, our Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center opened to the public on December 15, 2003. Since then we have welcomed over 24 million people through the Udvar-Hazy Center’s doors. Join us as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Udvar-Hazy Center with a day packed full of everything you know and love about the museum. From a behind-the-scenes look at the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar to talks with curators about your favorite artifacts to hands-on activities your family will love, this event will highlight why the Udvar-Hazy Center is a must-visit destination and look forward to what’s next.

10:00am-4:00pm: Winter Festival at the US Arboretum
Join the Friends of the National Arboretum for the 3rd annual Winter Festival at the National Arboretum! Shop from local vendors at the Holiday Market and enjoy free holiday-themed family activities hosted by DC Child Care Connections. Have a hassle-free holidays and get all your shopping done in one place.

11:00am-1:00pm: 52nd Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade
Alexandria was founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants and was named after Scotsman John Alexander who owned the land that became Alexandria. Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands, as well as terriers and hounds, community groups and more.

1:00pm-4:00pm: Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland
Celebrate the holiday season on Norfolk and Cordell Avenues in downtown Bethesda with Santa Claus, live ice sculpting, live music, face painting, games and more! Please bring a new toy for Toys for Tots.

3:00pm-8:00pm: City Ridge Tree Lighting and URBN Market
City Ridge is celebrating the holiday season by hosting fun, seasonal activities all weekend long with URBNmarket. On Saturday, the celebration will culminate in a tree lighting ceremony featuring a performance and sing-along with Children’s Chorus of Washington.

5:30pm: Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Old Town Alexandria’s historic waterfront will shine for the 23rd Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon as dozens of brightly lit boats cruise along one mile of the Potomac River shoreline. Enjoy dockside festivities in Waterfront Park including a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company, food, activities and more.

Sunday

11:00am-4:00pm: City Ridge Tree Lighting and URBN Market
City Ridge is celebrating the holiday season by hosting fun, seasonal activities all weekend long with URBNmarket. On Saturday, the celebration will culminate in a tree lighting ceremony featuring a performance and sing-along with Children’s Chorus of Washington.

1:30pm-2:30pm: Dreidel Workshop at Home Depot
Do you already have a menorah for Chanukah and looking for something new?! Join us at the Home Depot for a dreidel workshop! Driedel games! Chocolate gelt coins! And your very own dreidel game to bring home!