Beltway Bambinos

Thanksgiving Day:

Season’s Greenings at the United States Botanic Garden 
Explore botanic gardens from Hawaii to Maine in this year’s holiday show. The best times to visit are weekdays early in December or on select Tuesday and Thursday evenings in December when the Conservatory is open until 8 pm with live seasonal music. Aside from these extended holiday hours, the Conservatory is open every day of the year, from 10am-5pm, free of charge.

Volunteer with your family

ICE! featuring Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Gaylord National Resort

Bulls Run Festival of Lights
Experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights, 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car; turn out your headlights and just follow the magical glow. After viewing the lights, bring your family and friends to the holiday village to enjoy rides, refreshments, and of course, photos with Santa Claus. The festival happens annually at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, Virginia. Avoid crowds and go Mon-Thurs at a discounted rate.

Downtown Holiday Market
The 15th Annual Downtown Holiday Market returns Nov. 22 thru Dec. 23 from 12pm  to 8pm. and located on the F Street sidewalk in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery between 7th & 9th Streets, NW. Bringing a unique and festive shopping “village” to the heart of Downtown DC, the market features more than 150 regional artisans, crafters and boutique businesses of ethnically produced goods. Hundreds of diverse gift items, such as jewelry, pottery, paintings, and textiles will be offered by 60 exhibitors each day.

Merriweather Symphony of Lights
The Symphony of Lights has been a time-honored Howard County holiday tradition set in historic Merriweather Post Pavilion. 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 refreshed course, your time through the twinkling, winding path will surely be a night to remember!

Enchant Christmas at Nats Park
Unwrap new traditions and make memories big and small as you wind your way through a luminescent land of beautiful arches, larger-than-life sculptures and decadent delights. Welcome to Enchant. Where magical memories are made. 2.5 million Christmas lights in 90,000 square feet of pure holiday magic with incredible food and beverage to accompany the experience. This is the World’s Largest Holiday Light Maze and Market debuting at Nationals Park. Tickets for Enchant start at just $19.00, and include access to the 200-foot long Ice-Skating Trail, Ice Bars, Artisanal Holiday Market.

Holidays on the Harbor
Holiday movies and fireworks takes place each Saturday through December. Be sure and warm up inside the Gaylord Resort, see the hanging tree and Christmas Village and then bundle up to check out ICE!. Get your tickets in advance.

Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Bring the family to enjoy the magical Winter Walk of lights in Vienna, Virginia. The garden is transformed into a half-mile, animated walk of lights. Revisit perennial favorites such as the Lakeside Lights, the Fountain of Lights, and the Holiday Nature Walk – and look for new displays each year. Put on your walking shoes and bring the family to experience a Northern Virginia festive tradition. Round out your visit by roasting marshmallows, and sipping on hot beverages by the fire. (Available for purchase at Light Refreshments).

Go to a Movie: Frozen II, Playing with Fire and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil are a few in theaters

Need last minute Thanksgiving decor? Check out Caravan Shoppe for downloadable (send to a local print shop) interactive decorations!

Friday and beyond (the above activities as well):

#OptOutside with REI
REI thinks spending time outdoors is more important that shopping! They pay their employees to #OptOutside on Friday and invite you to join.

Zoo Lights at The National Zoo

The yetis are coming! The 8th Annual Tenley WinterFest starts this Friday,
November 29 and continues through December 7. Celebrate the holiday season with friends, neighbors, and local merchants in Tenleytown. There will be fun, seasonal events for kids and adults throughout the week.

Downtown Frederick Partnership in celebrating their annual Frosty Friday. Help spread holiday cheer with a full day of early and late shopping hours, carriage and trolley rides, caroling & , and fun seasonal activities.

Reston Town Center Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
The Reston community kicks off the holiday season with a full day celebration including a holiday parade, visits with Santa, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and more on Friday.

Christmas at Mount Vernon
Christmas past meets Christmas present at George Washington’s estate. Just as the Washingtons celebrated the holiday with family and friends, visitors can start a new tradition of visiting Mount Vernon this holiday season.

Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park
Bring a little twinkle to your holidays. Don’t miss this spectacular holiday drive-through event featuring more than 2.5 million twinkling lights! This year’s Festival features fun new displays.You won’t want to miss the giant, 54-foot LED musical tree!

Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park
The wondrous themed display of lights at Seneca Creek State Park is a 3.5 mile drive through the enchanted setting taking you past more than 450 illuminated displays and 65 animated vignettes that light up the night.

Festival of Trees
A three-day, family event featuring more than 800 uniquely decorated holiday trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses, live entertainment, over 100 gift boutiques and Santa himself. All gathered to support the children of Kennedy Krieger Institute at the Maryland State Fairgrounds.

Maryland Christmas Show at the Frederick Fairgrounds
Nothing brings back the yuletide spirit quite like the Maryland Christmas Show. Visitors from near and far will discover the joys of shopping at Maryland’s premier Christmas event. The Maryland Christmas Show, located in historic Frederick City, brings together many fine artisans and merchants to make your holiday shopping an enjoyable event. November 29, 30 & Dec. 1, 2019

Cut your own Christmas tree with this great list from Trip Savvy

Washington Capitals take on Tampa on Friday for a 5:00pm face-off

Black Friday childcare & scheduled activities