Beltway Bambinos

The magic of Christmas begins this weekend. ICE! at The Gaylord National Resort will be a hit with your Bambino(s) as this year Frosty the Snowman is featured. Santa HQ begins this weekend where families experience the unparalleled wonder of Santa’s world in the modern and digital age. Visitors can take an ELFIE selfie and star in their own holiday video, explore Santa’s Observatory using ELF-RAY Vision, test out the ‘Naughty O’ Nice Meter,’ and enjoy a memorable photo with Santa. Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Light where the gardens come to LIGHT at night. More than 500,000 lights illuminate the trees and displays of flowers, animals, fountains, a stream, and much more.

Saturday-

10:00am-6:00pm: Museum Shop Around at Strathmore Mansion
(5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852)
Join us on a treasure hunt when the area’s finest museum gift shops bring their wares to Strathmore. You’ll find toys, jewelry, one-of-a-kind gifts—some handmade, all art-inspired—for yourself and everyone on your holiday list. National Building Museum, Brookside Gardens, Imagination Stage and National Geographic Museum are a few participating Museums. Admission $9 (Stars $8) At the Door; Cash/Checks Only.

11:00am-1:30pm: Friends of Stead Park
(1625 P Street NW, Washington, DC)
Stead Park Field Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Mayor Vincent C. Gray at 11:00am, followed by a Grand Re-Opening Festival! The Family Fun Field Day will feature games, face painting, refreshments, live entertainment, crafts and more! The Singing Lizard will be performing live at 11:45am. FREE and open to all!The Singing Lizard will perform.

11:30am-3:00pm: Thanksgiving Family Festival at American Art Museum
(Kogod Courtyard, 8th and G street NW, Washington DC 20004)
Every Turkey Day celebration needs a well-dressed table! Start at the museum and make your very own Thanksgiving Day decorations to display. Learn to contra dance with caller Anna Rain and live music with Callithump featuring Glyn Collinson,David Knight, and Andrew Marcus. Then create your centerpiece, or take a scavenger hunt in the galleries and find inspiration from America’s artists.

2:30pm: Superhero Family Yoga at Lil Omm
(4708 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016)
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a yogi superhero! Enjoy a super fun time with your kiddo as we discover our own super powers, build strength and flexibility to bring peace to the bad guys and of course, learn to fly. Ages 3-6, $30 per parent-child couple, $15 additional sibling rate. RSVP here.

6:00pm: Lighting of the Holiday Tree
(Downtown Silver Spring, MD)
Join us on the Fountain Plaza for our annual Re-Imagining the Holidays Tree Lighting Celebration. Together we will light up Silver Symphony: An impressive 35-foot-tall public art installation comprised of chimes, bells, pinwheels and ribbons! Interactive music maker station with KID Museum, face painting, balloon artistry, and strolling entertainment, Ice skating Santa from 6-9pm at the Silver Spring Outdoor Ice Rink at Veteran’s Plaza, fun Giveaways, Hot cocoa, shopping and dining specials, and more!

Sunday-

10:00am-5:00pm: Museum Shop Around at Strathmore Mansion
(5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852)
Join us on a treasure hunt when the area’s finest museum gift shops bring their wares to Strathmore. You’ll find toys, jewelry, one-of-a-kind gifts—some handmade, all art-inspired—for yourself and everyone on your holiday list. National Building Museum, Brookside Gardens, Imagination Stage and National Geographic Museum are a few participating Museums. Admission $9 (Stars $8) At the Door; Cash/Checks Only.

2:00pm: Family Circus Yoga at Lil Omm
(4708 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016)
Join the “circus” experience to set loose your inner carefree and to mine creative juices. Take a breather to discover the simple joy of romping and playing, finding games and fun ways to build connections and express yourself uniquely, from the heart. Open to families with children ages 6 and up.