Best Christmas Events for Kids in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia

Washington, DC is a wonderful place to celebrate Christmas with kids. We are especially lucky to have such a wide selection of Christmas events and activities to choose from in Washington, DC and the suburbs of Maryland and Virginia. While you are shopping, decorating, cooking and preparing for the holiday, be sure to take some time out to make some special Christmas memories with your kids.

The Nutcracker
The Washington, DC area has a wide range of theaters to enjoy the Christmas classic ballet - the Nutcracker. Take the whole family to marvel over Clara’s Christmas fantasy when the wooden toy soldier comes alive and takes her on a magical tour of wonderful holiday adventures. For the younger crowd, check out the Nutcracker Puppet Show at the Puppet Co.

National Christmas Tree and the Pageant of Peace
The Christmas Tree in front of the White House has a special allure to us all, but to kids it’s even more magical. Be sure to get up close and watch the toy train go around the track!

Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend and Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
December 4-6, 2008. Old Town Alexandria celebrates the holiday season while hundreds of Scottish clansmen with their bagpipes gather for the traditional parade and dozens of festively decorated pleasure boats light up the sky along the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria.

ZooLights at the National Zoo
Rock Creek Park. Wednesdays–Sundays, November 28–December 30, 2008, 6 to 8:30 p.m. The National Zoo presents a display of thousands of sparkling animated Christmas lights, winter-themed crafts, ice sculpting demonstrations, choral groups, and storytellers.

Botanic Garden's Windows to Wonderland
November 27, 2008 - January 4, 2008. The exhibit is truly amazing featuring model trains and incredible replicas of Washington, DC's most famous buildings and monuments all made of real plant materials! Adults and children will be fascinated by this special Christmas-time treat in the nation's capital.

Christmas in Georgetown
December 7, 2008. From candlelit caroling to complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides, there’s something for everyone. Event begins early in the day and concludes with a Christmas Tree Lighting and Boat Parade in the evening.

Manassas Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2008. Old Town Manassas, Virginia celebrates the Christmas season each year with a weekend of old-fashioned family fun at the "Merry Old Town" celebration. Festivities include a parade, Christmas tree lighting ceremony, visits with Santa, free carriage rides and more.

Choral Arts Society of Washington: Family Christmas Concerts
December 21, 2008, 2 and 4 p.m. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC. (202) 467-4600. Washington’s Christmas concert for the whole family with lots of audience participation.

Holiday Sing-a-long at Wolf Trap Farm Park
December 7, 2008. Sing Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs with the United States Marine Band and vocal groups from the metropolitan Washington area.

The Christmas Revels
December 6-7 and 12-14, 2008. Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University. The annual Christmas Revels will be a lively French-Canadian winter celebration, featuring music, dance and dramas from the Canadian province of Quebec.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies
Various communities around the Washington, DC area light a Christmas tree, provide entertainment and invite children to visit with Santa.

College Park Aviation Museum
Santa Fly In December 6, 2008. Watch Santa fly into the historic College Park Airport and then have your picture taken with him. Enjoy holiday arts and crafts in the museum gallery as you wait.
Trains and Planes December 13-20, 2008, Miniature trains, villages, tunnels and depots spark the imagination while bringing history to life.

The Water-skiing Santa
December 24, 2008, 1 p.m. New Location this Year! This unusual annual event features a water-skiing Santa, flying elves, the Jet-skiing Grinch, and Frosty the Snowman performing on the Potomac River.

Gingerbread Workshop at the National Building Museum
December 13, 2008, 10 a.m. Build and decorate your own gingerbread house. $45 per house for museum members; $60 nonmembers. Recommended for children ages 5 and up. Prepaid registration is required. (202) 272-2448, ext. 3413.

Christmas Light Displays
Christmas light displays are beautiful and a great way to share the magic and joy of a winter wonderland. Kids will especially like the animated characters.

Discovery Theater’s Seasons of Light
December 1-23, 2008. This seasonal favorite at the Smithsonian’s children’s theater celebrates the warmth of many holidays filled with light. Learn the history and customs of Devali, Ramadan, Sankta Lucia, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Christmas, and the First Nations tradition of the Winter Solstice.

Reston Town Center's Holiday Events
This shopping center in Reston, Virginia celebrates the holidays with a holiday parade, visits with Santa, carriage rides, a Christmas tree lighting and sing-along and more.

Bethesda's Winter Wonderland
December 5-6, 2008. See a variety of entertainment and performances, a live ice sculpting presentation in and a visit from Santa Claus.

See also, The Best Places to See Santa in the Washington, DC Area