Don’t miss the festive, fun DowntownDC Holiday Market   Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!  Posts full of ideas for mainstay DC activities: * The Great Indoors * Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums * Kid-Friendly Dining * Indoor Action * Best Outdoors in the DC Area * Local Hikes with Kids * Baltimore with Kids * Bike Rides * Stunning Spaces * Peaceful Places Thanksgiving Day Play Where: Around the DC area When: Thursday (and beyond) Admission: Varies by activity How about a side of recreation to go with your Thanksgiving meal? If you’re looking for pre- or post-feast activities, this post suggests some ways to complement the main event of the day. #OptOutside Where: Around the DC area When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by locale This initiative started by REI a bunch of years ago was so good it became one of the most popular hashtags… Skip the Black Friday shopping (or do it off-hours online) and get out to enjoy some family QT outdoors. You’ve got your pick of places around the DC-Metro for adventures in the fresh air. Take a hike, hit a playground, explore a garden, or see what else there is to do al fresco in this post with loads of inspiration for fun in the sun. Season’s Greenings Where: US Botanic Garden | Capitol Hill, DC When: Through January 5, 10am – 5pm Admission: Free DC’s most popular holiday attraction just opened for the season. The highlight is the garden railway, which never fails to impress and enchant with intricate, imaginative designs — all of them constructed of plant materials. A pollinator theme is back this year, and it’s adorable — kids will love seeing model trains chug around  The conservatory exhibit features Washington landmarks also constructed from plant materials with some new ones added this year. Let There Be (Holiday) Lights Where: Around the DMV When: Evenings throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by locale Twinkling lights forming enchanting displays are easily a holiday season favorite. Several parks and gardens in the area have transformed into sparkling wonderlands. Some you can walk through for an up-close experience, others you tour by car. If you opt for the latter, dress the kids in PJ’s, turn up the holiday tunes, and bring along a thermos of hot chocolate — it doesn’t get much cozier than that. DowntownDC Holiday Market Where: 8th & F Streets NW | Penn Quarter, DC When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, 12-8pm Admission: Free The holiday market in the heart of Penn Quarter is festive as ever, and great to walk around with the fam.  Browse a variety of vendor booths along the bustling, closed-to-traffic street, and enjoy some bites and treats and photo ops, to boot. After  you’ve done your shopping, you can pop into the National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum that are literally right next to the market. Caps vs. Islanders Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC When: Friday, 3pm Admission: Ticket prices vary  Watch some sports action on ice. The Caps are hosting the Islanders on Friday afternoon. Plan on a pre-game lunch in Penn Quarter — there are plenty of family-friendly places to go in the neighborhood — or check out the DowntownDC Holiday Market, right across from the arena. Holiday Tree Lighting + Santa Firetruck Parade Where: Mosaic District | Fairfax, VA When: Friday, 6-9pm Admission: Free Join the Mosaic District to welcome the arrival of the holiday season with a merry and bright tree lighting. Bring your family and friends to experience the Jolly Man’s arrival on a firetruck. Visitors can also meet and greet Santa in the Target lobby after the tree lighting and enjoy live entertainment from 6-9pm and a holiday parade from 6:30-6:45pm. The Tree Lighting is at 7:15pm. Small Business Saturday Where: Around the DC area When: Saturday Admission: Free, but plan to buy & support local If you’re planning to do some holiday shopping this weekend, make a point of going to local, independent stores, both to score great, unique gifts and to support people and places that help make our communities thrive. The KFDC Holiday Gift Guide: DC-Inspired has all kinds of suggestions for gifts from many local businesses. Holly Trolley Fest Where: National Capitol Trolley Museum | Colesville, MD When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 5pm Admission: $10.75  – $12.75 Explore a unique DC area museum this holiday season. Visit with Santa down our mile-long woodland railroad, featuring a holiday ride on our 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. Reservations required! College Hoops Where: Universities around the DMV When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Ticket prices vary The college basketball season has begun, and with so many schools in the area, there’s always some good hoops action going on — and it’s also a great time for families. Here are some games you can catch this weekend: * GW men vs Virginia Military Institue on Friday at 2pm * Howard men vs Mount St. Mary’s on Saturday at 12pm * Maryland women vs George Mason on Saturday at 3:30pm (Navy Classic Tourney) * Georgetown men vs Albany on Saturday at 4pm * Maryland men vs Alcorn State on Sunday at 12pm * Howard women vs. Georgetown on Sunday at 2pm * American men vs Notre Bame of Maryland on Sunday at 4pm Ice It Where: Ice rinks around the DC area When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by rink With sunny skies and cool temps in part of the forecast, csome of the upcoming days should be great for outdoor ice skating. Many ice rinks have already opened for the season, and at east one is opening this weekend.  See this post for details on all of the places you can glide the day (and night) away! 11th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Where: CityCenter | Downtown DC When: Saturday, 5-7pm Admission: Free CityCenterDC’s annual holiday tree lighting will include a joyful music performance by headliner, Jordin Sparks, alongside the incredible American Pops Orchestra, balloon artists, face painters, holiday treats and more. NBC4’s Eun Yang will host the official tree lighting ceremony and countdown. Enjoy the dazzling 75-foot tree, visit two resident 25-foot reindeer, and capture the spirit of the holidays with a photo under the Palmer Alley Dream Closet art installation! Holidays on the Stage Where: Local theatres When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by venue If you’re looking for holiday-inspired entertainment to get into the spirit, it’s starting!  The Nutcracker at the Warner Theatre is a classic that will enchant audiences of all ages.  Or take littles to see a version on strings at The Puppet Co.  Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead Scrooge on A Christmas Carol journey at Ford’s Theatre. Get details on these shows and see what else is coming up soon in the 2024 Guide to the Holiday Season. Makers’ Market and Free Community Day Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts | Downtown DC When: Sunday, 10am – 5pm Admission: Free — reserve a spot he first Sunday of the month is Community Day at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Visit with free admission to the museum and exhibitions, and this weekend, check out a makers’ market in the Great Hall to shop from vendors that highlight women and gender-expansive makers and businesses selling handmade jewelry, art, ceramics, and vintage finds. You can also join NMWA educators in the studio, for free, self-directed drop-in art-making activities inspired by artworks on view. Chocolate Binge Festival Where: Downtown Annapolis, MD When: Sunday, 11am – 4pm Admission: $5, free/12 & under Everyone loves chocolate and Annapolis will be celebrating by filling West Street with all things chocolate to help chocoholics get through the holiday season. Prepare your sweet tooth with an afternoon of chocolate decadence as over 20 local and regional chocolatiers vend their specialties, plus make s’mores at a bonfire in the street, and enjoy hot cocoa. The Festival will also feature family friendly entertainment, lots of holiday shopping, and the lighting of West Street’s BGE Holiday Light Canopy. Toy Story Hosts Kids & Family Festival Where: Shipgarten | Tysons, VA When: Sunday, 12pm Admission: Free Step into a world of family-friendly fun fo this Toy Story. themed festival. Bring the whole crew for an unforgettable experience. Little ones can enjoy FREE face painting and arts & crafts, plus there’s live music, great drinks, moonbounces, and a full outdoor playground to ensure everyone has a blast. Dogs are welcome, too, on-leash or in our off-leash dog park. ***MORE GOOD STUFF*** * There are a LOT of holiday happenings coming up over the next month, so be sure to read the KFDC Guide to the Holiday Season to help plan your fun and reserve tickets. * If you’re doing some online holiday shopping, start with this list of great sales — several new ones have been added. * For some active fun and a challenge with the kids this weekend: Sportrock Climbing Centers have special (extra) hours, plus no-school camp on Friday. * I read that this is the new hot toy for kids (and can see why)! * And these 3-D puzzles for adults look so cool. * Ideas for Thanksgiving leftovers. * Just got this splurgy item for my birthday, and it really is as amazing as they say! It’s currently on super sale, so now is the time to go for it if you’ve been coveting or want to gift it. * The New York Times’ 100 Notable Books of 2024. * How about a castle stay for you next vacay? * A Thanksgiving playlist I threw together (kind of random, but maybe you’ll like it). * Wicked Thanksgiving lol