The delightful train display at the Botanic Garden   Happy Weekend! Quick links to posts full of ideas for local activiities: * 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 Holiday Spirit Where: Around the DC Area When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by activity We’re in the thick of the season, so embrace the holiday spirit! There’s festive fun to be had all over the area in all kinds of ways at every price point. Watch model trains buzz around a delightful display at the US Botanic Garden. See pretty Christmas trees and twinkling lights at many spots. Experience Christmas magic at National Harbor. Celebrate the season at Mount Vernon. Take a festive train ride at the B&O Railroad Museum. Check out Light Yards, the annual illuminated installation at Yards Park. Find details on all of these events and so many more in the 2024 KFDC Holiday Guide. Step Afrika! Magical, Musical Holiday Step Show Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC When: Starts Friday thru December 22 Tickets: $59-99 (look for discount) Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is one of the most vibrant holiday celebrations in town! (And we know from many years’ experience!) This fun, family-friendly performance will have you stomping your feet and clapping your hands to energetic beats from Step Afrika! and special guest, DJ Frosty the Snowman. The internationally-renowned percussive dance company has created a fantastic, contemporary holiday tradition, featuring friendly, furry characters, fun photo ops, and a festive dance party. Folger Friday: Holiday Singalong Where: Folger Shakespeare Library | Capitol Hill, DC When: Friday, 5:30–7:30pm Admission: Free Get into the festive mood at the Folger! Join a spirited night of hot cocoa, ornament-making, and general merriment. The Voice contestant (Season 25) L. Rodgers will lead holiday singalongs. Don’t be a Scrooge… don your favorite seasonal attire and bring friends and family for this holly, jolly evening! Little Critters Nature Play Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC When: Saturday & Sunday, 9:30am – 1:30pm Admission: Free Waddle, jump, or hop on down and join for some creative, drop-in play at the Zoo! This week, explore different plants and animals that live in and near ponds. Learn about some of the amazing ducks that live in the Prairie Pothole exhibit of the Bird House, explore color theory as you mix paint to create a lily pad, and discover how pond animals live together through sensory play. This program is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD When: Starts Saturday through February 10 Tickets: $12-39  (find discount) Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood updates the classic tale, sending the plucky heroine—now a red-robed little duck—and her ‘fraidy cat friend Te Jean on a perilous journey through the bayou. Along the way the pair tangle with a Big Bad Gator. Petite is no sitting duck, though, and leads her nemesis on a merry Mardi Gras chase through New Orleans. A chorus of swamp dwellers sings backup to the Zydeco-driven score in this foot-stomping musical. Recommended for ages 5+. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD When: Through January 5 Tickets: $25  KFDC Contributor Emily just saw ths how and here is what she says about it:  “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, now playing at Adventure Theater, captures the zany essence of the night if you’re a parent with little ones. This is not a cozy retelling of the classic tale. It’s a comedic spin-off with a mouse named Amos “stirring” up an adventure to save Christmas. The villian is Sir Guy of Gisbourne — a disgruntled former elf scheming to steal the naughty-or-nice list of names and gift requests to sell to a big box retailer. What ensues is anything but a traditional Christmas Eve. It’s non-stop action, drama and slapstick humor…with the same intensity of your craziest, most procrastinated evening as a parent before the big day.  The show is recommended for ages 4+ but note that there is sword fighting and some humor geared towards older ages. If your kids love silliness and theatrics, this is for them! Look for special performances that include a hot cocoa bar following the show.” Procrastinators Market Where: Kraken Kourts & Skate | Northeast DC When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm Admission: Free Do some last-minute shopping and have fun. If  you’re still doing some holiday shopping, this market has you covered.  Browse through a variety of unique gifts, handcrafted items, and delicious treats from local vendors.  Plan for some indoor pickleball and skating, too! Holiday Planes & Trains Where: College Park Aviation Museum | College Park, MD When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, 10am – 4pm Admission: $2/child, $5/adult, $4/senior Join the museum during the holiday season and experience the thrill of their annual Trains and Planes program. Meet and greet train hobbyists and go back in time experiencing the sights and sounds of their train displays. Fun with Santa Where: Women’s Club of Chevy Chase | Chevy Chase, MD When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 1pm & 2-5pm Admission: $20 Santa and Mrs. Claus will be the Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase for this holiday event, and all are invited to join! Talk with Santa and Mrs. Claus to share Christmas wishes and snap a few photos, enjoy holiday crafts & fun, and see a Lionel Train set on display. Pizza, doughnuts, and refreshments will be available for purchase. Van Ness Main Street Holiday Pop-Up Where: Van Ness, DC When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm Admission: Free Head to the Van Ness neighbrhood for their 9th anunual holiday pop-up. Vendors include over 25 local makers and artists, plus there will be a book sale going on throughout. The Vienna Singing Princesses will also be performing from 12-2pm. Upshur Street Craft Fair Where: 800 block of Upshur | Petworth, DC When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm Admission: Free The Upshur Street Craft Fair draws artists and makers from all over the DMV and features an abundance of festivities, including a Gingerbread House Contest, a Pop-Up Holiday Lounge with delicious wintery treats, amazing activities by the Upshur Street businesses, and more. Shop local and have fun! Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show Where: Carlyle Square | Old Town Alexandria, VA When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm Admission: Free Over 100 artisans, crafters, independent consultants, and other local small businesses will showcase their products, just in time for the holidays! From arts and crafts to jewelry and baked goods, to body and hair care, the vendors have perfect items for gifts for loved ones.  Even more, there will be photo ops with Santa and a Kids Corner with ornament crafting. To Be a Shakespearean Actor Family Program Where: Folger Theatre | Capitol Hill, DC When: Saturday, 11:30am – 12:30pm & 1-2pm Admission: Free Kids are invited to develop their acting skills using early modern techniques. Join the Folger team and dive into and try out Elizabethan acting styles. Then, learn about the power of Shakespeare’s words to inspire actors, trends, and riots. There are two sessions available with recommended ages: 11:30am–12:30pm (ages 4-7) and 1–2pm (ages 8-14).  Register in advance.  Read more about the Folger here. Winter Market & Seasonal Festivities Where: The PARC | Tysons, VA When: Saturday, 12-5pm Admission: Free Immerse in a festive winter wonderland and shop local this season from 15-20 local makers, artisans, and crafters offering unique gifts perfect for the holiday season. Enjoy a day filled with holiday cheer, fun family activities, and creative inspiration. Be there as we reveal the People’s Choice winner from the Create-Inspire-Empower Art Exhibit and have the last chance to see the amazing sculptures, photography, and other art pieces for the last day of this exhibit.Free, festive fun for all ages! Children’s Holiday Wonderland Concert Where: 2900 Sutton Road | Vienna, VA When: Saturday, 12:30pm & 2pm Admission: $7/advance, $10/at door Jingle and mingle with the Oakton High School Band. All families are invited to this concert for children. Join the band for music, cocoa and baked goods, crafting stations, and a visit with Santa! Model Trains & Thomas Where: Historic Vienna Train Station | Vienna, VA When: Saturday, 1-5pm Admission: Free What would the holiday season be without trains? Stop by the Historic Vienna Train Station where you can see and hear HO scale model trolleys and trains, including Thomas and some of his friends on display and in operation. The Polar Express will be running, too! A great family activity for the young and young at heart. The Vienna Depot is located at 231 Dominion Road NE in Vienna, VA. Masks required for all visitors age 2 and older regardless of vaccination status. Hand sanitizer will be available. Holiday Lights Bike Ride Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC When: Saturday, 4:30-6:30pm Admission: Free Join Hill Family Biking for a special holiday, nighttime bike ride. Adorn yourself and your bike with lights to tour some of the best holiday light displays on Capitol Hill. Glow sticks necklaces will be provided for all participants to help light up the night on this 4-mile ride that stats at Watkins Elementary School parking lot and ends at Eastern Market Playground plaza with hot cocoa and cookies provided by La Dinette DC. Caps vs Sabres Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC When: Friday, 3pm Admission: Ticket prices vary — look for deals here 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. 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: Howard women vs Army on Friday at 2pm, GW men vs Army West Point on Friday at 7pm, Howard men vs UNC Wilmington on Saturday at 3pm, and George Mason women vs Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday at 3pm. Brunch with Santa Where: District E | Penn Quarter, DC When: Sunday, 10am – 2:30pm Admission: $20 Join District E for a magical holiday experience at this brunch with Santa! A ticket includes a delicious breakfast buffet with coffee, tea, and soft drinks, a photo with Santa to capture the magic, a make your own ornament kit for a fun keepsake, and more holiday surprises! More Santa Encounters Where: Around the DC area When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by activity If you’re still hoping to hang with Santa around DC, you can find him at many places, often along with extra fun and treats. This post has a round-up of places he’ll be for the rest of the season, from free gatherings to special brunches to holiday shows to train rides to classic photo stops at the mall. JFamily Chanukah Party Where: Edlavitch JCC | Downtown DC When: Sunday, 10am – 12pm Admission: Free Celebrate Chanukah with the JFamily team! Join the EDCJCC for their annual gathering featuring music, arts and crafts, stories, snacks and more! The Chanukah party is geared toward ages 1-5 but all are welcome. A Family Christmas Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC When: Sunday, 1pm Tickets: $20-55 Bring the kids for an unforgettable holiday experience as the Choral Arts Chorus fills the concert hall with holiday classics just for them! They’ll take you on a merry tour of Christmas favorites that will have your family singing all the way home. Expect a visit from Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph! This one hour concert is perfect for children ages 5+. Menorah Workshop Where: Home Depot | 901 Rhode Island Ave NE, DC When: Sunday, 2:30-3:30pm Admission: Free How fun would it be to have a brand new, custom built Menorah for this Chanukah? Join Chabad East DC Jewish Center at the Home Depot for a menorah building workshop!  Also enjoy driedel games, chocolate gelt coins, then go home with your very own, hand-painted menorah. Be sure to register in advance! Capital City Symphony: Sing! Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center | H Street NE, DC When: Sunday, 3pm & 5:30pm Tickets: $40.25 (look for discount) The Capital City Symphony’s annual holiday concert fills the air with joyous music once again! Bring your family & friends and sing along, as the orchestra takes you on a whirlwind tour of seasonal favorites. Wizards vs Celtics Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC When: Sunday, 6pm Admission: Tickets prices vary (check for discount) The Wizards are playing at home on Sunday evening — again hosting the 2024 NBA champs, Boston Celtics. Plan on a pre-game dinner in Penn Quarter — there are plenty of family-friendly places to go in the neighborhood. Some recs: Jaleo, Carmine’s, Daikaya, Shake Shack, and Hill Country BBQ… details on these and more here. ***MORE GOOD STUFF*** * Imagination Stage has a sale going on right now for tickets to Petit Rouge on select dates, plus registration for their winter classes is open — more details here! * Starting on Monday, you can ice skate in the National Building Museum’s Great Hall (on a synthetc ice rink) as the DowntownDC Holiday Skate Spectacular runs from December 16 – January 4. * If you’re still looking for holiday gifts, the DC-inspired KFDC gift guide and the one for kids, teens, and adults have loads of ideas! (PS: Also a great time to shop for gifts here.) * How about a festive road trip?  Here are 5 fun ideas. * Just started this novel, my first by the author (though I’ve enjoyed shows based on her books), and very absorbed so far. * Such a clever light fixture… perfect for a kid’s room. * The 16 Best Cookbooks of 2024. * Apple’s most popular podcasts of 2024. * This sweater with jeans and cute shoes would make a great holiday party outfit. * The latest Tiny Desk concert is so good. * I’ve watched this so many times, and it just keeps getting lovelier.