KidsOutAndAbout's big list of 2025 holiday events for the DMV: Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.

In Encore Theatrical Arts Project’s newest holiday musical, The Christmas Wish, Daniel has no time for Christmas magic: he has to save his hotel from closing! But when Felix, a wish-granting visitor from the North Pole, gets mistaken for the hotel’s highly anticipated Christmas Consultant, Daniel’s perfectly planned life is thrown for an exciting holiday loop! The Christmas Wish is a dazzling holiday musical adventure for audiences of all ages! Playing the Richard J. Ernst Theater at the NOVA Annandale Campus, December 13-14th and 19-21st. For tickets ($27 - $40) and Girl Scout program details, visit www.encore-tap.org.

Make this holiday season one to remember. Now through the entire month of December, The Nutcracker returns to the historic Warner Theatre. Whether you are surprising loved ones with an evening out or planning a family celebration, The Nutcracker offers the kind of magic that brings generations together. Premium seating includes extra-wide plush chairs, in-seat wait service, early lounge access, and complimentary parking, a gift that everyone will appreciate. Our concierge team ensures your evening feels seamless from start to finish, so you can focus on what matters most, spending time with the people you love. Gather your family and friends, select your night out, and share the joy of The Nutcracker at the Warner Theatre. The best seats in the house are filling quickly. Learn more and view dates here. Questions? You can reach Maryclaire Griffin at 202-626-8255 or maryclairegriffin@livenation.com.

The Washington, D.C. metro area offers a delightful selection of Christmas tree farms that bring the magic of the holiday season to life. Families can enjoy the cherished tradition of selecting the perfect tree while exploring picturesque landscapes and engaging in festive activities. From charming local farms to larger operations, each location provides a unique experience, complete with hayrides, hot cocoa, and seasonal treats. Many farms also host holiday events, making it easy to create lasting memories with loved ones. Whether you’re looking for a classic fir or a unique spruce, the Christmas tree farms around D.C. promise to make your holiday celebrations truly special.

An aviator crash lands in the desert. Could that be a mirage? No, it’s a little prince from another planet! When the two become unlikely friends, they learn lessons from the desert’s many creature—from the sly Fox and the deceitful Snake to the vain and needy Rose—and discover new ways of seeing and loving.

Winter weekends at the farm with Santa! Visit with Santa, our furry animals, Frozen-themed snow globe with Elsa, a real Grinch, festive hayrides, fire pits & more

Join us for a special visit to Christmases of yore. Peek into holiday celebrations at Gunston Hall in the 1920s and the 1780s with games, live music, crafts, a visit from Santa and more!

Visit bilingual Santa as he makes his annual return to the museum for a fun day of holiday merriment! Festivities begin with ballet excerpts of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" and Santa's flight into the airport (weather permitting).

Experience the magic of Christmas at Black Barn Alpacas! 'Fleece' Navidad: A Camelid Christmas on the farm is the ultimate family-friendly holiday event featuring alpacas, festive fun, and memorable seasonal activities in Finksburg, Maryland. Make 'Fleece' Navidad part of your holiday tradition this year! Walk down Candy Cane Lane, snap a memorable selfie in front of our towering Christmas tree, and step into the alpaca pens for up-close feeding and interactions. Santa will visit daily, bringing a small surprise for each child! Kids can play in the Mrs. Clause's Bakery, send their Christmas wish lists at the North Pole Express Post Office, and explore Santa’s Workshop. Plus, a Complimentary Fleece Crafting Christmas Ornaments and warm up in The Shoppe, where you’ll find Christmas gifts and cozy alpaca-themed items.

Celebrate Christmas with the Critters! Activities include: photos with Santa Claus, live Nativity scene, Candy Cane Express rides, pony rides, Christmas arts & crafts, children's play areas, live animal encounters, holiday photos with live animals, bonfire & marshmallow roasting, thousands of outdoor holiday lights and animal petting & feeding!

Jane Lynch leads a comedy trio in a cabaret-style holiday show featuring jazz arrangements of classic carols and witty original songs.

Experience the magic of the holiday season at the National Harbor Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show series! Starting Thanksgiving weekend, on November 29, and continuing until December 21, join us every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 6pm for an enchanting holiday experience. Unlike other long-term Christmas markets, we offer something unique every day with a rotating selection of talented artisans and crafters, along with an array of delectable holiday sweets and desserts. Come immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere, discover one-of-a-kind treasures, and enjoy delightful treats. Create lasting holiday memories with family and friends at our vibrant and ever-changing Christmas market!

Whether you’re starting a family tradition, planning a festive date night, or celebrating with friends, climb aboard for a magical, two-hour experience inspired by the beloved holiday classic! Slip into your coziest pajamas and climb aboard this enchanted train bound for the North Pole. Your adventure begins with a joyful live performance of “Hot Chocolate,” followed by a special moment with Santa himself—who presents each guest with the First Gift of Christmas: a silver sleigh bell. When you arrive at our winter wonderland, the magic continues with holiday crafts, cozy s’mores, festive shopping, and a keepsake photo with Santa. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride brings the spirit of Christmas to life—for all who believe.

Michael Russotto returns to star for a second holiday season in this solo show that is a masterclass in theatrical storytelling. As he portrays nearly 50 different characters from the Charles Dickens classic, you’ll find yourself swept up in a story that is funnier, more timely, and far more familiar to our modern-day circumstances than you could ever imagine. Even more impressive, Paul Morella’s beloved adaptation stays true to Dickens’ original language – making this perhaps the most authentic Christmas Carol out there. There’s a reason our audience has made this part of their holiday tradition for the past 16 years.

Join us Saturday nights from November 8 - December 27 at 5:30pm for a spectacular fireworks display following the tree lighting show.

Williamsburg’s Biggest and Brightest Christmas Event! Holiday cheer returns to Busch Gardens® Williamsburg for our annual Christmas Town™ celebration on select dates between November 14 and January 4, 2026. The World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park is once again transformed with more than ten million twinkling lights, creating one of the largest light displays in North America.

Celebrate the magic of the season with Holly-Days at the Zoo! In December, join us for fun craft making, a scavenger hunt, and holiday storytime. Don’t miss out on the memories waiting to be made!

As The Dance Institute of Washington proudly celebrates the 30th anniversary of The Spirit of Kwanzaa, we honor a legacy rooted in cultural excellence, artistic development, and powerful storytelling. Created by our late founder, Fabian Barnes, this production was born from a vision—to uplift artists by connecting them to a sense of belonging, identity, and purpose through the arts. This year, we celebrate not only the milestones but the mission: to carry forth a legacy where young artists are nurtured, stories are shared with intention, and the power of Black artistry is celebrated in all its forms. We are here—rooted in culture, thriving in legacy, and committed to shaping the future through the enduring spirit of Kwanzaa.

KidsOutAndAbout's list of family-friendly New Year's activities in the DC Metro area