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Holiday Break in DC: Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year's Eve

See Beauty and the Beast live on stage at Olney Theatre. Photo by Teresa Castracane, courtesy of the theatre
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12/18/22 - By Jennifer Swope

The holiday break can be a long stretch of time to keep children entertained. If you're in the DC area between Christmas and New Year's Day, we have ideas for your family to have a great time outside the house during Christmas break.

Several area museums have exhibits closing at the beginning of 2023. Don't miss Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience at National Geographic Headquarters, Emotions at Play with Pixar's Inside Out at the National Children's Museum, and ARTECHOUSE's Spectacular Factory: The Holiday Multiverse.

Want to wow your children? Visit the DC Winter Lantern Festival, where they can wander around 1,000 Chinese lanterns. We also have lists of the best outdoor ice skating rinks near DC, the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in DC, The Nutcracker ballet and other holiday shows, and DC New Year's Eve celebrations for kids.

Check our other cities if you’re traveling for holiday break. We’ve got whole sites dedicated to the best things to do with kids in most major US cities, and if we’re not there, we’ve got calendars of things to do. Heck, even if you’re traveling abroad, we’ve got you covered!

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Catch Emotions at Play with Pixar's Inside Out before it leaves the National Children's Museum. Photo by Joshua Franzos
Catch Emotions at Play with Pixar's Inside Out before it leaves the National Children's Museum. Photo by Joshua Franzos

Things to Do over Holiday Break in DC

Baseball: America's Home Run

Washington, DC - Daily through January 5, 2023
Free
This special exhibit explores the surprising ways that baseball and postal history are deeply intertwined. It features historic objects that have never before been on public display, including game-used uniforms and bats, jackets, hats, and memorabilia. It's a must-visit for anyone who loves the game. READ MORE

Emotions at Play with Pixar's Inside Out

Washington, DC - Daily (except Tuesdays) through January 8, 2023
Explore the important role emotions, memory, and imagination play in everyday life through Pixar's Inside Out. Using hands-on and digital experiences, visitors will recognize five core emotions: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear. READ MORE

Spectacular Factory: The Holiday Multiverse

Washington, DC - Daily through January 8, 2023
Embark on a dazzling journey at ARTECHOUSE, where the imaginary world of a gift factory comes alive. Cross immersive digital multiverses filled with holiday themes, from floating giant swinging bells to thousands of nutcrackers, thrilling train rides through wreaths, spinning candy cane carousels, and more. READ MORE

Dinos Alive: Immersive Experience

Washington, DC - Daily through January 22, 2023
Dinos Alive is an immersive exhibition featuring over 80 life-sized animated dinosaurs. The experience offers a peek at the world as it was millions of years ago. Guests explore the dense jungles of the Jurassic era and see the dinos in their natural habitat with the help of the latest VR technology and a fully decorated venue. READ MORE

Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience

Washington, DC - Daily through February 6, 2023
This immersive exhibition takes guests on a journey to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Innovative video projections and soundscapes transport visitors to Egypt, where they experience the Great Sphinx, enter King Tut's tomb, meet Egyptian gods such as Ra and Anubis, and more. The exhibition celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of the tomb. READ MORE

Bilingual Baseball Story Time / Hora del Cuento de Béisbol Bilingüe

Washington, DC - Tuesday, December 27
Join National Postal Museum educators for a bilingual story time program highlighting themes from the exhibit Baseball: America's Home Run. No registration required.  READ MORE

Moonshot Studio

Washington, DC - Wednesday - Friday, December 28-30
Enjoy a self-guided art project at REACH's Moonshot Studio during a 60-90-minute artmaking session. Moonshot Studio staff is available to help and introduce projects.  READ MORE

STEAM Storytime

Washington, DC - Thursday, December 29
Young children can enjoy a STEAM-themed storytime every Thursday at the National Children's Museum. This event is included with the price of admission. READ MORE

Baby Jam

Washington, DC - Friday, December 30
The National Children's Museum hosts a special music class for babies every Friday. The class is designed for children ages 0-3 to grab an instrument and join in making music and moving their bodies. The program is included in the cost of museum admission. READ MORE
Join the LEGO Construction Crew at Olney Library. Photo courtesy of the Milton Keynes City Council
Join the LEGO Construction Crew at Olney Library. Photo courtesy of the Milton Keynes City Council

Things To Do Over Christmas Break in Maryland

Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Olney, MD - Various dates through January 1, 2023
Olney Theatre presents the classic Disney musical Beauty and the Beast, perfect for the whole family. READ MORE

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience

Bethesda, MD - Various dates through January 8, 2023
When clothing suddenly falls from the sky, Wilbur J. Mole Rat stuns the colony with his decision to get dressed! In a community where baring is caring and skin is in, can Wilbur find the courage to rock to the rhythm of his own electric guitar? Mo Willems' beloved picture book explores what can happen when one has the courage to be oneself. READ MORE

The Gingerbread Baby

Colesville, MD - Tuesday, December 27
Join a naturalist for a reading of a seasonal story, participate in a hike, and make a craft to take home at the Maydale Nature Classroom. READ MORE

LEGO Construction Crew at Olney Library

Olney, MD - Friday, December 30
Free
LEGO Construction Crew is back at Olney Library. Builders ages 5 and older can design and create whatever their imagination dreams up. LEGO bricks are provided.  READ MORE

Winter Scavenger Hunt and Campfire

Colesville, MD - Friday, December 30
Explore the great outdoors with a naturalist-led hike and scavenger hunt at the Maydale Nature Classroom. READ MORE
Immerse yourself in the Wizarding World at Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
Immerse yourself in the Wizarding World at Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

Things To Do Over Holiday Break in Northern Virginia

DC Winter Lantern Festival

Tysons, VA - Fridays - Sundays (plus December 26-30) through February 12, 2023
Lerner Town Square at Tysons II transforms into a dazzling world of light with over 1,000 Chinese lanterns portraying Chinese myths, legends, and zodiacs; a world of ice including mammoths, polar bears, and penguins; and interactive light swings, see-saws, and tunnels. READ MORE

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience

Leesburg, VA - Daily through January 29, 2023
This nighttime woodland trail is filled with magical creatures and wonders from the Harry Potter™ and Fantastic Beasts™ films. Explore the sounds, lights, and special effects that bring the magic of the Wizarding World to life. Guests will also be able to enjoy a wide range of delicious food and drinks at the village. READ MORE

Squeakers and Mr. Gumdrop

Tysons, VA - Friday - Sunday, December 30 - January 1, 2023
Free
One snowy winter morning, Mr. Gumdrop prepares for his annual holiday party. When an unexpected and curious mouse appears, Mr. Gumdrop's routine is thrown for a loop. Can these two wildly different characters work together to get the holiday preparations done in time? This nonverbal, imaginative production for kids ages 2-5 and their families captures the magic of making new friends and sharing ideas to accomplish big goals.  READ MORE

Family Activity at the National Museum of the United States Army

Fort Belvoir, VA - Saturday & Sunday, December 31, 2022 & January 1, 2023
Children ages 4-8 can create crafts and learn more about the US Army at the National Museum of the United States Army's Experiential Learning Center. READ MORE

Into the Woods at Signature Theatre

Arlington, VA - Tuesdays - Sundays through January 29, 2023
Into the Woods is a sophisticated musical twist on beloved childhood fables. A trove of storybook characters’ paths intertwine as they chase their deepest desires through an enchanted forest. However, once they receive their happily ever after, the unintended consequences of granted wishes unravel their worlds.  READ MORE

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