Winter and Holiday Activities 2024-2025

Get a jump-start on the holiday magic by taking your baby or toddler to these fun activities open during the week in DC.

• Holiday Trains

• Holiday Markets

• Ice Skating

Holiday Trains

President's Park (National Ellipse)

• Information here

• When: December 6 through early January 2025

• Description: Model trains run from 11am - 11pm daily underneath the National Christmas Tree. The National Menorah and art displays representing all 50 states (featuring children's art) are a must-see!

US Botanic Garden's "Season's Greenings" holiday exhibit 2024 (National Mall)

• Information on the US Botanic Garden here

• Don't miss: the FREE outdoor holiday train display and mini models of DC's landmarks and monuments

  • The outdoor holiday display includes a model train display in the gated outdoor gardens, with trains running from 10:00am to 5:00pm between Nov. 28, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2025, closed Dec. 25. The train display will run until 8:00pm on select Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tickets are not required to view the trains or any part of the USBG’s outdoor holiday display, and the train display may not run during inclement weather.

  • Models of DC's monuments and landmark buildings will be on display inside the Conservatory. They hey are fashioned from hundreds of dried plant materials.

• Hours:

  • The outdoor train display and Conservatory hours are both 10am to 5pm daily between Nov. 28, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2025, closed December 25.

  • On December 8, the gated outdoor gardens will open at 10am to accommodate the Garden’s sensory-friendly programming.

• Great for kids who: Love trains!

• How to get there: 100 Maryland Ave SW

  • Closest metro stop: McPherson Square (Orange, Silver, and Blue lines)

  • Car: Street parking and various nearby garages

Holiday Markets

Big Bear Cafe Holiday Market (Bloomingdale)

• Information here

• When: Friday, December 6 from 4pm - 8pm

• Cost: Free

• Description: This year we are expanding our Holiday Market into the street! With over 25 vendors selling everything from vintage clothes and homegoods, handmade pottery, artisan chocolate, dog treats, candles and more! Complete with Live Music from Spice Trade (feat members of Everyday Everybody), come shop for early holiday gifts and kick off the Holiday Season with Big Bear! We will also be collecting gently used clothing and winter coats to donate to So Others Might Eat (SOME)

DC Holiday Market (Dupont Circle)

• Information here

• When: November 22 – December 15, weekday hours 12pm - 8pm

• Cost: Free

• Description: This open air market, located at the 1500 block of 19th Street, NW, is free to enter. The DC Holiday Market will feature 30 plus small businesses with artisans, boutique brands, worldwide handcrafts and unique gift items.

DowntownDC Holiday Market (Penn Quarter)

• Information here

• When: November 22 – December 23 from 11am - 8pm

  • Enjoy FREE, live festive entertainment on the main stage at the holiday market during the following days and times:

    • Thursdays: 12pm – 2:00pm.

    • Fridays: 5:00pm – 8:00pm

• Cost: Free

• Description: This open air market is free to enter. Shopping, food, drinks, and live entertainment. Their website has a fantastic color-coded Vendor Directory that shows the layout of the market.

First-Stop Pop-Up Shop (MLK Library, Chinatown)

• Information here

• When: November 30 - December 21, Monday-Thursday 10am - 6pm, Fridays 10am - 5pm

• Cost: Free

• Description: Metro's holiday pop-up shop returns to DC's Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library with new DC, WMATA, and DCPL merch. 1st floor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in the New Books section.

  
  

Heurich Christmas Markt, Heurich House Museum (Dupont Circle)

• Information here

• When: December 6 - December 13 (closed Monday), weekday hours 4pm - 8pm

• Cost:

  • $2 entry fee for ages 2-15, babies free

  • $5-$18 for guests over 15 years of age; prices range for house tour, tickets bought online, tickets bought at the door

• Description: Each December, the Heurich House Museum in historic Dupont Circle curates DC’s only multi-day holiday market consisting of ALL local makers. For the first time ever in its 12 year history, this year’s Christmas Markt will be held for an entire week. Stroll through the museum’s “Castle Garden” with a Glühwein in hand and find the perfect holiday gifts for your loved ones from 60+ local small-scale artisan makers, and more.

Main Hall Holiday Market (Union Station)

• Information here

• When: December 17 - December 19 from 11am - 6pm

  • 1908 Holiday Lounge open from 2pm - 8pm for seasonal cocktails, wine and beer

  • Weekly, free concert series "The Stage at Union Station" Winter Entertainment Schedule:

    • Wednesday, November 27th—12:00PM- 2:00PM Faith Foster

    • Thursday, December 5th—12:00PM- 2:00PM Amy Domingues

    • Thursday, December 12th—12:00PM- 2:00PM Heidi Martin

    • Thursday, December 19th—12:00PM- 2:00PM Faith Foster

    • Thursday, December 26th—12:00PM- 2:00PM Amy Domingues

• Cost: Free

• Description: Featuring artisanal market vendors curated by DCBB Productions, Main Hall Holiday Market will be held in the beautiful and historic Main Hall of the station. From vintage clothing to art, jewelry, collectibles, crafts and home goods, Union Station Holiday Market will showcase local vendors and their delightful creations and finds.

Ice Skating

• Canal Park (Navy Yard)

  • Information here 

  • Dates: TBD November 2024 - March 2025

  • Hours:

    • Monday-Friday 2pm - 10pm

  • Cost:

    • Admission: $13

    • $2 discount for youth, college students w/ID, and seniors (age 60+)

    • Skate Rental: $7

    • Skate Helper (aka “the Green Thing”) Rental: $10.00

    • EARLY BIRD RATE (Weekdays between 3 PM and 6 PM)

      • All Ages: $10

      • Skate Rental: $7

      • Please note that after school recreation programs are held during these hours.

  • How to get there: 200 M St SE

    • Closest metro stop: Navy Yard (Green line)

    • Car: Street parking, various garages

  
  

• Georgetown Washington Harbour (Georgetown)

  • Information here

  • Dates: November 23, 2024 – March 2, 2025 (weather permitting)

  • Hours:

    • Monday-Thursday: 11am-9pm

    • Friday: 11am-11pm

  • Cost:

    • $12: Ages 13+

    • $10: Ages 12 and under, 60+, military service members with ID, students with school ID

    • $250: Season pass

    • $6: Skate rental

    • Free lockers are available first come, first served.

  • How to get there: 

    • Public transportation: Bus

    • Car: Parking in the neighborhood and parking garage ($12 / 1 hour, $20 daily max, $12 / evening, Mon–Fri after 4 pm)

• National Sculpture Garden (National Mall)

  • Information here

  • Dates: November 23, 2024 – March 2, 2025 (weather permitting)

  • Hours:

    • Sunday–Thursday, 11:00am – 9:00pm

    • Friday–Saturday, 11:00 – 11:00pm

  • Cost:

    • $12: Ages 13+

    • $10: Ages 12 and under, 60+, military service members with ID, students with school ID

    • $250: Season pass

    • $6: Skate rental

    • Free lockers are available first come, first served.

  • How to get there: Constitution Ave NW & 7th St NW

    • Closest metro stop: Archives (Green and Yellow lines)

    • Car: Parking on the National Mall and street parking

  • DCSAHP Tip:

    • You can sign your child up for ice skating classes (must be 3 years or older) at the Sculpture Garden. Classes take place on the weekend

  • Note: Children are not permitted to use skating aids, such as penguins or seals

• The Wharf Ice Rink (Southwest)

  • Information here

  • Hours:

    • Monday-Tuesday: Closed

    • Wednesday: 4pm-10 pm (no public skating in January and February due to Curling events)

    • Thursday-Friday: 4pm-10pm

    • For any weather or ice condition-related closures check here

  • Cost:

    • Adult Admission (12+) with Skates - $25

    • Adult Admission without Skates - $19

    • Youth Admission (12 and under) with Skates - $20

    • Youth Admission (12 and under) without Skates - $15

    • Senior (65+)/Military (Valid ID Required) - $20

    • Skate Aid Rental - $9

    • Locker Rental (one time use) - $3

  • Dates: Opens November 27, 2024

  • How to get there: 760 Maine Ave SW

    • Closest metro stops: Waterfront (Green line) and L'Enfant Plaza (Blue, Orange, Silver, Green, Yellow lines)

    • Car: Multiple parking garages