Week of Events
Bull Run Festival of Lights
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Every year from November until just after New Year’s Day, you can experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights, 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car. This year, don't miss the carnival at the end of your drive for holiday shopping, a petting zoo, and more festive ...
Garden of Lights at Brookside
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Let the magic begin! Tickets are now on sale for Brookside Gardens’ dazzling Garden of Lights — where winter nights sparkle with more than a million twinkling lights. The Garden of Lights display transforms Brookside Gardens into a magical winter wonderland. Stroll through the one-half mile, outdoor, walk-through exhibit and enjoy the twinkling lights and glimmering one-of-a-kind ...
Zoo Lights
(DC) (Smithsonian National Zoo) Celebrate the holidays at ZooLights! Enjoy twinkling lights and a festive atmosphere as this beloved winter classic returns to the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Journey through magical displays of glowing animal lanterns, watch live musical performances, sip hot cocoa and other festive treats, and explore the Zoo under the dazzling glow of one million environmentally-friendly LED lights. ZooLights ...
Sunday, December 21, 2025
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December 21, 2025 -Search for Santa’s Critters
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December 21, 2025 -Light in the Darkness: The Power of Singing
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December 21, 2025 -Ward 8 Woods Winter Solstice Hike and Vigil
Search for Santa’s Critters
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Santa’s animal friends are lost in the park and need rescuing! Join this festive scavenger hunt to locate the critters so they can help Santa deliver candy and treats in time for the holidays! This event is appropriate for families and children of all ages.
Light in the Darkness: The Power of Singing
(VA) (Earthwalk Ways) Join earth guide Darlene Rollins for a restorative program: Light in the Darkness: The Power of Singing for Health and Well-Being at Earthwork nature retreat center.
Ward 8 Woods Winter Solstice Hike and Vigil
(DC) (Ward 8 Woods) Join Ward 8 Woods Conservancy staff, Board members, volunteers, supporters and community in marking the shortest day and longest night of the year. We'll attune ourselves to natural cycles, while exploring the hilly upland woods of Shepherd Parkway. Through the bare trees we'll take in views of the city below, reflect on the year past, and ...
Monday, December 22, 2025
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December 22, 2025 -Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows
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December 22, 2025 -Senior Wellness Walk: Arboretum
Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows
(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) The Monday Morning Bird Walk is sponsored by the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park and takes place every Monday at 8 a.m. Following the walk, members of the group gather at the nearby Denny’s for breakfast and to compile the morning’s bird list. All are welcome.
Senior Wellness Walk: Arboretum
(DC) (Department of Parks and Recreation) Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Participants will enjoy group walking around the neighborhood, around the park, or just ...
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
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December 23, 2025 -Search for Santa’s Critters
Search for Santa’s Critters
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Santa’s animal friends are lost in the park and need rescuing! Join this festive scavenger hunt to locate the critters so they can help Santa deliver candy and treats in time for the holidays! This event is appropriate for families and children of all ages.
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
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December 24, 2025 -Ice Skating at Canal Park
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December 24, 2025 -Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
Ice Skating at Canal Park
(DC) (Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena) Join the Winter fun at Canal Park Ice Rink! Public skating sessions are available seven days a week during the winter. Sessions are 90 minutes long, with a break at the half-way point to resurface the ice. The rink is open through March 2nd. Daily hours vary.
Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
(DC) (National Gallery of Art) The beloved winter tradition returns to the National Gallery of Art! Enjoy the beauty of the Sculpture Garden, festive displays and winter refreshments through March 2nd. The ice rink is open 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Skating sessions begin on the hour and ...
Thursday, December 25, 2025
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December 25, 2025 -Ice Skating at Canal Park
Ice Skating at Canal Park
(DC) (Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena) Join the Winter fun at Canal Park Ice Rink! Public skating sessions are available seven days a week during the winter. Sessions are 90 minutes long, with a break at the half-way point to resurface the ice. The rink is open through March 2nd. Daily hours vary.
Friday, December 26, 2025
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December 26, 2025 -Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
(DC) (National Gallery of Art) The beloved winter tradition returns to the National Gallery of Art! Enjoy the beauty of the Sculpture Garden, festive displays and winter refreshments through March 2nd. The ice rink is open 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Skating sessions begin on the hour and ...
Saturday, December 27, 2025
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December 27, 2025 -Discover the DC Boundary Stones in Virginia
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December 27, 2025 -Search for Santa’s Critters
Discover the DC Boundary Stones in Virginia
(VA) (Sierra Club Potomac) Join us on a hike along a portion of the former boundary line between the nation’s capital and Virginia. Discover why this area was included in the Federal City and why it was retroceded to Virginia in 1846. See stones placed every mile along the boundary survey line in 1791; all except one on this hike ...
Search for Santa’s Critters
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Santa’s animal friends are lost in the park and need rescuing! Join this festive scavenger hunt to locate the critters so they can help Santa deliver candy and treats in time for the holidays! This event is appropriate for families and children of all ages.
