All About Owls Campfire
2025-12-28 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7701 Royce St, Annandale, VA, 22003, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Barred owls inhabit our stream valley parks. Learn to identify these owls from other native owls while enjoying the campfire. Toast marshmallows over the embers. Canceled in case of inclement weather. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Ages 4 to Adult.

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows
2025-12-29 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-01-05 08:00 - 10:00 | Huntley Meadows, 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA, 22306, United States
(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: Deanwood
2025-12-29 10:30 - 11:30 | Deanwood Recreation Center, 1350 49th St NE, Washington, DC, 20019, United States
(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 around. Seniors will enjoy outdoor neighborhood walking as a group while listening to oldies but goodies to keep active and help stay fit.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through June 2026.

Exhibit: Recovering Our Night Skies
2025-12-30 10:00 - 17:30 | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 1000 Madison Drive NW, Washington, DC, 20560, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) Artificial lights have become such common nighttime fixtures that we take them for granted. But what do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? The effects of light pollution go beyond our diminishing view of the stars, but the solutions can have an immediate impact.
Through over 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why dark nights matter, rekindle your connection with the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide?
On view through December.

Outdoor Fire Building Workshop
2025-12-30 13:00 - 15:00 | Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Looking for a fun way to learn outdoor skills? Come explore how to start a campfire, build a shelter, cook in the wild, and more! Whether you’re brand new to these activities or just want to practice skills you learned years ago, we offer a variety of hands-on classes for all ages. It’s a great way to build confidence and connect with nature.

First Day Hikes in Maryland State Parks
2025-12-31 - 2026-01-02 | Maryland State Parks, MD, United States
(MD) (Maryland State Parks) Maryland State Parks will be offering First Day Hike opportunities across the state from December 31, 2025 – January 2, 2026. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks that encourages all 50 states to offer outdoor hiki​ng opportunities on the first day of the new year! Join us in Maryland on January 1st for a hike at a state park near you.

Exhibit: In Full Flight
2025-12-31 10:00 - 20:00 | Capital Hilton, 1001 16th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20036, United States
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Experience breathtaking bird images by DC Bird Alliance photographers at the new La Galerie on K at the Capital Hilton. See local birds and birds captured during travel by DCBA members.
On view through February.

Senior Wellness Walk: Arboretum
2025-12-31 10:30 - 11:30 | Arboretum Community Center, 2412 Rand Pl NE, Washington, DC, 20002, United States
(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 around.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through June 2026.

Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
2025-12-31 11:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-02 11:00 - 23:00, 2026-01-06 11:00 - 21:00 | National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 7th Street & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20565, United States
(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 last 45 minutes, leaving a 15-minute break for ice maintenance.

First Hike Fairfax
2026-01-01 | Fairfax County Park Trails
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Grab your coats and cameras and join the fun on New Year’s Day along more than 334 miles of Park Authority trails. Join the amazingly popular First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest while you walk! Participation is simple. Visit any FCPA trail on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Take a photo to commemorate the experience and submit it online before Noon on Friday, January 2. Post to the Park’s photo contest website. Win a prize sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation.

First Day Hikes in Virginia State Parks
2026-01-01 | Virginia State Parks, Virginia, United States
(VA) (Virginia State Parks) Start the New Year with a visit to one of 44 Virginia State Parks! Taking a hike to inspire those New Year resolutions centered on getting or keeping fit is the perfect family-friendly activity. It’s the perfect time to start your Trail Quest! This year, DCR will be hosting a few guided hikes at natural area preserves, which are managed by the Virginia Natural Heritage Program.

First Day Hike
2026-01-01 10:00 - 12:00
(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Start the new year off right: outdoors for a wintery hike with naturalist Kerry Wixted. We’ll be on the lookout for winter birds and mammal signs and practicing our winter botany skills along the way. We will start hiking in a slightly hilly area filled with beech trees, then wind down to the former Annapolis reservoir. Our group will be small with a leisurely pace for three or four miles, and will be full of shared observations. Family-friendly for ages 10+.

New Year’s Day Sound Bath & Birdsong
2026-01-01 11:00 - 12:30 | Willow Street Yoga, 6930 Carroll Avenue, Takoma, MD, 20912, United States
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Begin 2026 with calm and clarity. A New Year’s Day sound bath inspired by birdsong to help you reset, renew, and rise with purpose.

Ice Skating at Canal Park
2026-01-01 12:00 - 20:00, 2026-01-03 12:00 - 22:00, 2026-01-06 16:00 - 21:00 | Canal Park, 200 M Street SE, Washington, DC, 20003, United States
(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.

Bird Walk at Hains Point
2026-01-03 08:00 - 10:00 | Hains Point, Ohio Dr SW, Washington, DC, 20024, United States
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Let’s explore the world of birds at Hains Point – bring your binoculars and curiosity for a morning adventure! This is one of DC’s most peaceful birding gems — wide open views, sweeping water, and the chance to spot winter visitors who only grace our area this time of year.

As we stroll along the shoreline, we’ll look and listen for visitors such as Buffleheads, Mergansers and even the now regular Winter visitor, a Yellow-throated Warbler!

Exhibit: Recovering Our Night Skies
2026-01-03 10:00 - 17:30 | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 1000 Madison Drive NW, Washington, DC, 20560, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) Artificial lights have become such common nighttime fixtures that we take them for granted. But what do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? The effects of light pollution go beyond our diminishing view of the stars, but the solutions can have an immediate impact.
Through over 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why dark nights matter, rekindle your connection with the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide?
On view through December 2026.

Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh
2026-01-04 08:00 - 10:00 | Dyke Marsh, Alexandria, VA, 22307, United States
(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Join FODM for a bird walk every Sunday at 8 a.m. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is a freshwater, tidal marsh on the Virginia side of the Potomac River in Fairfax County. It is a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, U.S. National Park Service.

Seed Cleaning at Earth Sangha
2026-01-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Earth Sangha, 51011 Backlick Rd, Annandale, VA, 22203, United States
(VA) (Earth Sangha) Help Earth Sangha clean and prepare native seeds for spring planting. Seed cleaning will take place every Sunday through the winter.

Sign-Up for Free Trees in Arlington
2026-01-05 - 2026-01-14
(VA) (EcoAction Arlington) Apply to have a tree planted on your property. All private property in Arlington is eligible to have a native tree planted on the property through EcoAction Arlington’s Tree Planting Program. Applications are open until January 14th, 2026!

Apply for a Free Tree in DC
2026-01-05 - 2026-01-30
(DC) (Casey Trees) Get Free Trees to accentuate your home with a beautiful shade tree at no cost. To register, submit an application with Casey Trees and one of their professional Urban Foresters will be in touch to start your process.

Senior Wellness Walk in Deanwood
2026-01-05 10:30 - 11:30 | Deanwood Recreation Center, 1350 49th St NE, Washington, DC, 20019, United States

Senior Wellness Walk at Arboretum
2026-01-07 10:30 - 11:30 | Arboretum Community Center, 2412 Rand Pl NE, Washington, DC, 20002, United States

The Joy of Observing Insects (Virtual)
2026-01-08 12:00 - 13:00
(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) Insects are the most abundant animals on the planet—representing about 80% of all animal species on Earth. They are also the least observed. Naturalist Eric R. Eaton is on a mission to inspire you to watch more bugs and share what people can do to keep these critters thriving. He will highlight the basic tools for watching insects with all five senses, suggests best habitats and circumstances for seeing the most diversity, and shares tips for attracting desirable insects to your yard and garden.
Eaton’s new field guide, Bugwatching: The Art, Joy, and Importance of Observing Insects, is available for purchase.

Snails of the Potomac River (Virtual)
2026-01-08 19:00 - 20:00
(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) The Potomac River is a snail haven, home to almost half of these known species. In this presentation, Aydin Orstan, Ph.D. will report on his recent two-year snail survey, which added three more species to the list: Cipangopaludina cf. japonica, Gillia altilis, and Laevapex fuscus. Aydin will introduce the snails, including the largest native species, Campeloma decisum, with shells up to 1.3 inches long. In addition to information about snails, tips about kayaking safely in the river, and good spots to see snails will also be shared.
