Home for the holidays? Whether you’re entertaining family or other out-of-town guests, just enjoying a stay-at-home vacation, or looking to explore new holiday activities, the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day offers much to do in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC! See our Northern Virginia Holiday Staycation Fun Guide below for some good ideas! Many thanks to the nZone for sponsoring this guide — be sure to check them out for all-ages, all-season indoor fitness, sports, and fun!
If you’re looking for something to do during the holidays that is fun and family-friendly in or near Fairfax County, Northern Virginia, or very close by, look no further! Our list below has lots of ideas for all-ages activities to do with the family members and friends, right in our area or even right in your home! Many of these ideas you can do totally for free or at least pay no admission fees. Browse our list below for fun holiday staycation options, and as always, remember that events may change (especially for inclement weather) so always confirm by going to the official websites linked below.
- See the amazing ICE! exhibit at the Gaylord National (this year with a Snoopy and Peanuts theme!) and the fun of indoor ice-skating, a carousel, and more at the Christmas Village, now through Jan. 1, 2019 (admission and activities fees apply)
- See the nightly atrium tree and light show and Cirque Dreams Unwrapped show at the Gaylord National now through Jan. 1, 2019 (free light show; free acrobatics show is by limited tickets on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can buy reserved seats)
- Visit the amazing illuminates sculptures at LightUp Fest at One Loudoun now through Jan. 2, 2019; admission fees apply
- Walk through the breathtaking Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, now through Jan. 13, 2019; admission fees apply
- Drive through fun displays along two-and-a-half miles at the Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville, now through Jan. 6, 2019; admission fees apply
- Enjoy free tours of beautiful lights and free concerts at the Mormon Temple Festival of Lights in Maryland now through Jan. 1, 2019
- See the National Zoo in a new light at the ZooLights festival, now through Jan. 1, 2019; admission is free!
- Watch a spectacular tree show nightly at the Village at Leesburg, with more than 15,000 dazzling lights that performs to music, daily from noon to 9 pm; free
- Watch ice skaters glide under the pretty lights at the outdoor Reston Town Center ice rink, or go for a few spins yourself! (skate rentals available for a fee)
- While at the Reston Town Center, see the giant gingerbread village in Hyatt Regency hotel lobby, now through Dec. 31, 2018; this is a free and quick activity!
- Watch the ice-skaters at Harris Pavilion in Manassas (or for a fee, get in the rink yourself) that is just a short walk away from the Manassas Museum, where admission is always free
- Find and check out elaborate home light displays in your neighborhood
- Enjoy a magical display at the US Botanic Gardens “Seasons Greenings” in Washington, DC, now through Jan. 1, 2019 — admission is free, and on select nights you can enjoy a concert, too!
- Go see the National Christmas Tree in DC now through Jan. 1, 2019
- Experience the sparkle of the season at Georgetown GLOW, the region’s only curated exhibition of public light art installations, nightly through Jan. 6, 2019; free admission
- Also in DC is another great illuminated outdoor art installation, Light Yards, now through Jan. 4, 2019; free admission
- Take a trip to Baltimore to see the fun Miracle on 34th Street neighborhood lights display, now through Jan. 1, 2019; free displays
- Be one of the first to experience the new spectacular WinterFest event at Kings Dominion theme park near Richmond, now through Dec. 31, 2019; admission fees apply
- Or enjoy the legendary Christmas Town holiday event at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, a family favorite, now through January 5, 2019; admission fees apply
- For the fun of a theme park even closer to home, visit Six Flags America during its Holiday In the Park celebration now through Jan. 1, 2019; admission fees apply
- Ring in the new year with a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration (some of the big ones are totally free!)
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