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Trick-or-Treat: 25+ Places

This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!

‹‹ More Halloween Fun

Halloween treats are hiding all over NOVA! A candy-filled calendar awaits!

Looking for trick-or-treating at the mall (sometimes called malloween or mallo-ween), the Air and Space Museum, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, or Mt Vernon? You’re in the right place!

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

ZooLights: Where the Wild Things Glow!

ZooLights panda at the National Zoo
‹‹ More Holiday Illuminations

Stroll through a glowing winter wonderland at ZooLights, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s beloved holiday tradition!

Environmentally friendly lights transform the Zoo’s paths and walkways on select nights from November 20, 2026-January 3, 2027, kicking off with a Friday-Sunday opening the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Along the way, follow a lantern adventure through ocean, desert, grassland, rainforest, and polar habitats. Plus, select December nights add live music, carolers, and holiday trivia, all included with admission!

Make the night extra special with on-site add-ons, including rides on the Zoo’s hand-carved Conservation Carousel (weather permitting), the National Zoo Choo Choo mini-train around the Great Cats exhibit, and a winter-themed maze filled with photo-worthy surprises. Little ones will love the festive glasses, too, since their special lenses turn the lights into snowflakes! Warm up with hot cocoa, cider, and s’mores kits, available for purchase.

Members can enjoy exclusive Member Nights (December 8-9), and grown-ups can plan a night out at the 21+ Adults-Only Night (December 16). Both include special access to select animal houses. Keep in mind that on other nights, indoor animal houses are closed and most outdoor animals are resting. Even better, every visit helps support the Zoo’s mission to save species and protect habitats worldwide!

Tickets are required for ages 3 and older (kids 2 & under are free). Because of limited capacity, tickets and parking passes often sell out, so buy in advance and only through the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, as third-party tickets may be voided.

Details:
Website

Dates:
Nov 20, 2026-Jan 3, 2027

Location:
National Zoo ∙ Washington, DC

LEARN MORE

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Can’t-Miss November Fun ∙ 2026

With fall in full swing, November brings everything from special events to holiday kick-offs!

Explore this, too: The Big Holiday & Christmas Guide

THESE EVENTS HAVE PASSED


Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Christmas Illuminations @ Mount Vernon

‹‹ More Holiday Fun

Kick off the holiday season with a little twinkle at Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon!

For two days, from December 19-20, 2026, see historic spaces throughout the estate aglow in festive light, meet George and Martha Washington, and hear General Washington’s special holiday remarks as he kicks off a spectacular fireworks show — choreographed to music — over the Potomac River.

Meet Aladdin the Camel
Say hello to Mount Vernon’s holiday guest, continuing the tradition of George Washington bringing a camel to the estate in 1787.

Artisan Winter Market
Shop hand-crafted 18th-century wares from artisan sutlers on the 12-acre field.

Patriots Path Winter Encampment
Talk with Revolutionary War soldiers and learn how they lived on the move.

Straw Bale Maze
Little ones will love winding through a kids’ maze twinkling with Christmas lights.

18th-Century Holiday Traditions
Sing along to Christmas carols and dance to lively 18th-century music in the greenhouse.

S’mores, Treats & Gingerbread
Warm up with s’mores kits and holiday drinks from the Mount Vernon Food Truck, and take home fresh-baked gingerbread made with a replica of an 18th-century mold used by the Continental Army’s Superintendent of Bakers.

Want to step inside? Experience George Washington’s Mansion illuminated at night with a Mansion Tour add-on (a separate ticket is required for entry). Kids ages 5 and under are free, and members enjoy discounted event tickets.

Details:
Website

Dates:
Dec 19-20, 2026

Location:
George Washington’s Mount Vernon ∙ Mount Vernon, VA

Looking for George Washington’s Mt. Vernon? You’re in the right place!

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Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Family NYE Party @ Dave & Buster’s

This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!

‹‹ More New Year’s Eve Fun

End the year with big-time family fun at Dave and Buster’s! On December 31, 2025, they’re proudly hosting a festive New Year’s Eve Celebration full of fun, food, and games!

Plus, between games, enjoy a New Year’s countdown with party favors and cheers, and a delicious banquet with unlimited soda, all before midnight. Your last meal of 2025 just might be your best!

Hosted at their Fairfax or Springfield locations, spend the last day of 2025 with Dave & Buster’s. Pre-registration required; link below.

Details:
Website (Fairfax, VA) ∙ Website (Springfield, VA)

Date:
Dec 31, 2025

Locations:
Fairfax, VA ∙ Springfield, VA

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Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Free Museum Admission Program

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Museums on Us Program
‹‹ More Admission Programs

Through Bank of America’s Museums on Us Program, just present your active Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, or US Trust credit or debit card, along with your photo ID, and enjoy free general admission to more than 225 cultural institutions nationwide, including fantastic regional museums (see below).

This opportunity is available on the first full weekend of each month. The 2026 dates include:

  • Sept 5-6, 2026
  • Oct 3-4, 2026
  • Nov 7-8, 2026
  • Dec 5-6, 2026

Be sure to visit the program’s website for important details and a complete list of participating museums before your visit. See participating DMV museums below, or the full list here:

VIRGINIA

MARYLAND

WASHINGTON, DC

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Exciting Live Shows for Kids!

Stages are packed with exciting family performances around the DMV! See the complete list here, or check out these upcoming shows we’re especially excited about:

THESE EVENTS HAVE PASSED

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Turkey Trots & Fun Runs

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‹‹ More Thanksgiving Fun

Splurge without the guilt (there’s no reason not to sample every pie flavor)! Check out these 2026 Turkey Trots and family-friendly Fun Runs:

NOVEMBER 15

NOVEMBER 21

NOVEMBER 22

NOVEMBER 25

NOVEMBER 26

NOVEMBER 29

DATE TBA

  • Lansdowne Turkey Trot ∙ Leesburg

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Dinosaurs: Land of Fire & Ice

Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice at the National Children's Museum
‹‹ More Indoor Play Fun

Sparking curiosity and creativity in the littlest learners, the National Children’s Museum is a family destination filled with STEM-powered interactive activities, exhibits, and experiences.

Alongside the Museum’s permanent lineup, its Visiting Exhibit Hall goes prehistoric this fall!

Dinosaurs: Land of Fire & Ice
Daily (except Tuesdays), from September 26, 2026-January 10, 2027, travel back to the Cretaceous period and come face-to-face with mighty dinosaurs, as the Visiting Exhibit Hall transforms into a prehistoric world built for climbing, crawling, and whole-body play!

Crawl under a volcano, wind through an icy tunnel, and bounce across a bog while exploring prehistoric habitats. Little ones can climb, pose with larger-than-life dinosaurs, uncover fossils at the big dig, and discover fun facts along the way. Hands-on activities include fossil matching, food chain puzzles, animated dinosaur creations, play tables, dress-up fun, and an eye spy scavenger hunt. Recommended for learners ages 3-10 and their families.

You’ll find the Visiting Exhibit Hall on the Exhibit Level, one level down from the main entrance, next to the Tinkering Corner and Rigamajig.

There’s plenty more to explore, too! Whether it’s your child’s first visit or their tenth, these features are always worth a visit:

Dream Machine
Best for ages 5-12
Climb into the clouds on a three-story climber and slide.

Engineering Games & Play
Best for ages 3-12
Try engineering and science concepts through the lens of your favorite sports and classic hands-on activities.

Little Dreamers
Best for ages 0-3
A protected cloud- and flight-themed area for infants and toddlers.

Data Science Alley
Best for ages 3-12
Explore figures and statistics through play, and think about the data found in our day-to-day lives.

Art & Tech
Best for ages 3-10
Tap into your creativity with iconic friends from Nickelodeon.

Placita Magica
Best for ages 3-12
A special 50th anniversary exhibit that pays homage to the Capital Children’s Museum.

Weather Worlds
Best for ages 4-12
Shoot lightning bolts, make it rain, and more with this green screen experience.

Climate Action Heroes
Best for ages 4-12
Discover your special climate-action superpower through a physical flow quiz.

Little Movers
Best for ages 0-3
A protected free-movement space for infants and toddlers to build gross and fine motor skills.

Tinkering Corner
Best for ages 3-12
Design, create, test, and build in National Children’s Museum’s creative hub.

Light House
A hands-on maze where kids experiment with light and color, created by the Museum’s artist-in-residence, Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann.

Details:
Website

Dates:
Sept 26, 2026-Jan 10, 2027

Location:
National Children’s Museum ∙ Washington, DC

LEARN MORE

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Indoor Play in Fairfax County

‹‹ More Indoor Play Fun

You’re invited to visit your favorite indoor play spot — or discover a new one — to have fun and make memories in Fairfax County, plus nearby Arlington and Alexandria!

Exploring beyond Fairfax? Check out our Loudoun County indoor play guide or our full Northern Virginia indoor play guide.

ALEXANDRIA, VA
ARLINGTON, VA
CENTREVILLE, VA
CHANTILLY, VA
FAIRFAX, VA
FALLS CHURCH, VA
HERNDON, VA
MCLEAN, VA
RESTON, VA
SPRINGFIELD, VA
TYSONS, VA

Looking for #IndoorPlay? You’re in the right place!

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Updated Oct 27, 2026