🎅✨🎄🌟 The holiday season is upon us, Route 1! Lucky for you, I’ve put together a complete list of fun and festive kid and family-friendly holiday events happening along Maryland’s Route 1 corridor and even beyond (definitely some not-to-be-missed events happening in DC and neighboring Maryland communities)! Be it Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa or none of the above, there’s sure to be something fun in the fabulous menu below for you and yours to enjoy!
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🎅 FUN WITH SANTA ALONG ROUTE 1
Children’s Holiday Party
Join us for the Town’s annual Children’s Holiday Party! Children are invited to build their own stuffed animals and visit with Santa. Be sure to bring your camera for pictures.
When: Saturday, December 1st, 10am-12pm
Where: The Town of Riverdale Park, 5008 Queensbury Rd, Riverdale Park
Cost: Free!
Santa at Vigilante
Santa’s coming to the Roastery!
When: Sunday, December 2nd, 4-6pm
Where: Vigilante Coffee Co, Hyattsville
Cost: Free! )(though bring some moolah for their delish coffee and treats!)
Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa!
Join us for the lighting of the City’s Holiday Tree! The program will include holiday music and a visit from Santa. Refreshments will be served.
When: Friday, December 7th, 7pm
Where: Magruder Park, 40th Avenue & Hamilton Street, Hyattsville
Cost: Free!
Breakfast with Santa
Come and visit with Santa. Tell him you wish list and take a photo. We are asking that you bring a NEW unwrapped toy for the Prince George’s County Toys for Tots Program.
When: Saturday, December 8, 8:30am-12pm
Where: Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department, 125 Crescent Rd, Greenbelt
Cost: $7/adults; $4 child
Breakfast with Sint Niklaas (Waitlist only)
Join the kindly bishop as he makes his annual visit to Riversdale! He brings festive traditions like a Belgian-inspired breakfast and gifts for children.
When: Saturday, December 8th, 9am-12pm
Where: Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Park
Cost: $10/child
Breakfast and Lunch with Santa
You are cordially invited to have breakfast or lunch with Santa! To reserve your seats, please call (301) 985-5021 or visit here to complete and submit the online reservation form.
When: Saturday, December 8th, 9-10:30am for breakfast; 12-1:30pm for lunch
Where: Hyattsville City Building, 4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville
Cost: $5/person (kids 2 and under are free)
Breakfast with Santa
Pancakes, eggs, sausages, hashbrowns, milk, juice, coffee, hot tea and hot chocolate.
When: Saturday, December 8th, 9am-12pm
Where: Bunker Hill Fire Station, 3716 Rhode Island Ave, Brentwood
Cost: 2 and under are Free; 3-5 are $3; 6-12 are $5; 13+ are $6.
Santa’s Visit (Ages Pre-k+)
Santa has fit time into his busy holiday schedule! All children will receive a free pictures with Santa!
When: Saturday, December 8th, 10am-12pm
Where: Greenbelt Youth Center, 99 Centerway, Greenbelt
Cost: Free!
When: Saturday, December 8th, 12-3pm
Cost: $10 for 8×10 or 2 5×7.
Breakfast Jump with Santa
Spend an exciting holiday Pump It Up tradition, bouncing and laughing with Santa! Bring your family and friends and sit on Santa’s lap to tell him your Christmas wish! Admission includes a continental breakfast and holiday treats. Don’t forget your camera to capture this memorable holiday event!When: Saturday, December 15th, 9:30-11:30am
Where: Pump It Up, 4230 Forbest Blvd, Suite H, Lanham
Cost: $14 ages 2-17; $4 for adults who wish to purchase breakfast day of event
Meet Santa and Marshall the Fire Pup at the Firehouse
Come meet Santa at the firehouse! There’ll be cookies for the kiddos! RSVP here. Bring your own camera and consider making a donation to HVFD! Park at the PG Plaza Metro station.
When: Sunday, December 16th, 11am-3pm (must arrive before 2pm)
Where: HVFD, 6200 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville
Cost: Free!
A Night with Santa
Ho Ho Ho! Santa is on his way and stopping by Bladensburg Community Center. Come out and join us for an evening filled with excitement, entertainment and holiday cheer! Includes dinner, selfies with Santa, entertainment, games and activities, gift giveaways. Must register by 12/15.
When: Saturday, December 22nd, 4-6:30pm
Where: Bladensburg Community Center, 4500 57th Ave, Bladensburg
Cost: Free!
🕎 HANNUKAH ALONG ROUTE 1!
National Menorah Lighting
Head to DC to enjoy the Lighting Ceremony of the National Chanukah Menorah! Featuring Dreidelman & the Macabees, free dreidel and menorah kits, hot latkes and donuts and more!
When: Sunday, December 2nd, 2-4pm
Where: Ellipse at the White House
Cost: Free – tickets required, see here.
Celebrate Chanukah with the lighting of the Esther Ann Menorah – tied for the largest menorah in the world, standing at 32 feet tall with the word “Baltimore” proudly displayed on its nine branches. Includes live music, jelly doughnuts, hot drinks, family activities & entertainment for all!
When: 2:30-5:30pm
Where: McKeldin Square, 100 E. Pratt St, Baltimore
Cost: Free!
Come join us at Northeast DC Neighborhood Library as we build -and then light- a giant LEGO Menorah! Fidget Spinner Lego Dreidel for each child! Photo Booth! Chanukah Crafts! Hot latkes and Doughnuts!
Cost: Free! Register here.
Chanukah Celebration
Join Riverdale Park Station and University of Maryland Chabad as they bring you one-of-a-kind end of Chanukah celebration. Event will feature menorah lighting, hot latkes, gelts and dreidels, a Chanukah sing along and many other Holiday treats.
When: Sunday, December 9th at 4:30pm
Where: Riverdale Park Station, Riverdale Park
Cost: Free!
Cost: Children under 5 are free; 5-13 are $5; Seniors are $10; Household max: $25
🕯️ KWANZAA ALONG ROUTE 1!
Celebrate Kwanzaa, harvest time, and new beginnings at African Art! Discover the festival’s history and themes through art and workshops. Behold a beautiful altar honoring the holiday, and learn a dance from the children of the KanKouran West African Dance Company!
Cost: Free!
🎄 FESTIVE HOLIDAY EVENTS ALONG ROUTE 1!
Season’s Greenings: 🚆 All Aboard!
Every year, the US Botanic Gardens puts on an amazing holiday display with model trains, poinsettias and landmarks made of leaves, sticks and many other garden accouterments! Best time to visit is during the week and on select Tuesdays + Thursday evenings, there’s live holiday music to make it even more fun!
When: Now through January 1, 2019, 10am-5pm
Where: US Botanic Gardens, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington DC
Cost: Free!
ICE! featuring a Charlie Brown Christmas
Check out this indoor winter wonderland featuring 2 million pounds of colorful ice sculptures depicting the story of A Charlie Brown Christmas with four 2-story tall ice slides and a full nativity scene! We’ll be checking this out soon and will have a discount code for y’all to use so stay tuned! 🙂
When: Now through January 1, 2019; Hours vary by day
Where: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD
Cost: From $24/child – $32/adult
Sled with Reindeer
Dash through the snow in our hands-on workshop where you and your child can build a model sleigh pulled by a reindeer. Once your sleigh is complete, you and your musher can decorate it with paint and stickers and put imagination to work towing gifts around town.
When: Saturday, December 1st, 9am-12pm (arrive early, supplies do run out)
Where: Home Depot, Hyattsville
Cost: Free!
Santa Fly-In
Watch Santa fly into historic College Park Airport with some help from a local pilot! After arriving, Santa will stroll into the museum’s Main Gallery where visitors may have their picture taken with him. Holiday arts and crafts will be available for adults and children throughout the museum, including a card making station.
When: Saturday, December 1st, 12-4pm
Where: College Park Aviation Museum, College Park
Cost: $5 (includes museum admission)
The Nutcracker (Ages 3+)
Enjoy watching ballet dancers performing to this beautiful and familiar music in a casual setting.
When: Saturday, December 1st, 3-4pm
Where: College Park Arts Exchange, 4711 Knox Rd, College Park
Cost: Free – donations welcome!
Nutterween!
Zombie Nutcracker anyone? 😉 In this (slightly) deranged (new) annual aerial tradition, UpSpring explores what would happen if the Nutcracker took place on Halloween. Zombies, snow ghosts, and sea monsters dance and dangle from the ceiling. (If you haven’t seen UpSpring aerial performances before, THEY’RE AMAZING! Like a local Cirque!)
When: Sunday, December 2nd, 6pm
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium, Mount Rainier
Cost: $17 adults; $12 students and seniors
Yule Log
Join the Town of Bladensburg as we celebrate the 2018 holiday season at the 18th Annual Yule Log Christmas Tree Lighting. Festivities will include caroling, karaoke, bonfire, light supper and a special appearance by Santa Claus!
When: Friday, December 7th, 6-9pm
Where: Town of Bladensburg, 4229 Edmonston Rd, Bladensburg
Cost: Free!
Pictures with Santa
Santa Claus is stopping by Riverdale Park Station to take pictures with you and hear all about your holiday wishes! Each family will receive 1 complimentary 4×6 print, along with access to digital files. RSVP please; walk-ups are ok. Will feature holiday music, holiday balloon twisters, ornament arts and crafts, and light food and drink from Whole Foods and Denizens (beer/pints for sale)!
When: Saturday, December 8th, 12-3pm
Where: Riverdale Park Station, 6621 Baltimore Ave, Riverdale Park
Cost: Free!
Elves Workshop (Ages 6-12)
Spend the afternoon with Santa’s Elves making holiday crafts and treats! Must pre-register.
When: Saturday, December 8th, 1-3pm
Where: Greenbelt Youth Center, 99 Centerway, Greenbelt
Cost: $10/person
Holiday Trains & Planes
Miniature trains, villages, tunnels, and depots spark the imagination as they bring history to live. The National Capital Trackers bring a fascinating, constantly moving, holiday-themed display of model railroads to the museum. When: Saturday, December 15th – December 22nd; 10am-4pm
Where: College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cprl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park
Cost: $5/adults; $2 child; free ages 1 & under.
Gingerbread House Holiday Hullaballoo (reservations recommended)
All are welcome to make Gingerbread Houses!
When: Saturday, December 15th, 12-4pm
Where: Art Works Now, Hyattsville
Cost: Free!
Winter Wonderland
Come to enjoy an afternoon of holiday music and treats, make Do-it-Yourself gifts, get a winter-themed portrait and go swimming. (Don’t forget your swimsuit & towel!)
When: Saturday, December 15th,12-4pm
Where: Fairland Sports & Aquatics Complex, 13950 Old Gunpowder Rd, Laurel
Cost: $10/child; $6/adult
Riverdale Park Festival of Lights & Holiday Market
Craft alcohol, artisans, food makers, and many others from noon to 8pm. Multicultural Santa’s: 1-4pm; Live local music: noon to 8pm; Neighborhood Trolley: 5:40-8pm.
When: Saturday, December 15th, 12-8pm
Where: 6200 Rhode Island Ave, Riverdale Park
Cost: Free!
Holiday Ornament Workshop
Bring the family and build memorable, elegant ornaments with special paper. We provide all materials and instruction so you can deck the halls as soon as you get home.
When: Saturday, December 15th, 2-4pm
Where: Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Ave, Brentwood
Cost: Free!
Ugly Sweater Party
Come in your ugligest holiday sweater and enjoy some delicious craft beer as DJ Todd Dengel spins some records!
When: Saturday, December 15th, 5-10pm
Where: Streetcar 82, Hyattsville
Cost: Free (no entry fee)
Harbor Holiday Spectacular
Join Mix 106.5 and Today’s 101.9 for Harbor Holiday Spectacular Sunday, December 16 from 11am to 6pm at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Enjoy festive music, strolling entertainment, holiday movies, and access to the Baltimore Museum of Industry.
When: Sunday, December 16th, 11am-6pm
Where: Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway, Baltimore
Cost: $10 adults; $7 kids; $15 kids holiday activity pass and general admission
Trilingual Santa at Streetcar 82
Santa visits Streetcar 82 and is ready to greet you in American Sign Language, English and Spanish!
When: Saturday, December 22nd, 12-3pm
Where: Streetcar 82, Hyattsville
Cost: Free (no entry fee)
Strolling Christmas Carolers in Riverdale Park Station
Get in the holiday spirit and catch some Christmas carolers as you do you last minute holiday shopping (or dining)! There’ll be giveaways of branded goodies!
When: Saturday, December 22nd from 4-6pm
Where: Riverdale Park Station, 6621 Baltimore Ave, Riverdale Park
Cost: Free!
A Celtic Christmas Celebration with Kristin Rebecca
Kristin Rebecca will be performing on the Harp and with her father leading a wonderful Hyattsville group Celtic Christmas sing-along.When: Saturday, December 22nd, 7-9pm
Where: My Dead Aunt’s Books, 5132 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville
Cost: Free!
Messiah Sing-Along
The Kennedy Center’s free Messiah Sing-Along, a family and community tradition since 1971, returns to the Concert Hall this Sunday evening!
When: Sunday, December 23rd, 6pm
Where: The Kennedy Center, DC
Cost: Free (ticket distribution begins at 4:30pm in the Hall of Nations)
🌟 HOLIDAY LIGHTS!
Festival of Lights
Bring a little twinkle to your holidays at this spectacular drive-through event featuring dazzling displays with more than 2.5 million lights throughout the park!
When: Now through January 1, 2019; 5-9:30pm
Where: Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $10/car; $20 mini-bus
ZooLights at the National Zoo
ZooLights includes live music performances, tasty winter treats and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping. More than 500,000 environmentally friendly LED lights transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland complete with two dazzling laser light shows set to music.
When: Now through Tuesday, January 1, 2019; 5-9pm
Where: National Zoo, Washington, DC
Cost: Free!
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
Step into a magical winter wonderland illuminated with more than one million dazzling colorful lights shaped into hand-crafted, original art forms of flowers, animals and other natural elements. Stroll from garden to garden enjoying twinkling tree forms, sparkling fountains, and whimsical winter scenes.When: Now through January 1, 2019; 5:30-9pm
Where: 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Cost: $25/car (Sunday-Thursday); $30/car (Friday-Saturday)
Thanks for the update!
It's free. Limited to 150 people to attend.
Thanks for the information, Danny! Do you know if there's a fee to attend? Will update the Guide ASAP. Thanks again!
A Night with Santa will be held at the Bladensburg Community Center on December 22nd! Dinner will be aerved, everyone can get a photo with Santa (he will be riding in on a fire truck!), and every child will get an age appropriate present. People must RSVP at womenofferingwealth@gmail.com in order to attend.