Free Winter Events in Washington DC, Baltimore and Northern Virginia
Trying to save money now that the holidays are over? We have you covered with our list of the top free winter events in Washington DC, Baltimore, Northern Virginia, and beyond!
Free Winter Events in Baltimore
Lunar New Year Celebration at The Walters Art Museum Feb 1
Experience a free day of indoor fun at The Walters Art Museum in the Mount Vernon area of Baltimore. The Walters goes all out for Lunar New Year with live performances, hands-on art activities, a scavenger hunt, and more.
Special needs families can take advantage of the sensory break areas that provide less stimulating areas. An American Sign Language Interpreter is also available upon request for those with a hearing impairment.
The Walters Art Museum is free year-round and offers lots of programs to take advantage of. There is a Family Art Center that allows kids to create their own masterpiece. On weekends, there are guided drop-in art activities in the Family Art Center. Check out our post to find out more about visiting The Walters Art Museum with kids.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Baltimore March 16
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Baltimore has delighted spectators for over 65 years. This popular parade will be held on Sunday March 16th at 12:00 AM – 11:59 PM. The Baltimore St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts at the Washington Monument. It proceeds down Charles and Pratt Street towards the Inner Harbor and ends at Market Place.
Free Winter Events in Washington DC
Kids & Family Fun at American History Museum On-Going
Spark! Lab is open from 11 am to 4 pm on select dates throughout winter and spring at the American History Museum. Geared towards children ages six to twelve, this exciting lab encourages kids to build, imagine, explore, and experiment with STEM-based materials that encourage creativity. Kids six and under should check out Wonderplace. Wonderplace is a history-themed learning space that is open on select dates as well. Click the link above for the full schedule.
Mardi Gras at The Wharf Mar 1
Spend the afternoon at The Wharf DC. Mardi Gras festivities include a parade on Wharf Street at 3:30 pm with floats, stilt walkers, and the Mardi Gras king and queen followed by live music from several brass bands. Food and drinks including New Orleans famous hurricanes will be available for purchase. Wrap up the fun with a free fireworks display over the Potomac River at 6:30 pm!
Ireland at The Wharf Mar 15
On March 15th, head to The Wharf in Washington DC. Enjoy free festivities on the District Pier including live bands and bagpipers. Plus, lots of Guinness beer, whiskey and food vendors on-site.
Free Winter Events in Northern Virginia
Kids and Family Festival Weekends – Tysons Feb-Mar
Shipgarten is hosting weekend Kids and Family Festivals on Sundays this winter! The events will feature live music, face painting, and crafts. Plus, Shipgarten has two moon bounces, playgrounds, outdoor games, and more! It is also dog-friendly! Check out our Instagram post to find out more about our experience visiting Shipgarten with kids! Here are the dates and themes:
- Petting Zoo – Jan 26
- Frozen and Darth Vader – Feb 2
- Kiddo Rave – Feb 16
- Pikachu, Trainer, and Princess Ariel – Feb 23
- Black Panther, Fortnite’s Raven, and Miss Rachel – Mar 2
- Toy Story – Mar 9
- Merida, Peter Pan, and Tinker Bell – Mar 16
- Petting Zoo – Mar 23
George Washington Birthday Parade – Alexandria Feb 15
Celebrate President’s Day in Alexandria! The annual George Washington Birthday Parade will run from 1 to 3 pm along Fairfax and Royal Streets. Afterwards, warm up inside the Torpedo Factory Art Center and browse the art exhibits.
Free Admission at Mount Vernon – Mount Vernon Feb 17
Another way to celebrate President’s Day is at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Admission will be free all day on February 17th. A limited number of tickets will be distributed upon arrival, so it is best to arrive early. Mount Vernon is open from 8 am until 5 pm.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Alexandria Mar 1
The Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off at 12:15 pm on Saturday March 1st at Alfred and King Street. It will feature traditional Irish dancers and bands, community groups, and other entertainment. The parade route will run several blocks along King Street before concluding at the corner of Lee Street. A Classic Car Show will also be held in conjunction with the parade starting at 9 am on the 100 block of N. Pitt Street between Cameron and King Streets.
Other Free Winter Events Near the DMV
Girls Night Out at Savage Mill Feb 6
Have a fun night out with your best gal pals at Savage Mill! Enjoy wine and mocktails, peruse the shops, play bingo and more! The theme is PJs and Pinot, so wear your favorite cozy pajamas! Don’t forget your pajamas! Let’s make this the ultimate self-care night at Savage Mill!
Music in the Commons at Savage Mill Feb 22
On Saturday afternoon on February 22nd, head to the New Weave Commons to listen to music from Oakland Mills High School. Both Tri-M Music Honor Society and Modern Band Ensemble will perform. Stay and enjoy the shops, antique stores, and restaurants.
Sailing Through the Winter Solstice – Frederick Thru Mar 4
Missing those holiday lights? Well, you’re in luck because you can enjoy Sailing Through the Winter Solstice through March 4th in downtown Frederick! Twenty-eight boats are stationed in Carroll Creek and they are fun to see day and night! The best part is that all the boats support local non-profit organizations. After you see the boats, you can vote for your favorite Frederick Winter Solstice Boat by donating funds to your favorite design! Last year, this effort raised more than $102,000 for charity.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Annapolis Mar 9
If you love St. Patrick’s Day, you can’t miss the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Annapolis. This 2.5-hour parade will be held Sunday March 9th starting at 1 pm. The parade kicks off at Amos Garrett Boulevard and makes its way around downtown Annapolis’ main streets.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Gaithersburg Mar 15
On March 15th, head to The Rio in Gaithersburg for their St Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade starts at 10 am at Rio Boulevard and Grand Corner Avenue. It will include Celtic dancers, Irish bands, school groups, equestrian units, community organizations, kids’ characters and more.
Irish Festival – Westminster Mar 8
Downtown Westminster goes green on Saturday March 8th. The street festival kicks off with a Celtic Canter 5k and Leprechaun Chase fun run. Family-friendly events will follow with arts and crafts, vendors, food, a beer garden, and live music. Adults can enjoy a pub crawl starting at 12 pm. Free trolley rides will also be offered from 12 until 5 pm.
Weekly Events at The Common Kitchen – Clarksville On-Going
Come out to The Common Kitchen in Clarksville every Friday night from 5 to 7:30 pm to enjoy live music. Enjoy BINGO every Tuesday at 6 pm and Trivia on Thursdays at 6:30 pm. The Common Kitchen is home to nine different international food vendors. Beer, wine, and cocktails are also available for purchase at Trifecto.
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