Top Winter Events in Washington DC, Baltimore and Northern Virginia
It may be cold outside, but there are plenty of fun winter events in Washington D.C., Baltimore and Northern Virginia. We hope you enjoy our list of winter activities that includes festivals, museum events, and lots of other ways to have fun indoors for the first few months of the new year!
We will be adding new events often, so be sure to check back!
Winter Events in Baltimore
The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited! Thru Dec 30th
The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited! will be on view at the Maryland Center for History and Culture in Baltimore through December 30th 2023. This wonderful exhibit 5,000 square feet of space.It includes a history of Jim Henson including his early works and puppets.Plus lots of Muppet displays and a build-your-own Muppet area which our kids loved! Check out highlights from our visit on Instagram!
Aside from the Henson exhibit, MCHC offers the country’s largest collections of state heritage with 1,000 objects on display + several other rotating exhibits.
MCHC is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday 10-5 with extended hours until 8 pm Thursdays.Every first Thursday, you can get into the Maryland Center for History and Culture for FREE! We opted to join the museum for $70 which gives us access to 300 museums + historic sites through the Time Travelers reciprocal program plus 15% off at the gift shop. Just $60 for military families + seniors.
📍Location: 610 Park Ave, Baltimore, MD
Disney on Ice Presents Find Your Hero Feb 8-11
𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗢𝗻 𝗜𝗰𝗲 is returning to CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore from February 8th to 11th with a new magical adventure! 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘖𝘯 𝘐𝘤𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘰 brings your favorite Disney characters to life through world-class figure-skating, breathtaking acrobatics, and spectacular stunts.
Disney character appearances will include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck Goofy, Mirabel, Moana, Maui, The Little Mermaid, Rapunzel, Belle, Olaf, Anna and Elsa, and more! This is a stunning show that your entire family will love.
Disney on Ice is on tour around the United States and in Canada too so if you miss the Baltimore event, be sure to check out the website for other locations and dates!
📍Location: CFG Bank Arena, 201 W Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD 21201
Shen Yun at the Hippodrome Theatre Feb 10-11
Shen Yun is touring the D.C. area and will stop in Baltimore after its stint at The Kennedy Center. Step back in time to ancient China for an enchanting evening of Asian culture and an enduring message of hope. Scroll down to the D.C. listing to find out more about the show.
📍Location: 12 N. Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD
Max’s Belgian Beer Festival Feb 16-19
With over 200 beers on tap and a couple hundred additional bottles to choose from, Max’s Annual Belgian Beer Festival in Baltimore is a must-do for any beer lover! It is held annually every President’s Day weekend in the historic Fells Point district of the Inner Harbor. Each year, there are special beer events planned for each day with different brewers. Beer choices range from popular wheat and blondes to dark beers, fruit-flavored framboise, and even sour beers for those with rare taste.
📍Location: 733 S. Broadway, Baltimore, MD
Jurassic World Live Mar 15-17
Dinosaurs are taking over Baltimore!! Jurassic World Live Tour will bring the wonder of Isla Nublar to CFG Bank arena with nine life-like dinosaurs custom built with scientific accuracy and Hollywood studio quality.
The show includes edge-of-your-seat stunts, action-packed fight scenes, and incredible imagery that will make for a memorable family experience that will last another 65 million years.
Fan Favorite Bumpy from the animated Netflix series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous is also part of the tour! This friendly, food loving dinosaur grows from baby to adult before your eyes. Don’t miss your chance to see her LIVE!
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲?
The show runs approximately one hour and 50 minutes long including a 15-20 minute intermission.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄?
Included with your ticket, one hour before the show, you can get up-close and take pictures with with Triceratops, Stegosaurs, Baby Bumpy, the Jurassic World jeep, and Gyrosphere!
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲?
There will be 7 showtimes at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore from March 15th through March 17th. Jurassic World Live will also be in Fairfax from March 23rd thru 31st.
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀?
Head to 𝘑𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘴 now!
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲?
Click here to get FREE printable activity sheets! Activities include a dinosaur snack recipe, instructions on how to make a DIY dinosaur mask, and more!
Winter Events in Washington DC
VanGogh: The Immersive Experience Thru Jan 31
𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗚𝗼𝗴𝗵: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗙𝗔𝗥 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. 𝗜𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗗.𝗖.! Check out our Instagram preview here.
Over 5 million visitors have seen this exhibit since its inception in 2017. It was ranked one of the Best Immersive Experiences in the World by CNN, Readers Choice 10 Best by USA Today, and received Gold Recognition for Exhibit Experiences from Eventex Awards.
Why is VanGogh such a big deal? He only lived until 37. In his short lifetime, he created over 𝟮,𝟬𝟬𝟬 works of art + has been an inspiration to artists around the globe for centuries! In this interactive exhibit, you’ll see:
🖼️Learn about VanGogh’s fascinating life
🖼️See his art come alive thru high-tech imagery
🖼️View his best works in an immersive two-story projection room
🖼️Watch a VR presentation that’ll make your jaw drop as you see the world thru VanGogh’s eyes
🖼️Make your own VanGogh creation and project it on-screen
🖼️Browse the gift shop and take home a replica work of art to remember your experience
VanGogh: The Immersive Experience is located at Bryant St NW, just steps from MetroBar, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Parking lot available or take the DC Metro to Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood stop.
The exhibit opened in DC in August 2021 and will be on view through January 31st. Don’t miss your chance to see this stunning exhibit!
📍Location: 524 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC
Dinos Alive On-Going
Kids will love experiencing the thrill of dinosaurs IRL at this brand-new attraction that is right next door to the VanGogh Experience at DC Bryant Street! Dinos Alive features over 80 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs that move and make sounds in authentic replicas of prehistoric settings.
Expect to spend at least 60 to 90 minutes touring the exhibit. Ticket prices start at $20 and are free for kids 3 and under. Discount parking is available when you purchase your tickets or it is within walking distance of the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood metro stop on the WMATA Red Line.
Download the Dinos Alive app from Apple Store or Google Play to learn more about each dinosaur species as you walk through the exhibit.
The exhibit opened in DC in October 2022 and an end date has not yet been set. It is also currently on view in Las Angeles and Raleigh with additional U.S. city tour dates being planned.
📍Location: 524 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC
Monster Jam Jan 27-28
Monster Jam is back in the DMV! Unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable, this action-packed Monster Jam® event features world-class athletes controlling 𝟭𝟮,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 monster machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing up to 𝟳𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿! Monster Jam will roar into the Capital One Arena in downtown DC for one weekend only starting Saturday January 27th. During the daytime events Saturday and Sunday, there is a Monster Jam Pit Party before the event that allows you to meet the drivers, get up-close to the cars, and take lots of pictures! We highly recommend going to the Pit Party! It is a ton of fun!
📍Location: Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC
Shen Yun at The Kennedy Center Jan 26-Feb 4
Shen Yun is a must-see show for all ages! The all-new 2024 production features a live orchestra, classical dance, and multi-dimensional scenes of China. If you cannot make it to The Kennedy Center, it will head over to Baltimore on February 10 and 11.
📍Location: Kennedy Center Opera House, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC
Monet: The Immersive Experience Starting Feb 16
If you missed your chance to see the VanGogh Experience when it was in D.C., then you must check out the Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience that starts on February 16th in the same location. It will have a similar layout to the VanGogh experience above with immersive art elements, state-of-the-art technology, and virtual reality.
Claude Monet is most famous for founding the art principle of Impressionism, which focused on more abstract art exploring light and vibrant colors. This well-known art genre arose from his most famous painting entitled Impression, Sunrise. His art also centered around nature and includes several paintings of garden scenes, lilies, and coastal settings.
Monet: The Immersive Experience is located at Bryant St NW, just steps from MetroBar, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. It is also on view in Cincnnati, Albany, and London.
📍Location: 524 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC
DC Travel & Adventure Show Feb 24-25
The DC Travel & Adventure Show is the only place that you can travel the globe under one roof! Browse hundreds of vacation booths, attend seminars led by travel experts, shop for travel-related products, and enjoy entertainment at this annual event at the Washington Convention Center February 24th and 25th. Read our full post on the DC Travel Show for more reasons why you should attend!
📍Location: Washington DC Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington, DC
ARTECHOUSE DC Beyond The Light Jan 5-Mar 3
ARTECHOUSE is the first independent arts organization focused on blending art and technology with science. The DC. location is located under a 10-minute walk from the Smithsonian and L’Enfant Plaza Metro stops and offers rotating exhibits. This winter, ARTECHOUSE Beyond The Light will run through March 3. This fascinating collaboration with NASA includes a 26-minute cinematic journey along with other immersive experiences.
In addition to the self-paced exhibits, the extended reality XR Bar serves up themed cocktails and mocktails plus beer and wine from 4 to 10 pm weeknights and 11 am to 10 pm Fridays thru Sundays. Kids under 4 are free. ARTECHOUSE offers student, senior, military, first responder, and group discounts along with weekday family pack pricing. ARTECHOUSE has two other locations with rotating installations in New York City and Miami. Watch highlights from our last visit to ARTECHOUSE here.
📍Location: 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC
Dopamine Land Experience Thru March 17
Dopamine Land is a brand-new multisensory experience in the Friendship Heights neighborhood of Washington D.C. combining media, technology and hands-on experiences throughout 10 unique rooms that you walk through at your own pace designed to release dopamine – aka your happy hormone!
It is also a fun chance to be a kid again….Color on furniture, let your creativity shine, have a pillow fight, and take some fun pics! There is also an optional Oxygen Bar that offers 10-minute aromatherapy and oxygen sessions to help you relax and focus. Watch a recap of our experience on Instagram. As of now, this limited-time experience runs through March 17th.
📍Location: 5333 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC
Titanic: The Exhibition Thru Mar 17
Titanic: The Exhibition has docked at National Harbor near Washington D.C. Dates have been extended through mid-March. This is a must-do for all Titanic fans! Audio guides are available in English and Spanish and offer fascinating accounts of Titanic passengers stories and the details of the fateful shipwreck.
Admission is free for kids 3 and under though there are no hands-on elements so little ones may get bored. You can also buy a gift card and surprise someone with this unique experience!
Here is what you can expect to see in this Titanic immersive experience:
🧊Listen to a play-by-play audio tour of the events as they unfolded leading to the Titanic shipwreck disaster.
🧊Learn the compelling stories of some of the famous and lesser known passengers.
🧊See over 200 authentic historic artifacts from the ship.
🧊Walk through a recreated version of the Titanic’s interior including the first-class and third-class suites.
Dates have been extended through mid-March. This event has sold out in London and New York so get your tickets now!
📍Location: 151 St George Blvd, Oxon Hill, MD
Winter Events in Northern Virginia
Hot Wheels Champion Experience On-Going
The Hot Wheels Champion Experience is located in Tysons Corner Center just outside of Washington D.C. This experience spans 16,000 square feet and includes 10 interactive challenges and games that are fun for all ages.
Your ticket includes a 90-minute play session. No ticket is required for ages 2 and under. There are also special savings for families of four and groups of ten or more. The attraction is open Wednesday thru Sunday and may have special hours over holidays. Click the link above for more details.
𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲:
🌁𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘵 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 – a video game you play with soft dodgeballs.
🖍️𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘏𝘰𝘵 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 – color your own car + watch it come alive on-screen!
🏎️𝘔𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘛𝘰 𝘙𝘢𝘤𝘦 – Use your body to control your car + compete against others in your group.
🛣️𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘏𝘰𝘵 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘙𝘰𝘰𝘮 – work with your team to design a custom track.
The Hot Wheels Champion Experience is located on the second floor near Barnes & Noble so it is best to enter the mall at that entrance. The best parkikng for the Hot Wheels Champion Experience is Garage E near Coastal Flats or Garage C deck near Barnes & Noble on the lower level of Tysons Corner Center. This is a limited-time engagement and a fabulous indoor play center in the D.C. area so take advantage of it while you can!
📍 Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons, VA
Paw Patrol Live! Feb 2-4
Tickets are on sale NOW to see PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure” at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore from January 26th through January 28th and at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax from February 2nd through February 4th. Head to our instagram page for a chance to win four tickets to the show! Enter by January 24th.
This is a great opportunity to introduce your kids to live theater and is recommended for children from one to six years old. It will include interactive sing-along numbers, dancing, clapping, and audience participation to keep your kids engaged.
VIP (Very Important Pup) packages are also available. The VIP experience includes preferred seating and a special Meet and Greet photo opportunity with two Paw Patrol characters after the show. Note that during the show, there will be flashing lights and may be confetti at the end of the performance. ADA seating is available for all performances. Contact the local venue to find out more about accomodations as they vary by theater.
Looking for discount tickets to Paw Patrol Live? Use discount code* FFX25 to save 25% on select February 4 tickets.
📍Location: EagleBank Arena, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax, VA
DMV Winter Lantern Festival Thru Feb 18
New York’s Winter Lantern Festival is now in the DMV! The Winter Lantern Festival will be at Lerner Town Square at Tysons II in Tysons Virginia. It is open daily through February 18th and is just a two-minute walk from the Tysons Corner metro stop.
The festival will feature over one thousand handcrafted Chinese lanterns. This winter festival offers lots of fun insta-worthy photo opps and hands-on play opportunities that will put a smile on everyone’s faces! Head to our Instagram page to see highlights from last year’s event!
📍Location: 8025 Galleria Drive, Tysons, VA
LEGO NINJAGO Dragon’s Rising Event Feb 2 – Mar 1
Find your DRAGON POWER at LEGO Discovery Center DC! At this brand-new LEGO NINJAGO Dragon’s Rising Event, become a Spinjitzu master!
In addition to 12 themed play zones, special activities include:
- Build baby dragon Riyu in the Creative Workshop
- Search Mini World for Ninjas
- Join a dance party at the Crossroads Carnival
- Collect Ninjago pop badges + more!
📍Location: 6563 Springfield Mall, Springfield,VA
Winter Events in Howard County, MD
Evening in the Stacks – Columbia, MD Feb 24
Help support the Howard County Library System’s early childhood initiatives by getting your party at one of the county’s most anticipated annual events! Your entry ticket also includes open bar provided by The Wine Bin and Sobar, food by Rouge Catering, live entertainment, and other surprises!
📍Location: Howard County East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD
Winter Events in Montgomery County, MD
Cinderella: A Salsa Fairytale Feb 15-Apr 7
Cinderella: A Salsa Fairytale debuts on February 7th at Imagination Stage, the D.C. area’s top venue dedicated to introducing young people to live theatre. This musical written and composed by Helen Hayes award-winning duo Karen Zacarias and Deborah Wicks LaPuma. The play follows a bilingual Cinderella named Cenicienta as she acclimates herself to the U.S. and tells a story from both her perspective and through the eyes of her step-sister, Rosa.
Recommended for ages 5 and up, this updated twist on a classical fairytale is a wonderful story that teaches kids about empathy, sportsmanship, and respect. The show runs through April 7th with an ASL-interpreted performance on February 24 and a Sensory-Friendly performance on February 25th. There are also several show dates that include a Meet the Actors session that allows kids to talk to the cast and take pictures with them. Click the link above for more details and showtimes.
Inside Out and Backwards Mar 2-31
If you are looking for a production for younger kids, Imagination Stage is also kicking off Inside Out and Backwards on March 2nd. Let your little ones imagination run wild along with two kids who invent stories from things in their room before bedtime!
This show runs through March 31st. It has an ASL-interpreted performance on March 24th.
Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas On-Going
If you’re looking to stay warm and not worry about a thing, check out Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas in Gaithersburg, Maryland! This wonderful movie theater has a full menu including specialty drinks, appetizers, pizza, entrees, kids meals, snacks, and dessert. And the best part is that it is delivered right to your comfy reclining leather seat!
Enjoy your movie in state-of-the-art high-definition sound and screen. There is also a nice lounge area so you can have a drink before or after the show. Read our full review of Cinepolis here!
📍Location: Kentlands Square, 629 Center Point Way, Gaithersburg, MD
