October
Agricultural History Farm Park18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood, Maryland (301) 924-4141 Harvest Festival will be held two days this year on October 3 & 4, 2009, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This Montgomery County facility hosts one of the largest festivals in the area. Activities include hayrides, scarecrow making, farm demonstrations, crafts, hay maze, live entertainment and more.
Zekiah Farms5235 Bryantown Road, Waldorf, Maryland (240) 216-4065. Open Saturdays and Sundays in October, 10 a.m. to dusk. Hayrides, corn-mazes, farm animals, pumpkins, straw pit, seasonal produce, farm store, food, and more.
Fright Fest at Six Flags AmericaEnjoy the spooky attractions and shows at the Washington, DC Area’s largest Halloween celebration. Fright Fest at Six Flags America is open every Friday night, Saturday and Sunday October 3-31, 2009. Operating hours are: Friday: 5-10 p. m., Saturdays and Sundays: 12 noon - 10 p. m.
Boo at the ZooVisit bats, spiders, owls, and other animals at the zoo while trick-or-treating at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. Enjoy animal encounters, keeper talks, festive decorations, and haunted trails at the annual National Zoo’s Halloween celebration, ―Boo at the Zoo‖ from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on October 23-25, 2009. Costumed volunteers will hand out candy at more than 40 treat stations.
Night of the Living ZooOctober 30. 2009, 8 p.m. to midnight. National Zoo, Washington, DC. This Halloween, enjoy a new adults-only Halloween party with bone-chilling performances, live music and a costume contest.
Field of ScreamsOBGC Community Park, 4501 Olney-Laytonsville Road (Route 108), Olney, Maryland. Celebrate Halloween at a festival with a haunted forest, a kiddie playland and a ten-acre corn maze.
Air & Scare at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy CenterNational Air and Space Museum, Chantilly, Virginia. October 24, 2009, 2-8 p.m. Join creepy space aliens, mysterious astronauts and ghostly pilots for safe, indoor trick-or-treating. Visitors will enjoy story times, face-painting stations, hands-on activities, free screenings of an episode of ―The Jet-sons‖ in the Imax Theater, karaoke, simulation games and robotics demonstrations.
November
Kids Euro FestivalThrough November 10, 2009. The event staged through the cooperation of the 27 Washington-based European Union embassies and more than a dozen major local cultural institutions will include more than 150 free performances around the city. Geared to children ages six through twelve.
Washington Craft ShowNovember 6-8, 2009. Washington Convention Center. The annual craft show features contemporary crafts created by more than 180 artists including metal, leather, basketry, jewelry, ceramics, glass and more.
Veterans DayNovember 11, 2009. Honor American veterans at a wreath-laying ceremony at one of these monuments in Washington, DC.
City of Alexandria Holiday Tree LightingNovember 27, 2009, 7-9 p.m. Musical entertainment with a visit from Santa Claus in Market Square, 301 King St. (703) 838-4844
Christmas at Mount VernonNov. 27, 2009-Jan. 6, 2010. Learn about the Christmas traditions of George Washington and his family, meet historic characters and tour the Mount Vernon Estate by candlelight.
Friday, November 27, 2009. Enjoy a full day of celebration with the Reston community. The festivities begin with the Annual Race for the Kids at Fountain Square. The Thanksgiving parade includes Santa and Mrs. Claus joined by Macy's style balloons, musical groups, dancers, and antique cars making their way down Market Street.
Saturday, November 21, 2009. Celebrate Thanksgiving with a parade in the heart of Silver Spring, Maryland. This year’s parade will include 50-foot balloons, floats that promote the Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District, The Washington Redskins Marching Band, Eubie Blake and Einstein, mounted police, Shriners, fire engines, antique cars, trained dogs, other marching and dancing groups and a special visit from Santa.
December
Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of LightsDec. 5, 2009. See dozens of festively decorated boats light up the sky along the Potomac River.
National Christmas Tree and the Pageant of PeaceThe Christmas Tree in front of the White House has a special al-lure to us all, but to kids it’s even more magical. Be sure to get up close and watch the toy train go around the track!
ZooLights at the National ZooRock Creek Park. December 4, 2009 - January 2, 2010, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Open every night except December 24, 25, and 31. The National Zoo presents a display of thousands of sparkling animated Christmas lights, winter-themed crafts, ice sculpting demonstrations, choral groups, and storytellers.
The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony2009 Date to be Announced, 5 p.m. The White House Ellipse. Tickets are required. (202) 208-1631. Nationally known entertainers and a military band perform and the President brings a message of peace to the nation and the world.
Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony2009 Date to be Announced, 5:00 p.m. West Lawn of the U. S. Capitol. Listen to holiday music by a section of The United States Marine Band (The President's Own), and carols sung by the Congressional Chorus.
City of Alexandria's Tree Lighting Ceremony2009 Date to be Announced, 7-9 p.m. Historic Market Square, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. (703) 838-5005. Enjoy musical entertainment with greetings from the Mayor and Santa Claus.
National Harbor Christmas Tree Lighting2009 Date to be Announced, 5-7 p.m. Waterfront Plaza, National Harbor, Maryland. The waterfront community will kick off the holiday season by lighting up the sky with fireworks and a 60ft Christmas tree decorated with 20,000 lights. Sip some hot chocolate and enjoy story-telling, an ornament-making workshop and holiday music.
October
Agricultural History Farm Park18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood, Maryland (301) 924-4141 Harvest Festival will be held two days this year on October 3 & 4, 2009, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This Montgomery County facility hosts one of the largest festivals in the area. Activities include hayrides, scarecrow making, farm demonstrations, crafts, hay maze, live entertainment and more.
Zekiah Farms5235 Bryantown Road, Waldorf, Maryland (240) 216-4065. Open Saturdays and Sundays in October, 10 a.m. to dusk. Hayrides, corn-mazes, farm animals, pumpkins, straw pit, seasonal produce, farm store, food, and more.
Fright Fest at Six Flags AmericaEnjoy the spooky attractions and shows at the Washington, DC Area’s largest Halloween celebration. Fright Fest at Six Flags America is open every Friday night, Saturday and Sunday October 3-31, 2009. Operating hours are: Friday: 5-10 p. m., Saturdays and Sundays: 12 noon - 10 p. m.
Boo at the ZooVisit bats, spiders, owls, and other animals at the zoo while trick-or-treating at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. Enjoy animal encounters, keeper talks, festive decorations, and haunted trails at the annual National Zoo’s Halloween celebration, ―Boo at the Zoo‖ from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on October 23-25, 2009. Costumed volunteers will hand out candy at more than 40 treat stations.
Night of the Living ZooOctober 30. 2009, 8 p.m. to midnight. National Zoo, Washington, DC. This Halloween, enjoy a new adults-only Halloween party with bone-chilling performances, live music and a costume contest.
Field of ScreamsOBGC Community Park, 4501 Olney-Laytonsville Road (Route 108), Olney, Maryland. Celebrate Halloween at a festival with a haunted forest, a kiddie playland and a ten-acre corn maze.
Air & Scare at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy CenterNational Air and Space Museum, Chantilly, Virginia. October 24, 2009, 2-8 p.m. Join creepy space aliens, mysterious astronauts and ghostly pilots for safe, indoor trick-or-treating. Visitors will enjoy story times, face-painting stations, hands-on activities, free screenings of an episode of ―The Jet-sons‖ in the Imax Theater, karaoke, simulation games and robotics demonstrations.
November
Kids Euro FestivalThrough November 10, 2009. The event staged through the cooperation of the 27 Washington-based European Union embassies and more than a dozen major local cultural institutions will include more than 150 free performances around the city. Geared to children ages six through twelve.
Washington Craft ShowNovember 6-8, 2009. Washington Convention Center. The annual craft show features contemporary crafts created by more than 180 artists including metal, leather, basketry, jewelry, ceramics, glass and more.
Veterans DayNovember 11, 2009. Honor American veterans at a wreath-laying ceremony at one of these monuments in Washington, DC.
City of Alexandria Holiday Tree LightingNovember 27, 2009, 7-9 p.m. Musical entertainment with a visit from Santa Claus in Market Square, 301 King St. (703) 838-4844
Christmas at Mount VernonNov. 27, 2009-Jan. 6, 2010. Learn about the Christmas traditions of George Washington and his family, meet historic characters and tour the Mount Vernon Estate by candlelight.
Friday, November 27, 2009. Enjoy a full day of celebration with the Reston community. The festivities begin with the Annual Race for the Kids at Fountain Square. The Thanksgiving parade includes Santa and Mrs. Claus joined by Macy's style balloons, musical groups, dancers, and antique cars making their way down Market Street.
Saturday, November 21, 2009. Celebrate Thanksgiving with a parade in the heart of Silver Spring, Maryland. This year’s parade will include 50-foot balloons, floats that promote the Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District, The Washington Redskins Marching Band, Eubie Blake and Einstein, mounted police, Shriners, fire engines, antique cars, trained dogs, other marching and dancing groups and a special visit from Santa.
December
Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of LightsDec. 5, 2009. See dozens of festively decorated boats light up the sky along the Potomac River.
National Christmas Tree and the Pageant of PeaceThe Christmas Tree in front of the White House has a special al-lure to us all, but to kids it’s even more magical. Be sure to get up close and watch the toy train go around the track!
ZooLights at the National ZooRock Creek Park. December 4, 2009 - January 2, 2010, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Open every night except December 24, 25, and 31. The National Zoo presents a display of thousands of sparkling animated Christmas lights, winter-themed crafts, ice sculpting demonstrations, choral groups, and storytellers.
The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony2009 Date to be Announced, 5 p.m. The White House Ellipse. Tickets are required. (202) 208-1631. Nationally known entertainers and a military band perform and the President brings a message of peace to the nation and the world.
Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony2009 Date to be Announced, 5:00 p.m. West Lawn of the U. S. Capitol. Listen to holiday music by a section of The United States Marine Band (The President's Own), and carols sung by the Congressional Chorus.
City of Alexandria's Tree Lighting Ceremony2009 Date to be Announced, 7-9 p.m. Historic Market Square, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. (703) 838-5005. Enjoy musical entertainment with greetings from the Mayor and Santa Claus.
National Harbor Christmas Tree Lighting2009 Date to be Announced, 5-7 p.m. Waterfront Plaza, National Harbor, Maryland. The waterfront community will kick off the holiday season by lighting up the sky with fireworks and a 60ft Christmas tree decorated with 20,000 lights. Sip some hot chocolate and enjoy story-telling, an ornament-making workshop and holiday music.