January Family-Friendly Events Guide

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Happy New Year! We hope 2024 is filled with health, happiness, and laughter for you and your family. We have compiled a list of some fun, family-friendly events to kick off the year right. There are lots of ways to entertain and engage your kids in January, whether they love theater, music, art, or history. This month, there are also a number of events to observe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the Lunar New Year. For additional ideas of how to enjoy the DC area this winter, check out our guides to Ice Skating Rinks, The Best Indoor Play Places, and Museums and Galleries. And if you are still wondering how you might spend New Year’s Eve with the kids, take a look at our New Year’s Eve Guide for some ideas.

DC Holiday Lights

Now – January 7
Various Neighborhoods
Washington, DC
For those of us who can’t get enough of twinkly lights, there are still holiday light displays to enjoy! Fourteen of DC’s Main Streets and commercial corridors have joined together to provide visitors with a twinkling, festive holiday experience. Take a stroll down each of the participating corridors to experience a variety of fun holiday light displays and decor. You can even vote for your favorite! You can maximize your experience by downloading self-guided walking tours of some of the neighborhoods or by joining a citywide scavenger hunt.

Storytime: Moo, Baa, La La La! / Muu, Bee, ¡Así Fue! 

January  5 & 6
National Gallery of Art
Washington, DC
Each month, the Museum invites its youngest visitors and nursing parents to a bilingual (English and Spanish) story time. This month’s reading is Moo, Baa, La La La!/Muu, Bee, ¡Así Fue! by Sandra Boynton in English and Spanish. In addition to a fun book reading, other creative play activities will be offered. Storytime is FREE and registration is not required.

Peirce Mill Tours

January 6
Rock Creek Parkway
Washington, DC
Peirce Mill, located in Rock Creek Park, was built in 1829. It will be open from noon until 4pm on January 6th for public visits. See and learn what life in the mill was like in the 1800s, as well as some local history. Tours are FREE.

National Museum of Women in the Arts: Free Community Day

January 10
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Washington, DC
The National Museum of Women in the Arts recently reopened after undergoing significant improvements to the interior and exterior, enhanced amenities, enlarged gallery space, and more. Bring the family to explore this beautiful space celebrating and encouraging women in the arts during its Free Community Days. These occur on the first Sunday and second Wednesday of each month. While admission is FREE on these days, you must register online in advance.

Artist-in-Residence Workshop

January 13
National Children’s Museum
Washington, DC
The Museum aims to spark curiosity and creativity. This drop-in program does just that. Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann, the artist-in-residence, creates really big paintings and paper installations. Kids will have the chance to work with her and leave their mark on a collage that will become an immersive installation. The workshop runs from 9:30am until 2:30pm and is included in museum admission.

Pee Wee Pirates

January 13
The National Theater
Washington, DC
Join the National Theater’s Saturday Morning Live! program for FREE, fun, live performances. The shows, which are usually on the second Saturday of the month, are geared for kids from 3 to 6 years old. Tickets are FREE, but attendees should register in advance (walk up tickets are limited). The January performance is Pee Wee Pirates, an adventure that follows the exploration of Grace O’Malley, the Pirate Queen of Ireland, as she sailed the seas in the 1500s. Expect engaged minds and bodies during this energetic performance.

Rock the Rink at the Wharf

January 14
The Wharf Ice Rink
Washington, DC
The Wharf is all about the Washington Capitals. Through February, the ice rink will be decorated with Caps decor and they’ll even have a Caps ice resurfacer. On January 14th, hockey fans are invited to skate from 12pm-4pm. The event includes a DJ and Caps gear giveaways. At 1pm, the Capitals’ away game against the Rangers will be broadcast on a Jumbotron. If you wear your Caps gear, you’ll get $5 off admission to The Wharf Ice Rink.

19th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Walk & Parade

January 15
Peace Walk – MLK Ave. SE & Malcom X Ave SE / Parade – R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center 
Washington, DC
Join in this DC community celebration of the work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The 2 mile Peace Walk will begin at 11am following a 9am Peace Rally. The Parade will begin at 11am and will begin at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center on MLK Jr. Ave SE. The parade route can be found online. Both events are FREE to attend.

Washington Wizards vs. Detroit Pistons

January 15
Capitol One Arena
Washington, DC
Cheer on your Washington Wizards as the team continues its tradition of hosting a day game at home on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year they will be playing the Detroit Pistons. Tip off is at 3pm. It is also the first promotional giveaway in the team’s three-part “DMV Bobblehead Series.” The first 5,000 fans in attendance will get a bobblehead of Virginia Ali, co-founder of the DC landmark, Ben’s Chili Bowl! And also check out the Wizards’ Kids Day on January 21st.

Let Freedom Ring! with Jordin Sparks, Nolan Williams Jr., and Cécile McLorin Salvant

January 15
Kennedy Center
Washington, DC
This annual program celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s musical tribute will feature the talents of Jordin Sparks, Nolan Williams Jr., and Cécile McLorin Salvant. This event is FREE to attend, but tickets are required. The ticket giveaway begins January 15th at 4:30pm at the Hall of Nations and will be limited to 2 tickets per person.

Campfire Fridays

January 19
Hidden Pond Nature Center
Springfield, VA
The whole family will enjoy this evening program that explores the wonders of nature. Depending on the date, this program may include nature walks, animal presentations, interactive activities, and more. And of course, S’mores are included. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Tickets are $10 per person and can be reserved online.

The Washington, DC Auto Show

January 19 – 28
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Washington, DC
This family-friendly event gives attendees the chance to explore tons of vehicle models, admire classic and exotic cars, and take free test drives. Additionally, visitors can test drive an electric vehicle on the streets of DC, try out an E-Bike at the ElectriCityBikes Test Track, test out a Hyundai on its test track, and so much more. Oh, and if you are looking to expand your family, the “Subaru Loves Pets” adoption event is bringing dogs from local shelters to the car show to find a good home. Tickets available online.

Elena Moon Park and Friends

January 20
The Kennedy Center
Washington, DC
Take a musical journey around the world with Elena Moon Park and Friends. They will lead the audience on an exploration of languages, musical traditions, and stories from East and Southeast Asia through folk and children’s music. There are two performances, one at 11am and 1:30pm. This concert is aimed for kids age 7 and up.

Mongolian Mask Making

January 20 & 21
National Museum of Asian Art
Washington, DC
All ages are welcome at this workshop led by artisan in residence, Gankhuyag “Ganna” Natsag, a Mongolian artist, painter, and sculptor. Attendees will learn the steps to creating a papier-mâché mask associated with the Buddhist ritual, tsam. This is a FREE event but participants must register ahead of time.

Hansel and Gretel

January 20 – February 18
The Puppet Co.
Glen Echo Park, MD
This classic tale is brought to life in this legacy production which has been delighting audiences for over 50 years! The tale about two children who get lost in the woods is told with music and using marionettes. This production is recommended for ages 4 and over and lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Building Stories

January 21
National Building Museum
Washington, DC
This exhibit, opening on January 21st, aims to explore the importance of the built world in children’s literature. Audiences of all ages are invited to interact with these story elements through hands-on activities, media installations, sketching, reading, and building their own stories.

Teen Takeover: Pool Party at Long Bridge

January 27
Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center
Arlington, VA
If your middle or high school teenager is looking for a fun night out, how about swimming in winter? In addition to swimming, there will be board games, video games, music, a movie, and even an ice cream float bar! This is a FREE event, but registration is required.

Lunar New Year Celebration

January 27
The Kennedy Center
Washington, DC
This year, the Lunar New Year falls on February 10th. Get an early start with this celebration welcoming the Year of the Dragon with lion drumming and dragon dances. This event will be held on the Millennium Stage. As such, tickets are FREE, but required. Please see the website for information about how to get tickets.

Monster Jam

January 27 – 28
Capitol One Arena
Washington, DC
Monster Jam returns to Capitol One Arena at the end of the month. The legendary Grave Digger® and more will compete in intense competitions of speed and skill. Tickets are required for all attendees aged 2 and over. For an additional fee, fans can join the Pit Party where you can see the massive trucks up close, get behind the scenes with the pit crew, participate in Giveaways, and much more family-friendly fun.

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Julie Hart
Julie is a proud born and bred Texan, but has called DC home since 2001. She studied at the University of Texas and then moved to DC to get her MPA at the George Washington University. Julie worked for ten years for a Member of Congress, where she loved working to impact public policy. In 2013, her world turned inside out when she gave birth to twins and decided to become a stay-at-home mom. Currently Julie lives in the H Street Corridor with her husband, two kids, and their increasingly grouchy senior dog, Presley. Yes, please: movie dates with her husband, trying new restaurants, exploring DC with her kids, last minute road trips, being outdoors, festivals (of any kind), girls’ night out, and a rainy day with “Pride and Prejudice.” No, thank you: hot and humid summers, mistreating animals, Legos (ouch!), public speaking, laundry, raw fish