Signature Holiday Events
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, November 19
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Plaza
Free
Tysons Corner Center will kick off the 2021 Holiday Season with its annual tree lighting ceremony. The ceremony will include a special appearance from Santa, community performances, live music complimentary s’mores, hot chocolate station, kids crafts, outdoor specialty pop-up market featuring mall retailers, holiday sips from Barrel + Bushel, giveaways, and more.
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Come one, come all, the sideshow circus Side Yards is back this November! The family-friendly event features like performances from magicians, contortionists, fortune tellers, and more!
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Date: Friday, November 12 | 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Fairmont Washington, D.C. Georgetown is pleased to announce its 18th annual tree lighting ceremony in the hotel’s Courtyard beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, Filled with tiny white lights and shimmering Christmas trees, the courtyard becomes a glittering crystal garden – the perfect venue for holiday celebrations.
Families will take the chill off next to heaters as they listen to the award-winning Georgetown Visitation Madrigals perform holiday classics under the direction of Director of Performing Arts, Neptune Pringle, III. Children will enjoy decorating holiday cards and all families will be entered to win prizes. Santa will make a special appearance with Georgie the hotel’s Canine Ambassador. This year, all families are welcome to take a photo with Santa after the ceremony in his very own Santa Suite.
Fairmont’s tree lighting ceremony, which is free and open to the public, will benefit Horton’s Kids*. There is no charge to attend Fairmont’s Tree Lighting. All families and guests are encouraged to bring a popular toy such as Legos, basketballs, footballs, dolls, books, games or arts and crafts. The donations will help spread holiday cheer to over 500 children, ages 5 – 18.
To secure reservations for Fairmont’s tree lighting ceremony, please visit Eventbrite: https://fairmontwashingtontreelighting.eventbrite.com
Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown will also be accepting toy donations for Horton’s before and after the tree lighting ceremony from November 18th until December 14th.
* Horton’s Kids empowers children growing up in one of Washington, DC’s most under-resourced communities so that they graduate from high school ready for success in college, career and life. https://www.hortonskids.org/+
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 4
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Food Court, Level 3
Free
Families can enjoy some personal time with Santa by enjoying the center’s long-standing ‘Breakfast with Santa’ tradition. This must-attend event will feature a complimentary catered breakfast, kid entertainment, and a variety of family-friendly activities. Reservations are not required. Place settings are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Storytime with Santa
Saturday, December 11
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Fashion Court, Level 1
Free
Who else is better to read all our favorite Holiday stories? Join us for an intimate story session with Santa for an experience your child will never forget while he reads many of our prized classics. Reservations are not required.
Sensory Santa
Sunday, December 12
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Level 1, Fashion Court
Tysons Corner Center is pleased to partner with Cherry Hill photography and Autism Speaks to welcome children with special needs for a low impact, time with Santa. The mall will open its doors early, exclusively for families, and give them private time with the Big Man in Red. Reservations are not required.
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Families are invited to ring in the new year at DC’s best family-friendly celebration, Noon Yards! Noon Yards has interactive activities for every member of the family including crafts, kid-friendly activities, magicians, and a countdown to noon for young ones who might not make it to midnight!
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Date: December 31 | 10 AM – 1 pm
On Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m. ET National Cherry Blossom Festival will kick off kite-flying season with the Blossom Kite Festival on the grounds of the Washington Monument, for the first time since 2019. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the beloved springtime kite-flying tradition, and the iconic outdoor event is fun, free and open to the public.
WHAT
The 2022 Blossom Kite Festival will include:
- Kite competitions and demonstrations, including a stunt kite performance by 180GO!
- Family Field featuring a youth kite makers competition, Bol races, and a musical performance by Guava Jelly
- Kite making activities, large yard games, springtime crafting, and fun educational activities
WHO
Diana Mayhew, President of The National Cherry Blossom Festival
Jim Cosca, Kite Advisory Committee Member and President of Wings Over Washington
Paige Childs, Communications Specialist for National Children’s Museum
Mike Kory, Captain of Team 180GO!
WHEN
Saturday, March 26, 2022
10:00 – 4:30 p.m. ET
WHERE
Constitution Avenue and 17th Street NW
Please note that Metro train travel is strongly recommended for Saturday, March 26 due to road closures for citywide events. More information is available here.
Anime Movies Days at The Wharf Return (3/26-3/27)
The Wharf is celebrating the globally popular Japanese genre of anime with an outdoor anime movie festival on March 26 & 27 on Transit Pier. Anime Movie Days at The Wharf includes favorites like Steamboy, Okko’s Inn, A Letter to Momo, The Sky Crawlers, and more. Anime movie screenings take place each day at 2pm, 4:30pm, and 7pm. Tickets are $10 per person, and drinks and snacks are available at the Cantina Bambina concession window.
Anime Movies Days at The Wharf Return (3/26-3/27)
The Wharf is celebrating the globally popular Japanese genre of anime with an outdoor anime movie festival on March 26 & 27 on Transit Pier. Anime Movie Days at The Wharf includes favorites like Steamboy, Okko’s Inn, A Letter to Momo, The Sky Crawlers, and more. Anime movie screenings take place each day at 2pm, 4:30pm, and 7pm. Tickets are $10 per person, and drinks and snacks are available at the Cantina Bambina concession window.
