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CHRISTMAS AT THE GAYLORD HOTEL & ICE!
Date: November 19, 2023 – December 31, 2024
Location: National Harbor
Cost: $ Pricing depends on package
Details: Discover an incredible holiday getaway with ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™, fan-favorite activities, and live shows for all ages. Click HERE to learn more about our activities. Make unforgettable memories and enjoy exclusive privileges as an overnight resort guest. Or spend a delightful day experiencing dazzling displays, delicious treats, and festive activities.
PUBLIC SKATE SCHEDULE
Location: Capital Clubhouse- 3033 Waldorf Market Pl, Waldorf, MD 20603
SCHEDULE – PARKS & REC CHARLES COUNTY
Date: Daily Programming
Location: Charles County Parks & Rec
Details: From Open Swim to Dance Classes and Special Events to Drop in Programs Charles County Parks and Recreation offers so much. Be sure to see their schedule.
Cost: Some programs are free or cost money but all programs are affordable for families on a budget.
B&O RAILROAD HOLIDAY TRAIN RIDES
Date: November 19, 2023 – December 31, 2023 (Select Dates)
Place: B&O Railroad in Baltimore, MD
Price: $ Price Depends on train excursion
Information: Nothing is more magical than a holiday train ride. Weather you take an adventure on the Polar Express or visit during the Holiday train display you are sure have a memorable time.
IMAGINARIUM OPEN PLAY HOURS
Dates:
Location: Imaginarium Indoor Play Space- 13360 HG Trueman Road. Solomons, MD
Details: Enjoy open play at this creative and inspiring indoor play space
Cost: $
WEDNESDAY STORY TIME -PD BROWN BRANCH
Date: Wednesday’s
Times:
Location: Charles Coutny Pyblic Library- PD Brown Branch
Description: Story Time is a weekly “must” for children ages 0 to 5. Each program includes book reading, dancing & music, flannel board activities, and tons of fun!
Library: Charles County Public Library- PD Brown
Event Type: Library
Age Group: 0 – 5 Years Old
Registration: None/Walk-ins Welcome
Event Link
BOTANICAL GARDENS HOLIDAY DISPLAY
Date: November 23, 2023– January 1, 2024 *Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas*
Time: 10AM-5PM
Location: US Botanical Garden- Washington, DC
Details: The United States Botanic Garden will feature an outdoor holiday the 2023 season. Festive adornments, winterberries, lighted trees and shrubs, and conifers and greenery on display. Don’t miss the popular train display!
Cost: FREE
ACTION JAXX- SCHEDULE
Dates/Time:
Location: Action Jaxx- 3443 Rockefeller Ct. Waldorf , MD
Details: Action Jaxx is a indoor family fun center with indoor play ground, bounce houses and video games.
Cost: $15 per kid
Playful Parent Guide
BUSCH GARDENS CHRISTMAS TOWN
Date: November 10, 2023 -January 7, 2024
Location: Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA
Details: Christmas shines brightest at Busch Gardens Christmas Town in Williamsburg, Virginia. The world’s most beautiful theme park is aglow with over 8 million Christmas lights, making it the largest Christmas light display in North America. Enjoy kid-friendly, thrill rides, merry entertainment and dining options. Stay warm with a mug of the park’s signature peppermint fudge hot chocolate, meet Santa Claus in the North Pole and capture an unforgettable memory with a Christmas photo. Most of all, enjoy this most wonderful time of year with friends and family. CHRISTMAS TOWN PLAYFUL PARENT GUIDE
Cost: Cost of Admission to park/ FREE to Season Pass Holders
ST CLEMENETS CHRISTMAS DOLLS AND TRAINS EXHIBIT
Date: December 1, 2023– January 1, 2024 (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM) *Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas*
Place: St. Clements Island Museum, 38370 Point Breeze Road, Coltons Point, MD
Price: $3 Adults/ $1.50 Children 6 – 18, FREE Children 5 and under.
Information: Enjoy a holiday exhibit of antique and collectible dolls, trains and toys in this festive holiday display inside the museum. This event is a fun visitor experience where you can see a very unique Christmas Exhibit in the museum setting.
Date: November 17, 2023- December 31, 2023
Location: 16000 Theme Park Way Doswell, VA
Details: Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Virginia’s premier holiday celebration, WinterFest! Kings Dominion transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of shimmering lights, breathtaking décor, and lavish displays. The Eiffel Tower will become a 300-foot-tall Christmas tree, and the iconic fountain on International Street will become one of the most beautiful and largest ice-skating rinks around. WinterFest is the perfect place to create holiday memories with your family with so many exclusive experiences. Sit back and enjoy one of our live shows while dining on delicious holiday treats and drinks. Take part in a selection of fun Christmas activities to get you in the holiday spirit, and be sure to check out our festive shops and artisan locations to find the perfect Christmas gift.
Cost: Park Admission or FREE to Season Pass Holders
HOMESCHOOL ARTCLUB
Dates: Wednesdays/Thursdays
Time: 2:00 PM-3:00PM
Location: Potomac Branch & La Plata Branch
Details: STEM Club and ART Club alternate each week at Potomac and La Plata Branch each Wednesday and Thursday at 2PM. Each week is a different topic. Space is limited so pre-registration is required. See the Charles County Public Library Calendar for complete details and to sign-up. Must register for each weeks club date.
Registration: REQUIRED!
Age Group: 7-15
Cost: FREE
ANNMARIE GARDENS IN LIGHTS
Date: November 24, 2023 – January 1, 2024 (closed Nov. 27, 28 & Dec. 4, 5, 24, 25)
Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Nightly
Location: Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center- Solomons, MD
Details: Walk through the wooded path and enjoy lighted vignettes of famous people, places and works of art. Look for hidden treasures in the trees and green shamrocks in each vignette.
Cost: Price: TICKETS ON SALE NOW! MEMBER TICKETS: members must reserve tickets in advance; $5/person online, $7 at the gate; members enjoy FREE admission on Member Nights; members must reserve tickets in advance; NON-MEMBER TICKETS: reserve tickets in advance – $15 online, $17 at the gate, if not sold out; Ages 2 & under FREE; SNAP card holders, call 410-326-4640 to reserve your reduced price tickets. When you reserve a ticket to light show, you agree to our Safety & Event Info.
ANNMARIE GARDEN IN LIGHTS
Date: November 24, 2023 – January 1, 2024 (Closed Nov. 27, 28 & Dec. 4, 5, 24, 25)
Time: 5PM-9PM
Location: Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center- Solomon, MD
Information: Walk through the wooded path and enjoy lighted vignettes of famous people, places and works of art. Look for hidden treasures in the trees and green shamrocks in each vignette. Be sure to check out their special events calendar for train display nights, local hero free admission days and Santa Sundays.
Cost: Members must reserve tickets in advance; $5/person online, $7 at the gate/ NON-MEMBER TICKETS: reserve tickets in advance – $15 online, $17 at the gate, if not sold out
BROOKSIDE GARDENS- GARDEN IN LIGHTS
Date: Garden of Lights will open on November 17, 2023. The exhibit is open every night through December 31, 2023 (Except November 20-23 and December 24-25, 2023.)
Time: 5PM-9PM
Location: Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, Maryland
Details: Walk thru this beautiful display of holiday lights that features more than a million colorful lights. Following your walk among the lights, warm up inside the Conservatory and enjoy a colorful display of holiday poinsettias, flowering plants and evergreens.
Cost: $10 per person/ Ages 3 and under FREE
LINK
BULL RUN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Date: November 10, 2023 to January 7, 2024 *Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas*
Time: 5PM-9PM
Location: 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121
Information: Every year from November until just after New Year’s Day, you can experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights, 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car; turn off your headlights and just follow the magical glow.
Cost: $30-$40 Depending on what night you go. Take advantage of the discount for purchasing online. Use promo code early23 to save $10 on November 10-19, 2023.
Use promo code lights23 to save $5 on November 20-22, 27-30, 2023 and December 4-7, 11-14, 2023.
LINK
ENCHANT DC
Date: November 24, 2023 – December 31, 2023 (5PM – 9PM) *Closed Christmas*
Location: National Park – Washington, DC
Cost: Admission $32 General/$24 Youth
Details: Unwrap new traditions and make memories big and small as you wind your way through a luminescent land of beautiful arches, larger-than-life sculptures and decadent delights. Welcome to Enchant. Where magical memories are made.
WINTER FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT WATKINS REGIONAL PARK
Date: November 24, 2023- January 1, 2024
Location: Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Cost: $10 Per Car Advanced Purchase/$15 Per Car On-site (Free admission November 29 & December 25 in appreciation to the residents of Prince George’s County for their year-round support of the Department of Parks and Recreation programs! Make a difference this season! Please bring canned goods for donation to local Food Banks.)
Details: Join in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Watkins Park’s Winter Festival of Lights by driving thru a spectacular holiday display of more than one million lights and one of the tallest tree displays in Maryland. Participants are encouraged to bring a canned or nonperishable good to be donated to a local food bank.
SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS
Date: November 23, 2023- January 1, 2024
Location: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD
Cost: The price is $25 per vehicle, except for walk-thru nights
Details The Symphony of Lights has been a time-honored Howard County holiday tradition enjoyed by many for over 25 years. Set in historic Merriweather Post Pavilion and made up of more than 300,000 bulbs, this family-oriented spectacular is a dazzling display of larger-than-life animated and stationary holiday light creations. With the addition of new lights (and a 150 foot screen!), your time through our refreshed course guarantees a night to remember.
LIGHTS ON THE BAY
Date: Opens November 19, 2023 – January 1, 2024 -Monday-Thursday 6pm – 10pm and Friday-Sunday 5pm – 10pm (nightly, including holidays)
Place: Sandy Point State Park
Price: $20 Per Car
Information: Head to Sandy Point State Park from November 24th to January 1st. Not only will you see Christmas lights, but 3D glasses are available for purchase to make your experience even more amazing.
WINTER CONCERT
Date: December 6, 2023
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Thomas Stone High School
Details: Enjoy a winter concert at local high school Thomas Stone.
Cost: FREE
Age Group: All Ages welcome
Registration: Not Required
BOWLING SCHEDULE
AMF BOWLING
Dates: DAILY SPECIALS
Times: Times Varies
Location: AMF Waldorf, MD
Details: The bowling alley is back open and offering family specials.
The Playful Parent was created by Kristy a mother of three energetic boys. She has a Bachelors degree with a interest in Education and Masters in Clinical Community Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. “I believe that children learn through play! I love to do fun things with my children and hope that sharing our adventures provides other families with inspiration and resources that lead to quality time together and a love for learning!” This non profit 501c3 organization was started so parents would have a family friendly place to come to, feel supported and leave with information that is useful. This site is kept advertisement and influence free in order to keep the page from clutter and bias opinion. Your support, feedback, likes and comments are essential; this site was designed to connect the community. The Playful Parent offers resources such as guides, calendars and ideas for making learning fun. In addition, TPP is present in the community and hosts a handful of events to support SOMD in raising healthy families.
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