Enchant Christmas DC - Things To Do for Families In December
Hi Curl Friends! It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is here and if your schedule is anything like mine that means tons of parties, gift exchanges, dinners, and family fun. Over the weekend, my family and I visited Enchant Christmas Washington DC. Enchant Christmas is the world’s largest Christmas light maze adventure and market. I thought Enchant Christmas would be the perfect way to kick-off our holiday season so my entire family ventured into Washington, DC to experience the world’s largest Christmas light maze and market. My family and I had a wonderful time bonding and experiencing Christmas cheer. We all felt like we were in a real life Hallmark Christmas movie complete with ice skating, hot chocolate, shopping, and of course, Christmas lights. I recommend families visiting Enchant Christmas, but not without knowing all the details on what you’re getting yourself into.
If you’re looking for a holiday family outing keep reading for all the details on what you need to know and if your family should visit. For more information on Enchant Christmas and to purchase tickets visit their website.
About Enchant Christmas
Enchant Christmas is the world’s largest Christmas light maze adventure. Enchant Christmas only comes to a few locations every year, and this year Washington DC is one of the lucky locations (along with St. Petersburg, Florida, and Seattle, Washington). This year’s theme is ‘The Great Search’. Families will search through the maze to find all nine of Santa’s missing reindeer. This custom designed maze is 90,000 square feet, larger-than-life storybook full of light sculptures and decadent delights.
Costs, Ages, and Dates
Costs:
Enchant Christmas offers a range of ticket and costs options including general admission, VIP, access to the world’s largest Christmas Tree Light Maze. I opted for the general admission tickets with the Ice Skate rental add on, and parking. General admission tickets include full access to the Christmas Light Maze, access to the Ice Skating Trail, access to the Christmas Market and Santa, complimentary stroller valet, and much more. If VIP is more your style, then be prepared for increased costs which include VIP line access for entry and the Ice Skating Trails, all you can eat buffet and dessert bar, private VIP lounge, and complimentary ice skate rentals. For the full cost details and to purchase tickets, visit Enchant Christmas’s website.
General Admissions:
ADULT (ages 18-64) | $19.99 - $36.99
YOUTH (14-17) | $16.99 - $26.99
CHILD (4-13) | $14.99 - $24.99
SENIOR (65+) | $16.99 - $26.99
VIP Admissions:
ADULT (ages 18-64) | $74.99 - $89.99
YOUTH (14-17) | $63.99 - $76.99
CHILD (4-13) | $55.99 - $67.99
SENIOR (65+) | $63.99 - $76.99
Ages:
Enchant Christmas is open to all ages ranging from newborn to 65+. However, I believe families with children ages 3 - 11 years will get the most of the experience. Children will love all the lights and the challenge of finding all the reindeer. The ice skating rink is small, so if you have teenagers like me, they will trample over smaller kids. There’s also not a lot of activities for teens to do.
Date/Time:
The maze is open until December 29th, is weatherproof, and safe in all conditions. You should know that tickets exchanges are not extended due to rain.
November 22 - December 12
Monday-Thursday | 4:30pm - 10:30pm
Friday-Sunday | 4:30pm - 11:30pm
December 13 - 30
Everyday | 4:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Things I Wish I Knew Before My Visit
In full transparency I visited the maze twice; one time with my family, and a second for the VIP influencer reveal. So my perspective comes from a mother and just a person looking for Christmas fun.
This is a family friendly experience for all ages. HOWEVER, I think kids ages 3 - 11 will enjoy it most. My teen felt it was just okay. Most of the activities are designed with smaller children in mind.
It's not stroller friendly. You cannot take your stroller into the maze.
Expect large crowds and long lines, especially on the weekend.
Street parking sucks. You can pay for parking as a ticket add on or find street parking. You can also ride Metro and walk 1 block...but who really wants to do that with small kids?
Layer up, wear a hat and gloves, dress warm. It’s extremely cold and the entire event is outside.
Purchase advance tickets for all of your add-ons, especially the ice-skating.
There are TONS of beautiful photo opportunities. Be sure to bring your professional camera (I wish I brought my Canon). If you don’t have a professional camera, its best to take photos inside the maze; the light is amazing.
Purchase ticket add-ons like ice skate rentals in advance. When we went they were not selling ice skating tickets on site.
If you have older kids, ice skating may not be great option. The rink is small and I was concerned that my big sons would knock down small children.