“Yes, Virginia” Family Day at the Newseum

November 29
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

555 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20001

I  must first thank DC Thrifty Mom for sharing this event. I’ve been to Newseum and it is amazing!!! If you’ve never taken the little ones, I think they’ll enjoy it! Did I mention that there is Free Newseum admission for kids 18 and younger?? Just make sure you don’t forget to bring a letter for Santa!

Note: Prices for Adult Admission is as follows: $22.95 +tax. Military, college students and AAA members are eligible for a 10% discount. 

On Saturday, Nov. 29, join the Newsum for the 16th annual “Yes, Virginia” celebration, a day of special events inspired by Francis P. Church’s 1897 New York Sun editorial assuring 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon that there was, indeed, a Santa Claus.

Kids 18 and younger will receive FREE ADMISSION to the Newseum on Sat., Nov. 29 and Sun., Nov. 30 if they bring a letter to put in Macy’s Santa Mail letterbox.  For every letter collected Macy’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish®.

Festivities begin at 11 a.m. with complimentary hot chocolate, holiday crafts and activities.  Throughout the day, enjoy screenings of the animated film “Yes, Virginia,” a special “Be a TV Reporter” experience from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® and more!

At 2 p.m. join the One-and-Only Macy’s Santa Claus and Virginia O’Hanlon’s great-great granddaughter, Mehren, for a reading of the famous “Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus” editorial. After the program, don’t miss photos with Santa!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pennsylvania Avenue Entrance
Write a Letter to Santa *Toddler Approved*
Write a letter to Santa! Youth 18 and younger get free admission to the Newseum if they bring a letter for Santa to put in the Macy’s Santa Mail letterbox.  Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make a Wish Foundation for every letter received.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., NBC News Interactive Newsroom, Level 2
Reporting Live from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®! *Toddler Approved*
Report “live” from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade at our “Be a TV Reporter” experience!

Every 30 minutes, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m., Documentary Theater, Concourse Level
“Yes, Virginia” Film Screening
Kick back and relax in the Documentary Theater for a screening of the animated film “Yes, Virginia.”

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (while supplies last), Pennsylvania Avenue Entrance
Hot Chocolate and Cookies *Toddler Approved*
Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies on America’s Main Street.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Walter and Leonore Annenberg Theater Lobby, Level 1
Holiday-themed Crafts *Toddler Approved*
Make snowflakes out of newspaper front pages, snow globes using symbols of the season, or picture frames to capture the spirit of the holidays.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Walter and Leonore Annenberg Theater Lobby, Level 1
“I Believe” Photo Op *Toddler Approved*
What do you believe in? Let the Newseum know! Create your own “I Believe” button and post it to Instagram or Twitter using#macysbelieve – and don’t forget to tag @NewseumEd. Your photo might be featured on the giant screen in the Newseum atrium!

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (while supplies last), Private Dining Room, Level 2
Holiday Bake Shop *Toddler Approved*
Decorate your own holiday cookies!

Noon to 1:30 p.m., various locations
Figgy Puddings Holiday Carolers
Keep an ear out for these singers from the Washington National Opera spreading holiday cheer throughout the Newseum as they perform songs from a variety of traditions.

1 to 1:30 p.m., Documentary Theater, Concourse Level
Inside Media: Meet the O’Hanlon Family
Explore the backstory of American journalism’s most beloved editorial with journalism professor and author W. Joseph Campbell and descendents of Virginia O’Hanlon, James Temple and Nick Hromalik. (Recommended for ages 13 and up.)

2 to 4 p.m., Knight TV Studio, Level 3
“Yes, Virginia” Reading with Special Guest Mehren O’Hanlon and a Visit From the One-and-Only Macy’s Santa Claus *Toddler Approved*
Join us as 8-year-old Mehren O’Hanlon reads her great-great grandmother Virginia O’Hanlon’s famous 1897 letter to the New York Sun that inspired history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial. Afterwards, Santa Claus will make a special guest appearance to read “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and pose for photos with good boys and girls.

• Program: 2 to 2:30 p.m.
• Photos with Santa: 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Macy’s is the exclusive sponsor of the 2014 “Yes, Virginia” Family Day.

Credits: All Photos via Newseum