20 Christmas Things to Do in Washington, DC
Bundle up this year to celebrate the holiday season in the DMV! Enjoy light shows, holiday markets, and festive performances.
I will do my best to update this post as often as possible, but please refer to each event’s website for the most up-to-date information. Events that have not announced full details for the 2024 season are noted below.
Christmas in Washington, DC
The National Christmas Tree: 2024 dates are to be announced but the National Christmas usually opens to the public in early December. Visiting the National Christmas Tree is a wonderful family tradition day or night. Consider visiting on a weeknight or during the day when the area is less crowded. Guests can also see the Pathway Of Peace – 1 miniature tree to represent each state and territory with ornaments made by children local to that state. Check our tips for visiting the tree.
The US Capitol Christmas Tree: Not to be outdone by The National Christmas Tree, you’ll find another holiday tree on the Capitol lawn. It generally draws fewer visitors than the National Christmas, especially on weeknights. If you visit during the day or early evening, you can pair it with a visit to the Botanic Gardens (listed below). The Capitol tree is harvested from a different location each year. This year, it will travel from Alaska. The Capitol Tree usually arrives around Thanksgiving.
Season’s Greenings at the Botanic Gardens: The Botanic Gardens invites guests to enjoy an outdoor holiday display with model trains, DC landmarks made from plants, and holiday decor. This display will be set up from November 28 to January 5 from 10 am to 5 pm (closed Christmas Day). The Botanic Gardens are located very close to the Capitol, so you can visit the gardens and the Capitol Tree in one visit. Look out for select dates when the Botanic Gardens will be open late and feature a few local vendors.
ZooLights: Join the National Zoo for ZooLights from November 22 to January 4. This evening event features spectacular displays, decorated treats, special treats, and music. The event runs Friday to Sunday the first 4 weeks, Thursday to Monday until December 30, and then Friday and Saturday in January. $6 per guest over 2 years old.
DC Neighborhood Lights: DC’s Main Streets are joining together from November 29 to January 5 to bring holiday cheer and highlight local businesses this holiday season. You’ll find festive lights plus special promotions and events. Participating neighborhoods include U Street, Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, Dupont Circle, Lower Georgia Ave, and Logan Circle.
DowntownDC Holiday Market: The DowntownDC BID will host a holiday market in the old location of the Downtown Holiday Market in Penn Quarter near the Portrait Gallery. Find the DowntownDC Holiday Market on F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets NW from November 22 to December 23.
DC Holiday Market: This year, there is a new holiday market in Dupont Circle. Find 30+ local vendors and live entertainment from November 22 to December 23 (closed Thanksgiving Day). This market has a smaller footprint than the DowntownDC holiday market, so visit on a weekday if possible for smaller crowds.
Limited Run Holiday Markets:
- Hellbender Brewery is hosting a holiday market on December 7 from 1 to 7 pm Check out their holiday release beer, holiday vendors, food trucks, music, goats for petting, and a cat adoption pop-up.
- Head to City State Brewing for Krampus’ Bazaar on December 7 from 4 to 10 pm for Yuletide games, vendors, special drinks, and storytime for the kids. Go early from 1 to 4 pm for pet photos with Santa. Photos are $20 and come with a free beer. Proceeds go to Say It Once Rescue League and Rural Dog Rescue.
- Join St. Vincent’s Wine Bar for a Yuletide Market on December 15 from 12 to 5 pm. Enjoy festive drinks, music, and dozens of local vendors. Live jazz will be playing inside starting at 3 pm.
Christkindlmarkt at the Heurich House Museum: Get started on your Christmas shopping at the Heurich House Museum German-style market featuring local craftspeople and artisans in December. For the first time ever, the market will be open for a full week from December 6 to 13. Tickets are $10 on weekends with discounts for weekday entry.
Georgetown Jingle: While Georgetown Glow is taking a break this year, head to Georgetown on December 7 for their first-ever Georgetown Jingle festival! Enjoy 10 musical performances throughout the neighborhood. Then, join the House of Sweden for special holiday treats and wine.
National Cathedral Christmas Concerts: The National Cathedral is hosting holiday concerts in person and online this year. Please note that some live-streamed concerts must be watched live and will not be available later. Notable dates include:
- Advent Lessons are Carols: December 1 at 4:00 pm. (in-person and live stream)
- Handel’s Messiah: December 6 at 7:00 pm, December 7 at 12:00 (family-friendly) and 4:00 pm, December 8 at 4:00 pm. The December 10th performance will also be live-streamed.
- Joy of Christmas: December 14 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm, December 15 at 4:00 pm
- Family Christmas Service: December 23 at 11:00 am (in-person and live stream)
- Christmas Lessons and Carols: December 23 at 6:00 pm and December 24 at 6:00 pm (in-person and live stream)
- Christmas Eve Festival Holy Eucharist: December 24 at 10 pm (in-person and live stream)
- Christmas Day Festival Holy Eucharist: December 15 at 11:15 am (in-person and live stream)
- Christmas Day Organ Recital Webcast: December 25 at 1:30 pm (in person and live streamed)
Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden: Ice skating in the Sculpture Garden returns for the 2024 season! Enjoy the winter season from mid-November to mid-March (exact dates TBA). Single sessions and season passes are available. Fees cover 2 45-minute sessions. Adults skate for $12 + $6 skate rental.
The District’s Holiday Boat Parade: The boat parade at The Wharf is back! Enjoy the boats decorated with holiday lights on December 7 from 6 to 8 pm. Enjoy holiday activities like roasting s’mores, lighting the Christmas tree, ice skating, pictures with Santa, and winter drinks at the Pacifico Beer Garden. The boats should arrive at 7:00 pm followed by fireworks at 8:00 pm. Get there early to snag a good seat.
Looking for Christmas Bars in Washington, DC? Check out this blog!
Light Shows and Historic Spots Ready for the Holidays in Virginia
Bull Run Festival of Lights: Drive through a 2.5 mile holiday light display in Centreville, Virginia. Open weekends starting November 10 and daily from November 15 to January 5. Pack your car with some friends, put on your favorite Christmas music, and enjoy this light show. Tickets are $30/car online at $40/at the door with discounts on select weekdays. You can also enjoy the carnival open nightly (weather permitting) to enjoy rides, holiday treats, and more. Rides require 3 to 5 tickets and can be purchased in packs.
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights: Located in Vienna, the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens sparkle with holiday lights. Walk through light displays of nature and holiday themes. Open November 8 to January 7 including holidays. Tickets range from $18-$22. Advance tickets are required from December 8 to January 5 but are highly recommended for all nights. Dress warm! Read about our visit.
A Christmas Carol: The Little Theatre of Alexandria presents A Christmas Carol from December 7 to 21. Showtimes are Wednesday to Friday at 8:00 pm and Sunday to Sunday at 2:00 and 5:00 pm. This is a 1 hour show with no intermission, so it’s great for the whole family. Tickets go on sale November 7.
Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade: Head to the waterfront on December 7 at 5:30 to enjoy the boats and small business shopping. Holiday activities begin at 2 pm. (Note the parade continues to The Wharf – listed above.)
Christmas at Mount Vernon: Celebrate the holidays at Mount Vernon with Winter Glow on November 29 to 30, December 15 to 19, and December 23. Enjoy festive lights, visit the 18th-century winter encampment, meet holiday guests, and visit with Aladdin the Camel. Visit from 5:30 to 8:30 pm on December 20 to 22 for Christmas Illuminations for evening holiday decor and spectacular fireworks. Tickets to Christmas Illuminations also include daytime admission that can be used through February.
Manassas Christmas Parade: The Manassas Christmas Parade steps off on December 7 at 10:00 am. Head to Downtown Manassas to enjoy Christmas floats, music, and Santa. Visit the night before on Friday, December 6 at 5:15 pm for a tree lighting, live music, and visits with Santa.
Reston Ice Skating & Holiday Fun: Reston Town Center will light its tree on November 29 with a large parade and festive fun. Enjoy a holiday parade at 11:00 am following by local shopping and dining. Stick around for the tree lighting at 6 pm on Market Street. The ice skating rink will be open all season long for winter fun.
Fairfax Festival of Lights and Carols: Head to Old Town Hall in Fairfax on December 7 from 12 to 6 pm for holiday fun including music, hot cider, and a tree lighting ceremony (5:30 pm). Be sure to also check out the Fairfax Holiday Market from December 6 to 8 and 13 to 15.
Gray Ghost’s Christmas Cork and Cheese Celebration: The title says it all: ring in Christmas with wine and cheese at Gray Ghost Vineyard in Amissville (west of Warrenton) December 7-8. Tickets ($40 in advance) let you enjoy live holiday music with wine tasting, 1 full pour, a limited edition holiday logo glass, and a cheese plate. Plus, don’t miss an opportunity to see Santa on December 15 (free).
Leesburg Holiday Parade: Head to Leesburg on Saturday, December 14 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm for lights, food samples from local restaurants, and Santa. The parade begins at 6 pm.
Shopping and Light Shows to Celebrate Christmas in Maryland
Winter Lights Festival: Head to Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, Maryland for the Winter Lights Festival open nightly from November 29 to December 31 (closed December 25). You’ll see over 450 displays and decorated trees on this 3.5 mile drive. Tickets are $15/car on weekdays and $25/car from Friday to Sunday. Tickets go on sale on October 15 and purchasing tickets in advance is required.
Merriweather Symphony of Lights: Drive through the Symphony of Lights in Columbia to see thousands of holiday lights! Open nightly from November 29 to January 4 (closed December 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 12, 31). $25/car. Closed to cars on walkthrough nights on December 1 (family-friendly), December 9 (dog-friendly), December 3, 10, and 12 (Lit at the Lights with cocktails and a beer garden), and December 31 (Midnight at 7 with fireworks and food trucks.)
Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland: Head to Downtown Bethesda on December 7 from 1 to 4 pm for a winter wonderland! Enjoy an ice sculpturing demo (1 to 2), facing painting, crafts, music, and more! Visit and take photos with Santa from 2 to 4 pm.
Polar Express Train Ride: The Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum a Polar Express Train Ride from November 29-30, December 1, 6-8,12-15, and 18-22, 2024. Enjoy the Polar Express story on the train with your little ones. After, enjoy visits with Santa.
Holiday Concerts at the Strathmore: Join the Strathmore on select dates throughout December for holiday concerts. Some big names include:
- A Swingin’ Little Christmas with Jane Lynch: December 4 at 8:00 pm
- Dave Koz and Friend Christmas: December 5 at 8 pm
- BSO: Spirit of the Season: Bach, Corelli, and Vivaldi: December 7 at 8:00 pm
- BSO: Cirque Nutcracker: December 13 at 7:30 pm
- Washington Bach Consort: The Christmas Story: December 9 at 7 pm
- The Washington Chorus: A Candlelight Christmas: December 14 at 7:30 pm
- Handel’s Messiah: December 16 at 7:30 pm and December 17 at 3 pm
- Washington Bach Consort: The Christmas Story: December 15 at 3 pm
Baltimore Christmas Village: The Baltimore Christmas Village will be back this year in the Inner Harbor from November 23 to December 24! This German-inspired market features holiday treats, shopping, hot drinks, and special programming throughout the season. Shop local vendors and special gifts from Germany. Read about our visit from 2021.
Garden in Lights: Located in Dowell, The Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center presents the Garden in Lights. Experience thousands of lights and nightly entertainment on this walking tour light show. Join them nightly from November 29 – January 1. (Closed select nights – TBA.) Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online.
Holiday Candlelight Stroll: Join the historic district of Annapolis for special tours this holiday season! Enjoy a holiday candlelight stroll with a guide to hear stories of holiday traditions from the past. This tour runs on November 29-30 and on December 6, 7, 13, 20, 21, 27, and 28. Or attend the Historic Holiday Tour on November 30 plus every Saturday and Sunday in December.
Holiday Concerts with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is back with holiday performances this season! These performances are at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore. Some of these performance have additional dates at the Strathmore (listed above).
- Spirit of the Season: Bach, Corelli, and Vivaldi: December 8 at 3:00 pm
- Holiday Brass: December 11 at 7:30 pm
- Cirque Nutcracker: December 14 and 15 at 3:00 pm
- Holiday Spectacular: December 20 at 7:30 pm, December 21 at 1:30 pm, and December 22 at 7:30 pm
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens: Head to Brookside Gardens in Wheaton for a stroll through the Garden of Lights! Enjoy over a million lights and special effects. Garden of Lights is open from November 22 to January 5 (closed November 25-28, December 24-25, and January 1). Advanced timed tickets are required for $10 per person over 5 years. The event is open rain or shine.
Annapolis Lights Parade: Annapolis is one of the best places near the DVM to see boats and they know how to deck out for the holidays. Head to the harbor on December 14 at 6 pm to see the boats dressed in festive lights!