40 Downtown Washington DC Christmas Events & Things to Do
Washington DC is magical during the holiday season. The monuments are all lit up with decorations and Christmas lights around every corner. And of course lots of events and festivities! After growing up in the area I wrote this guide to Downtown Washington DC Christmas events so you can celebrate all season long in the city.
- Where to Stay
- Free DC Christmas Events
- Holidays At The National Gallery of Art
- Christmas Markets
- National Christmas Tree Lighting
- Holiday Boat Parade at The Wharf
- U.S. Botanical Garden
- Zoo Lights DC
- DC Holiday Hunt
- Illumination! Frosted at Franklin Park
- Mistletoe Art Installation
- Snowy Thursdays at Adams Morgan
- Lighting of the National Menorah
- Washington National Cathedral
- Winter Festival at Calico
- Local Christmas Light Displays
- Paid Downtown DC Christmas Events
- Ice Skate at the Georgetown Waterfront
- ICE! at the Gaylord
- Holidays At Embassy Row
- Show at the Kennedy Center
- A Christmas Carol At Ford’s Theatre
- Holiday Tea at the Fairmont
- Nutcracker at Warners Theatre
- Mistletoe Mingle
- Show At The Historic National Theatre
- Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show
- Mount Vernon’s Holiday Events
- Santa Crawl Bar Crawl
- Christmas Pop-Up Bars
- Festive Restaurants
- ARTECHOUSE Tingle Bells
- District Holiday Boat Parade in Old Town Alexandria
- DC Holiday Events That Are No Longer
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Where to Stay : Downtown Washington DC Christmas Events & Festivities
Before I go into all of the amazing downtown Washington DC Christmas events during the holiday season I thought it would be good to touch on where the best places to stay are in DC during the holidays. These are the best options based on your budget:
Value: U Street Capsule Hotel or The Generator DC
Midrange: Hampton Inn & Suites DC White House
Luxury: The Willard or The Gaylord National Harbor
The U Street Capsule Hotel is the best budget stay in the city. The reason I chose this outside of it being DC’s best hostel is that it’s right on the U Street Metro Station, so you can easily get around without spending too much or having to deal with traffic. The Generator is a combined hostel and hotel which is right near Dupont and another excellent choice for a budget stay.
The Hampton Inn & Suites DC near the White House is the best choice for a moderately priced stay right near the White House and near all of the best Christmas things to do in the city.
If you’re okay with a splurge, there are numerous luxurious decorated hotels in DC near the White House. You can check them all out at my DC Christmas map, but the Willard InterContinental Washington is one of the best with reasonable rates, an interior that looks like a museum, tons of beautiful Christmas decorations, an annual Gingerbread contest AND nightly caroling performances.
Lastly, The Gaylord at National Harbor is the place to go for a complete Christmas-themed vacation near Downtown, with its annual ICE exhibit, nightly light & fountain show and so much more.
Free Downtown Washington DC Christmas Events To Attend
DC is so much fun to explore during the holiday season and even better, there is tons to do for free. These are the free Downtown Washington DC Christmas events and things to do you don’t want to miss this season during your visit.
#1 Best Downtown Washington DC Christmas Events : Holidays At The National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is THE place to be in DC during the holiday season. The reason I chose this event line up as the best downtown Washington DC Christmas events is because the National Gallery of Art puts you right in the middle the Nation’s Capital close to the Washington Monument, and because their event line up is free. Plus, you’ll get to see inside one of DC’s best museums, making this an excellent choice for travelers.
Make sure to walk through the West Building Rotunda, which is decked out for the holidays with poinsettias and seasonal decor. There’s also seasonal exhibits that are sometimes holiday focused. You can learn more about everything included in Holidays at the National Sculpture garden at their website.
Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
A favorite part of Holidays at the National Gallery of Art is that for a small fee you can ice skate at the world famous Sculpture Garden with the National Mall as your back drop. Make sure to bring your camera!!
Free Concerts & Live Performances
The National Gallery of Art also has a schedule of free live entertainment and concerts on Sundays that are holiday themed and a must-see. See the full schedule here.
#2 Top Downtown Washington DC Christmas Events : Christmas Markets Washington DC
There’s no better way to shop for the holidays than to shop local and support small local businesses. Markets and events are one way these businesses spread the word. These are the best Downtown DC Christmas events and markets to buy gifts at.
DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle : A New Downtown Holiday Market
Diverse Markets Management’s Downtown Holiday Market at Dupont Circle is DC’s classic Christmas market which has been a tradition for many years. It’s in a new location on Dupont Circle is super convenient, close to everything DC has to offer. Shop local at the market and grab some tasty local treats like the popular Migue’s Mini Donuts and the Capital Candy Jar’s hot roasted nuts, yum. Visit the DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle site to learn more.
For a cheap stay right near Dupont, check out the Generator hotel and hostel a few blocks away.
Downtown DC Holiday Market By the Makers Show
The Makers Show’s Downtown DC Holiday Market in Penn Quarter is sponsored by the Makers Show, known for putting on incredible markets. Shop over 50 local small businesses, including food trucks for a quick meal or snacks, and enjoy the festive atmosphere including live entertainment on the weekends.
To find the market head to F Street NW right near the Gallery Place metro station, between 7th and 9th streets. Afterwards, pop over to the National Portrait Gallery which is right next to the market.
National Harbor Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show
The National Harbor’s Christmas Market runs every Saturday and Sunday during the Holiday season, with a rotating list of local vendors with the background of the Potomac River and beautiful Christmas tree at the National Harbor in the background. This is definitely the most beautiful of all the Christmas markets and on my list to try this year for some holiday treats and one-of-a-kind gifts that I’ll be proud to give.
Along with the Christmas Market there’s also a nightly light show at the National Harbor’s Christmas tree, weekly fireworks (!!) and of course the spectacular ICE at the Gaylord, which I write more about later in this blog. It’s truly THE Christmas destination in DC, especially for families or if you’ve never been to the National Harbor and like being on the water. You can read about this and all the other Christmas events at the National Harbor at their event page.
Attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting, or Visit the Christmas Tree Display
The National Christmas Tree lighting is definitely one of the absolute best downtown Washington DC Christmas events, which is filmed for TV during the beginning of December and shown later in the month. There are live entertainment and music performances, TV crew, and of course the tree lighting ceremony.
To attend the lighting you have to enter a lottery. My parents won tickets for five of us one year, so it’s definitely worth a try! For information on the event and how to join the lottery, visit the official event page. Keep in mind this lighting is much more intense than your typical local Christmas tree lighting. They ask you to show up early and performances don’t start until much later.
Visit the National Christmas Tree Display
If you’d prefer to see the National Christmas Tree at a more leisurely pace, visit on another night to see it along with all of the 58 state Christmas trees with the White House lit up in the background.
As a bonus, the historic Old Ebbitt Grill is right close by, which is one of the best restaurants in DC and always decked out with holiday decor with a cozy atmosphere.
Attend the Holiday Boat Parade & Party at The Wharf
The Wharf’s Holiday Boat Parade is a semi-new annual tradition and one of my favorite DC Christmas events. There’s something extra special about a parade on the water, where you’ll see over 50 beautifully decorated boats.
But that’s not all – the Holiday Boat Parade makes The Wharf into a full on party, with live music, crafts, holiday karaoke, family photos with santa, treats like hot toddies and a fireworks display to end the night once the parade is finished.
U.S. Botanic Garden
Each year the US Botanical Garden puts on a special exhibit for the holidays, where you’ll find model trains, holiday decorations, and even replicas of iconic DC buildings made of plants….! There are things to see indoors and outdoors, making it a great destination for a rainy or cold weather day. Read more about their holiday events at the US Botanical Garden’s event page.
Zoo Lights DC at the National Zoo
Zoo Lights DC is one of the best downtown Washington DC Christmas events for children and families. Taking place on weekends during the holiday season, the National Zoo puts on ZooLights each year – decking the zoo out with an extravagant amount of Christmas lights and immersive displays, with local vendors setting up for holiday shopping, live performances and a train to ride. None of the animal enclosures or indoor exhibits will be open so the animals can get a good night’s sleep, so if you’re hoping to see animals, visit during the day instead.
Keep in mind it can be very cold at ZooLights since it takes place at night completely outdoors, so make sure to bundle up and bring extra layers – especially for the little ones.
Do the DC Holiday Hunt
If you like scavenger hunts, DC Holiday Hunt is for you!! Race through DC to complete as many missions as possible for a chance to win a variety of prizes like gift cards, Capitals tickets and more. The best part is it’s super easy to get started – all you need to do is visit the DC Holiday Hunt website and complete the mission on the screen. Doing this is also a great way to support local businesses (no purchases are required).
Illumination! Frosted at Franklin Park
Franklin Park on I Street NW has a mini lights display sponsored by Amazon up through a few days before Christmas. Frosted at Franklin Park is perfect for photo ops, children and to make your evening stroll a lot brighter.
See the New, Giant Mistletoe Installation At Anthem Row
DC has a new Holiday art installation – there’s now a giant mistletoe hanging at Anthem Row. Artist My Ly is the creator of this masterpiece which took an entire month to design and install, and who wants the piece to inspire more love in the city this Holiday.
Read more about the piece at WTOP here. Stop by for the perfect photo backdrop and a kiss under the mistletoe. 😉
Snowy Thursdays at Adams Morgan
During two Thursdays of the holiday season, Adams Morgan has fake snow falling above their beautiful Christmas tree along with carolers and a lights display so you can really feel the joy of the season. Read more about the new event here.
Lighting of the National Menorah
The lighting of the National Menorah is a beautiful event on Christmas Day in DC, with a live music performance, food and entertainment. You can also view the event on TV. Visit the Lighting of the National Menorah page to learn more!
Visit the Washington National Cathedral
The National Cathedral is absolutely stunning, especially during the holidays. They put out an annual nativity scene during the holidays, along with throwing some festive concerts and ceremonies.
This year there is a concert here on Christmas Day, along with other events throughout the season which you can find out about at their event page. And as a bonus, all religious and concert events are free!
Winter Festival at Calico
Calico is a bar near Mt Vernon Square and each year they hold a free mini festival with ornament painting, an ugly sweater contest for a chance to win prizes and seasonal food and drinks like boozy cookie shots and hot cocktails. The heated back beer garden will be decked out with decorations and heaters. Dogs are allowed! Find out more about the event at Calico’s Instagram page.
Check Out Local Christmas Light Displays
There are SO many great displays around the Washington D.C. area put on by local residents that are completely free to check out. My family and I always made it a tradition to drive around to see the ones which are closest to us that year.
You will find more in Northern VA versus Washington DC, especially downtown, but the displays in Arlington and Alexandria are just a short drive away. Use the map below by Holly’s Christmas Lights to find the best displays in Northern VA!
Best Paid Downtown Washington DC Christmas Events & Things to Do
While there are tons of free Downtown Washington DC Christmas events, there are also not-to-be-missed events and things to do that do require a ticketed entry, from festive shows, to pop up bars, live entertainment and more.
Ice Skate at the Georgetown Waterfront on the Potomac River : Best Downtown Washington DC Christmas Event For Families
One of my personal favorite things to do during the holiday season in Washington DC is to ice skate on the Georgetown waterfront overlooking the Potomac River. They have decorations up and it’s beautiful being able to look out at the water while you skate. There’s usually holiday music playing which I love. Visit the ice skating rink website for hours and info.
As a bonus, you can eat at one of the many delicious surrounding restaurants after you work up an appetite while skating, either on the waterfront or nearby. I highly recommend either Farmers Fishers Bakers on the waterfront or Filomena, which is always decked out for Christmas and one of the best restaurants in DC.
ICE at the Gaylord, DC’s Festive Destination
Although technically just outside of DC, the extra commute is 100% worth it to see ICE! at the Gaylord at the National Harbor. ICE! is a unique experience featuring 2 million pounds of ice sculptures with a new theme each year like the Peanuts, Grinch and more. There are basically limitless photo opportunities and even fun ice slides for all ages.
I will say, it’s VERY VERY COLD inside. They do give each member of your group a parka, but personally I’m very sensitive to the cold and I was still freezing even with all my layers. Make sure to bundle up and bring extra layers, especially for young kids!
In addition to their ICE show, the Gaylord National Harbor is the best holiday destination & hotel during Christmas time near DC. The whole hotel becomes a winter wonderland during the holidays and should be considered DC’s complete Christmas destination for families – especially for anyone who hasn’t visited National Harbor before.
They also have tons of decorations, a Christmas light show, snow tubing, photos with Santa and more. I personally love the light show which incorporates giant fountains in the atrium lobby of the hotel. I also loved the overall feeling of the resort.
Celebrate the Holidays At Embassy Row 🇮🇪🇷🇴🇹🇷
A very underrated set of Downtown Washington DC Christmas events during the holiday season are the many events put on by the Embassy’s in DC.
One example is the Limousine, Luxury and Lights tour where you can sit drinks and see the magical light displays of DC. Another is the Chocolate Crawl where you can try sweets from the embassies like Ireland, Romania, Turkey and more. See the full event line up at the official website here.
See A Show at the Kennedy Center : Best Downtown Washington DC Christmas Events For Couples
There’s nothing more romantic or luxurious in the DC area during the holidays than seeing a show at the Kennedy Center. They have a whole line up of holiday shows which tends to vary year to year. I’ve seen the Nutcracker here a few times which was fabulous, along with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) which blew me away. I highly recommend sitting close to the stage if you can, because the multiple theatres are on the small size which means you can really get an intimate show that feels personal.
A few tips – try to show up at least an hour before showtime to explore the beautiful Kennedy Center. The rooftop has the unbeatable views of the city and Potomac River in all directions and it’s a great place for some photos before the show. Make a night of it by getting a reservation for their elegant on site restaurant before the show. Find a full line up of their Holiday events at the dedicated page on the Kennedy Center website.
Watch A Christmas Carol At the Historic Ford’s Theatre
A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre is a DC Christmas tradition. Ford’s Theatre is beautiful inside and out, and a holiday date night or girl’s night here is guaranteed to be a special night.
Have Holiday Tea At the Fairmont Hotel
Have a classy Nutracker afternoon tea at the festive Fairmont Hotel this holiday season on select dates in historic Georgetown. Overlooking the lights and decorations of the courtyard, sip on tea and champagne and snack on sweet nutcracker-themed holiday treats that are great for all ages.
See The Nutcracker at Warner Theatre
The Nutcracker is a holiday classic and The Washington Ballet puts on a beautiful performance at Warner Theatre every holiday season in recent years. This is something my family has done before and it was such a great experience!
We loved getting dressed up and having dinner at Old Ebbit Grill before the show, and the show itself was great of course. Every seat in the theatre gives you a good view. You can see the Warner Theatre’s full schedule here to get tickets.
If you’re looking for a place to stay near the Warner Theatre, National Theatre or Ford’s Theatre, both the Willard Hotel has incredible Christmas displays and events during the holidays, including nightly Christmas carolers in the lobby. These hotels are definitely pricey but provide the perfect backdrop for a magical Christmas vacation & getaway. The Waldorf Astoria is a similarly-priced alternative right nearby, in case the Willard is sold out.
Mistletoe Mingle : One of the Best Downtown Washington DC Christmas Events For Couples
Mistletoe Mingle is a free mini outdoor festival on Anthem Row taking place two Saturdays this December. It’s centered around DC’s new Mistletoe Art Installation, perfect for couples but also anyone who loves to celebrate the season in the city. Come for live music, entertainment, wine and spirits, craft vendors perfect for holiday gift shopping, food and sweets, s’mores around the fire pit, and even craft workshops.
Holiday Shows At The Historic National Theatre
A smaller, more intimate theatre to experience this holiday season is the National Theatre, originally opened in 1835. They have a variety of shows each holiday season like A Magical Cirque Christmas circus show or the Hip Hop Nutcracker. See a full line up of shows at the National Theatre website.
See Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is a fun and lively musical show for the whole family taking place at the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. If you aren’t sure what to expect, check out the event page to see videos and photos.
Visit Mount Vernon For Special Holiday Events
Mount Vernon is another holiday destination near DC and the perfect place for a holiday outing near the city. Their holiday entertainment schedule includes things like Winter Glow, where the grounds are transformed with lights and you can play holiday games, meet Aladdin the camel, hear stories of what preparing for the twelfth night with Washington was like, dance in the greenhouse to 18th century music and listen to carolers.
Christmas Illuminations is a separate event occurring on different dates which has everything at Winter Glow along with a grand fireworks display and winter market. Learn more about the holiday events at Mount Vernon and buy your tickets here.
Bar Hop During the Santa Crawl Bar Crawl on Dupont
The Santa Crawl is a bar crawl best for the more party ready crew and loads of fun. Sign up for the best Christmas party in DC, with drink specials and a souvenir mug. I went to this three years in a row after college and had a blast singing and dancing to Christmas music and seeing everyone’s holiday inspired outfits.
I highly recommend 1.) going early, as the bars tend to get uncomfortably busy later in the day and 2.) wearing some sort of festive outfit. I always liked wearing a light up reindeer nose (see below lol).
Best Downtown Washington DC Christmas Events For Cocktail Lovers: Visit A Christmas Pop-Up Bar
One of my favorite things to do for a fun date night out or girls night during holiday time is to visit a holiday pop up bar to try some themed cocktails. There are a surprising amount of Holiday-themed DC pop up bars with different festive themes. Think mulled wines, buttered rum, hot chocolate and peppermint. Oh and of course fun festive glasses and decorations to match! I’m highlighting a few of the best ones.
Miracle at Death Punch Bar has been going for a few years now, and it’s probably the first Christmas pop up you will hear about when it comes to pop up bars in DC. This place is decked out with tons of decorations and lights! This year no reservations are required, so feel free to pop in but keep in mind there may be lines, especially on weekends.
At Wunder Garten’s Winterfest you’ll find a cozy fire pits, themed Holiday dance parties, a hot coca bar, season holiday beers, plenty of decorations and lights, and even a Christmas Tree market. Dreamland at Duke’s Grocery is a unique Narnia themed DC pop up bar. ❄️ I can’t wait to visit this one!
Sippin Santa is a traveling pop up bar and one of their locations in the US is Black Whiskey DC on 14th Street. Come here for themed cocktails with a tiki spin in cool mugs, Christmas decorations and to play pool. Lastly, Hi-Lawn’s Snowglow at The Dome DC is the Union Market rooftop bar. cool ceiling
Best Downtown Washington DC Christmas Events For Foodies : Dine at A Festive Restaurant
Personally I love dining at festive restaurants during the Holidays, because it’s something easy to do with my husband that gets us into the holiday spirit without spending extra money or going completely out of our way. And of course, the food!!! My favorite Christmasy restaurants in the DC area are Old Ebbit Grill and Fillomena on the Georgetown waterfront.
Old Ebbit Grill is right near the White House and National Christmas Tree, making it an easy stop during a Downtown DC visit. Filomena is in Georgetown which is also an excellent Christmas destination with an ice skating rink and lights, making it another easy stop. I would get a reservation ahead of time for both of these, unless you want to pop into the bar and eat there at Old Ebbit Grill. For Filomena you definitely need a reservation ahead of time, and keep in mind it’s fairly fancy. This is a popular spot for celebrities and politicians in the area, so keep an eye out.
Visit ARTECHOUSE for Tingle Bells : An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special
ARTECHOUSE is DC’s modern, innovative art space, and there’s a special exhibit coming this holiday season. This is one of the more unique downtown Washington DC Christmas events. Visit for a tech forward art experience, themed for the holidays. You can read more about this specific show, the ASMR-inspired Tingle Bells, at the ARTECHOUSE website.
Attend the District Holiday Boat Parade – Old Town, Alexandria
Although Old Town Alexandria is a little bit outside of Downtown DC, close to the National Harbor, it’s absolutely worth the visit during the holidays, especially for the District Holiday Boat Parade. This annual event is an area favorite and perfect for families or anyone who hasn’t been to Old Town during the festive season.
The parade starts just after sunset but before that you’ll find dockside festivities, and afterwards you can stroll through Old Town Alexandria which is absolutely beautiful during the holidays, with a Christmas tree and holiday lights strung up throughout the cobblestone streets of the town.
Downtown Washington DC Holiday Events That Are No Longer
Enchant at National’s Park
For years, National’s Park hosted Enchant, which was a huge light display and Christmas playground. Enchant didn’t come to DC this year, and I haven’t seen any news about it coming back in the future unfortunately.
Lauren Kessel
Lauren Kessel is the author of this blog post and the creator of the Inspired Backpacker travel blog. She is a passionate digital nomad, with the mission to make slow travel a more accessible way of life for everyone. Lauren believes travel is an important means of education and more importantly, a way for people of different cultures to come together and understand each other better. She has a BS in Tourism and has planned countless domestic and international trips for herself, her family and friends, having visited over 12 countries and 30 states so far.
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