Washington DC is beautifully adorned with holiday lights and decor during the Christmas season, making it a fun and festive destination in December. These are the top festive Christmas activities in Washington, DC.
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The National Christmas Tree
The National Christmas Tree is one of the most popular things to see in Washington DC during the holidays. The tree is erected in the Ellipse at President’s Park, just south of the White House.
The National Christmas Tree is surrounded by a walkway known as the Pathway of Peace. The Pathway of Peace contains 56 smaller trees, one from each state, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Territories. The individual State Trees are decorated with ornaments that reflect the unique characteristics or traditions of each state.
There is also a live nativity scene, and Santa’s Workshop, which houses Santa himself, sitting in his chair ready to take photos with you! Outside of Santa’s Workshop, you will find Santa’s reindeer…a stable with real live reindeer inside. While there is no cost to visit the National Christmas Tree, there is a fee if you want photos with Santa.
The National Christmas Tree Lighting is held in the beginning of December. This televised event features live musical performances and special guests. The event is free and you can register for the lottery to receive tickets by clicking here.
Ice at The Gaylord Resort in National Harbor
The Gaylord National Resort, located in National Harbor, puts on an incredible event called Christmas On The Potomac, which includes Ice Featuring Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Visitors are given blue parkas to wear as they embark through a frozen maze of larger than life Rudolph-themed ice sculptures. There are even ice slides that you can inner tube down.
In addition to Ice, there are also shows like “Cirque: Christmas” and “The Greatest Story.” The resort also boasts stunning Christmas decor, gingerbread decorating, and Christmas activities for all ages.
Zoo Lights at the Smithsonian National Zoo
The Smithsonian National Zoo hosts Zoo Lights every year from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s. The zoo is decorated with more than half a million colorful lights. Beginning in 2023, there will be a $6 per person entrance fee. The National Zoo, like all Smithsonian museums, is free to visit. However, the Zoo Lights will now have an entrance fee to cover the increasing costs of running the event. Parking is also available for purchase online. Click here to purchase tickets for Zoo Lights.
The Capitol Christmas Tree
Every year, a farmer is chosen from one of our 50 states, to have his or her tree selected as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The Capitol Christmas Tree is usually twice as tall as the National Christmas Tree, and adorned with over 10,000 ornaments!
Enchant DC at Nationals Park
The Washington Nationals baseball stadium, Nationals Park, transforms into an enchanted wonderland in December. At Enchant DC, visitors weave through a forest of twinkling light mazes and displays. There is also a skating rink, pop-up shopping village, photos with Santa and a kids zone. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets for Enchant.
Ice Skating at Washington Harbour Ice Rink
Washington Harbour, in Georgetown, hosts DC’s largest outdoor ice skating rink. The Washington Harbour Ice Rink is larger than Rockefeller Plaza’s ice rink in New York City! Ice skate with scenic views of the Potomac River, Kennedy Center and historic Georgetown. This is particularly festive at night when the rink is lit with twinkling snowflakes and other decorations. Rentals and lessons are available. Skate sessions are in 90 minute increments and tickets can be purchased in advance here.
Season’s Greetings at U.S. Botanical Gardens
The U.S. Botanical Gardens holds its annual Season’s Greetings event in December. Season’s Greetings features festive lights and decor, model trains, miniature DC landmarks made from plants and poinsettias. The event is free and no tickets are required for entry. For more information on dates and hours, click here.
CityCenter DC Christmas Tree
From Thanksgiving to Christmas, CityCenter DC is transformed into a festive Christmas wonderland! A 75 foot Christmas Tree is the main attraction, adorned with over 155,000 lights and ornaments. The entire dining and shopping center is filled with Christmas decor and lights, including a photo spot from Tiffany & Co.
The CityCenter DC Tree Lighting is held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and features live music and photo opportunities, including the famous Instagram Orange Carpet in I Street.
White House Christmas Tour
The White House at Christmas is spectacularly decorated with over 75 Christmas trees, 25 wreaths, and over 80,000 lights! White House Christmas Tours are available and must be reserved in advance online through your Congressman or Senator’s website. Click here for more information about White House Christmas Tours.
Holiday Boat Parade at The Wharf
The Wharf in Washington DC, hosts its annual boat parade the first weekend in December. The event features a parade of boats decorated with Christmas lights, as well as fireworks, live music, beer garden, photos with Santa and more. There is also a large Christmas tree, an outdoor ice skating rink and a S’more food truck and fire pits for roasting. Click here for more information.
Shop the Downtown Holiday Market
The Downtown Holiday Market is Washington DC’s outdoor pop-up shopping village which takes up 2 entire blocks of the city. The main entrance to the Market is on the sidewalk in front of the National Portrait Gallery. The Downtown Holiday Market is open from mid-November until Christmas Eve and features over 70 exhibitors, food and live entertainment. Click here for more information on the Downtown Holiday Market.
A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theater
Ford’s Theater is famously known as the place where Abraham Lincoln was shot. It is still a working theater, with tours offered daily. One of the most popular shows to see at Ford’s Theater is the traditional Ebenzer Scrooge classic “A Christmas Carol.” Click here to reserve your tickets to A Christmas Carol.
Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker is a popular show to see during Christmas in Washington, DC. The Nutcracker performs at the Warner Theater from Thanksgiving weekend through the end of December. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Urban Roast DC Christmas Bar
Urban Roast DC is a restaurant and bar that completely transforms their decor and cocktails seasonally. This bar is known as the most Instragammable bar in DC. Check it out here.
Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral
Reserve tickets to see the famous Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral. There is a special abbreviated performance for families with young children available. Click here for more information.
Mt. Vernon’s Christmas Illuminations
Mt. Vernon is the home of President George Washington. Christmas Illuminations is held each year, where the estate is lit up in a beautiful display of Christmas lights. Fireworks over the Potomac River are the grand finale of this event, which also includes guided tours, concessions and a holiday market. Click here to purchase tickets for Christmas Illuminations.
Ice Skate at the Sculpture Garden
Another option for outdoor ice skating is the Sculpture Garden Ice Rink. Ice skate surrounded by the city’s historical monuments and sculptures. Tickets are only available in advance for large groups. Skate sessions are 45 minutes long and start at the top of the hour. Be sure to arrive close to then so you can start your session at the beginning. For. more information, click here.
Memorials and Monuments by Moonlight Tour
One of the best DC tours that you can do is the Memorials and Monuments by Moonlight Tour. This is particularly festive during the Christmas season as you will see the Christmas trees and lights around the city. Click here for more information and to book your Moonlight Tour. Another similar tour is the 3 hour DC Christmas Holiday Lights Night Tour.
Check out these Christmas activities in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC
Winter City Lights
Head to Olney, Maryland for the largest display of lights in the Washington DC Metro area. Winter City Lights has over 1 million lights in an 18 acre winter wonderland, where it is guaranteed to “snow” every night. Purchase your tickets in advance here.
Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek
The Winter Lights Festival is a 3.5 mile drive-through light display, featuring 450 illuminated displays. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Christmas activities in the Virginia suburbs of Washington DC
Bull Run Festival of Lights
Bull Run Festival of Lights features 2.5 miles of drive through light display.
Old Town Alexandria Boat Parade
Old Town Alexandria holds its annual Christmas Boat Parade the first weekend in December. In addition to the parade of boats decorated in lights, there is live music, food, a beer garden and other festive activities.
Looking for a place to stay during your DC trip?
One of my favorite hotels is the Hotel Hive, located across the street from George Washington University with views of the nearby Lincoln Memorial.
Search below for more hotels and vacation rentals in Washington, DC.
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