A Complete Guide to Christmas in Washington, DC

Updated November 5, 2026

Christmas in Washington DC does not disappoint. You can find events that are free and paid, for families, dates, and friends, and in every part of the city. My favorite holiday tradition is the European-style Christmas market, but there’s much more available.

Check out this list of opportunities to celebrate Christmas in Washington DC and the DC area.

Where/How to Celebrate Christmas in Washington DC

Note: I update this list every year, so bookmark it/save it to Pinterest for the future!

Holiday Markets

Czech Christmas Market: November 7, 2026 from 9 am-6 pm at the Embassy of the Czech Republic

DC Holiday Market: November 12, 2026-December 23, 2026 at Dupont Circle

Downtown DC Holiday Market: November 13, 2026-December 23, 2026 on F St. NW

National Harbor Fall Into the Holidays Artisan Market: November 14, 2026 from 12-6 pm at American Way Outdoor Park, National Harbor

URBNmarket Holiday Markets:

• Downtown Bethesda Makers Market: November 15, 2026 from 11 am-4 pm at Bethesda & Woodmont Ave.
• Mosaic Holiday Pop-Up: November 21-22 & December 12-13, 2026 from 11 am-4 pm in Fairfax, VA

National Harbor Fall Into Winter Artisan Market: November 21, 2026 from 12-6 pm at American Way Outdoor Park, National Harbor

Christmas Tree Market at The Wharf: November 27, 2026 from 12-8 pm at The Wharf

National Harbor Shop Small Holiday Market: November 28, 2026 from 12-6 pm at American Way Outdoor Park, National Harbor

Christmas Markt at Heurich House: December 3-6, 2026 at Heurich House Museum, DC (Starting at $13)

Chevy Chase Winter Market: December 5, 2026 from 12-5 pm between 5500-5700 Connecticut Avenue NW

National Harbor Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show: December 5, 2026 from 12-6 pm at American Way Outdoor Park, National Harbor

Pajamarama Holiday Market: December 6, 2026 from 10 am-3 pm in Takoma

Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show: December 6, 2026 from 12-4 pm at Veterans Plaza

VNMS Holiday Pop-Up Market: December 12, 2026 from 10 am-3 pm at Van Ness Main Street

Cleveland Park Winter Market & Festival: December 12, 2026 from 12-5 pm

Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show: December 12, 2026 from 11 am-5 pm at John Carlyle Square

Performances

Cirque Frost: November 14, 2026-January 1, 2027 at The Gaylord National (Starting at $30)

The Hip Hop Nutcracker: November 17-22, 2026 at The National Theatre

A Christmas Carol: November 19-December 31, 2026 at Ford’s Theatre

The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker: November 28-December 27, 2026 at Warner Theatre

Atlas Performing Arts Center:

• Phoenix Ballet and Master Ballet Academy DC- The Nutcracker: December 5-6, 2026
• A Bohemian Christmas with the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra: December 7, 2026 at 8 pm
• Atlas Presents A Hoot for the Holidays!: December 11, 2026 at 8 pm
• Capital City Symphony: A Vintage Holiday: December 12, 2026 at 3 pm and 5:30 pm
• Atlas Presents Furia Flamenca: ¡Zambomba! A Holiday Fiesta: December 19, 2026 at 4 pm and 7 pm

The Holiday Show (Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC): December 5, 12, & 13, 2026 at the Lincoln Theatre

Light & Ice Displays

#LIT Light Show: November 14, 2026-January 1, 2027 daily at the Gaylord National (Free)

Winter Lantern Festival: TBD in Tysons, VA

ice! featuring Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas: November 14, 2026-January 3, 2027 at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in the National Harbor. Enter a world created from carved ice, including the famous ice slides. (Starting at $39)

Enchant Christmas DC: November 20-December 27, 2026 at Nationals Park (Starting at $28)

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens: November 20, 2026-January 3, 2027 at 9:30 pm at Brookside Gardens, Wheaton (Starting at $14)

ZooLights: November 20, 2026-January 3, 2027 at the National Zoo ($10 general admission, $19 adults-only night)

Winter City Lights: TBD in Olney, MD

Light Yards: November 23, 2026-January 1, 2027 nightly from 5-10 pm at The Yards Park (Free, registration required)

Gaithersburg’s Winter Lights Festival: November 27-December 31, 2026 in Seneca Creek State Park ($15-$25)

Holiday Boat Parade: December 5, 2026 at The Wharf. Includes ice rink, drink bar, children’s activities, fireworks, and of course, the brightly decorated boat parade (Free)

Gingertown DC: December 8, 2026 at 5:30 pm (Free)

Holiday-Themed Bars and Restaurants

Holly Jolly Bar: Open November 13-December 28, 2026 at Puttery, NW DC (Starting at $22)

Emo Christmas: November 19-December 27, 2026 at the National Union Building, DC (Starting at $20)

Filomena: If you missed the Italian restaurant’s Halloween decorations, make sure to stop by for the Christmas decorations. They’re just as fun and elaborate.

Old Ebbitt Grill: Every year you can look forward to two giant nutcrackers welcoming you into the historic bar and restaurant, established in 1856.

Tree Lightings

National Harbor Christmas Tree Lighting and Artisan Market: November 7, 2026 from 12-6 pm at American Way Outdoor Park, National Harbor

CityCenterDC Annual Holiday Tree Lighting: November 14, 2026 from 5-7pm at The Park at CityCenter

Woodbridge/ Stonebridge Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Market: November 20, 2026 from 5-9 pm at Potomac Town Center

Columbia Heights Tree Lighting & Holiday Market: December 4, 2026 from 5-9 pm at Columbia Heights Civic Plaza

The Annual Jingle Jubilee & Holiday Pop-Up Market: December 5, 2026 at Chevy Chase Lake. Market from 1-6 pm, tree lighting celebration from 3-6 pm, tree lighting at 5 pm.

Event Lineups

WinterFest 2026 at Wunder Garten: November 28-December 19, 2026 at Wunder Garten in NE DC. Highlights include a holiday market on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, a Christmas tree lot, themed parties, Holiday Yappy Hour, winter beer tasting class, festive cocktails, and more. Full details will be announced on November 16th.

Holidays at The Willard: The swanky Willard InterContinental hotel is hosting multiple holiday activities in addition to holiday decorations. Enjoy your Christmas in Washington DC with nightly holiday caroling, Christmas Day brunch, breakfast with Santa on December 6th, holiday libations at the Round Robin Bar, holiday afternoon tea, or view a gingerbread display of National Mall landmarks.

Tyson’s Corner Center Holiday Kick-Off Celebration: November 13, 2026 from 6-8 pm at Penfed Plaza

DC Holiday Hunt: TBA in neighborhoods throughout DC

Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend: December 4-6, 2026. Includes the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on December 5, 2026.

Logan Holiday Market Extravaganza: December 6, 2026 from 11 am-5 pm at 1341 14th St NW

Holiday Boat Parade & Party at The Wharf: December 5, 2026 from 5-8 pm at District Pier

Holiday Parties & Events

Hot Cocoa & Cider Crawl: December 4-6, 2026 along the 14th St NW corridor

Cleveland Park Santa Bar Crawl: December 5, 2026 from 6-10 pm in Cleveland Park ($28.52)

Washington DC SantaCon Bar Crawl: December 5, 2026 at 12 pm starting at the Hard Rock Cafe DC ($20 general admission)

Clarendon’s Official Bad Santa Bar Crawl: December 12, 2026 at 3 pm in Clarendon, VA (Starting at $7.18)

Santa Bar Crawl: December 12, 2026 at 2 pm in Dupont Circle (Starting at $7.18)

Instagram-Ready Photo Spots

Gaylord National: Be prepared for elaborate decorations, family-friendly holiday activities like gingerbread decorating, and shows like Cirque Frost.

Union Station: Enjoy elegant decorations including the Norwegian Christmas tree, a decades-long tradition with the Norwegian Embassy.

Library of Congress: This building is beautiful for photos year-round, but with holiday decorations it’s even nicer to look at and capture in photos.

Willard Hotel: You don’t have to stay overnight to enjoy the many Christmas trees and holiday decorations in this opulent, historic hotel.

National Menorah: Close to the National Christmas Tree, the National Menorah offers great views that include the most iconic monuments.

Capital Christmas Tree: Separate from the National Christmas Tree, the “People’s Tree” features decorations made by residents of different states celebrating our national forests.

Georgetown Waterfront: Wreaths on every lamp post and lights create a beautiful backdrop for holiday photos.

City Center: CityCenterDC is known for its alternating year-round decorations, so you know they do Christmas big here.

Old Town Alexandria: This area is pretty any time of year, but it’s even better when you add lights strung along trees on King Street and home decorations.

Ice Skating Rinks

Ice Rink at the Sculpture Garden: November 23, 2026-March 7, 2027 at National Gallery of Art

Canal Park Ice Rink: Open late November to early March

The Wharf Ice Rink: Opens December 2026

Stonebridge Ice Rink: Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA

Pentagon Row Ice Rink: November-March annually at Westpost at National Landing

Holiday Events for History Lovers

Holiday Tea & Tour: December 5 & 6, 2026 from 1-3 pm at Tudor Place Historic House & Garden ($55 members, $65 non-members)

Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon: December 19-20, 2026 from 5:30-8:30 pm at George Washington’s Mount Vernon ($58 adult general public, $46 adult members)

Holiday Events for Kids

Christmas Village at the Gaylord National (Events and attractions can be bundled):

• Photos with Santa at the Gaylord National: November 14-December 24, 2026 (Photo packages starting at $45)
• Gingerbread Decorating Corner: November 14, 2026-January 1, 2027 ($46)
• Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions: November 14, 2026-January 1, 2027 ($20)
• The Grinch’s Wonderful Awful Idea Scavenger Hunt: November 14, 2026-January 3, 2027 ($14)

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So, do you know of an event not listed here or another way to celebrate Christmas in Washington DC? Leave a comment below and I’ll add it to the list!

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If you liked this, check these out:

Your Free Guide to the Best Washington, DC Hotels

A Complete Guide to Christmas in Baltimore

Christmas in Germany: 3 Christmas Markets Not to Miss

App-Guided City Tours with AmazingCo: Mystery Picnic in Washington, DC

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