Updated December 12, 2025
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
DC Holiday Market: November 14, 2025-December 23, 2025 at Dupont Circle
Downtown DC Holiday Market: November 21, 2025-December 23, 2025 on F St. NW
Christmas Markt at Heurich House: December 4-7, 2025 at Heurich House Museum, DC ($12-$14)
The Annual Jingle Jubilee & Holiday Pop-Up Market: December 5, 2025 from 1-6 pm at Chevy Chase Lake
Holiday Her-Story Market: December 6, 2025 from 1-5 pm at Hotel Zena
Chevy Chase Winter Market: December 6, 2025 from 12-5 pm between 5500-5700 Connecticut Avenue NW
FRIENDS of the German International School Washington D.C. Christmas Market: December 6, 2025 from 11 am-5 pm
National Harbor Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show: December 6-7, 2025 at 12 pm at American Way Outdoor Park, National Harbor (Free)
Pajamarama Holiday Market: December 7, 2025 from 10 am-3 pm in Takoma
Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show: December 7, 2025 from 12-4 pm at Veterans Plaza (Free)
Czech Christmas Market: December 8, 2025 from 9 am-6 pm at the Embassy of the Czech Republic
URBNmarket Holiday Markets:
- Mosaic Holiday Market: November 22-23 & December 13-14, 2025 in Fairfax, VA
- Clarendon Crossing Holiday Market: December 6-7, 2025
- Bethesda Winter Wonderland: December 6, 2025
- Westbard Square Holiday Market: December 20-21, 2025
Mount Pleasant Holiday Market & Craft Show: December 13, 2025 from 11 am-4 pm
VNMS Holiday Pop-Up Market: December 13, 2025 from 10 am-3 pm at Van Ness Main Street
Cleveland Park Winter Market & Festival: December 13, 2025 from 12-5 pm
Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show: December 13, 2025 from 11 am-4 pm (Free)
Main Hall Holiday Market: December 17-20, 2025 from 11 am-7 pm at Union Station Main Hall
Sip & Shop Holiday Market: December 19-21, 2025 from 2-7 pm at Wunder Garten DC
Performances
“ho ho ho ha ha ha ha”: November 12-December 31, 2025 at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Cirque: Spirit of Christmas: November 14, 2025-January 4, 2026 at The Gaylord National (Tickets starting at $26)
A Christmas Carol: November 20-December 31, 2025 at Ford’s Theatre
The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker: November 29-December 28, 2025 at Warner Theatre
Atlas Presents Navidad Flamenca: November 30, 2025 at Atlas Performing Arts Center
Atlas Presents A Hoot for the Holidays!: December 5, 2025 at Atlas Performing Arts Center
The Gift of the Magi: December 11, 2025 at the Arts Club of Washington
The Holiday Show (Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC): December 13, 14, 20, 2025 at the Lincoln Theatre
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical: December 30, 2025-January 4, 2026 at The National Theatre
Light & Ice Displays
Winter Lantern Festival: From November 20, 2025 on Thursdays-Sundays, 5-10 pm in Tysons, VA (Starting at $18)
ICE! featuring The Polar Express: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in the National Harbor. Enter a world created from carved ice, including the famous ice slides.
ZooLights: November 21, 2025-January 3, 2026 at the National Zoo
Winter City Lights: November 28-December 29, 2025 in Olney, MD
Light Yards: November 25, 2025-January 2, 2026 nightly from 5-10 pm at The Yards Park (Free)
Gaithersburg’s Winter Lights Festival: November 28-December 31, 2025 in Seneca Creek State Park ($15-$25)
Gingertown DC: December 2, 2025 at 5:30 pm (Free)
Holiday Boat Parade: December 6, 2025 at The Wharf. Includes ice rink, drink bar, children’s activities, fireworks, and of course, the brightly decorated boat parade (Free)
Tudor Lights: Christmas at Tudor Place: December 11, 2025 from 6:30-8:30 pm ($25 members, $55 non-members)
Holiday-Themed Bars and Restaurants
Holly Jolly Bar: Open November 13, 2025-December 28, 2025 at Puttery, NW DC (Tickets start at $22)
Sparkling Journey: Champagne & Sparkling Wine Tasting & Market: December 6, 2025 at multiple times at Hotel Zena (from $64)
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
CityCenterDC Annual Holiday Tree Lighting: November 29, 2025 from 5-7pm at The Park at CityCenter
The Annual Jingle Jubilee & Holiday Pop-Up Market: December 5, 2025 from 1-6 pm at Chevy Chase Lake
Event Lineups
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, 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 14, 2025 from 6-8 pm at Penfed Plaza
DC Holiday Hunt: November 23, 2025-January 3, 2026 in neighborhoods throughout DC
Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend: December 5-7, 2025. Includes the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on December 6, 2025.
Holiday Boat Parade & Party at The Wharf: December 6, 2025 from 5-8 pm
Second Sundays Holiday Edition: December 14, 2025 from 11 am-4 pm at Merry Pin
Holiday Parties & Events
Washington DC Santa Bar Crawl: December 6, 2025 at 1 pm starting at Hard Rock Cafe DC ($25-$32)
German Holiday Trivia Night with the German Embassy: December 9, 2025 from 7-9 pm at Barrel House Cafe & Bar
Clarendon’s Official Bad Santa Bar Crawl: December 13, 2025 from 3-10 pm ($7-$23)
Santa Bar Crawl: December 13, 2025 from 2-10 pm in Dupont Circle (From $9)
Instagram-Ready Photo Spots
Gaylord National: Be prepared for elaborate decorations, family-friendly holiday activities like gingerbread decorating, and shows like Cirque: The Spirit of Christmas.
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 24, 2025-March 1, 2026 at National Gallery of Art
Canal Park Ice Rink: Open late November to early March
The Wharf Ice Rink: Opens November 2025
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
Tudor Place Candlelight Tours: December 3, 5, 6, & 13, 2025 at Tudor Place Historic House & Garden ($25 non-members, $15 members)
Holiday Tea & Tour: December 6 and 13, 2025 from 2-4 pm at Tudor Place Historic House & Garden ($55 members, $65 non-members)
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon: December 20-21, 2025 from 5:30-8:30 pm at George Washington’s Mount Vernon ($58 adult general public, $46 adult members)
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!
If you liked this, check these out:
A Complete Guide to Christmas in Baltimore
Christmas in Germany: 3 Christmas Markets Not to Miss
A Complete Autumn Events Guide to the DC/Maryland Area
App-Guided City Tours with AmazingCo: Mystery Picnic in Washington, DC
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10 Comments
This was so helpful! Thank you!
Of course! Thank you for reading.
Proud to announce Christmas at Calleva Farm in Montgomery county. You check out the website christmasatcallevafarm.com
Thank you, I will.
Alexandria’s biggest holiday weekend takes place December 6 to 8, 2024.
53rd Annual, featuring a parade of Scottish clans and Scottie dogs, as well as the 24th Annual Lighted Boat Parade on the Potomac River. Enjoy more festive happenings throughout the weekend.
Thank you, I’ll add them to the list.
The Parks at Walter Reed Holiday Market & Celebration Dec 2
https://theparksdc.com/events/holiday-market-celebration/
Thanks Aisha for all you do!
Thanks for the heads up, adding this to the list now!
November 4, 2023 – Friendship Heights Holiday Marker’s Market from 11am-3pm
https://friendshipheights.com/events/holiday-makers-market-november-4-2023
Thank you for sharing! I’ll be updating this list soon for 2023 and will look out for more Friendship Heights events to include.