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Updated November 6, 2024

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 German Christmas market, but there’s so much more available.

Not into holiday markets or one just isn’t enough? Check out this list of opportunities to celebrate Christmas in Washington DC.

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

DowntownDC Holiday Market: November 22-December 23, 2024 from 12-8 pm at F Street NW (between 7th and 9th)

DC Holiday Market: November 22-December 15, 2024 at Dupont Circle on 19th St NW

Woodbridge/Stonebridge Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show: November 22, 2024 from 5-9 pm at Potomac Town Center

URBNmarket Holiday Markets:

Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show: December 1, 2024 from 12-4 pm at Veterans Plaza. Free.

Heurich Christmas Markt: December 6-13, 2024 at Heurich House Museum. $10-$18 entry.

Swedish Holiday Market: December 7, 2024 from 10 am-5 pm at House of Sweden in Georgetown

Chevy Chase Winter Market: December 7, 2024 from 12-5 pm at Chevy Chase Main Street

Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show: December 14, 2024 from 11 am-4 pm at John Carlyle Square. Free.

Holly Jolly Holiday Market: December 14, 2024 from 11-4 pm at Logan Circle, U St.

Cleveland Park Winter Market: December 14, 2024 from 12-5 pm at Cleveland Park Main Street

Unique Markets DC Holiday Market: December 14-15, 2024 from 10 am-4 pm at Union Market. Tickets coming soon.

National Harbor Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show: December 21-22, 2024 from 11 am-4 pm at American Way, National Harbor. Free.

Shoppers walking through a holiday street market during Christmas in Washington DC
Downtown Holiday Market

Performances

A Christmas Carol: November 21-December 31, 2024 at Ford’s Theatre

Philadelphia Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker: November 27-December 1, 2024 at The Kennedy Center

The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker: November 30-December 29, 2024 at Warner Theatre

Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time: December 1, 2024 at Capital One Arena

Handel’s Messiah: December 6-8, 2024 at Washington National Cathedral and Livestream

The Holiday Show (Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC): December 7, 14, & 15, 2024 at the Lincoln Theatre

Atlas Presents Navidad Flamenca: December 14, 2024 at Atlas Performing Arts Center

Capital City Symphony: Sing! Annual Holiday Concert: December 15, 2024 at Atlas Performing Arts Center

A Candlelight Christmas: December 15-22, 2024 at The Kennedy Center

The Hip Hop Nutcracker: December 20-22, 2024 at The National Theatre

Light & Ice Displays

Cirque: Spirit of Christmas: November 15-December 28, 2024 at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in the National Harbor. Starting at $22.99 admission.

ICE! Featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas”: November 15 – December 28, 2024 at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in the National Harbor. Enter a world created from carved ice, including the famous ice slides. Starting admission $26.99.

Garden of Lights: November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025 at Brookside Gardens. $10 entry.

ZooLights: November 22, 2024-January 4, 2025 from 5-8 or 9 pm at the National Zoo. $6 general admission.

Woman sitting in garden at night among decorative Christmas lights
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens

Winter City Lights: November 23-December 31, 2024 in Olney. Starting at $18 adult admission.

Gaithersburg’s Winter Lights Festival: November 29-December 31, 2024 in Seneca Creek State Park. $15-$25.

Holiday Boat Parade: December 7, 2024 at The Wharf. Includes ice rink, drink bar, children’s activities, fireworks, and of course, the brightly decorated boat parade. Free.

Holiday-Themed Bars and Restaurants

Colada Shop: The Cuban spot has holiday decor and a new holiday cocktail menu until December 31st.

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 Christmas Tree Lighting: TBD

CityCenterDC Annual Holiday Tree Lighting: TBD

Norwegian Tree Lighting Ceremony: TBD

Columbia Heights Tree Lighting Ceremony: December 6, 2024 from 2-8 pm at Columbia Heights Civic Plaza

Aerial view of tall Washington DC Christmas tree in a plaza full of holiday lights
CityCenterDC Tree Lighting

Event Lineups

DC Holiday Hunt: November 29, 2024-January 5, 2025 in neighborhoods throughout DC

Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend: December 6-8, 2024. Includes the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on December 7, 2024, plus more events to be announced.

Holiday Boat Parade & Party at The Wharf: December 7, 2024 from 5-8 pm.

Holiday Parties

Cleveland Park Main Street Santa Bar Crawl: December 14, 2024 from 5:30-9:30 pm. $15.

Ward 7 Neighbors & Friends Annual Holiday Party: TBD

Instagram-Ready Photo Spots

Woman standing in front of a tall 
Christmas tree in the lobby of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.
Library of Congress

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, 2024-March 2, 2025 at the National Gallery of Art

Canal Park Ice Rink: TBD

The Wharf Ice Rink: Opens November 27, 2024

Stonebridge Ice Rink: November 15, 2024-February 23, 2025 at Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA

Pentagon Row Ice Rink: TBD

Holiday Events for History Lovers

Tudor Place Candlelight Tour: December 6,11, & 13, 2024 at Tudor Place Historic House & Garden. $25 non-member admission, $15 member admission.

Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon: December 20-22, 2024 at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. $58 general public admission, $48 member admission.


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

15 Amazing Holiday Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers

Christmas in Germany: 3 Christmas Markets Not to Miss

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


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Shoppers walking through a holiday market with vendor booths and string lights with a heading that says Christmas in Washington DC

6 Comments

  1. avatar

    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.

    1. avatar

      Thank you, I’ll add them to the list.

  2. avatar
    Andrea Braswell says:

    The Parks at Walter Reed Holiday Market & Celebration Dec 2
    https://theparksdc.com/events/holiday-market-celebration/
    Thanks Aisha for all you do!

    1. avatar

      Thanks for the heads up, adding this to the list now!

  3. avatar

    November 4, 2023 – Friendship Heights Holiday Marker’s Market from 11am-3pm
    https://friendshipheights.com/events/holiday-makers-market-november-4-2023

    1. avatar

      Thank you for sharing! I’ll be updating this list soon for 2023 and will look out for more Friendship Heights events to include.

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