Updated December 10, 2023
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
Downtown Holiday Market: November 17-December 23 at Gallery Place/Chinatown. Free.
Heurich Christmas Markt: December 1-3 at Heurich House. $2-$12 entry.
Holiday Market & Celebration at The Parks: December 2 from 11-4 at Marketplace Plaza at The Parks
Van Ness Main Street’s Holiday Pop-Up: December 2 at Van Ness Main Street. Free.
Cleveland Park Winter Market: December 2 from 2:30-7:30 pm at the Cleveland Park Promenade
Spark! Chevy Chase Winter Market & Small Business Party: December 9 from 1-5 pm at Chevy Chase Main Street
Dupont Circle Holiday Pop-Up: TBA at Dupont Circle. Free.
Unique Markets DC Holiday Market: December 16-17 at Union Market. $12-$18 entry.
The Procrastinator’s Holiday Market: December 16 in NE (location TBA). Free.
Holly Jolly Sidewalk Market: December 16 from 1-6 pm at 14th Street NW between U & T Streets
Performances
A Christmas Carol: November 17-December 31 at Ford’s Theatre
Ballet West: The Nutcracker: November 22-26 at The Kennedy Center
The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker: November 25-26 at THEARC and December 2-30 at Warner Theatre
The Holiday Show (Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC): December 2, 9, 10 at the Lincoln Theatre
NSO at the Anthem: Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert: December 6 at The Anthem
Handel’s Messiah: December 8-10 at Washington National Cathedral
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show: December 8-17 at Arena Stage
Atlas Presents Navidad Flamenca: December 9 at Atlas Performing Arts Center
Bad Medicine: Holiday Sketch Show: December 12 at DC Improv. $20.
A Candlelight Christmas: December 16-22 at The Kennedy Center
Capital City Symphony: Sleigh Ride! CCS’s Annual Holiday Concert and Sing Along: December 17 at Atlas Performing Arts Center
Modern Nutcracker Ballet – Christmas Legend: December 23 at CulturalDC’s Source Theatre. $35-$100.
Christmas Day Organ Recital: December 25 at Washington National Cathedral. Free.
Light & Ice Displays
Garden of Lights: November 17-December 31 at Brookside Gardens. $10 entry.
DC Holiday Lights: November 17-January 7 in neighborhoods throughout DC. Free.
Winter City Lights: November 18-December 30 in Olney. $31 starting admission.
ICE!: November 19-December 31 at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in the National Harbor. Enter a world created from carved ice, including the famous ice slides. Starting admission $25.99.
Light Yards: November 20-January 7. Free.
Enchant DC: November 24-December 31 at Nationals Park. Includes a Christmas light maze, ice skating, Christmas market, bar & lounge, children’s play place, and live entertainment. $32 starting adult admission.
ZooLights: November 24-December 30 at the National Zoo. $6 entry.
Georgetown GLOW: December 1-January 7 in Georgetown. Free.
Spectacular Factory: Until January 3 at Artechouse. Starting at $21.
Gaithersburg’s Winter Lights Festival: November 25-December 31 in Seneca Creek State Park. $15-$25.
Holiday Boat Parade: December 2 at The Wharf. Includes ice rink, drink bar, children’s activities, fireworks, and of course, the brightly decorated boat parade. Free.
LuminoCity Winter Light Festival: Until January 15th at Montgomery County Fairgrounds. $32.
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: November 30 on the Ellipse in President’s Park. Free ticket lottery is now closed, but the National Christmas Tree Lighting special is televised on December 15 and the site is open to visitors on December 2.
CityCenterDC Annual Holiday Tree Lighting: November 25 at The Park at CityCenterDC. Free. Festivities include lighting of the 75-foot tree, live music, an Instagram-ready orange carpet, face painting, and more.
Menorah Lighting: December 7 at the Ellipse. Free.
Norwegian Tree Lighting Ceremony: December 7 at 6 pm at Union Station. Free.
Columbia Heights Tree Lighting & Market: December 8 from 4-8 pm at 1400 Park Rd NW
Event Lineups
Winterfest: December 1-23 at Wunder Garten. Includes Christmas tree lot, cozy fire pits, hot chocolate bar, European Union’s Holiday Food Tour, 90’s Dance Party, Ugly Sweater Party, and more.
NaLaDays in National Landing: National Landing, Arlington. Includes holiday market, light installation, Christmas tree lot, Elf movie party, toy and food drives, and more.
Holiday Parties
Ward 7 Neighbors & Friends Annual Holiday Party: December 10 at Capitol Square Bar & Grill. $35.
Holiday Sing-Along with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC: December 12 from 5-8 pm at Hotel Zena (1155 14th St NW). $10-$30.
Cleveland Park Santa Bar Crawl: December 16 from 5-9 pm at Cleveland Park Main Street. $15.
Instagram-Ready Photo Spots
Union Station: Enjoy elegant decorations including the Norwegian Christmas tree, a decades-long tradition with the Norwegian Embassy.
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 20-March 3 at the National Gallery of Art. $12 plus $6 skate rental.
Canal Park Ice Rink: November-February at 200 M St SE. $13 plus $6 skate rental.
The Wharf Ice Rink: Opens November 22. $13 adult admission plus $8 skate rental.
Pentagon Row Ice Rink: Open now at Pentagon Row. $11 plus $6 skate rental with online reservation.
Reston Town Center: November 3-March 10. $11 adult admission and rental, reservations required.
Holiday Events for History Lovers
Tudor Place Candlelight Tour: December 8 at Tudor Place Historic House & Garden. $25 non-member admission.
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon: December 15-16 at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. $58-$60 adult non-member general admission.
Kwanzaa & Watch Night: Visions of Freedom: December 30 from 11-3 at the National Museum of African-American History & Culture. Free.
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
Pin it for later:
4 Comments
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.