Renee Sklarew, author of The Unofficial Guide to Washington, D.C., shares with us the Christmas events worth visiting in our nation’s capital.
After the leaves fall in late November, Washington, D.C., becomes a festive holiday getaway. Nearly all the neighborhoods have events and festivals, along with holiday markets and, of course, the National Christmas Tree in President’s Park. Here are some highlights to help you plan your upcoming visit. I’ve included recent openings and provided tips for a spring visit too.
Light Up the Night
This year marks the 101st anniversary of the annual tree-lighting ceremony at the White House, which takes place on December 5th. From then until January 1st, you can visit President’s Park to see the beautiful U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree , which was chosen from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Once lit, the tree glows nightly on the West Front Lawn.
There’s nothing more fun than watching a procession of 60 boats glowing with lights and waving passengers. This year, on December 7th, starting at 7 p.m., dozens of boats will pass by the shoreline of the D.C. Wharf for the Holiday Boat Parade.
The boat parade is followed immediately by fireworks. The party on the wharf, however, starts at 5 p.m. and is free of charge.
This year at the US Botanic Garden, it’s “Season’s Greetings”—a beloved holiday display, with a model train that travels around the gardens past festive adornments, poinsettias, and beautiful replicas of Washington’s important landmarks. The event starts November 28th and lasts until January 5th. Note that the gardens will be closed on December 25th.
There is no admission fee, and no tickets are required to visit any area of the US Botanic Garden, including the holiday train display.
The Yards DC—a neighborhood near the Washington Nationals Baseball Stadium—is back with Light Yards, a family-friendly holiday light installation with swinging bells. Guests become part of the artwork by prompting animated light displays and amplifying the cheerful sound of holiday bells. Light Yards is open from November 25th through January 1st.
Get your Christmas shopping in at Penn Quarter’s CityCenterDC, which is all dressed up outside with an installation of 400 gleaming ornaments and a glittering
75-foot tree.
The annual Christmas Illuminations and Fireworks shows at George Washington’s Mount Vernon are scheduled for designated evenings throughout the month of December. Come to see the Mansion and grounds lit by candlelight, and purchase tasty holiday treats, hot chocolate, and unique gifts at the Mount Vernon Museum Store.
Everyone enjoys ZooLights at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo (November 22nd through January 4th). The $8 exhibit features environmentally friendly animal light displays. Many of the animal houses also remain open in the evening for special animal keeper talks.
Celebrate with Live Theater
There’s no better tradition than experiencing Charles Dickens’ beloved Yuletide story of transformation and redemption. Buy tickets for A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre. Performances are held from November 21st through December 31st.
See a spectacular version of the classic ballet The Nutcracker performed by the Washington Ballet at the Warner Theatre from November 30th through December 29th.
The Nutcracker runs November 27th through December 1st at the Kennedy Center. After the show, take a walk through The Reach for stunning views of the city skyline at night.
Enjoy Magical Cirque Christmas from December 12th to 15th at the National Theater.
Shop for Unique Gifts
Head to Union Market to grab a bite to eat and do some shopping at the Holiday Pop-Up Market, every Sunday and Friday in December from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The magical Downtown Holiday Market returns to Penn Quarter with local vendors, light bites, and festive decor. The market runs from November 22nd through December 23rd, daily from noon until 8 p.m.
Eastern Market Main Street hosts its annual holiday market The Holly Days with live music, food, and window displays from November 26th until December 22nd.
Check out the new Holiday Market at Dupont Circle from November 22nd until December 15th. The new market features 34 vendors, holiday treats, and music.
Enjoy an authentic European-style market at the Heurich House Museum. Christkindlmarkt is held in the Castle Garden on December 6th, 7th, and 8th and features dozens of local artisans.
Go Ice Skating at D.C.’s Best Outdoor Rinks
Washington Harbour Ice Rink is open from November 12th until February 23, 2025. Ice-skate in the shadow of the National Gallery of Art from November 23rd through March 2, 2025. It’s so much fun to skate on the National Mall!
The Wharf Ice Rink returns on November 27th and remains open through February 2025. Pentagon City’s Pentagon Row Ice Rink is the largest in Northern Virginia. Take a spin and then hit up the shops. The track at the Capital Riverfront’s Canal Park is open for all-day ice skating from November through February 2025.
What’s New in 2025
We are excited about The People’s House, a new interactive museum that celebrates the residents and employees who have served at the White House since its founding. It’s a must-see.
The new Welcome Gallery at The Phillips Collection is going to inspire you to think about art in new ways.
Opening in January 2025, the Go-Go Museum & Cafe is D.C.’s newest museum attraction. It opens for special events and guests with tickets, showcasing the official music of the nation’s capital. Expect a state-of-the-art experience inside Anacostia’s latest landmark.
The new giant pandas have arrived, and visitors can see them starting January 24, 2025, at the National Zoo. Bao Li and Xing Bao are the most talked-about duo in the nation’s capital these days.
D.C. residents get super excited about Restaurant Week, held in January and August 2025. Check for dates here. Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington hosts seasonal editions of the extremely popular Restaurant Weeks, which offer diners pre-fixe menus for lunch/brunch ($25/$35) and dinner ($40/$55/$65).
Plan Ahead for the Cherry Blossoms
The National Cherry Blossom Festival will be held next year from March 20th to April 14th.
Peak bloom is defined as when 70% of the Yoshino cherry trees at the Tidal Basin have fully opened, and the best time to view the blossoms lasts for about a week after peak bloom. As of early March, check the National Cherry Blossom Festival website for the expected peak bloom date. Popular festival events are held in the lead-up to the celebration.
About the author: Renee Sklarew is a native Washingtonian who enjoys exploring her city’s many attractions, especially its incomparable museums and national parks. As a young girl, her family lived in Switzerland, where she began her passion for travel. Renee is a Study Leader for Smithsonian Associates and leads tours of historic sites and parks in the Washington, D.C., area. She contributes travel articles and photos to newspapers and magazines, including The Washington Post, Washingtonian, Northern Virginia Magazine, and AAA Traveler. Renee serves as dining editor for VivaTysons magazine and is the coauthor of the popular book 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Washington, D.C.
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