Christmas in DC is a magical time. The city becomes lit up with festive lights, loads of joyful concerts and attractions, and lots of Christmas markets. Whether you’re solo, going with friends, or making it a family affair, there are so many fun things to do in DC during Christmas. If you’re a local, you have enough options to stay busy every weekend. But if you’re visiting for the holidays, make sure to check out the links below for the best deals.
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Christmas Markets in DC
DC Holiday Market
Nov 22 – Dec 15, 19th St. NW
Shop from 30+ vendors, enjoy holiday music & seasonal treats!
Heurich House Museum Christmas Market
Dec 6-13, Historic Dupont Circle
DC’s only ALL-local holiday market featuring 60+ artisan vendors.
More Information: https://heurichhouse.org
#DowntownDC Holiday Market
Nov 22 – Dec 23, F St NW (between 7th & 9th Sts)
Open daily (closed Thanksgiving).
Learn More: https://downtowndcholidaymarket.com/
Christmas Markets in Virginia
Port City Holiday Makers’ Market
- When: 12 pm – 5 pm on November 30, 2024
- Where: Port City Brewing Co. 3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria, Virginia
Norwegian Festival
The Norwegian Christmas Markets offer a festive selection of gift items, traditional Norwegian foods, and specialty imported goods. Visitors can also enjoy live lefse demonstrations and European specialities like fresh Norwegian waffles, pea soup, and Norwegian-style hot dogs.
- Friday, December 6 9 AM – 5 PM (9-11 Members Only)
- Saturday, December 7 9 AM – 5 PM (9-10 Members Only)
- Sunday, December 8 9 AM – 5 PM
- WHERE: Norway House, 3846 Meredith Drive Fairfax, VA 22030
Del Ray Artisans’ Annual Holiday
- When: Dec 6-8, 13-15, 20-22
- Where: 2704 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
Christmas Markets in Maryland
Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show
- When: December 21-22nd
- Where: National Harbor
Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show
- When: December 1st
- Where: Silver Spring Maryland
Takoma Park Gift Market
- When: December 13th
- Where: Takoma Park, Maryland
Museum Shop Holiday Market
- When: November 14-16th
- Where: Strathmore
Christmas Village in Baltimore
German Style Christmas Village with lots of German foods to choose from and non-alcoholic festive drinks.
- When: Nov 23 -Dec 24.
- Where: 501 Light Street at the Inner Harbor
Kid and Family Friendly Christmas Events
United States Botantic Garden Winter Sculptures
The United States Botanic Garden is a great family friendly escape. My favorite part of the holiday exhibit were the replicas of the Washington DC monuments and buildings made out of bamboo. Although it was a bit crowded during the weekend, the tropical gardens and the exotic desert plants makes it all worth it.
A must-see during the holiday season is the enchanting Holiday Train Exhibit, where model trains wind through cute tracks adorned with tiny replicas of iconic landmarks. This annual exhibit delights visitors of all ages, offering a blend of nostalgia and festive cheer.
Winter Glow at Mount Vernon
Winter Glow is the perfect family friendly Christmas event. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy smores, play colonial games, visit the estate’s camel in residence, or listen to caroling. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn about how Christmas was historically celebrated by George Washington.
When: November 29-30, 2024
December 15-19, 2024
December 23, 2024
Where: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA 22121
White House Christmas Tour
Visiting the White House is pretty epic! Tours are free but can be tricky to get. US citizens must contact their US member of Congress no less than 21 days but no more than 3months before their requested date. Non-Americans should reach out to their embassy to schedule a White House Tour. I recommend being a bit flexible with your dates, as your requested date is not guaranteed.
DC Holiday Hunt
The DC Holiday Hunt is family-friendly interactive activity. Visitors will race to complete as many missions as they can for a chance to win amazing prizes. Along the way, you’ll discover new restaurants, connect with local businesses, and experience DC in a new festive way!
Musical Christmas Events
The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker: November 30-December 29, 2024 at Warner Theatre
A Candlelight Christmas: December 15-22, 2024 at The Kennedy Center
A Christmas Carol: November 21-December 31, 2024 at Ford’s 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
The Holiday Show (Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC): December 7, 14, & 15, 2024 at the Lincoln Theatre
Handel’s Messiah: December 6-8, 2024 at Washington National Cathedral and Livestream
The Hip Hop Nutcracker: December 20-22, 2024 at The National Theatre
Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time: December 1, 2024 at Capital One Arena
Philadelphia Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker: November 27-December 1, 2024 at The Kennedy Center
Best Place to See Christmas Lights
Cirque: Spirit of Christmas: November 15-December 28, 2024 at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in the National Harbor. Tickets start at $22.99
Garden of Lights: November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025 at Brookside Gardens. $10 a ticket.
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.
Winter Lantern Festival: October 31, 2024-January 12, 2025 from 5-9:30 pm on Thursdays-Sundays at Tysons, Virginia. $26.99 adult admission, $16.99 children.
ZooLights: November 22, 2024-January 4, 2025 from 5-8 or 9 pm at the National Zoo. $6 general admission.
Christmas Themed Restaurants in DC
BusBoys and Poets– This place has everything! Great food, including gluten-free, vegan, and halal options. If you visit, you might even see Santa Clause.
Belga Café – Warm Belgian-inspired Christmas decor and dishes.
Unconventional Diner – Modern, cozy vibes with a festive twist.
Petite Cerise – Elegant, French-inspired holiday setup.
Caffè Morini – Italian charm with a festive touch.
Nina May – Fire pits and a winter wonderland aesthetic.
Christmas Tree Lightings in Washington DC
CityCenterDC Annual Holiday Tree Lighting: November 30, 2024 from 5-7 pm at The Park at CityCenter
Columbia Heights Tree Lighting Ceremony: December 6, 2024 from 2-8 pm at Columbia Heights Civic Plaza
National Christmas Tree Lighting: December 5, 2024 in-person ceremony on the Ellipse at President’s Park. December 20, 2024 television broadcast.
Ice Skating Rinks in Washington DC
Ice Rink at the Sculpture Garden: November 23, 2024-March 2, 2025 at the National Gallery of Art
DowntownDC Holiday Skate Spectacular with the DowntownDC: Dec. 16 – Jan. 4 at the National Building Museum from
The Washington Harbor Ice Rink in Georgetown: Amazing views of the Potomac River, Key Bridge, and the Kennedy Center. Address is 3000 K ST NW . Opens November 22.
Canal Park Ice Rink: Opening currently delayed
The Wharf Ice Rink: Opens November 27, 2024
Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run : 4001 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria VA 22304
Pentagon Row Ice Rink: 1201 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA 22202
Christmas Events for History and Culture Lovers
Lucketts Holiday House
- When: Thursday- Sunday November 7 -December 15th
- Where: 42350 Lucketts Rd Leesburg VA 20176
Tudor Place Candlelight Tour & Tudor Light: Disco Christmas
- When: Multiple Dates in December ( 6,11, 12 & 13, 2024)
- Where: Tudor Place Historic House & Garden
Christmas at Mount Vernon
- When: December 20-22, 2024
- Where: at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. $58 general public admission, $48 member admission.
Spirit of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a beautiful celebration that follows right after Christmas. It was created to celebrate African and African American culture.
- When: Friday, December 20th – Sunday, December 22nd
- Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
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This comprehensive list is so helpful – I didn’t know that White House tours are free! Would love to visit for the Christmas vibes here – saving this post for my next trip.
DC has many more Christmas markets than I would have thought. Looks like it would be a lot of fun to spend a weekend in DC exploring the markets, ice skating, and enjoying the lights.
I love that the European Christmas market tradition is being embraced more and more around the United States.
So many festive and Christmas things to do in and around DC. Would love to visit Washington DC in December, to see the Christmas markets and some lights.