12 Christmas & Holiday Events In The DC Area

No matter if you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, Washington DC and the surrounding areas in Virginia and Maryland always have festive holiday activities for the whole family. While staying in Fairfax County, there is always something to do during the winter season. Here are some of the annual events and others that you just may not want to miss this December!

1. Say Hello to the National Christmas Tree 

Begin your holiday activities in DC with the National Christmas Tree Lighting! This beloved American tradition, presented by the National Park Service (NPS) and National Park Foundation (NPF), features musical performances and the official lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in President’s Park. This year, the ceremony and official lighting will take place on Thursday, December 5. First celebrated in 1923 by President Calvin Coolidge, the National Christmas Tree Lighting today inspires people everywhere to pause to enjoy cherished traditions and memories made with family and friends in parks during the holiday season. 

The National Christmas Tree site is free to visit and will be open to the public from December - January.

Hours are: 

Sunday - Thursday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 

Friday - Saturday: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

The Pageant of Peace surrounding the National Christmas Tree on the White House Ellipse also includes the National Menorah. The lighting ceremony date as well as the live performances will be announced on the National Tree website.

 

 2. Pose with "The People's Tree"

Photo courtesy US Capitol Christmas Tree

The tradition in Washington DC of the Capitol Christmas Tree, or "The People's Tree," began in 1964 when Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John W. McCormack (D-MA) placed a live Christmas tree on the Capitol lawn. In 1970, the Capitol Architect asked the U.S. Forest Service to provide a Christmas tree. Since then, a different national forest has been chosen each year to provide "The People's Tree." In 2024, the tree will come from Alaska's National Forests.

 

3. Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden

The National Gallery of Art is once again hosting ice skating in the Sculpture Garden in 2024! Get active this holiday season with one of the most popular outdoor winter activities in the DC area. rom November 23rd through March 2nd, you can lace up your skates and get into the holiday spirit surrounded by the amazing sights in the surrounding courtyard. Skating lessons are available throughout the season and the rink is closed on December 25th and January 1st.

 

4. Stroll the Downtown Holiday Market

Photo courtesy of DC Holiday Market

Nothing says a holiday event like a holiday market! This year the Downtown Holiday Market (DHM) will operate for 30 consecutive days and will have four weekend dates. Guests can make the most of their holiday shopping experience this winter by supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs across the region. 

The holiday market lineup features more than 70 exhibitors including Black-owned and minority-owned businesses Additional exciting and entertaining features include a live stage of exceptional regional performers. The daily schedule will be announced on the Downtown Holiday Market’s website.

 

5. Kennedy Style Holiday Cheer

Whether you're a Washingtonian on a staycation or visiting from far away on a winter getaway, you'll feel right at home with the Kennedy Center's seasonal performances full of tradition and holiday cheer! President John F. Kennedy was a lifelong supporter and advocate of the arts, and frequently steered the public discourse toward what he called "our contribution to the human spirit." Two months after President Kennedy's assassination in November 1963, Congress designated the National Cultural Center as a "living memorial" to Kennedy and authorized $23 million to help build what was now known as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

6. Catch a Show at the National Cathedral 

The National Cathedral is one of the most iconic structures in all of DC.  During the holiday season, you're invited to attend original and classic compositions that stir the soul and inspire the mind with meditative and moving performances. You'll see that the National Cathedral provides the perfect setting for some of the season's most joyous music, performed by a team of international soloists with the Cathedral's own combined choirs and Baroque orchestra. One of the most popular concerts is Handel's Messiah which takes place on select days in early December. In fact, all kinds of holiday events span the month of December so check their website for a complete listing of performance times. 
 

7. See the White House All Decked Out

You don't have an unobstructed view because of the security fence, but you can still catch a sweet glimpse of the Presidential Mansion in all its glory, beautifully decorated for the holiday season. People gather mostly at the north side of the mansion along Pennsylvania Ave. to get closer, but you can actually get a great view, take great pics, AND position yourself near the National Christmas Tree and National Menorah from the Ellipse on the south side. From snowball fights to gingerbread houses to digital trees, the White House is a treasure trove of holiday traditions - old and new alike.

8. Get Scrooged

Photo Courtesy of Ford's Theatre

Take in Charles Dickens's classic in the confines of an iconic American theatre. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption.  Over the last several years, Ford's has been engaged in a dramatic expansion and renovation.

In 2009, Ford's reopened a restored and renovated theatre along with a re-imagined museum, illuminating the world of Civil War Washington and the years of Lincoln's presidency. This is a perfect indoor winter activity to do this holiday season. The performance dates will be announced on the Ford’s Theatre website.

 

9. Holiday Boat Parade of Lights at The Wharf

A beloved Washington D.C. tradition, the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights at The Wharf brings a holiday twist to the waterfront each year. This free event features dozens of boats decked out with bright holiday lights, cruising along the Potomac River. 

You can enjoy live music, hot beverages, and activities for kids. The parade ends with a fireworks display that lights up the night sky. The Holiday Boat Parade this year will take place on Saturday, December 7.

 

10. ZooLights at the National Zoo

ZooLights at the National Zoo is one of Washington D.C.'s most popular family-friendly holiday events. This event transforms the zoo into a winter wonderland with stunning holiday lights, including life-sized animal lanterns. You can also enjoy holiday-themed activities, tasty treats, and rides.

This event runs from the end of November through the end of December and it's a perfect outing for families to experience the festive season while visiting this wildlife at one of the city’s most famous attractions.

 

11. Georgetown Glow Light Exhibition

Each winter, Georgetown’s historic streets come alive with the Georgetown Glow Light Exhibition. This free outdoor event features an impressive collection of light art installations created by local artists. 

Spread across the Georgetown neighborhood, the lights are perfect for an evening stroll and create a unique holiday experience. It’s one of the best ways to enjoy art and holiday lights during the winter months.

 

12. Holiday Movie Screenings at Union Market

Union Market brings a fun and nostalgic holiday activity with its seasonal drive-in movie screenings. Families and friends can gather to watch classic holiday films projected onto the side of the market, creating a festive atmosphere under the stars. 

There are food trucks and pop-up vendors that provide snacks and warm drinks. Make sure to bring blankets to keep you cozy throughout the show! It’s a fun, low-key way to celebrate the holidays with some of your favorite films in one of D.C.’s popular locations.

On the Blog