Things To Do in Washington DC at Christmas

Christmas time is always a magical time of year and it is a great time to visit the US capital, Washington DC! DC is usually milder than more northern US locales, but it does get occasional snow. However, the milder weather in December is nice for tourists walking site to site. The capital city has a lot to offer during the Christmas season and many of these activities are free! See below our 10 things to do in Washington DC at Christmas time!

1. Zoo Lights at the National Zoo

One of our favorite things to do in Washington DC at Christmas time is Zoo Lights! Alex and I have gone for the past few years and we love it! Zoo Lights is a free event that the Smithsonian National Zoo runs for a few weeks prior to Christmas. Most of the zoo is lit with Christmas lights and decorations, and there are many holiday activities for young kids. It is open every night from 5pm to 9pm. There are a few special themed evenings, like Military Night or Brew at the Zoo.

There is a “Gingerbread Village,” a fire pit, children’s train, and more. In addition, they sell holiday snacks and beverages, like hot chocolate and mulled wine. The animal exhibits are typically closed during Zoo Lights, but it is a great time to take a stroll through zoo or bring young children for a night out.

2. Train display at the US Botanic Garden

The US Botanic Garden has become a holiday tradition for many! This museum is located near the US Capitol Building on the National Mall. It is a great place to visit at any time of the year; however, it becomes magical during the holidays! The garden sets up a large, elaborate train set. Each year has a different theme, ranging from National Parks to American train stations, but all of the decor must be made of plants. The garden works with the firm Applied Imagination to create their creative displays. The buildings decorating the scene are incredibly intricate and amazing! To see the train set, there is a separate entrance and line. The line can be quite long, sometimes up to an hour, but it’s worth it!

Aside from the train set, there are also DC monument models (made of plant material) on display. These range from the Washington Monument to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Furthermore, these models are in the main conservatory and surrounded by poinsettias and Christmas trees. There are actually 3,000+ poinsettias at the garden! They also have live seasonal performances throughout December, including Russian folk, contemporary jazz, and a cappella.

3. The National Christmas Tree/Christmas Tree Lighting

Every year on the Ellipse, the park behind the White House, the National Christmas Tree is on display. The “National” tree is in the center and surrounded by train sets. Outside the main tree, there are small trees representing every US state and territory. A school, artist, or organization from each state/territory is given the job of decorating their representative tree. You can visit the National Christmas tree day or night. Moreover, its location on the National Mall makes it easily accessible from other sites.

Furthermore, if your plans permit, you can enter a lottery to attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony! We lucked out one year and were able to get tickets. However, we haven’t won them since. The ceremony was very cool! We attended the 2015 ceremony, which was hosted by Reese Witherspoon. A different celebrity hosts every year, and it is also televised! There are many performances from different famous artists. The current president and his family attend, and the president reads a Christmas story and does the honor of lighting the tree!

4. Downtown Holiday Market

Another one of our favorite things to do in Washington DC at Christmas time is the Downtown Holiday Market. It is conveniently located next to the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and across the street from the Spy Museum.  It is open from noon to 8pm daily. The Market has many different vendors offering diverse products ranging from bison yarn to wood cutting boards. There are also a few food stands offering donuts, empanadas, churros, and bratwurst. It’s a fun stop for some holiday shopping or a quick snack!

5. The Smithsonian Holiday Festival

Another classic thing to do in Washington DC at Christmas time! Typically the first weekend in December, the Smithsonian hosts a holiday festival. Several Smithsonian museums are decorated and offer festive events and activities. There are musical performances, special holiday foods in cafeterias, and screenings of films like The Polar Express and A Muppet Christmas Carol. The Smithsonian Castle usually has a large decorated tree, and the National Museum of American History  (NMAH) usually hosts many of the events. My favorite event is the chocolate demonstration at the American History museum which shows how hot chocolate was made during the colonial era. You then get to sample the hot chocolate (although not quite as tasty as modern day versions)! After the festival, some museums remained decorated for the remainder of the season.

6. Go ice skating!

There are several outdoor ice skating rinks in DC and all are a fun seasonal activity! You can ice skate at “The Wharf” (see #8), the Washington Harbour in Georgetown, and in the middle of the National Gallery’s Sculpture Garden. Each one is decorated and has its advantages; we love the Georgetown one due to its proximity to many restaurants and makes for a great date night!

7. Visit the Willard Hotel

The Willard Hotel, now part of Intercontinental, is a historic property that is extravagantly decorated during the holiday season. The Willard has housed many famous people over the years; it is the site where Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his “I have a dream” speech. Lincoln and countless other presidents have stayed here before their inauguration. The hotel is a five minute walk from the White House and is a hub for the city, especially during Christmas time. In the lobby, there is a giant, iconic Christmas tree; many people come to take photos in front of it, and we even saw a proposal while we were there! Moreover, every night there is caroling in the lobby from 5:30-7:30pm.

The Willard also has a special holiday afternoon tea in its famous “Peacock Alley.” Peacock Alley’s name comes from all the dressed up women who paraded down the alley during the late 1800s/early 1900s. The hotel also has a gingerbread display, sells holiday pies, and offers a grand brunch for Thanksgiving and Christmas day. Visiting the Willard, or staying there, is definitely a must for things to do in Washington DC at Christmas time!

8. Visit the Wharf

The Wharf is a new development that recently opened in 2017. It is a hub of apartments, hotels, restaurants, shops, a fish market, and more. As a result, it is a new addition to our list of things to do in Washington DC at Christmas time. During the holiday season, there is a large Christmas tree, an ice skating rink, and various holiday music performances. “The Recreation Pier” has large swings and a fire sculpture known as the “Wharf torch.” In the center of the complex, there is a fire pit. During special events, you can roast s’mores there! Christmas special events include a tree lighting ceremony, a holiday boat parade with fireworks, and Christmas caroling!

9. Visit the Basilica at Catholic University

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is located on Catholic University’s campus. It is beautifully decorated for Christmas! The Basilica is the largest Catholic church in North America. In regards to Christmas decorations, there are roughly 50 Christmas trees, hundreds of poinsettias, thousands of lights, and two manger scenes. It’s open to the public from 7am to 6pm. Furthermore, there also special services and events for advent. These include a Christmas concert, the Blessing of the Bambinelli & Lighting of the Christmas Tree, and Christmas mass with a pageant. It’s an absolutely gorgeous church, and even more beautiful during the holiday season.

10. Listen to Handle’s Messiah at the National Cathedral 

Finally, another great Christmas activity is listening to Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral. The Washington National Cathedral has several performances in December of this Christmas classic! Indeed, the Cathedral’s Gothic architecture allows you to experience the music as Handel designed. One of the more unique things to do in Washington DC at Christmas!