Winter Holiday Activities in DC
The holiday season is very busy in Washington, DC with an amazing variety of fun activities throughout the month of December. Try something new this year and enjoy special moments with family and friends. Following is a guide to the top holiday events in the capital region.
National Park Service
1. Visit the National Christmas Tree
The National Christmas Tree and the Pathway of Peace is illuminated daily at dusk until 10 p.m. Each night in December, musical groups from the Washington, DC area will entertain visitors to the Ellipse.
ZooLights.
2. See Christmas Light Displays
Celebrate the holiday season with a drive or a stroll through one of the Washington, DC area’s spectacle of lights at a local park or along the water in Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia. These Christmas light displays are beautiful and a great way to share the magic and joy of a winter wonderland.
3. Visit Gaylord National Resort’s ICE!
Step inside a winter wonderland created entirely of 5,000 BLOCKS of ice weighing 1.5 MILLION POUNDS! hand-sculpted by 40 international artisans and kept at a chilling nine degrees Fahrenheit. With a new theme each year, this is an interactive holiday attraction you won’t want to miss.
Mount Vernon
4. Take a Candlelight Tour
Take a candlelight tour and enjoy the festive holiday décor of historic homes in the Washington, DC area. Several house museums in Maryland and Northern Virginia offer candlelight tours, complete with seasonal music and holiday treats.
5. Scottish Walk Weekend and the Boat Parade in Old Town Alexandria
Watch hundreds of Scottish clansmen with their bagpipes gather for the traditional favorite Scottish Walk Parade. Later that evening, see dozens of festively decorated pleasure boats light up the sky along the Potomac River.
Ballet West Nutcracker – Kennedy Center.
6. See the Nutcracker
Take the whole family to marvel over Clara’s Christmas fantasy when the wooden toy soldier comes alive and takes her on a magical tour of wonderful holiday adventures. See the schedule of performances at a variety of venues.
Wolf Trap Holiday Sing.
7. Attend a Holiday Concert
Enjoy a musical performance of Christmas classics, sing-alongs, Hanukkah songs and much more. See the schedule of concerts in Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. More »
Union Station Train Display.
8. See a Holiday Toy Train Exhibit
Toy train displays are a family favorite for the holiday season. See model trains winds through a miniature winter wonderland with farms, a fishing village, churches, a ski jump and more.
9. Attend the National Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Ceremony
A National Hanukkah Menorah is lit on the White House grounds, at the Ellipse during the eight day Jewish holiday commemorating the Jewish Maccabees’ military victory over Syrian oppression more than 2,000 years ago. Festivities at the lighting ceremony include musical performances and hot latkes and donuts. More »
First Night Annapolis
10. Ring in the New Year at a First Night Event
Ring in the New Year with the kids at a special event with live performances of music, dance, theater, fireworks and more. See the schedule of family-friendly events around the capital region.
For more detailed information, go to https://washington.org/winter
