There will be a number of markets in DC during Christmas: These are free to attend! Canden is a historian and tour guide in Washington DC with 3 published books about the city. This year’s tree, which will come from the Grand Mesa, Ucompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado, will go aglow in DC on Dec. 2. Georgetown is a lot of things to a lot of people. This post covers the top things to do on Christmas in Washington, DC (updated for 2020), including nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options. Just check out 34 Washington DC restaurants on our website or mobile app to book a table. She currently resides in DC, but has also lived in London and South Korea, and has travelled to 25 countries. Other events. These are free to attend! (website). The tree will be lit on the west side of the Capitol and has been a tradition since the first time it was lit in 1964. Make sure to stop by here if you’re spending Christmas in Washington DC! No, we’re not talking about the White House, we’re talking about the Woodrow Wilson House, which today is a museum to our 28th president. }); As thanks, we'll send you a City Guide! Details to be released soon at. Expect a menu featuring light snacks, grilled items, beer, wine, spiked cider and hot chocolate. Share Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair with your friends. There has been a tree lighting ceremony here every year since 1997. } 99 $39.99 $39.99 Get it as soon as Fri, Mar 12 The US Capitol Christmas Tree: Not to be outdone by The National Christmas Tree, you’ll find another holiday tree on the Capitol lawn. Locally roasted coffee and crafted-before-your-eyes mini-doughnuts inspire a cold-weather appetite, creating a holiday atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else in DC. Ever wanted to walk through a president’s house? The gorgeous conifer lives in President’s Park on the White House Ellipse, where it's surrounded by trees decorated with handmade ornaments from 56 U.S. states and territories and is accompanied by nightly musical performances throughout the holiday season. $30. One of the most iconic pictures of Christmas in Washington DC is a photo of the Capitol Christmas Tree with the famous rotunda and Capitol steps behind it. There will also be a botanical version of DC’s Union Station! The National Menorah - White House Ellipse - Washington, DC, Chanukah kicks off with this Dec. 10 lighting ceremony of the world’s largest menorah on the White House Ellipse, which greets all with latkes, doughnuts, menorah kits and dreidels. To learn more about the Capitol Christmas Tree click here. Here are a few more free activities to enjoy in DC during Christmas time. Related: Washington, D.C. Christmas weather history The 7” of snow on the ground (remnants of Snowpocalypse) in 2009 ties for the high on that account, though the … Located on the Ellipse just south of the White House, the National Christmas Tree is lit in early December after making … Make your way the 14th and F ST NW. Smithsonian’s National Zoo is taking its popular holiday installation on the road this year. Every year, this organization lays out thousands of holiday wreaths on graves in military cemeteries across America, including Arlington National Cemetery. 'The Nutcracker' – Nov. 23– Dec. 29 The Washington Ballet pulls out all the stops for this classic … Our guides have given tours to over 3 million guests around the world. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Events DC is the official one-stop-shop for conventions, entertainment, sporting and cultural events in the nation’s capital. Step back into the 18 th century for an evening at George Washington’s Virginia estate just outside of Washington, D.C. Start your visit with a tour of Christmas trees highlighting the Washington family’s lives, and then take a walking tour of the property. The beloved outdoor market continues to support small businesses and entrepreneurs across the region, welcoming shoppers for a safe, secure and enhanced shopping experience in the heart of the District this year. These passes bundle together many popular attractions and tours into one discounted price and can save you over 50%, leaving you with more money to spend on present shopping! The event sells out fast, so be sure to get your tickets here. They also can save you time with skip-the-ticket-line privileges. The National Christmas Tree is DC’s claim to fame during the holidays, and for good reason. Union Station is America’s second busiest train station, only after Penn Station in New York. Please wear a mask if you plan to attend.4 p.m. (gates at 3 p.m.) | Free admission | Tickets requiredWhite House Ellipse, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500, One of the city’s most historic destinations decks its gorgeous garden in holiday lights on Dec. 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19. Sun, Dec 5, 12:00 PM. You’ll learn about historical holiday traditions while you walk past the slave quarters and outbuildings. All ticket and ice skate rental proceeds from this date, Monday, December 9 will go directly to the Mary's Place 'No Child Sleeps Outside' campaign. Waterfront picnics and political watering holes. Check back on the website to see the 2020 tree lighting date and details announced. This station has a lot of commuters and a lot of history! Recorded at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, the show will feature furry friends from the animal kingdom, including Popper the Penguin and polar bear twins, and enough rhythm to have your whole living room rockin’.7:30 p.m. |  Free – Registration required, Women-Owned Restaurants and Chefs in Washington, DC, 8 Awesome Photos You Can Take With a Go Washington DC Explorer Pass, 10+ Dazzling Holiday Light Displays & Events in Washington, DC, Guide to the Washington Convention Center, Find the Right Space for Your Intimate Meeting, 901 7th Street NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20001-3719, © 2020 Washington.org. Choose from our wide selection of historic and patriotic ornaments that will be treasured for years to come. 34 Restaurants with Christmas Day menus & details. It generally draws fewer visitors than the National Christmas, especially on weeknights. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( You can also get your holiday shopping done while you’re there, as there are a number of boutiques to explore. The annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights takes place in Alexandria again this year. ); Christmas Tree Lighting With Your Kids. Don't forget to check out the Festival of Lights at the Washington DC Mormon Temple, … Scope out eclectic wares from dozens of pop-up tents with seasonally flavored music performed live in the background. DC is loaded with free things to do! She has written for HuffPost Travel and has been featured in the Washington Post, WTOP, and numerous other DC papers. Canden is the host of our podcast, Tour Guide Tell All. Tour George Washington’s estate and see where the very first family lived. Be sure to read our master post on things to do in DC for even more ideas. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The National Christmas Tree gets lit each year on the first Thursday of December and marks the official beginning of the Christmas season here in Washington, DC. If you’re up for venturing outside of downtown, Olney Theatre will be hosting the one-man show, A Christmas Carol, in person with safety protocols in place. The most well-known production from Ford’s Theatre has been canceled for the 2020 season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still experience its famous Craig Wallace as Scrooge. There are multiple Christmas tree lighting ceremonies to take place in the district throughout the holidays. Cobblestone streets and cupcake tours. ... Washington, DC - Bar Crawl Live to your collection. All sure to make the season extra-merry and bright for family, friends or a special someone! Follow the tale of the disappearance of Santa’s reindeer just before Christmas Eve. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Holiday Markets are wonderful places to get your holiday shopping done. // analytics.js For other things to do at night in DC, check out our. Unfortunately Washington DC Christmas Day Restaurant Reservations has come and gone, but don't let that stop you from dining at one of these great OpenTable restaurants. She's also been interviewed by the Travel Channel and Discovery Family Channel. The National Christmas Tree and the Pathway of Peace is lit up every evening in December at dusk. Music from the United States Navy Band will add a soundtrack to the scene. This year there will be a train room where you can enjoy plant-based recreations of icon train stations from across the United States, like New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, St. Louis’ Union Station, and more. ZooLights Express features a 24-foot truck, festively decorated with light displays and “Panda Claws”, that will travel all over the District from Nov. 27 through Dec. 19. The Capitol Christmas Tree (Photo via Wikipedia) Every year since 1923, people from around the Washington, DC region and around the world have flocked to see the National Christmas Tree, an enormous monument to the season nestled among the monuments to our history. To check out our full tour schedule, click here. Our Christmas gifts in Washington DC include anything from fun city tour excursions, delectable ways to taste your way through town, heart-pounding outdoor adventures, scenic ways to wine and dine, bucket list ambitions, and much more. All Rights Reserved. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Come out to Mount Vernon and celebrate the Christmas festivities! Free Tours by Foot is the original pay-what-you-like walking tour. on: function(evt, cb) { With a M.A. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Tickets are limited for this tour so book now. While they offer tours throughout the year, the National Cathedral puts on special programs during holidays, including Christmas at the Cathedral concert. } Sure, the District might be part of the Mid-Atlantic region, but it feels more like the North Pole during the holidays thanks to the National Christmas Tree, holiday markets, one-of-a-kind seasonal light displays and lots more. Stop for dinner and enjoy the festive decor at the Occidental. This event is fun for the whole family and free to attend. Special measures will be in effect due to COVID-19, with limited seating available. A lot of the items we’ve listed in, For even more budget-friendly ideas, check out our post on, To check out our full tour schedule, click. The lighting ceremony and concert will be live streamed on their website – https://thenationaltree.org/. (, If you can’t participate, you can still enjoy the handwork by visiting Arlington National Cemetery on one of our, The event sells out fast, so be sure to get your tickets. This year's lighting ceremony takes place on Dec. 3. For more free things to do in DC, check out our, Save yourself some money this holiday season with the, We have a number of things to do at night in DC listed in our, For more nighttime activities, visit our post on, Alexandria City Marina (0 Cameron Street), Shipyard/Harborside Park (1 Wilkes Street), If you want to explore more of Old Town Alexandria we recommend taking our, To learn more about the Capitol Christmas Tree click, DC is loaded with free things to do! This year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will be from Carson National Forest in New Mexico. You can enjoy afternoon tea in the elegant Peacock Alley and on Dec. 13 and 20, the hotel will take the event to its spacious Crystal Ballroom. We also have self-guided tours and GPS-enabled audio tours of neighborhoods that you will likely visit as a tourist in the city. *** washington dc *** examination of climate records going back to 1872 for christmases in washington dc show a typical christmas day is partly cloudy with a frosty early morning low of 30 and an afternoon high of 44. but the year-to-year weather can vary considerably. })(); The main Washington DC Christmas tree is a large Colorado blue spruce from York Pennsylvania that was transplanted in 1978. Sat, Feb 13, 8:00 PM. Enter a living storybook of larger-than-life, stunning light sculptures and … (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The National Cathedral is a beautiful place to visit. You can also attend the lighting ceremony if you have a, Ford’s Theatre will be producing a radio version. Timed-entry tickets can be purchased online; you will be granted access to the garden for one hour, along with one free beverage.4:30-7:30 p.m. |  TicketsTudor Place, 1644 31st Street NW, Washington, DC 20007, Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show, DC’s Step Afrika!, the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, puts on a holiday extravaganza every year. ga && ga('send', 'event', 'Forms', 'Sign-up', 'Name: ' + form.name + ' URL: ' + window.location.href); Afternoon tea is also available to-go and for private groups – visit The Willard’s website for more information.Seatings at 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. |  ReserveWillard InterContinental Washington, 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004. The Express will visit one ward in DC each Friday and Saturday from 6-8 p.m. For a full schedule and routes through each ward, visit the Zoo’s website.Fridays & Saturdays, 6-8 p.m. | Free admission, This free-to-frequent downtown bazaar has expanded its space this year to account for social distancing. There will be one entrance at 8th and F streets and guests will walk one-way through the market.12-8 p.m., daily |  Free admission | Safety guidelinesF Street between 7th and 9th Streets NW, Washington, DC. The city decks the halls, light the menorah, and celebrates the holidays with markets, parades, and joyous celebrations. Toy train displays are a family favorite for the holiday season. Christmas in Washington DC | Events and Things to Do (2020) Save Dashin' Through The Bars Holiday Crawl | Washington, DC - Bar Crawl Live to your collection. You … Eater DC’s Chef of the Year Peter Prime taps into his Trinidadian roots for a to-go Christmas dinner filled out by a whole Berkshire ham marinated in pineapple chow and quart-size portions of pigeon peas stewed in coconut milk or pepper pot, a rich holiday stew full of oxtail, brisket, and beef tendon. For even more budget-friendly ideas, check out our post on free things to do in DC. listeners: [], Located just steps from the Willard is … Many of the city’s local neighborhood Main Streets are sponsoring Holiday Lights and Window display competitions. The Christmas tree and related pageantry occurred on the East Plaza of the US Capitol on Christmas Eve. $50. You can find it at the Ellipse area near the White House.Every year in early December, this tree, which is known as the National Christmas Tree, is illuminated in grand fashion. While 2020 is a unique year for holiday events, you cannot have Christmas in the Capitol without a production of A Christmas Carol. Bring some cheer to the 2020 season with our hotel packages and private dining igloos. mc4wp.forms.on('subscribed', function(form) { See a Holiday Toy Train Exhibit. The 2020 edition of the family-friendly show, which combines clapping, stomping and stepping for a dazzling array of percussive dance, will be a free, virtual experience held on Dec. 16. We offer an evening stroll through downtown DC to view some of the best holiday light displays – from the classic Macy’s window displays to the National Christmas Tree. Seating begins 30 minutes before show time.Screenings at 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. |  TicketsTransit Pier at The Wharf, 970 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024, Find the best places to shop in Washington, DC, The Willard InterContinental Washington offers its wondrous holiday tradition on weekends throughout December. in History from University College London and a B.A. There’s also a holiday train display in the West Hall that’s sure to delight all ages! Save yourself some money this holiday season with the tourist attraction discount pass. There will be seasonal decor, sandwiches, pastries and the beautiful sounds of a harp to accompany you as you sip on festive teas from one of DC’s most historic hotels. Walk down the street to see them all or pop into the store for even more. Neighborhoods throughout the nation’s capital are adorning their “main streets” with colorful lights this December. As guests of Enchant, your charge is to help find them inside our custom-designed, 90,000 square foot light maze! This is the back entrance but you can still get in this way. Participating in Wreaths Across America is a special way to honor our fallen veterans. Christmas in DC Celebrate the Holidays in Washington DC at the historic Watergate Hotel! The city decks the halls, light the menorah, and celebrates the holidays with markets, parades, and joyous celebrations. Save Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair to your collection. Each guest performs at least one solo, but the prominent marquee performer usually has one or two more songs. { Many of our guided walks are free to join and operate on a pay-what-you-like basis, which means you decide what a tour was worth or what you could afford (even free) when the tour is over. A lot of the items we’ve listed in other sections like Zoo Lights are completely free to attend. Please make sure to review Mount Vernon’s COVID-19 protocols before you plan your visit.5:30-8:30 p.m. |  TicketsGeorge Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121, Victura Park at The REACH has transforms into an outdoor holiday market with local artisans, craftspersons and an array of specialized vendors from Nov. 27 – Dec. 20. Starbucks is hosting a Night of Giving at Enchant on the date you've selected. Cantina Bambina will offer drinks and snacks and each seating will include a special stocking filled with offers and treats from vendors all over The Wharf. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The National Botanical Garden is a great free place to visit anytime you’re in Washington, DC. hey usually feature local artists and craftsmen who sell their unique wares that become the treasures you gift your loved ones. President Donald Trump Signature Presidential Pen; Christmas Ornament and Washington DC Picture Frame set (3) $33.99 $ 33 . As is the custom, a new candle is illuminated on each of the eight days of Chanukah. Ford’s Theatre will be producing a radio version. washington, DC > > > for sale > ... Christmas / Holiday Gifts - matching plate and mug set $5 (Near Olney, Md) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting.