You'll also get our "Twelve Travel Tips for Terrific Trips" guide! Sat, Dec 12, 11:00 AM. A Christmas Carol is a classic tale, and seeing the live production in a fairly intimate setting will certainly be one of your favorite holiday memories. If you stay until the clock strikes midnight on New Years Eve, Old Town hosts a beautiful fireworks display. Check the official site for schedules. The main Washington DC Christmas tree is a large Colorado blue spruce from York Pennsylvania that was transplanted in 1978. Early December is when the Wolf Trap's Holiday Sing-A-Long takes place, and the Filene Center at America's National Park for the Performing Arts serves as the venue of choice. Learn more about our Newsletter. var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; Christmas in DC is a wonderful time of year to experience in the nation's capital. Starting December 22, 2019, at 4 p.m., festivities at the lighting ceremony will include musical performances, hot latkes, and doughnuts. With a new theme each year, this interactive holiday attraction at Gaylord National Resort is one you won't want to miss. The Best Free Holiday Events in the St. Louis Area, Things to Do for Christmas in Northern Virginia, 10 Best Holiday Light Displays in Dallas-Fort Worth, Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); Most of the 2020 Washington DC Christmas events cater to people of all ages, and there are also events and holiday displays in surrounding cities such as Bethesda that are also worth keeping in mind. It’s also an exceptionally easy day to find parking nearby! There are two popular trees on the National Mall. Alexandria was founded by Scottish settlers, so its roots go all the way back to Scotland. You can see model trains wind through a miniature winter wonderland with farms, a fishing village, churches, a ski jump, and more. That being said, the holiday season has a certain appeal that is hard to deny. During the holiday season, the holiday season events in Bethesda include free winter concerts, chances to meet Santa Claus, and a live ice sculpting presentation. Visit the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. Garden Railway Exhibit at Brookside Gardens, Seasons Greetings Show at the United States Botanic Garden, Attend the National Hanukkah Menorah Lighting, Ring in the New Year at a First Night Event. The show aired live on pay-per-view internationally and in most major cities, after which a re-edited 42-minute version (with commercials in a one-hour slot) aired on network television. By continuing to browse our site we'll assume you are okay with it. 10 Things to Do on Christmas Day in Washington, D.C. Rachel Cooper is a travel writer who has lived in the Washington, D.C., area for more than 25 years. I lived in New York City through two different Christmas seasons. 2020 As local communities get ready for their tree lighting ceremonies and historic homes open their doors to show off the holiday decor, there is a lot of festive fun to be had in D.C. this month. Washington D.C. is a great Christmas destination due to its many festive activities around town, some serious Christmas Trees in landmark settings and dazzling holiday illumination. Don’t forget to check out the huge wreaths outside of Union Station before you leave. If you’re thinking of traveling for the holidays or visiting friends or family in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, putting together a seasonally-inspired itinerary for the whole family will be an easy task. What to Do on December 25 in the Nation's Capital. Please review COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions set by local governments before you travel. George Washington's 18th-century Mount Vernon Estate is one of the most spectacular to explore by candlelight. This year’s tree arrived all the way from Idaho, and smaller versions of the tree were distributed to each member of congress for their offices. Toy train displays are a family favorite for the holiday season. The National Christmas Tree and the Pathway of Peace is lit daily at dusk and stays alight until 10 p.m. Each night in December, musical groups from the Washington, D.C. area entertain visitors on the Ellipse, in front of the White House. Tours do not operate on Christmas Day, but visitors may explore on foot. Victor Wolansky / Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association. The Washington Ballet pulls out all the stops for this classic Christmas tale that features a special DC twist. Alexandria is a magical place during the holiday season with a wide array of events and one of the best shopping districts in the capital region. You’ll need some patience when you visit; the market is pretty compact with very little space between vendors, and during peak hours you will be shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of people. One of two annual holiday specials produced by George Stevens Jr. (the other being the Kennedy Center Honors), the variety show first aired in 1982 on NBC before moving to its most recent home on TNT in 1998. 25 Things to See in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, Bryce Canyon National Park: History and Hoodoos in Utah, Chaco Canyon: The Ancient Ruins of New Mexico, Monticello and Charlottesville, Virginia: A Walk in Jefferson’s Footsteps, Salar de Uyuni: Visiting the Salt Flats in One Day from La Paz, Bolivia, Virginia Beach: 15 Things to Do in the Tidewater Region, Transiting the Panama Canal: One Day, Two Oceans, Three Locks, The Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Distillery Tour in 1 Day. We have spent the last couple of years travelling to enjoy the holidays around the world (including Cape Town in 2014, Reykjavik in 2015, and Porto in 2016), but we can’t overlook our hometown of Washington, DC. What to Do on Thanksgiving Weekend in Washington, D.C. 5 Best Washington, D.C. Hotels for the Holidays. Bring along a cup of cocoa, turn your radio to 97.1 WASH FM for some classic Christmas music, and spend an evening enjoying some decorations you didn’t have to spend a weekend setting up in the cold. Sat, Nov 28, 2:00 PM Cookie Decorating Class: Christmas Sugar Cookie Decorating Class When the drive is over, stop by the holiday village to enjoy the ferris wheel, carnival rides and games (and maybe one more cup of hot cocoa!). However, there are a few surprising places that are open every day of the year and offer special activities to appeal to the whole family should you find yourself looking for things to do on Christmas Day.