Christmas in Washington DC is a truly magical time of year, don't you think? If you have a few days off of work, now is the perfect time to enjoy the decor and holiday cheer. For a festive stroll, explore the best neighborhoods in Washington DC during Christmas time! What are your favorite holiday traditions that you and your family indulge in year after year? Will you add anything from this list to yours? Let us know!
Dupont Circle is lovely year round but during the holidays, the stores deck out their windows and the charming row homes light up with Christmas lights. You also won't want to miss the H. Cornell Wilson House which always goes over the top in its decor. You'll also find the gorgeous American Guest House all decked out in holiday cheer.
Downtown is a classic choice for holiday decor. In addition to the National Christmas Tree, the downtown area also features the smaller state and territory trees and the US Capitol tree. The stores and restaurants in the area are also decorated. Don't miss the larger-than-life nutcrackers outside of Old Ebbitt. Plus, Christmas in Washington DC just wouldn't be the same without the annual Downtown Holiday Market.
Georgetown definitely gets into the holiday spirit. The city hosts a yearly window decor contest among the stores and restaurants. There is also an ice skating rink at Washington Harbor and the light display: Georgetown Glow that you won't want to miss. Come check out the most walkable town in DC during the holidays for the ultimate exercise in cheer!
The Wharf DC, which is the newest addition to Southwest Waterfront, helps take holiday decorations to a new level. They have a beautiful Christmas tree, ice skating rink and many of the boats are decorated with twinkling lights. You'll probably also love the annual holiday boat parade at Southwest Waterfront.
The CityCenter neighborhood is a 10-acre neighborhood near downtown that features a mixed residential and commercial shopping, dining, and living district. CityCenter becomes a winter wonderland every December featuring a brightly lit tree and artistic light displays.
Alexandria is actually a DC suburb, but really, it's too pretty to leave off the list. You will feel like you're in an old-time Christmas postcard when you stroll down the streets of Old Town. This town is downright lovely all year long, but in the winter, it really comes into its own.
Will you explore any of these neighborhoods before the season ends? Christmas in Washington DC has never been so charming. While there's still time, explore these holiday light displays in DC as well!
Tis the season for holiday parties, hot chocolate, gift giving and beautiful holiday displays! Washington DC is home to some of the most beautiful Christmas light displays in the country and it’s not far from many other spectacular shows in Maryland and Virginia. Keep a few nights open in your holiday calendar this year and be sure to see one of these 14 best Christmas lights near Washington DC!
ZooLights is a holiday tradition in the district. There are more than 500,000 environmentally friendly LED light displays transforming the gorgeous zoo into a winter wonderland. ZooLights is open from November 25 to December 30 and is closed December 24th and 25th.
Dozens of lighted boats light up the Potomac River every year. Every year the displays get bigger and brighter as the participants try to impress the panel of judges for a coveted prize. This year’s parade will take place December 3rd at 5:30pm and is free to the public.
Festival of Lights features 650,000 lights, lighting up the beautiful Temple and surrounding grounds. There are nightly performances from various bell ensembles, choirs, orchestras and more, along with a life-sized outdoor nativity scene. The Festival runs from December 1 until January 2.
Winter Lights is a 3.5 mile drive through Seneca Creek Park. You will drive past 380 displays including the North Pole, Teddy Bear Land, and a Victorian Village. Winter Lights is open November 25 through December 31st. Prices range from $15-$25 for cars, SUVs and vans but increase for limos, buses and mini-buses.
11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg MD 20878
5. Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park
Celebrating for over 30 years, the Festival of Lights is a drive through spectacular. Visitors will enjoy lighted displays made of more than one million twinkling lights and one of the tallest trees in the state. Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park is open November 25th to January 1st. It’s $10 online, $15 at the gate for a car or van.
Stroll through beautiful Brookside Gardens this winter and enjoy dazzling light displays featuring flowers, animals, snowflakes, and much more. You can warm up in the Visitors Center with hot cocoa while listening to the evening’s musical performances. The Garden of Lights is open November 18-January 1 and is $10 per person.
This family oriented event in Maryland benefits Howard County General Hospital. It features over 100 animated light displays including a laser light show and 3-D holiday video projected 50 feet high at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Symphony of Lights is open November 24-January 1st and costs $20 per vehicle.
Nominated as one of USA Today’s Best Holiday Parades, the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade is an Annapolis tradition. On December 10th, a parade of lighted boats lights up the waterfront in this fun community event.
This two mile scenic drive along the Chesapeake Bay is a favorite tradition in Maryland. There are 70 lighted displays including a Colonial village inspired by historic Annapolis, North Pole Village, and Enchanted Fairy Tales. Lights on the Bay is open November 20 until January 1 from 5pm-10pm. Admission is $20 per vehicle.
Enjoy 2.5 miles of holiday light displays from the comfort of your car. Once your ride is over, you can enjoy the charm of the holiday village where there are rides, refreshments, and photos with Santa. The Bull Run Festival of Lights is open from November 11-January 8th from 5:30-9:30 during the week and 5:30-10:0pm on the weekend. The cost of admission is between $30-$40 for cars or vans but prices increase for mini-buses and buses.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens transforms into a magical Winter Walk of Lights every year. Featuring a Holiday Nature Walk, the Fountain of Lights, and much more, it is one of the most gorgeous displays in the area. You can end your evening by roasting marshmallows and sipping hot chocolate. The Winter Walk of Lights is from November 11-January 8 from 5:30-10:00pm.
Every year since 1923, a large evergreen located near the White House has been decorated as a beautiful Christmas tree. The tree is often surrounded by smaller state trees and visitors can visit Santa Claus during their visit. The tree lighting will take place December 11 and visitors can visit the tree through Christmas.
Stroll through the glittering woods at Annmarie Garden in Lights. Visitors are delighted by lighted mythical creatures, dinosaurs, pirates, princesses, and other one-of-a-kind displays. The garden is open November 25-January 1st from 5pm-9pm. Admission is $15.00/per person.
While Baltimore is a bit farther outside of DC, Miracle on 34th Street is not to be missed. Known as "Christmas Street", this one block of homes in Hamden becomes a lighted display of holiday magic every year. The miracle begins November 26th.
720 West 34th Street, Baltimore MD 21211
The holiday spirit in Washington DC is truly contagious and it's just one of the many reasons the district is an amazing place to call home.
It's that wonderful time of the year in DC! The streets light up, the cocoa warms up, and the whole district feels just a little bit magical. Yes, winter in DC is here and in full force. If you haven't quite gotten into the seasonal spirit yet (or if you can't get enough of it), then we have some spots for you! DC doesn't have a lot of snow or reindeer, but these amazing spots will make you feel like you're at the North Pole:
It might not feel like the North Pole in the warm Botanic Garden but it will certainly look like it! The garden dresses up for the holiday in true North Pole fashion with plenty of lights and holiday decor. Learn more about the garden on its official website.
Enter a ice enchanted world at the Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor. There are ice slides, colorful sculptures and much more at this chilly but beautiful event. Learn more on the official website.
