The winters are here and Washington DC plans to celebrate with lights, love, music and sweet treats. Below are some of the amazing experiences that you can be a part of during your visit to DC this holiday season.
Downtown Holiday Market – Penn Quarter | Nov. 17 – Dec. 23
F St NW &, 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
DC’s free-to-frequent downtown bazaar is centrally located across two blocks in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Scope out eclectic wares from dozens of pop-up tents with seasonally flavored music performed live in the background. 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 the city.
Zoo lights – National Zoo | Nov. 24 – Dec. 30
3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Now in its 15th year, ZooLights will take thousands of visitors into a winter wonderland lit by more than half a million environmentally friendly LED lights and illuminations. Visitors can stroll through immersive lantern displays showing rainforest, grassland, desert, ocean and polar habitats and the animals that call them home.
Georgetown GLOW – Georgetown | Nov. 26 – Jan. 22
1334 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
Set against the historic backdrop of DC’s oldest neighborhood, Georgetown GLOW is the region’s only free curated outdoor public light art experience. In addition to the 5 light art installations by national and international artists, GLOW programming includes walking tours, GLOW-themed wellness classes, late-night shopping, and more.
100th Year of the National Christmas Tree Lighting – Downtown | Dec. 2 – Jan. 1
15th St NW &, E St NW, Washington, DC 20500
Celebrate the National Christmas Tree Lighting’s 101st year. 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. The tree will be lit on Nov. 30. The display is free to visit from Dec. 2.
National Menorah Lighting – Downtown | Dec. 7
15th St NW &, E St NW, Washington, DC 20500
Chanukah kicks off with a lighting ceremony of the world’s largest menorah on the White House Ellipse, which greets all with latkes, doughnuts, menorah kits and dreidels. Music from the United States Navy Band adds a soundtrack to the scene. As is the custom, a new candle is illuminated on each of the eight days of Chanukah.
Disney’s Frozen – Opera House | Dec. 20, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024
2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez.
