Washington, D.C
Christmas in DC: Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary for a Magical Holiday with Kids
Christmas in DC Day 1: National Mall and Downtown Area
Season’s Greenings at the US Botanic Garden
You don’t have to be a train lover to be dazzled by this popular—and FREE—annual display at the United States Botanic Garden. G-gauge model trains wind throughout the gated outdoor gardens, which are filled with festive lights, poinsettias, and other holiday decor. Inside the Conservatory, you’ll find DC landmarks made from plants.
Shopping at Holiday Markets
For 20 years, holiday shoppers have flocked to the DowntownDC Holiday Market, a festive shopping village where you can buy unique gifts from regional artisans, crafters, and boutique businesses while enjoying live performances. A second holiday market is also taking place in 2024—the DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle. There, you’ll find over 30 small businesses with unique gifts, popular holiday treats, local performers, and festive decor.
The Nutcracker Ballet at the Warner Theatre
Even if you’ve seen The Nutcracker before, the Washington Ballet’s adaptation is truly unique. It’s set in 1882 Georgetown, with characters that include George Washington, Harriet Tubman, King George III, and others. December 15, 2024 is Family Day, when kids can do crafts, take photos with dancers, and more before the matinee performance.
32 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids
The President and First Lady typically light the National Christmas Tree each year. Photo by Kelsey Graczyk, for the National Park System
National Christmas Tree and Pathway of Peace
The National Christmas Tree is located south of the White House on the Ellipse. Surrounding it are 56 smaller trees adorned with student-designed ornaments representing all of the US states and territories. The trees are typically lit from sunset until 10pm.
US Capitol Christmas Tree
Each year, a different national forest provides a tree that stands on the west lawn of the US Capitol building for the holiday season. The 2024 tree comes from Tongass National Forest in Alaska. The towering tree stands 80 feet tall and is a sight to behold.
If you have time:
Walk, bike, or take a quick taxi ride over the Arlington Memorial Bridge to Arlington National Cemetery, which is quite the sight to behold at Christmastime with wreaths lying against most of the white headstones.
Christmas in DC Day 2: National Harbor, MD
The waterfront Maryland community of National Harbor, located on the banks of the Potomac River, is packed with holiday cheer at Christmastime.
Ice! at Gaylord National is kept at 9 degrees Fahrenheit, so bundle up! Photo courtesy of the resort
Christmas at Gaylord National Resort
You can have a full day of Christmas fun without leaving Gaylord National Resort. Bundle up to experience Ice! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. Enjoy cookies and storytime with Mrs. Claus. Take photos with Santa. Get creative at the Gingerbread Decorating Corner. Go ice tubing down Snow Flow Mountain. Participate in a Snoopy-themed scavenger hunt. Challenge yourself at the Snowball Build and Blast. And enjoy two shows in the dazzling atrium, Cirque: Spirit of Christmas and the Here We Glow A-Caroling light show.
30 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in DC for Kids
See a tree light show each night at National Harbor. Photo courtesy of National Harbor
National Harbor Holiday Tree Light Show
The 60-foot National Harbor holiday tree dazzles nightly with a light show every half hour from sunset until 9pm, set to a holiday medley recorded by the United States Air Force Band. But if you happen to be there on a Saturday evening, you can enjoy 5:30pm fireworks, too!
Holiday Movies on the Potomac
If the National Harbor portion of your three-day itinerary falls on a Sunday, you can enjoy an afternoon holiday movie outdoors on the big screen. The Santa Clause, Jack Frost, and The Polar Express are just a few of the offerings.
Capital Wheel
Soar 180 feet above the Potomac River in a climate-controlled gondola on this giant Ferris wheel and enjoy breathtaking views of National Harbor, the Washington Monument, and more. On December 7, 14, and 21, you—and your pup!—can take photos with Santa before your ride (humans can also meet the jolly guy on November 29, 2024).
National Harbor Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show
This holiday market and craft show takes place every Saturday and Sunday from November 30 – December 22, 2024. This market offers something unique every day with a rotating selection of artisans and crafters, along with delicious holiday sweets and desserts.
MGM National Harbor Conservatory
The conservatory of this hotel and casino gets all decked out for the holidays with poinsettias, larger-than life installations, and dazzling lights. If you find some extra time in your packed day, it’s worth checking out!
If you have time:
Score some holiday deals at the Tanger Outlets National Harbor.
Experience an old-fashioned Christmas at Mount Vernon. Photo courtesy of Mount Vernon
Christmas in DC Day 3: Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria, VA
Mount Vernon
While George Washington’s home in Alexandria is worth a visit any time of year, it’s even more fun at Christmas. See a gingerbread model of Mount Vernon, meet Aladdin the Christmas camel, learn about holiday practices observed by the Washingtons, and more. There are also some fantastic holiday events throughout the season, including Winter Glow and Christmas Illuminations.
Old Town Alexandria
Walking through the cobblestone streets of Old Town Alexandria feels like stepping back into colonial times, and its especially charming at Christmastime. You’ll feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie as you stroll along historic King Street with its twinkling lights, flickering lamps, wreathed doors, decorated storefronts, and more. The unique shops are great places to do your holiday shopping. Be sure to check out the giant Christmas tree at Market Square.
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Head to the Old Town Alexandria waterfront for the holiday boat parade. Photo by Adam Fagan, via Flickr
Depending on when you visit, there are some fun—and free—holiday events in Old Town, too. Head to the waterfront on the evening of December 7, 2024 for the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, or on Christmas Eve to catch a glimpse of Waterskiing Santa. Also on December 7 is the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend and Parade, when dozens of Scottish clans parade through the streets of Old Town along with pipe and drum bands, terriers and hounds, and more.
If you have time:
About a 15-minute drive from Old Town is Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run. There you can see unique holiday lights and displays and go for a spin on the ice skating rink.
Where to Eat During Christmas and the Holidays in DC
If you want to eat near the National Mall during your festive day in DC, check out our list of the best kid-friendly restaurants near the National Mall. Some of them, including The Hamilton and Carmine’s, go crazy with the holiday decor. You can also begin one of your mornings with breakfast with Santa at one of several great eateries.
Best Things To Do in DC’s Georgetown Neighborhood with Kids
Nearly every inch of Filomena is decorated for Christmas. Photo courtesy of Filomena Ristorante
If you’re willing to venture to Georgetown for dinner, Filomena Ristorante is famous for its over-the-top holiday decorations and its heaping portions of homemade pasta and other Italian food. After dinner, you can stroll the cobblestone streets to enjoy the lights and decorations.
On your National Harbor day, Old Hickory Steakhouse is a delicious and festive option right inside Gaylord National.
If you’re at Mount Vernon from December 6-8 or December 13-15, you can enjoy afternoon tea as you listen to live harp music and take in the holiday decorations at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant.
Old Town Alexandria has a plethora of great dinner options, most of which go all out with the holiday decor. Mia’s Italian Kitchen serves up brick-oven pizza and family-style Italian food in a warm and cozy setting. Virtue Feed & Grain has a large menu and a great ambience that will please the whole family. And Ada’s on the River offers delicious food and stunning panoramic views of the Potomac River.
All Aboard A Polar Express Train Ride, Plus More Christmas Trains Near DC
The Willard InterContinental is a must-see at Christmas. Photo courtesy of the hotel
DC Hotels for a Holiday Stay
Willard InterContinental Washington, DC
If you want to splurge on a luxury hotel, you can’t get much better than the Willard. It transforms into a holiday wonderland come Christmastime, with elegant lights and decorations that belong on a postcard. The hotel’s Afternoon Tea and Christmas Day Brunch are legendary. Each night, choral and vocal ensembles from the DC area do holiday caroling in the lobby. Bonus: The Willard is located just steps from the White House and the National Christmas Tree.
Fairmont Washington, DC
If you stay at this Georgetown hotel, you’ll have some VIP company—Santa! And on Saturdays and Sundays from December 7-22, 2024, you can visit and take photos with him in his elaborately decorated suite for a fee (100% of which will go to the non-profit Horton’s Kids). Email WDC.santasuite.DL@fairmont.com to reserve your visit. The Fairmont also has a beautiful lobby tree and an elaborate gingerbread display.
Gaylord National Resort
Even if you live locally, the Gaylord National is a great place to have an overnight staycation. You’ll get a front-row seat to all of the resort’s fun Christmas offerings, leaving you more time to explore the rest of National Harbor. And the resort offers several holiday deals, like the Celebrate Christmas package that includes tickets to Ice! as well as savings for AAA and Marriott Bonvoy members.
The Alexandrian
This beautiful Old Town Alexandria hotel, located in a prime spot on King Street, has a cozy lobby fireplace, pretty Christmas decor, and a Holiday Cheer package that includes drink vouchers for the grown-ups, a tote bag for holiday shopping, and more.
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One family, four generations with DC Metro
As Metro celebrates 50 years of service, one D.C. family is marking the milestone with a legacy of their own — four generations who have all worked on the system, helping keep the region moving for decades.
WASHINGTON – D.C. residents got on their first Metro train 50 years ago on March 27, 1976. Here’s a look back at the beginning.
Connecticut Avenue; NW; looking south. evening traffic-jams are aggravated by metro subway construction in Washington D.C. ca. 1973 (Photo by: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
View of the Metro Center subway station (at 13th and G Streets NW) during its construction, Washington DC, November 16, 1973. (Photo by Warren K Leffler/PhotoQuest/Getty Images)
Standing in the cavernous tunnel, planners wearing hard hats discuss the construction progress of the Metro Center subway station at the intersection of 13th and G Streets in Washington, DC, November 16, 1973. (Photo by Leffler/Library of Congress/In
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 07: FILE, Metro construction miners and blasters on a jumbo drill outside the hole they are working on at Rock Creek Parkway and Cathedral Ave NW in Washington, DC on November 7, 1973. (Photo by James K.W Atherton/The Washin
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 4: FILE, View of the Post Office at North Capital and Mass Avenue NE, and 1st NE where subway tunnels were being constructed in Washington, DC on March 4, 1974. (Photo by Joe Heiberger/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 29: FILE, Workers rig a pipe at the entrance to the Rosslyn Metro Station in Washington DC on August 29, 1974 (Photo by Larry Morris/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 27: FILE, The crowd at Rhode Island Station on opening day of the Washington Metro on March 27, 1976. (Photo by James A. Parcell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 28: FILE, Reverend Leslie E. Smith of the Episcopal Church, right, and George Docherty of New York Avenue Presbyterian church hold a joint service at the new Metro Center station in Washington, DC on March 28, 1976. (Photo by D
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 1: FILE, An aerial view of metro construction where it crosses the Washington Channel. The Potomac River, the Pentagon and Northern Virginia can be seen in the distance. (Photo by Ken Feil/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 27: FILE, A packed train of commuters on the Silver Spring metro on the Red Line on January 27, 1987. (Photo by Dudley M. Brooks/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 4: FILE, Thousands of people press their way into the Smithsonian Subway station after the Independence Day fireworks in Washington, DC on July 4, 1979. (Photo by Lucian Perkins/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Among the liquor store, barber shop and dry cleaners at the Watergate Complex’s retail plaza, there is a new pop-up museum dedicated to the scene of the crime that toppled Richard Nixon’s presidency.
Among the liquor store, barber shop and dry cleaners at the Watergate Complex’s retail plaza, there is a new pop-up museum dedicated to the scene of the crime that toppled Richard Nixon’s presidency.
The temporary exhibit features the work of artist Laurie Munn — portraits of members of the Nixon administration and those connected to the Watergate break-in. The exhibit features members of Congress, the media and some who were on Nixon’s enemies list.
Keith Krom, chair of the Board of Directors of the Watergate Museum, told WTOP the exhibit was first featured in the gallery in 2012 for the 40th anniversary of the break-in at the Democratic National Committee.
“When she (Munn) learned about our museum effort, she offered to reassemble them as a way for us to expand awareness of the museum,” Krom said.
Krom, who lives in the Watergate, said his favorite portrait is of one of the special prosecutors, whose firing sparked the “Saturday Night Massacre” in 1973.
“I had the pleasure of being a student of Archibald Cox,” Krom said. “He served as my mentor for my third-year writing project.”
Krom said during this time, at the Boston University School of Law, he spent a great deal of time with him.
“I didn’t realize how much he must have gone through. Here he was, this one man, who was challenging the president of the United States over something pretty serious,” Krom said.
The pop-up opened in October and was recently extended to stay open until April 25. Krom said the hope is to find it a permanent location within the Watergate Complex, where they can “present the history of Watergate, but with two perspectives.”
The first would be on the building’s “architectural significance to D.C.,” he said.
“You may not like the design, you actually may hate it,” Krom said. “But you cannot deny that it changed D.C.’s skyline.”
The secondary focus would, of course, be on the mother of all presidential scandals that changed the course of American history.
“That’s where that suffix ‘-gate’ started and continues to be used for almost every scandal that comes out today,” Krom said.
The inspiration for the museum spawned from an interaction from a tourist outside the Watergate.
“He says, ‘This is the Watergate, right?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, it’s one of the buildings,’” Krom recalled.
The tourist then asked Krom, “So where’s the museum?”
“I was like, ‘Oh, we don’t have a museum.’ And he literally just looked at me and said, ‘That’s so sad.’ And he got on his bike and rode away,” Krom said.
While the self-proclaimed political history nerd said he “still gets goose bumps” when he drives by the Capitol at night, Krom hopes that when people leave the museum, “they’ll walk away with a new appreciation for how our government works, the guardrails that are in place.”
“Maybe an understanding that those guardrails themselves are kind of frail, and they probably need our collective help in making sure they last — that’s what we hope to accomplish,” Krom said.
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According to the National Park Service at the National Mall, famous cherry blossoms around the nation’s capital have hit peak bloom conditions. The National Park Service X account for the National Mall proclaimed this morning, “PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM!”
It became apparent yesterday that the bloom would be at peak today. “Despite a sunny afternoon and patches of blue sky, the cherry blossoms remain at Stage 5: Puffy White,” the Park Service wrote on X yesterday. Stage 5, “Puffy White”, is the final stage blossoms go through before being in full bloom. They start at Stage 1 as a “Green Bud”, grow into Stage 2 with “Florets Visible”, and then florets become extended at Stage 3. In Stage 4, there is “Peduncle Elongation” which sets the stage for the puffy blossoms to appear in Stage 5. Puffy White and Peak Bloom are defined as when 70% of the blossoms on the trees reach that stage.
Peak bloom varies annually depending on weather conditions; the most likely time to reach peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April. According to the Park Service, extraordinary warm or cool temperatures have resulted in peak bloom as early as March 15 in 1990 and as late as April 18 in 1958.
The planting of cherry trees in Washington DC originated in 1912 as a gift of friendship to the People of the United States from the People of Japan. In Japan, the flowering cherry tree, or “Sakura,” is an important flowering plant. The beauty of the cherry blossom is a symbol with rich meaning in Japanese culture.
Dr. David Fairchild, plant explorer and U.S. Department of Agriculture official, imported seventy-five flowering cherry trees and twenty-five single-flowered weeping types from the Yokohama Nursery Company in Japan. After experimenting with growing them on his own property in Maryland, he deemed that the cherry tree would be perfect to plant around the Washington DC area. This triggered an interest by a variety of individuals to plant the tree around Washington. In 1909 the Mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozaki, donated 2,000 trees to the United States on behalf of his city. When the trees arrived, they were riddled with disease and insects and to protect other agriculture, they were burned. The Tokyo Mayor made a second donation of trees in 1910, this time amounting to 3,020 trees. This started the forest of cherry trees that now line the Potomac basin around Washington DC. In a gesture of gratitude back to Japan, President Taft sent a gift in 1915 of flowering dogwood trees to the people of Japan. Thousands of trees have been added since, including another gift of 3,800 trees from Japan in 1965.
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