DC gets a lot of grief for being a city full of politics and navy suits, but come November and December, it completely shifts gears. I love this time of year here—my only real complaint is that I always wish we got a bit more actual snow!
If you're planning a trip for the 2026 holiday season, you can easily knock out the main sights in a single full day since everything is close together. But if you have a full solo weekend, you'll have plenty of time to linger over drinks and wander around at your own pace.
A Quick Heads-Up for 2026: Dates, ticket drops, and opening times tend to change year to year. Always check official event sites before heading out! The places below are clustered around Downtown, the National Mall, and the Waterfront, making them an easy walk or a quick ride on the Metro (Metro Center, Federal Triangle, or Smithsonian stations)
Where to Find the Best Christmas Trees in DC
We have well over 10 major trees scattered across DC neighborhoods, but if you're on a tight schedule, these five are close enough to map out together. Most tree lightings happen between late November and early December.
1. The National Christmas Tree (President's Park)
Location: The Ellipse by the White House (Metro: Federal Triangle)
Why it's worth it: I went to the lighting ceremony a few years back and loved it. A path around the big tree is lined with smaller, real evergreens decorated with handmade ornaments from all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Getting tickets: To attend the official lighting ceremony, enter the free lottery on Recreation.gov in early November. But even if you miss out, don't worry—the whole display stays open to the public for free all month long.
2. The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree ("The People's Tree")
Location: West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
The vibe: Each year, a different national forest provides this tree, and residents from that state make the ornaments by hand.
Pro-tip: Once you check out the tree, walk down the National Mall toward the Washington Monument. The city monuments look incredible lit up against the cold night sky.
3. City Center DC Christmas Tree
Location: Palmer Alley, Downtown DC
Photo spot: Aside from the massive tree flanked by two glowing 25-foot reindeer, you'll want to walk through Palmer Alley. They change out the overhead art installation every season, and it's easily one of the best spots in the city for an Instagram photo. Plus, great shopping and dining surround it.
4. The Wharf Christmas Tree & Boardwalk
Location: Southwest Waterfront
What to expect: A great waterfront walk lined with giant Nutcrackers along the wooden boardwalk. There are plenty of outdoor fire pits for roasting marshmallows, great river views, and a few fun holiday pop-up bars right on the water.
5. Union Station Norwegian Christmas Tree
Location: Main Hall inside Union Station
A bit of history: If you arrive in DC by Amtrak or VRE, this is the first thing you'll see. Norway has gifted DC a giant tree every year for decades as a thank-you for U.S. support in WWII. From here, it's a short, easy walk over to the Capitol tree.
Night Out at Zoo Lights
If you've seen enough trees for one night, head up to ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.
Where: 3001 Connecticut Ave NW (Metro: Woodley Park / Cleveland Park)
Times & Tickets: Runs 5:00 PM – 8:00 or 9:00 PM | $6 entry
What to expect: A long walk down the main zoo path surrounded by glowing, interactive light setups. The animals are tucked away warm indoors for the night, so you don't have to worry about disturbing them. They usually have live music, hot drinks, snacks, and local vendors selling holiday gifts.
Holiday-Themed Bars and Restaurants
I shared a detailed list of my favorite pop-up bars in my post, The Ultimate Guide to D.C.'s 4 Best Christmas Pop-Up Bars, but I wanted to expand the restaurant list since you will be near the National Christmas Tree. All these places are only a few minutes’ walk from the tree!
The VUE
I highly recommend visiting the VUE, which is located inside the W Hotel. Although I have never eaten there, I've enjoyed several drinks at the venue. It’s the perfect place to grab a drink and take in the view of the National Christmas Tree, as well as the décor of the White House. Without a doubt, it is my favorite bar in Washington, DC. If you're lucky like I was, you might even see the president of the United States depart in Marine One!
Old Ebbitt Grill
This is a staple if you visit DC! But it's even more fun being greeted by two giant nutcrackers! After drinking at the VUE, you should have lunch or dinner here and enjoy this historic bar and restaurant that was founded in 1856.
InterContinental the Willard Washington DC (AKA The Willard)
My favorite hotel in the city is one I have never actually stayed at! From the giant wreaths and sparkling lights adorning the exterior to the magnificent Christmas tree surrounded by presents and twinkling lights, you truly feel as though you've been transported from Washington, DC. It’s a delightful place to wander after enjoying lunch or dinner.
If you’re looking for a post-dinner drink, be sure to visit the Round Robin Bar. This small but historic round bar is known for its expert mixologists who craft perfect classic cocktails. I highly recommend trying their iconic Henry Clay Mint Julep. Rumor has it that this 160-year-old bar was the first to serve Mint Juleps!
Holiday Markets
Dupont Circle Holiday Market (Nov 12 – Dec 23 2026): Set right in the heart of Dupont, this cozy neighborhood market is packed with international crafts, local goods, and warm snacks.
Downtown Holiday Market / Chinatown (Nov 13 – Dec 23 2026): Located on F Street NW right outside the Smithsonian American Art Museum. I've been coming here for over ten years! It gets packed on weekends, but the live music, local craft booths, and street food make it well worth the trip. It's also an easy 20-minute walk from Old Ebbitt Grill and The Willard.
Outdoor Ice Skating
1. National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
Where: National Mall (a 10-15 minute walk from the Chinatown market)
The setup: You get to skate right alongside huge modern art sculptures. Tickets cover two 45-minute sessions, and they give you free lockers to drop your stuff while you skate.
2. The Wharf Ice Rink
Where: Transit Pier at The Wharf
The setup: Skating right on the river, which is especially great around sunset. When you're done, you can roast marshmallows over the fire pits or grab a drink at The Brighton nearby.
Final Thoughts
DC has a totally different feel around the holidays, and it's well worth spending a day or two taking it all in.
Have you ever been to DC in December? Which tree or bar spot is on your list for 2026? Drop a comment below and let me know!
