Washington DC Christmas Events
Here’s a list of things you can do in the greater Washington DC area during the holiday season . They are the top things to do in Metro Washington during the holidays .
City of Alexandria’s Tree Lighting Festival
(November 27; 7p.m.-9 p.m.; Historic Market Square; Old Town Alexandria, Virginia)
The mayor of Alexandra as well as Santa Claus will be present for this small and enjoyable holiday tree lighting festival which also features holiday musical entertainment.
Reston Town Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Sing Along
(November 27; 6p.m.; Market Street & Fountain Square; Reston, VA)A day in Reston’s Town Center on November 27th includes a full day of activities like a Thanksgiving Day Parade, a visit with Santa Claus, horse & carriage rides and the Annual Race for the Kids.
Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade Schedule
(Saturday, December 5; 4p.m.-6p.m.)
The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is when owners deck their powerboats, yachts and sailboats for the Christmas season
. The colorfully lit up boats sit displayed attractively along the Potomac River and vie in categories like “Thinking Outside the Christmas Box” and “Best in Show.” There are also many holiday activities for children and families alike. See below for a brief schedule
4:15p.m. – Santa Claus arrives by boat and will take pictures for “Kids & Canines”
5p.m. – Parade starts at Washington Channel, (Water St. & Maine Avenue, Washington, DC)
6p.m.-7p.m. – Parade at the Waterfront in Alexandria
Christmas on the Potomac
(Nov. 19-Jan. 10) Visit National Harbor and Gaylord National for the best holiday
events in the Washington DC Area. Check out ICE! at Gaylord National.
Get to National Harbor and Gaylord National by riding the OnBoard National Harbor Shuttle.
Voices of Gaylord National Christmas Show
(runs various dates in Nov.-Dec.)
A forty-minute Holiday spectaclular comprised of 100 plus voices from school choirs to professional singers.
Gaylord National Holiday Décor
Icicles, snowfall, a miniature town of trains…it’s as if you died and landed in holiday heaven. This holiday season
Gaylord National Resort comes alive with the magnificent Tree of Light, nightly visions of snow falling and the Potomac Express Train Village.
Historic Leesburg Christmas Tree Lighting Festival
(December 4, 2009; 6p.m.; Town Green, 25 W. Market St.; Leesburg, VA)
Brightest Star Fountain Show
(nightly, Atrium Fountain) Holiday stories told while fountains dance with festive lighting.
Outdoor Ice Skating
(Mon.-Thurs. 10am-9pm, Fri.-Sat. 10am–11pm
Sunday 11am-9pm) For a breath of fresh air and a view of some gorgeous ice sculptures, head over to the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden Ice Skating Rink. After skating enjoy lunch from the Pavilion Café.
Zoolights
(Rock Creek Park; Dec. 18- Dec. 30) The National Zoo in Washington DC begins its annual Christmas seasoncelebration of winter with crafts, lights, music, and sweets . Tickets are $6 for members and $12 for nonmembers, children under 2 are free.
The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
(December 3; The White House Ellipse; Tickets required)
The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is renowned for its military band performance and message from the President of the United States which spreads a sweet holiday message of cheer and peace to the world.
Capitol Christmas Tree Illumination Show
(December 8; 5p.m.; West Lawn of the U. S. Capitol)
Revel in some holiday music with carols sung by the Congressional Chorus and music performed by a section of The President’s Own, United States Marine Corps Band.
National Harbor Christmas Tree Illumination Festival
(November 27; 5p.m.-7p.m.; Waterfront Plaza, National Harbor, MD)
National Harbor is starting this holiday season by lighting its giant 65 ft. Christmas tree on November 27th. Watch it come to life with tons of lights. The event will also feature a striking fireworks display, story telling and ornament fashioning workshops for children and holiday music.
National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony & Pageant of Peace
(The Ellipse; Dec. 1st- Dec. 31) Live holiday music performances and 56 fully decked out Christmas trees. Free tickets will be distributed on a first come, first serve terms.
Christmas at Mount Vernon
George Washington’s Estate & Gardens (Dec. 28- Jan. 6) Daytime program which displays themed Christmas trees and chocolate making demonstrations.
City of Gaithersburg’s Christmas Tree Illumination Show
(December 5; 6p.m.-8p.m.; City Hall Concert Pavilion; 31 South Summit Ave; Gaithersburg, MD)
The local community in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is hosting a festive celebration for the holiday season
that features a sing-a-long, piping cups of hot chocolate, pictures with Santa Claus and a tree lighting ceremony.
Washington DC Sightseeing Bus Tours
Taking a Washington DC tour during the Christmas holidays is even more fun than during the rest of the year.
