With the holidays swiftly approaching, lights are up, the city’s holiday trees will soon all be lit, and it’s the perfect time to get a jumpstart on holiday shopping. What better place to do so than one of D.C.’s holiday markets?! Get your holiday spirit on while supporting local vendors and, of course, sipping on some delicious festive beverages while you’re at it!
So, without further ado, here’s a list of the best winter markets across the D.C. area and when they’re open:
Downtown Holiday Market
D.C.’s stunning seasonal outdoor market is returning from Friday to Nov. 17 until Saturday, Dec. 23! Held outdoors and spreading over two city blocks— F Street NW, from 7th to 9th Streets NW—the Downtown Holiday Market allows Washingtonians to check out a number of local small businesses while they also check off a few things from their holiday shopping list! Feeling a little cold and hungry? Many of the outdoor food and drink vendors are also on-site to ensure you have constant access to hot chocolate and snacks as you shop!
- Where: F Street NW, from 7th to 9th Streets NW
- When: Daily (Nov. 17- Dec. 23) from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
D.C. Holiday Lights – Multiple Locations
Go on a mini scavenger hunt across D.C.’s most charming neighborhoods to spot some of the most dazzling and spirited holiday light displays our amazing city has to offer and vote on which you like the best! The lights will be up between November 17th and January 7th, and when it ends the neighborhood with the most votes for best holiday lights will hold bragging rights until next year.
This holiday light display is meant to bring attention to some of D.C.’s awesome local vendors, so be sure you venture around and check out all the small shops that are participating!
- Where: Multiple D.C. neighborhoods, including Logan Circle, Georgetown, Cleveland Park, and Columbia Heights, among others
- When: Hours vary depending on the neighborhood and stores so make sure to check the D.C. Holiday Lights website
Holidays at the Harbor—National Harbor
National Harbor kicked off the holiday spirit on Saturday, Nov. 11th at 5:50 pm, lighting its Christmas tree to kick off its Holidays at the Harbor series. It was the inaugural lighting for National Harbor’s new 60-ft. RGB tree, which now will illuminate the evening skies each night through Saturday, Dec. 30—every 30 minutes from sunset to 9 p.m.—alongside the sounds of a “holiday medley performed by the United States Air Force Band.” But the holiday festivities don’t stop there! Holidays at the Harbor also features several festive activities suitable for all ages: Festive Fireworks every Saturday night through Dec. 17, the winter wonderland of ICE! at Gaylord National, holiday shopping at the Tanger Outlets, and more!
- Where: National Harbor- Oxon Hill, Maryland
- When: Daily- Hours vary depending on individual stores so make sure to check the National Harbor website
Enchant at Nationals Park
Enchant at Nationals Park is a true Winter Wonderland that will be held from Nov. 24 through Dec. 31. Enchant whisks you away with twinkling light tunnels, a Christmas Light Maze, an ice skating trail, a Santa meet-and-greet, a holiday market so you can shop for your loved ones this holiday season, and so much more!
- Where: Nationals Park, 1500 S Capitol St SE
- When: Nov. 24 through Dec. 31
CityCenterDC
The holiday season is descending upon the District—and CityCenterDC is helping kick it off with its 10th annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Saturday, Nov. 25! Days after Thanksgiving, as Washingtonians begin to swap out their autumn ornamentation for winter decorations, CityCenterDC will be helping the transition as it alights its 75-ft. tree, complete with more than 150,000 lights and 4,500 ornaments. You can take in the dazzling sights while shopping at some of CityCenterDC’s fantastic stores!
- Where: CityCenterDC, 10th & H St NW
- When: Daily- Hours vary depending on individual stores so make sure to check the CityCenterDC website
Heurich Christmas Markt
Hosted by the Heurich House Museum, this one-weekend holiday market to kick off the month of December is an authentic European-style market featuring German-style mulled win, Glühwein, and over 50 local small-scale shops. Making this a great spot to not only have a great evening but also a great spot to pick up unique and thoughtful gifts for the upcoming holidays.
- Where: Heurich House Museum’s Castle Garden at 1307 New Hampshire Avenue NW
- When: Friday, December 1st: 4-8pm, Saturday, December 2nd: 12-8pm, Sunday, December 3rd: 12-6pm
Article was written by Alex Striano, Ma Del Rosario Castro Diaz, and Jenna Romaine