December is right around the corner! Though the year may be ending, the month is filled with enchanting activities and events. As you head into the holiday season, D.C. is brimming with wonderful ways to get into the spirit and send out the year in style.
1. Take in lights on the water at the District Holiday Boat Parade
Kick off the holiday season with this stunning light display on the water! The Wharf is hosting its annual Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday, December 7, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free event features more than 60 boats, decked to the bow with holiday lights, setting sail down the Washington Channel. You can watch the boats and fireworks display, roast s’mores, get pictures with Santa, and even skate at the ice rink!
Location: 760 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC
2. Relax to the sounds of classical music by candlelight
The Fever Originals Candlelight series is a perfect plan for a quiet, intimate evening with loved ones. This December, Fever’s holiday-themed Candlelight series transforms iconic seasonal songs into beautiful classical music. There are also some non-holiday concerts taking place this month as well:
- Candlelight: The Best of Bridgerton on Strings
- Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More
- Candlelight: Christmas Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” and More
- Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
- Candlelight: Rings and Dragons
- Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi
3. Step into a super-sized ‘snow globe’
Union Market is set to unveil an extraordinary attraction this year: a 50-foot, heated dome atop their Hi-Lawn rooftop. Inspired by the charm of a European winter escape, the unique pop-up offers a wonderfully cozy setting to enjoy a scenic light experience, themed cocktails, delicious bites, and more. The dome seats up to 60 people, and tickets are officially on sale! Learn more here.
Location: 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
4. Attend DC’s only “bingo rave” at Bingo Loco
Bingo Loco is not your grandma’s bingo…unless your grandma likes to party. Bingo Loco is a massive rave and show complete with MCs, hit songs, lip sync battles, dance-offs, dancers, confetti cannons, and—of course—bingo! There’s nothing quite like it, which is why it’s traveled to over 200 locations around the world. Previous grand prizes for bingo winners have included a cruise package and a trip to Vegas, so what will you win this time? Click here to learn more!
5. Watch Monet’s paintings come to life like never before
What could be more awe-inspiring than stepping into the paintings of one your favorite artists? Monet: The Immersive Experience allows you to do just that! The exhibition uses floor-to-ceiling projections to showcase some of Monet’s most famous works, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in his art. Get tickets here!
Location: 524 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
6. Enjoy spectacular savings during D.C. Cocktail Week
Start the month of December on a high note by taking advantage of D.C.’s Cocktail Week. With over 100 participating restaurants and bars across the DMV area, some of your local favorites are surely joining in on the fun. Enjoy tasty cocktail and bite pairings from November 29 to December 5!
7. Feel the magic at Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
A new woodland trail inspired by the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series has just opened in Leesburg, VA. This magical journey invites guests to wander through a whimsical forest filled with curious creatures and beloved characters from both series. Complete with a festive village, tasty treats, and more, it’s the perfect outdoor adventure to enjoy this December. Plan your visit here.
Location: 41580 Sunday Morning Ln, Leesburg, VA 20176
8. View the 102nd Annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Save the date! The 102nd Annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is set for Thursday, December 5, at The Ellipse, right by the White House and President’s Park. While the lottery to see the lighting in-person has closed, Washingtonians can watch the broadcasted ceremony via CBS on Friday, December 20. You can also visit the site to marvel at the tree firsthand from December 7 through January 1. Find out more here!
Location: The Ellipse, Washington, DC 20004
9. Soak up some holiday cheer at these seasonal pop-up bars
As we enter the holiday season in Washington, D.C., the bar scene has definitely taken notice! From some of D.C.’s favorite bars decking the halls and revamping their menus, to holiday pop-up bars magically appearing all over the District, the festive spots are calling our names! Here’s a preview of some of our favorite D.C. holiday-themed bars you don’t want to miss, and you can find the full list here:
- Miracle at Death Punch Bar
- Winter Chalet at Dirty Habit
- Lulu’s Wine(ter)garden
10. Spread smiles at Dopamine Land
Right in the heart of Friendship Heights, this upbeat happiness-inducing experience is a great place to escape the chaos of the city this December! Perfect for friend adventures, family outings, and date nights, Dopamine Land invites you to stimulate your senses through media, technology and play. Grab tickets to the multi-sensory, interactive experience here.
Location: 5333 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015
11. Uncover the secrets of the pharaohs at this King Tut exhibit
Calling all history buffs! This magnificent exhibit in Northeast D.C. presents an unparalleled look into the tomb of King Tutankhamun. Complete with over 1,000 carefully reproduced artifacts, the engaging exhibition will fascinate even the most seasoned historian. Grab tickets here.
Location: 524 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
12. Check out the National Harbor Christmas tree
Decked out with a 60-foot RGB tree, National Harbor is looking spectacular this season! The massive tree is now illuminated, putting on a colorful show every evening through December 28. This festive light show will occur every thirty minutes, starting at sunset through 9 p.m. Learn more here.
Location:150 National Plaza, National Harbor, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
13. Stimulate your senses by dining in the dark
Looking for an exciting culinary surprise? What’s more unique than a blindfolded dinner? Dining in the Dark allows you to pick a surprise three-course meal based on your dietary preferences that will stimulate your senses! Currently, you have the option to choose from three locations around the DMV area:
The City Club of Washington, 555 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Ambar Clarendon, 2901 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA
The Tower Club Tysons Corner, 8000 Towers Crescent Dr Suite 1700, Vienna, VA 22182
14. Experience Shakespeare like never before
“All the world’s a stage,” and Drunk Shakespeare in D.C. is hitting the stage like you’ve never experienced before! Grab a drink and watch five classically-trained (and intoxicated) actors attempt to recreate some of Shakespeare’s most famous works with hilarious results. Get tickets here.
Location: 1100 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
15. Grab the family and head to ICE! at Gaylord National
With larger-than-life sculptures made from nearly 6,000 blocks of hand-carved ice, this family-friendly holiday wonderland is worth the visit! This year’s installation captures the story of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with 14 whimsical scenes spanning across 17,000-square-feet. Learn more here.
Location: 201 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
16. Visit the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree lighting
Hailing all the way from Alaska’s National Forests, this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree makes a long journey across both sea and land to the district. The lighting of the 80-foot tree will take place on the West Front Lawn, starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3. This year marks 60 years of this annual tradition!
Location: U.S. Capitol Grounds, Washington, DC 20004
17. Explore the haunted side of the district
Just because spooky season is over doesn’t mean you can’t embark on a ghost tour! D.C. is overflowing with history—and with that history comes a few frights and spooky legends. This walking ghost tour will show you the haunted side of the District that you likely never knew.
18. See over 500,000 Christmas lights at this Festival of Lights
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Washington, D.C., Temple will return with its iconic holiday light display from December 5 through January 1, featuring 500,000 twinkling lights. If you’ve ever spotted the top of this unique temple from the road, now’s your chance to get closer!
Location: 9900 Stoneybrook Dr, Kensington, MD 20895
19. Check out the D.C. Holiday Lights and vote for the best decorated area
D.C. Holiday Lights gets the city into the holiday spirit as it turns the various D.C. neighborhoods into twinkling wonderlands all December long! With eye-catching displays and a themed scavenger hunt, you can experience it all in various dazzling forms across each participating neighborhood. Check out the map of participating businesses here.
20. Kick off Hanukkah with the lighting of the National Menorah
The Festival of Lights will arrive in the District soon, and Washington, D.C. will be kicking it off with the lighting of the world’s largest menorah. Head on over to the White House Ellipse on Sunday, Wednesday, December 25 to admire the giant menorah and celebrate the start of Hanukkah!
Location: The Ellipse, Washington, DC 20004
21. Head to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo to experience the fun of ZooLights
ZooLights is back at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo! A $6 admission ticket allows you to peruse the zoo’s beautiful light displays, take in live performances, and enjoy tasty treats after dark on select nights all December. For a full list of dates and to reserve an entry pass, please visit the zoo’s website.
Location: 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
22. Bask in the beauty of D.C.’s holiday lights
As holiday celebrations are poised to begin, Washington, D.C. is stringing up dazzling holiday light displays all around the city. So put on a scarf and hat, grab a warm beverage, and bask in the cheerful spirit of the holiday season with these stunning displays! Here’s a sneak peek of some of the best displays, and you can find the full list here.
- CityCenterDC
- Holidays at the Harbor—National Harbor
- D.C. Holiday Lights
23. Shop for the special people in your life at these holiday markets
With the holidays swiftly approaching, 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 beverages while you’re at it!
- DowntownDC Holiday Market
- DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle
- Mt. Pleasant Artist’s Collective Holiday Market (December 8)
- Cleveland Park Winter Market (December 14)
- Holly Jolly Holiday Market on 14th Street (December 14)
24. Visit the U.S. Botanic Garden’s ‘Season’s Greenings’ exhibit
Open through January 2, this free exhibit features a number of plant-crafted displays of iconic landmarks, such as the U.S. Capitol Building and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Still need to do some holiday shopping? No problem! Grab a botanical gift for the person in your life with a green thumb from the gift shop, made possible by the Friends of the U.S. Botanic Garden and REWILD.
Location: 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20001