It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Although this year, holiday celebrations in DC may be looking a bit different than usual, there’s still plenty of dazzling holiday lights display to catch in and around the city! So put on a warm hat, grab your mask and head on out to bask in the cheerful spirit of the season.
Happy Holidays!
1. Downtown DC Holiday Market
The popular outdoor market is back bigger than ever this year. On account of the pandemic, organizers have spread out the market and they’ve made it bigger and better featuring all kinds of lovely vendors, holiday lights and even a virtual reality adventure!
2. Catch the ZooLights show on wheels
This year, the National Zoo’s famous holiday light display is coming to you! Catch PandaClaws and its truck of lights as they make their way across the District this holiday season. Click here to see when ZooLights will be making a stop in your neighborhood!
3. National Harbor
The National Harbor lit up its holiday tree earlier last month with a special ceremony entailing plenty of lights and music. This year, the Harbor’s nightly holiday tree light show will take place every night all the way through January 3. The show will be taking place Monday through Sunday every half an hour starting at dusk until 9 pm.
4. The U.S. Capitol
This year’s Capitol tree made the trip all the way from Colorado! Make sure to stop by to check out the lights and bask in the beautiful glow of this fantastically festive display!
5. The National Tree at President’s Park
Like every year, President’s Park has been illuminated with the glow of the giant National Tree and its surrounding 56 companions. The Tree Lighting Ceremony took place earlier this month and the display is now free to visit and open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. while the National Christmas Tree is lit each day from 4:30 to 10 p.m.
6. Winter Glow at Mount Vernon
Head on out to George Washington’s estate in Alexandria, VA, for a special holiday light show. Winter Glow will be illuminating Mount Vernon on December 12-13 and December 26-28 for a show that will feature dazzling lights, holiday music and chats with soldiers at a recreated 18th century winter encampment. You’ll also have the chance to hang out with Aladdin the camel and shop for some awesome artisan goods as well as food and seasonal drinks!
7. Watch the lighting of the National Menorah
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The Festival of Lights has arrived in the District and it’s kicking off tonight with the lighting of the world’s largest menorah. Head on over to the White House Ellipse on Thursday, December 10, to admire the giant, 30-foot menorah and celebrate the start of Hanukkah. As is tradition, a new candle will be lit on each of the 8 days of Hanukkah so make sure to stop by.
8. Navy Yards
They Yards have brought back their popular holiday light display! This year’s holiday installation features the premiere of the installation “Stars” by Australian-based immersive light design sculptors Amigo & Amigo. The installation is totally free and lights up nightly from 6 to 10 p.m.
9. Georgetown
Georgetown Glow may not be returning until 2021, but DC’s oldest neighborhood still has plenty of lights to go around. Take a stroll through Georgetown and check out its awesome outdoor dining destinations like these awesome igloos at Watergate Hotel!
10. Union Station
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11. Festival of Lights
This year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Washington D.C. Temple has turned its iconic holiday light display into a drive-thru to keep everything COVID-friendly. Starting Friday, December 11, through December 28, head on out to the Temple to enjoy its more than 400,000 twinkling lights!
12. Tour the District’s neighborhoods to find your favorite display!
The Nation’s capital is ringing in the festive season with a city-wide holiday light display and contest! Neighborhoods across DC are decking out their main streets for a spectacular DC Holiday Lights experience that will last all season long. Organizers have also set up a scavenger hunt across the city to find your favorite display and win awesome prizes from your local vendors!
See also: A Guide To Holiday Markets Open In Washington DC This Year
[Featured image: Shutterstock]