Christmastime in our nation’s capital is truly magical. Those who are lucky enough to experience Washington, DC during the holidays have a wide variety of options to choose from when it comes to getting into the spirit of the season. Between Christmas markets, light festivals, and holiday-themed art exhibits, the city lights up between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. But no matter how many new and exciting experiences are to be had, my favorite will always be the tried and true: Christmas Tree Sightings.
Every Christmas Eve, Seth and I bundle up and set out on our own walking tour of downtown DC’s Christmas trees. It’s our favorite (and first-ever) holiday tradition that we’ve created together, and we look forward to it each year. So this year, we put together a list of all of the best trees downtown as well as a map of their locations, so you can make this experience your own.
1. U.S. Botanic Garden
We like to start our tree tour off at the U.S. Botanic Garden, so we can check out all of their beautiful holiday exhibits in addition to this decked-out tree, but unfortunately, said tree was absent this year (2025). Regardless, it’s still a great place to start, as they display miniature DC landmarks made entirely of plant-based materials in their indoor conservatory and G-gauge model trains surrounded by plant-based scenes in their gated outdoor gardens as a part of the “Season’s Greenings” holiday exhibit. The color scheme in the conservatory and model train scenes changes each year, so even if you’ve visited during the holidays before, it is 100% worth checking out again. This year’s theme is dinosaurs!
There is no admission fee, and tickets are not required to visit any area of the U.S. Botanic Garden, including the holiday train display. The exhibit will be open November 27, 2025 – January 4, 2026, from 10AM – 5PM daily. On select Tuesdays and Thursdays in December (12/9, 12/11, 12/16, 12/18, 12/23, 12/30, and 1/1/26), the Conservatory and outdoor train display will remain open until 8:00PM, and offer live holiday music and food and drink vendors.
While you’re there, grab a will coffee, hot chocolate, or micktail, and check out the botanically-themed gifts at the pop-up shop put on by the Friends of the U.S. Botanic Garden and local DC small business, Rewild.
2. The People’s Tree
Our second stop is just a short walk from the Botanic Garden and is my personal favorite. Each year, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, often referred to as the “People’s Tree,” is selected from a different National Forest. The tree takes a road trip from its birthplace across the country before being decorated by hundreds of handmade ornaments crafted by denizens of its home state and put on display in front of the U.S Capitol. This year, it hails from Nevada.
3. Canadian Embassy Tree
The Embassy of Canada’s Christmas tree is one of D.C.’s most underrated holiday gems. It’s small in footprint but big in charm. Perched on the embassy’s front plaza overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue, the tree is beautifully decorated with classic warm white lights and red accents that nod to Canada’s signature winter style. It’s a peaceful, photogenic spot that often flies under the radar, making it perfect for a quick stop.
4. National Christmas Tree
The National Tree, located in front of the White House, is another must-visit. The towering tree glows with thousands of twinkling lights and is surrounded by the charming “Pathway of Peace,” where smaller, hand-decorated trees represent each of the states, territories, and the District of Columbia. It’s always fun to walk around and find our home state’s mini tree (Shout-out: Pennsylvania)!
5. CityCenterDC Tree
2.5 miles and a whole-lot-of-lights later, we reach our final stop at CityCenterDC’s massive evergreen. CityCenter is one of my favorite places to window-shop in the District and is beautifully decorated with each new season. On Saturday, November 29, 2025, CityCenterDC will host its 12th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration, complete with live music, face painting, and other seasonal surprises.
CityCenter also boasts a “Dream Closet” installation (pictured above) will be sparkling and ready for photos, and new this year, visitors will get to experience CCDC Snow Days and play in flurries to a soundtrack of holiday music every weekend from Nov. 28 through Dec. 21.
As you make your way through these festive stops, I hope you feel a bit of the magic that keeps us coming back year after year. There’s something so special about slowing down, wandering the city streets bundled up against the cold, and letting the glow of each tree guide you to the next. Whether you’re starting a brand-new tradition or adding a little extra sparkle to an already beloved one, I hope this guide helps you create your own joyful Christmas Eve memories in Washington, DC. Here’s to cozy nights, twinkling lights, and the simple moments that make the holiday season truly unforgettable.
