When I say Christmastime in our nation’s capital is truly magical, I mean it. And those who are lucky enough to experience Washington, DC during the holidays have an array of options to choose from when it comes to festive things to do, outings, and events for getting into the spirit of the season.
Between Christmas markets, light festivals, half-a-dozen larger-than-life Christmas trees, holiday-themed art installations, and even a yacht parade, the city lights up between Thanksgiving and the New Year – and so many of these fun events double as festive holiday date ideas. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite festive things to do in DC (and the DMV) here in hopes to help you plan the perfect holiday date night.
Season’s Greenings at the U.S. Botanic Garden
Each Christmas, the National Botanic Garden displays miniature DC landmarks made entirely of plant-based materials in it’s indoor conservatory and G-gauge model trains surrounded by plant-based scenes in their gated outdoor gardens as a part of their “Season’s Greenings” holiday exhibit. The color scheme in the conservatory and model train scenes are different each year, so even if you’ve visited during the holidays before, it is 100% worth checking out again. This year’s theme is pollinators!
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 28, 2024 – January 5, 2025 from 10AM – 5PM daily. On select Tuesdays and Thursdays in December (12/10, 12/12, 12/17 12/19, and 12/26) 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 or hot chocolate from Vintage Views 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.
This sculpture has been installed to celebrate the National Garden’s 200th anniversary. It is made of locally-harvested willow branches as well as invasives removed from around the city. This exhibit is interactive and visitors can explore the sculpture from literally any angle. If you love the intersection of art and nature, this piece isn’t to be missed!
DC Holiday Markets
The Downtown Holiday Market features over 70 exhibitors, many of which are Black-owned and minority-owned businesses, and provides visitors with the perfect opportunity to shop for unique and locally-made items.
Located on F St. NW between 7th and 9th Streets, this market is free to attend and runs November 22 through December 23, 2024 from 12:00PM to 8:00PM daily*. In addition to unique items for sale, visitors can expect live music and delicious food options – don’t sleep on the mini-donuts. You can thank me later. Check out how we turned our visit into the ultimate date night downtown (in our opinion, anyway).
There is also a new DC Holiday Market set to open in Dupont Circle on Friday, November 22nd. It will be located on 19th Street, NW, just north of Dupont Circle park and feature 30 small business vendors and nightly live music. The market will run daily from 12PM to 8PM (Monday -Friday) and 11AM to 8PM (Saturday – Sunday) through December 15, 2024.
Union Station Decorations + Holiday Market
Admiring Union Stations larger than life wreaths and Christmas tree is always a favorite tradition of ours, and this year, we’re excited to visit Union Station’s Main Hall Holiday Market as well. It will take place from December 17th through December 19th from 11am – 6pm and feature live music and seasonal sips from the 1908 Holiday Lounge.
The Wharf
There is no shortage of seasonal things to do in this DC neighborhood, but our favorite has to be the Holiday Boat Parade. We stumbled into this event by accident a few years ago, and it has been a staple tradition of ours ever since. On December 7, 2024, the 32nd Annual District Holiday Boat Parade will take place and showcase 60+ intricately and seasonally decorated yachts that will parade majestically around the Washington Channel.
After you have your fill of exploring the waterfront, cuddle up by the fire at Camp Wharf and enjoy a s’more and some hot cider. A portion of the proceeds benefit charities in Southwest DC.
For the 2024 season, Camp Wharf is open Thursdays – Saturdays: 6:00PM – 11:00PM, and Sundays: 6:00PM – 10:00PM.
The Wharf’s overwater ice skating rink is also a must-visit. It opens on November 27 for the 2024 season and runs Wednesdays – Sundays through February. Check daily hours and prices here.
Downtown Christmas Trees
Every Year on Christmas Eve, Seth and I pack a thermos of spiked hot chocolate and walk around to all of the Christmas Trees downtown. My personal favorite is known as the People’s Tree and is located in front of the Capitol Building. This tree is extra special because it is chosen from a different National Forest each year and decorated with ornaments handmade by residents from its state of origin. The National Tree, located in front of the White House is a less popular stop for us but we still make it a point to stop by. If you want to check out all of downtown’s iconic, twinkling trees, we created a little walking tour with a map detailing our route to hit them all in one night.
Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden
Ice skating at the National Gallery’s iconic rink surrounded by over a dozen sculptures makes for the quintessential DC date night. Afterwards, head to the Pavilion Cafe to warm up with an affordable and delicious meal. We’re obsessed with their California flatbread!
The rink is located right on the National Mall and open Nov. 23rd 2024 – March 2nd 2025. Tickets cost $12 for patrons ages 13+ and $10 for children ages 12 and under, 60+, military service members with ID, and students with school ID. Skate rentals cost $6, and free lockers are available first come, first served. NOTE: The ice rink closes for rain and extreme temperatures, so it’s a good idea to call ahead to check if they’re open (202.216.9397).
* This one is best paired with a trip to the Downtown Holiday Market or the Botanic Gardens as they’re all within walking distance of one another. Check out our date night itinerary here.
Check out the Lights at CityCenterDC
CityCenter is one of my favorite places to window shop within the District and is beautifully decorated with each new season. On Saturday, November 30 2024, CityCenterDC will host their 11th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration complete with live music, face painting and other seasonal treats.
Georgetown Jingle
While, Georgetown GLOW is on pause this year, DC’s oldest neighborhood isn’t letting the season go by without celebrating. On Saturday December 7, 2024, Georgetown will host it’s first-ever holiday music event! The event will begin at 1PM and feature 10 live performances across different outdoor locations. There will also be more than 40 shops and restaurants offering discounts, complimentary treats, and festive pop-ups during the event (full list here).
Afterwards, stick around because the St. Lucia Choir will be making it’s way from the Embassy of Sweden to Washington Harbour and giving out free samples of hot (non-alcoholic) Glögg.
If you want to make this into a solid date night, we recommend lacing up your skates and taking a few laps around the Harbour’s Ice Rink and then grabbing dinner at the iconic DC institution that is Filomena Ristorante. It’s decked out for the season and somehow even more charming than usual.
Check out our experience at last year’s GLOW here and cross your fingers that it will be back in 2025!
Union Market
What could be more romantic than choosing the perfect botanical to serve as the staple of your holiday décor with your love AND celebrating your purchase with a culinary delight from a spot that you don’t have to agree upon?! Nothing? That’s what I thought. And that is what’s waiting for you at Union Market.
Christmas Pop-Up Bars
Sipping on holiday-themed drinks in a decked-out bar sounds like the perfect evening to us. Our favorite pop-up bars in DC are Miracle at Death Punch in Adams Morgan, Sippin’ Santa at BLACK WHISKEY on 14th St. NW, and Dirty Habit in Penn Quarter. People also love Urban Roast on G St., NW.
Zoo Lights
Grab your beau or your besties and some mulled wine and head over to the National Zoo to admire the environmentally-friendly light displays.
Tickets: This year the event is ticketed and costs $6. Proceeds from the event (including tickets, concessions, and parking sales) will directly benefit animal care and conservation science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Snowy Thursdays in Adams Morgan
The Adams Morgan neighborhood will be kicking off the holiday season with their official lighting on Thursday November 21 at 6PM. They’ll be making snow(!!!) and offering live musical performances, complimentary warm drinks. If you can’t make the kickoff, these “Snowy Thursdays” will also be taking place on Dec 5 & Dec 12, 2024!
Light Yards
Grab dinner at one of Navy Yard’s many restaurants before checking out this interactive light installation at Yardʻs Park. Visit Light Yards from 5pm-10pm nightly November 25 through January 1. This is a great one to pair with a trip to Enchant Christmas and/or a wine tasting at District Winery!
If you’re willing to venture a bit outside of the District, our neighbors in Maryland and Virginia also have some cool and unique experiences that are worth checking out.
ICE! at Gaylord National
While this one isn’t technically in DC proper, we think it’s definitely worth taking a trip across the river to Maryland’s National Harbor to check out. When you get there, you’ll don a blue parka to keep you warm in the chilly 9°F space as you explore 14 larger-than-life scenes from ICE! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. You’ll have the opportunity to twirl through ice tunnels, race each other down frozen slides, and literally marvel at characters from this beloved tale that have been carved into 1,000 tons of colorful ice.
On-site dining, outdoor ice-skating and indoor ice-tubing are also available as fun ad-ons. Check out the date night we planned at ICE! here.
We hope that these ideas help make your holiday season a little more merry and bright and inspire you to plan your own festive holiday night out.
