So you’re headed off to the nation’s capital for a little Christmas fun? Or maybe you’re lucky enough to live here! Either way, there are plenty of things to do in the Washington, DC area to get you in the holiday spirit but our first recommendation is to get a car.
Although DC has a great subway system (called the Metro), it’s not always the most convenient or reliable. And since DC isn’t as compact as other cities out there, you’ll find a lot of the best activities are within a short or reasonable driving distance of the DC metro area.
Here are just a few of our favorite holiday attractions in and around Washington, DC.
Christmas at Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon became a household name again to those who became obsessed with the soundtrack to Hamilton…
Ladies and gentlemen,
The moment you’ve been waiting for,
The pride of Mount Vernon,
GEORGE WASHINGTON!
Although Mount Vernon is a beautifully maintained private estate anytime of year, Christmas at Mount Vernon brings the history of the home to life in this riverside setting in northern Virginia, just outside DC. If you time your visit right, you can even tour the estate in the evening by candlelight.
Read more: Step Back in Time For Christmas at Mount Vernon
Christmas on the Potomac at Gaylord National Harbor
The Gaylord National Harbor is just one of the many Gaylord hotels that hosts the spectacular ICE! show every year. This themed show offers visitors a blue parka so that they can enjoy the ice sculptures created by Chinese artisans in 5 degree temperatures.
If you’re not visiting the ICE! show, you can spend family time in the Christmas Village offering rides, shopping, and family activities like gingerbread house decorating. Later in the evening, the Atrium comes to life with the lighting of a suspended Christmas tree and a laser light show set to holiday music.
Read more: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like ICE! at Gaylord National
The Festival of Lights
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Festival of Lights at the Washington D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Festival of Lights is one of the D.C. area’s great community traditions. Beginning November 30th, the Festival features free performances nightly in the comfortable, state-of-the-art theater located in the Visitors’ Center, open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Temple grounds glow with over 650,000 lights, November 30th through December 31st
- Nightly performances in indoor theater
- Christmas trees decorated in international themes
- Exhibit of crèches from around the world
- Life-sized outdoor nativity
Read more: Visit the Washington D.C. Temple Festival of Lights
National Christmas Tree
Although I’ve never been to see the National Christmas Tree, it’s definitely on my list. Regardless of how you feel politically, it’s worth a trip to the White House where the National Christmas Tree will be lit every day from approximately 4:30 p.m. to midnight as part of the America Celebrates display. This display is free to visit and open to the public from 8:00 a.m.-midnight beginning Friday, December 1. The walkway will be surrounding the National Christmas Tree and features 56 state and territory trees decorated with handmade ornaments that are unique to each tree.
Christmas in Gettysburg
If you’re feeling patriotic and willing to go a little further, you can head to the Civil War town of Gettysburg, PA which is only 90 minutes outside of DC. Although the battlefields are always there, December starts a festive spirit in the little town centered around Lincoln Square. Depending on when you visit, you’ll find a Christmas parade, a Santa Shanty (free visits with Santa), the town Christmas tree, a Tuba Fest, and specialized holiday tours at nearby attractions like the Shriver House Museum and the Eisenhower House.
And you’ll find plenty of places for festive food and drink with both historic and modern atmospheres!
Read more: Spending Family Holiday Time in Gettysburg
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
If you’re willing to venture about three hours outside of DC, you can spend time in Williamsburg, VA. While you’ll find shopping and historical activities at nearby Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg, the star of the show is Christmas Town at Busch Gardens.
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens boasts the biggest Christmas light display in North America with more than 8 million twinkling lights, opening on select days from Nov. 24 through Jan. 1, 2018. Throughout the holiday run, experience holiday shows sure to give you a shiver even on warm nights.
Stop by the Mistletoe Marketplace where you can stroll through a traditional German outdoor market complete with local vendors who specialize in art projects. This is where you can find a unique treasure for those picky art lovers on your Christmas list.
Read more: Making Holiday Memories in Williamsburg, VA
Six Flags America Holiday in the Park
If you want to stay a little closer to DC, you can head to Six Flags America which is less than 40 minutes away. At Six Flags Holiday in the Park, you’ll get a taste of everything you’d expect at an amusement park: the Main Street Christmas tree, Christmas-inspired funnel cakes, s’mores pit, holiday meet & greet, holiday magic light show, and of course, holiday thrills!
Several of the rides are open for those that want to feel the wind whipping through their hair!
Read more: 2017 Six Flags Holiday in the Park Review
Christmas Walkabout
If you just want to spend time taking in the tourist sites and seeing the local decorations, you don’t have to get out and go anywhere in particular! In fact, many families enjoy taking a walking tour of Washington, DC, which is especially beautiful during the holidays. If this is more your speed, you can even get your kids more engaged with a Photo Scavenger Hunt printable. This is actually good anytime of the year!
Read more: Washington, DC Photo Scavenger Hunt Printable
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If you live in or have visited the Washington, DC around the holidays, we’d love to hear more about your can’t-miss holiday attractions. We’re always looking to stay on the go!
Fadra Nally is a lifestyle blogger at All Things Fadra who is always going, seeing, and doing – all with a sense of humor. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and watch her on YouTube.
[…] days left and I do plan to get out and explore. In fact, there’s a whole post I wrote about things to do in the DC area during the holidays. But if I don’t, that’s okay because sometimes the fun is in having no agenda at […]