Holiday traditions, new attractions make Washington, DC an ideal winter destination

WASHINGTON, DC - It's beginning to look a lot like the holiday season in the nation's capital, where beloved local traditions, blocks-long holiday markets, unique seasonal displays and cheerful décor combine to create the ultimate winter getaway. Dynamic new attractions, cozy restaurants, inventive bars and major sporting events give travelers even more reasons to visit. Discover the value of visiting in wintertime and start planning at washington.org/winter.

This holiday season, there's only one place where visitors can ice skate in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden and along the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. Shop local at the DowntownDC Holiday Market, which turns F Street NW into a winter wonderland, among the many markets and countless pop-ups. Stroll through ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, the U.S. Botanic Garden's annual Season's Greenings Exhibit and Enchant at Nationals Park, featuring the world's largest light maze.

An established hub for women's sports, the Sports Capital hosts the 2026 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Championship on Nov. 21, with a week of events across the region, including a free fan fest at The Wharf. The Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, hockey's all-time leading goal scorer, is playing his final season in the NHL, while the NBA's No. 1 overall pick, AJ Dybansta, leads the promising Washington Wizards. Capital One Arena debuts new premium spaces, part of an ongoing transformation that will be completed next fall. The city is also gearing up to host the NFL Draft, April 29-May 1, 2027.

"Washington, DC dazzles in the winter, and this year, cherished holiday traditions meet an exciting lineup of major sporting events, new experiences and free cultural offerings," said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, Destination DC. "The city offers countless ways to celebrate the season while also maximizing value."

Major new and renovated cultural attractions add reasons to visit:

•The African American Civil War Memorial Museum reopened on Sept. 30 following a multiyear renovation, honoring the heroic role of 209,145 U.S. Colored Troops in ending slavery and keeping the country united.

• The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, honoring those who served in the 1990-91 Gulf War, was dedicated on Oct. 24.

• The Hirshhorn reopens its revitalized Sculpture Garden on Oct. 31, following a four-year transformation led by artist and architect Hiroshi Sugimoto. The 1.3-acre space will feature nearly 60 sculptures, 30,000 new plants and trees and flexible areas for performances and public programs.

• The National Air and Space Museum completes its eight-year renovation with the opening of two new galleries: At Home in Space on Oct. 30 and Modern Military Aviation on Nov. 11.

• The Carter G. Woodson Historic Site reopens on Nov. 7, home of the early leader of Black education and founder of "Negro History Week," which later became Black History Month.

• ARTECHOUSE resumed programming with a wholly immersive digital art experience.

DC Cocktail Week returns Nov. 30-Dec. 6, and each year, hot spots like Death Punch, Penn Social, Wunder Garten, Duke's Grocery and Colada Shop are known for crafting festive beverages. New restaurant openings include the Caribbean-inspired Croix rooftop in Navy Yard, Palestinian soul food at Ayat in the West End, the Mediterranean-Japanese Oribu downtown, Pastiamo Osteria in Woodley Park and Chai Pani's Botiwalla in Tenleytown and Spicewalla in Georgetown. Experience a fresh spin on classic American at The Oak Room and Bernadette's in Georgetown, Shaw's The Grace and Bramble & Rye in Bloomingdale. Award-winning chef Juan Pablo Loza takes the helm at Mi Vida for contemporary Mexican in Penn Quarter and The Wharf.

Many DC hotels offer classic holiday themed teas, while free nightly carolers perform at iconic properties like the Willard InterContinental. This winter, Wyndham is expected to debut new Registry Collection and WaterWalk hotels in Truxton Circle and Navy Yard, respectively. The Westin Washington, DC City Center and Canopy by Hilton-Washington, DC The Wharf unveil renovations. The Beacon at Embassy Row and One Washington Circle join Hilton's Tapestry Collection, while the YOTEL becomes DC's first "Select by Hilton" property and the rebranded Potomac Hotel joins Marriott's Autograph Collection.

Only-in-DC Holiday Experiences:

• DC Holiday Market (Dupont Circle), Nov. 12-Dec. 23

Browse a curated selection of local makers and small businesses offering artisan goods, handcrafted products and unique gifts.

• DowntownDC Holiday Market, Nov. 13-Dec. 23

The open-air market returns for its 22nd season with more than 115 vendors, transforming F Street NW into a festive winter village.

• Frosted at Franklin Park, Nov. 13-Jan. 9

Wander through the park and discover thousands of twinkling lights, glowing installations and festive moments.

• CityCenterDC's Holiday Tree Lighting, Nov. 14

The 78-foot holiday tree will illuminate the heart of downtown (timed with the opening of the nearby DowntownDC Holiday Market). Musical headliner to be announced.

• Enchant Christmas at Nationals Park, Nov. 20-Dec. 27

The ballpark transforms into a holiday wonderland with millions of twinkling lights, a walk-through maze, illuminated ice-skating trail and visits with Santa.

• ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, Nov. 20-Jan. 3

Journey through illuminated pathways, watch live musical performances, sip hot cocoa and explore the Zoo under the dazzling glow of environmentally friendly holiday lights.

• Snowglow at The Dome at Hi-Lawn (Union Market), Nov. 20-Jan. 3

The 50-foot immersive dome becomes a fictional 1970s European mountain hotel, with 360-degree projected visuals and Alpine-inspired bites and cocktails.

• Season's Greenings at the U.S. Botanic Garden, Nov. 26-Jan. 3

The annual display features thousands of poinsettias, plant-crafted replicas of DC landmarks and a model train show that showcases national parks and historic places.

• Holiday Caroling, Concerts and Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art, starting Nov. 23

The garden's central fountain becomes a skating rink surrounded by sculptures by artists including Alexander Calder and Louise Bourgeois. Head inside for seasonal performances, vibrant poinsettias and more.

• Jingle Block Rock, Dec. 2

The Southwest Business Improvement District teams up with neighborhood partners to turn the Southwest Duck Pond and Waterfront Station into a festive extravaganza.

• National Christmas Tree, starting Dec. 3

Free to enter and surrounded by trees with handmade ornaments from all U.S. states and territories.

• National Menorah Lighting, Dec. 4-12

Hanukkah begins with the lighting ceremony of the world's largest menorah, which greets all with latkes, doughnuts, menorah kits and dreidels.

• Holiday Boat Parade and Party at The Wharf, Dec. 5

More than 60 decorated boats cruise the Washington Channel.

• Swedish Holiday Market at House of Sweden, Dec. 5

Shop Nordic gifts at this annual market hosted by the Embassy of Sweden, followed by the traditional Saint Lucia procession overlooking the Potomac River.

• Georgetown Jingle, Dec. 6

Live performances pop up throughout Georgetown as more than 40 local businesses offer special discounts, refreshments and seasonal activities.

• National Symphony Orchestra Presents: Home Alone in Concert, Dec. 8

Renowned composer John Williams' delightful score is performed live-to-picture by the NSO at The Anthem. The NSO will also perform "The Muppet Christmas Carol" on Dec. 13.

• Christmas Illuminations at George Washington's Mount Vernon, Dec. 19-20

Watch stunning holiday fireworks over the Potomac River and meet people from Washington's world to learn about 18th-century holiday traditions.

• Lost Worlds by Luxmuralis at Washington National Cathedral, Jan. 14-23

Lost Worlds transforms the Cathedral's soaring architecture through vivid projections, original music and cinematic storytelling.

Seasonal Theater:

• Hanukkah Spectacular at Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Nov. 14-Dec. 13

'Succession' actor Peter Friedman stars in Max Posner's new play about four Jewish artists tasked with creating a commercially successful Hanukkah hit.

• The Hip Hop Nutcracker at the National Theatre, Nov. 17-22

This high-energy spectacle pairs Tchaikovsky's iconic score with street dance.

• A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theatre, Nov. 19-Dec. 31

Acclaimed actor Craig Wallace reprises the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in Ford's annual tradition.

• The Washington Ballet's The Nutcracker, Nov. 28-Dec. 27

For more than six decades, the holiday season has signaled The Washington Ballet's signature performance, set in 1882 Georgetown.

• Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show at Arena Stage, Dec. 4-23

The world's first holiday show highlighting the African American tradition of stepping.

• An Irish Carol at Keegan Theatre, Dec. 5-31

Keegan's own holiday tradition offers a distinctly Irish take on the Dickens classic.

• Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC Holiday Show at Lincoln Theatre, Dec. 5, 12 & 13

Tap-dancing elves and unforgettable choral renditions of holiday classics.

New Exhibits and Programming:

• To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare, through May 2, 2027

Nearly 100 artifacts at Folger Shakespeare Library trace more than 400 years of Black women engaging with Shakespeare's works.

• Beverly Pepper: Land Art and Monumental Sculptures, Oct. 23-April 25, 2027

The National Museum of Women in the Arts celebrates one of the 20th century's most innovative sculptors, complementing the outdoor installation along New York Avenue.

• Handwork: Contemporary Craft, opens Nov. 13

This Renwick Gallery installation of objects from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection showcases the practice of making things by hand.

• James McNeill Whistler for the 21st Century, Feb. 12-July 11, 2027

The first major international retrospective of Whistler in 30 years brings together works from 20 leading collections across Europe and the U.S. to the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art.

Anniversaries in 2027:

• 100th of the National Cherry Blossom Festival

• 100th of Marriott International (founded in DC)

• 100th of the Phoenix Park Hotel

• 100th of the National Press Building

• 60th of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival

• 50th of Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens

• 50th of the Washington Ballet

• 30th of Keegan Theatre

• 25th of the International Spy Museum

Images:

• Holidays in Washington, DC, courtesy of washington.org

• Winter (non-holiday), courtesy of washington.org

• Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden, renderings by Darcstudio, courtesy of Hirshhorn

• National Air and Space Museum, courtesy of washington.org

• Sports Capital imagery, courtesy of Washington.org and others (refer to photo caption)

About Destination DC: Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. washington.org.