Guide / Holiday season in DC
Updated for December 2024
DC is pretty remarkable during the holidays! This is my 8th (!!) Christmas as a DC resident (technically 7th, since I was abroad in 2022), and it has felt extra sweet this year to feel so settled at home. I’ve picked up a fresh candle from my favorite shop (browse my go-tos here), the tree is trimmed, and I’m fully stocked on peppermint mocha cookies. Here are some of my favorite festive activities this time of year, sorted roughly by activity:
Neighborhoods to stroll:
Old Town / I love to walk down King Street, and then to the streets that run parallel to the North and South. Penny Post, Red Barn Mercantile, & Old Town Books would be my go-tos for gifting.
Capitol Hill / A good place to start is with a stroll down East Capitol Street between the Capitol Grounds and Lincoln Park, as well as the streets that run parallel to East Capitol. Be sure to stop by Eastern Market, too – the moment with their Christmas trees out front is so cute!
Georgetown / I recommend staying north of M Street NW, and walking along the streets that to the left and right of Wisconsin Avenue. I never leave Georgetown without a quick stop through Manse.
Installations, activations, & festive places:
Southeast / The holiday install at US Botanic Garden, as well as the tree in front of the US Capitol.
Northeast / The big wreaths at Union Station always glisten, and rumor is that there are model trains this time of year, too.
Northwest / The holiday install at City Center always delivers, and I also recommend the holiday markets – I’ve heard the one at Penn Quarter this year is top notch! Ice skating at the Sculpture Garden is also a must.
Festive restaurants & bars:
Southeast / Beuchert’s Saloon isn’t necessarily decked out, but it will hit that cozy & cute note. Quill & Crumb feels like an appropriate choice for a cozy coffee moment.
Northwest / If I have to be picky, I always return to Cafe Riggs and Petite Cerise because they just feel so glam. Filomena goes all out for the holidays, and Le Diplomate, The Willard, and The Jefferson are classic choices as well.
Events, moments, & shows:
Southeast / Watch Christmas classics or see a candlelit concert at The Miracle DC
Southwest / Watch The Wharf light show & holiday boat parade
Northwest / See The Nutcracker with the Washington Ballet, get tickets for the White House Christmas Tour, and see Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral (I feel like you have to snag tickets early in the year). The Christmas market at Heurich House is on my list, as well as a candlelit tour of Tudor Place. I’ve also heard you can watch a Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theater
Virginia / Watch the Scottish Christmas walk parade in Alexandria, and lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery
