aaa travel washington dc

AAA Magazines

Best ways to celebrate the holidays in washington, d.c..

By Mimi Bigelow Steadman

November 08, 2023

With gleaming light displays, merry markets, and dazzling shows, the nation’s capital is magical during the holidays. Here’s a sleigh-ful of the season’s top sights and activities, sure to put you in the jingle-bell spirit.

Seasonal symbols in D.C.

Menorah lighting.

Grand, lighted icons of the holidays spark free celebrations throughout the city. On December 7, the first evening of Hanukkah, crowds gather in the thousands on the White House Ellipse for the lighting of the National Menorah , the world’s largest such sacred candelabrum.

Prominent U.S. government members—usually including the president and vice president—participate in the ceremony. Bands from the Military District of Washington provide music, often accompanying a celebrity Jewish artist. Complimentary latkes, doughnuts, dreidels, and menorah kits add to the festive atmosphere.

The Wharf, a riverside neighborhood full of shopping and dining options, lights a Hanukkah menorah each year. Photo courtesy The Wharf

Alongside the Potomac River, The Wharf illuminates another oversize menorah every night during Hanukkah.

Christmas tree lighting

Visit the National Christmas Tree this year and mark your calendar for 2024: Free tickets for the lighting ceremony become available in October and go quickly. Photo courtesy Elman Studio for the National Park Foundation

The National Christmas Tree , a towering live tree on the White House Ellipse, is lighted in late November or early December, perpetuating a century-old tradition. Free tickets to the ceremony are available through a lottery in October. Tickets always run out early, so plan for next year.

If you can’t secure a ticket, the ceremony is televised later. Once the tree is lit, you can visit (no tickets needed) daily through January 1.

Accompanying the huge tree are 58 smaller ones trimmed with ornaments crafted by school children from around the country. These trees represent every state and territory, the capital, the Department of Defense School Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education.

The People’s Tree rises every year on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol near the U.S. Botanic Garden, set against the striking backdrop of the Capitol’s dome. This year’s 63-foot Norway spruce comes from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Thousands of ornaments made by West Virginia residents honor the tree’s origin.

A few blocks beyond the Capitol stands the Norwegian Christmas Tree . Norway gives the tree to the U.S. every year in gratitude for assistance during World War II. Garlanded with U.S. and Norwegian flags, it’s lighted in late November or early December in Union Station ’s Main Hall. Dignitaries in attendance usually include the Norwegian ambassador—and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.

In Penn Quarter, yet another tree brightens the season at CityCenterDC . Its lighting, accompanied by music, vendors, food, and holiday-themed activities, takes place just after Thanksgiving.

You may also like: Family-friendly ways to celebrate the holidays in Indianapolis

Holiday lights in D.C.

Zoolights, smithsonian’s national zoo.

ZooLights is one of the city’s top holiday attractions. Concerts, pop-up shops, and food vendors add to the fun. Photo courtesy Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

The zoo’s annual extravaganza tops the list of the city’s spectacular light displays. On designated evenings while the animals snooze indoors—none are on view—more than 500,000 LED lights, plus glowing animal lanterns, illuminate the grounds. The decorations are themed to ocean, desert, grassland, rainforest, and polar habitats.

Running from the day after Thanksgiving until the end of December, the spectacle is open 3 to 5 nights each week. It’s accompanied by concerts, pop-up shops, and food vendors. Tickets are required. General admission, $6; free for members on select nights.

D.C. Holiday Lights

This citywide initiative encourages neighborhood shops and restaurants to decorate for the holidays from November 17 through January 7. There’s a scavenger hunt with prizes from local businesses, and an opportunity to vote for the best neighborhood display.

Natural decorations in D.C.

U.s. botanic garden.

Model trains run through the illuminated outdoor displays at the U.S. Botanic Garden. Photo courtesy U.S. Botanic Garden

Decorations at the U.S. Botanic Garden are rooted in the natural world.

Aglow with tiny lights, the gated outdoor gardens welcome visitors to sip hot chocolate or coffee while watching model trains tootle past sculptures of butterflies, bats, hummingbirds, an orchid bee, and even a lemur. They’re all fashioned entirely from plant material, as are the remarkable miniature Washington landmarks on view inside the Conservatory. Set amid nearly 2,000 poinsettias, these include the Capitol, Washington Monument, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

The show runs from late November through January 1. Gardens open daily at 7:30 a.m.; trains start at 10 a.m. The Conservatory is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free; tickets are not required.

You may also like: Top U.S. botanical gardens you have to visit

Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

In northwest D.C., Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens also gets gussied up indoors and out. Once home to the late business executive, philanthropist, and collector Marjorie Merriweather Post, the mansion is graced with glittering trees inspired by a current exhibition of Post’s glassware collection, which includes exquisite Baccarat pieces.

In addition, the season brings wreath workshops, tours of the winter gardens, and several virtual programs. The exhibition runs daily except Mondays through January 14, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Suggested donation for adults, $18; additional fees for some offerings.

Holiday markets in D.C.

Penn quarter.

The large and popular Downtown Holiday Market includes a tent village of vendors, live music, and a variety of beverages and foods. Photo courtesy Downtown Holiday Market

Replicating a beloved European tradition, the Downtown Holiday Market pops up in Penn Quarter from November 17 through December 23. With the main entrance in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery, the tent village stretches along F Street NW from Seventh to Ninth streets.

The juried show has a broad selection of art, clothing, crafts, jewelry, and antiques. The market also features live music and a variety of beverages and foods, including just-made mini doughnuts. Open daily, noon–8 p.m.

Farther north, the Park View Market mounts a Holiday Market in Hook Hall. There, more than 50 vendors sell their wares on the first 2 Sunday afternoons in December.

Holiday shows in D.C.

The washington ballet.

George Washington is the Nutcracker and King George III is the Rat King in the Washington Ballet’s version of the holiday classic. Photo by Spencer Bentley

The holidays aren’t complete without attending at least one performance of The Nutcracker . The Washington Ballet ’s spin on the magical story casts George Washington as the Nutcracker and King George III as the Rat King, with appearances by other historical figures. The dance troupe features more than 100 professionals, trainees, and students.

Special offerings include a Nutcracker Tea Party with costumed characters from the production and a Family Day with interactive experiences for kids. Performance tickets start at $49.

Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center offers a holiday slate that begins around Thanksgiving. December events include the Washington Chorus’ A Candlelight Christmas, A Holiday Pops with Norm Lewis, and performances of Handel’s “Messiah.” Other treats typically include Nutcracker performances and NPR’s “A Jazz Piano Christmas.”

National Cathedral

Handel’s heavenly music also fills the National Cathedral with presentations of “Messiah” scheduled along with a panoply of other holiday concerts and services. These include A Gospel Christmas, Christmas with the Kings Singers, and The Joy of Christmas, the latter featuring trumpets, drums, and voices.

Ford’s Theatre

Ford’s Theatre mounts an “infectiously jolly” musical version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Photo by Titus Ogilvie-Laing

The history-rich Ford’s Theatre mounts a delightful musical version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol . Weaving lively song and dance into the beloved tale of Scrooge’s transformation, the show has been described as “infectiously jolly” by the Washington Post.

Sensory-friendly, ASL, and audio-described performances are also offered, as well as a “GenAbe Night” with reduced admission for those ages 21 to 40. The show runs through December 31; tickets start at $44.

Skating in D.C.

National gallery of art sculpture garden.

Ice skating and the holidays go together like mistletoe and kisses. At the rink in the middle of the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden , skaters twirl and salchow near wonderful sculptures by such masters as Alexander Calder and Roy Lichtenstein. Views stretch to the grand monuments and the immense museum buildings that flank the National Mall.

Indoors, the gallery’s West Building Rotunda is festooned with poinsettias and evergreens. Adult admission, $12 for two 45-minute sessions; skate rental $6.

The Wharf Ice Rink

Skate at The Wharf’s ice rink, then shop and dine beside the Potomac River. Photo courtesy of The Wharf

Down by the river, The Wharf Ice Rink is D.C.’s only over-water rink. Open seasonally. Adult admission, $13; skate rental $7.

Washington Harbour

The city’s most expansive rink, at Washington Harbour in Georgetown, is even larger than the one at New York City’s Rockefeller Center. Snowflake ornaments twinkle above the rink, which offers rentals, lessons, open skating, group rates, and special on-ice events. It’s open from mid-November to late February. Adult admission, $10; skate rental $7.

Presidential home near D.C.

Less than an hour’s drive from D.C., Christmases past come to life at Mount Vernon , George Washington’s former mansion and estate. Seasonal candlelight tours led by character interpreters including Mrs. Washington reveal how the first U.S. president’s family observed the holidays here. Adult nonmember admission, $38.

On the evenings of December 15 and 16, this National Historic Landmark hosts a winter festival complete with a market, caroling, a winter encampment reenactment, colorfully illuminated building exteriors, fireworks, and a visit with Aladdin the Camel. Adult nonmember admission, $58; $60 with a mansion tour.

You may also like:  Visit the homes of our country’s Virginia-born presidents

Other holiday events in D.C.

It’s too late for these things in 2023, but they’re worth knowing about for future planning.

The White House

Every year, a limited number of visitors can view the magnificent interior decorations at the nation’s residence . Tours are free, but tickets must be arranged months in advance through the office of a Congress member. Requests may be submitted up to 90 days ahead of your preferred date.

District’s Holiday Boat Parade

During the annual District’s Holiday Boat Parade , typically held in early December, more than 60 boats wreathed with lights and other embellishments travel about a mile up the Washington Channel from Hains Point to The Wharf. Ashore, the docks bustle with street performers, live music, photos with Santa, kids’ crafts, and fireworks. There’s also a bonfire at Camp Wharf, just right for making s’mores.

Dupont Circle

In early December, Dupont Circle hosts a single-day market featuring at least 100 vendors selling everything from paintings, pottery, and jewelry to chocolates and food.

A native Virginian, Maine-based Mimi Bigelow Steadman contributes to several AAA publications.

You may also like:

• Holiday traditions old and new in historic Virginia
• Unique attractions in Virginia
• Beautiful historic gardens in Virginia to visit now

Follow us on Instagram

Follow @AAAAutoClubEnterprises   for the latest on what to see and do.

Read more articles

You'll find more of the articles you love to read at AAA Insider .

Travel offers & deals

Hot travel deals

Get the latest offers from AAA Travel’s preferred partners.

Travel with AAA

See how we can help you plan, book, and save on your next vacation.

Entertainment savings

Save big with AAA discounts on tickets to your next adventure.

Travel with confidence

Purchase travel insurance with Allianz Global Assistance.

Washington, DC

Hotel deals up to 20 % off, yotel washington, the royal sonesta washington dupont circle, hyatt place washington dc/us capitol, hyatt place washington dc/georgetown/west end, phoenix park hotel, washington plaza hotel, the poppy georgetown, looking for something more specific, seller of travel registrations.

• California registration number: 2116464-50

link.share.page.title

Hotel Washington

Amenities & services.

Hotels in Washington, DC

Washington, DC

Hotel deals up to 20 % off, yotel washington, the royal sonesta washington dupont circle, hyatt place washington dc/us capitol, hyatt place washington dc/georgetown/west end, phoenix park hotel, washington plaza hotel, the poppy georgetown, looking for something more specific, seller of travel registrations.

• California registration number: 2116464-50

link.share.page.title

AAA Newsroom

Automotive, Travel, and Traffic Safety Information

Ready, Set, Camp! AAA Trip Canvas Offers New Travel Booking Feature

Aaa teams up with roverpass to provide campground and rv park options.

WASHINGTON, DC (February 23, 2024) – AAA Trip Canvas , AAA Travel’s digital travel planning tool, adds a new campgrounds category in collaboration with RoverPass , a leading platform in booking campgrounds and RV parks. The new feature allows travelers to browse campgrounds and RV parks with detailed information about the area and amenities.  

“AAA Trip Canvas was designed with our members in mind, and we’re thrilled to now offer camping destinations,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “Teaming up with RoverPass means Trip Canvas users have a one-stop shop to dream and book their next outdoor adventure.”  

By leveraging RoverPass’s extensive network of campground and RV park options, AAA Trip Canvas users now have the unique opportunity to browse and book a wide range of outdoor accommodations. From lavish RV resorts to cozy campgrounds, the integration offers something for every type of outdoor enthusiast.  

“We’re excited to team up with AAA and integrate with Trip Canvas, marking a significant step forward in making camping and RV travel more accessible and convenient,” said Michelle Smith, CEO of RoverPass. “We believe this collaboration will greatly enhance the camping journey for travelers across the country, providing them with a wealth of options to explore and a seamless booking experience to enjoy.”   

In addition to discovering camping destinations, Trip Canvas users can find inspiration through curated road trips, points of interest, and informative articles about U.S. National Parks. The platform’s extensive planning tools also allow travelers to save their favorite campgrounds, streamline their booking process through RoverPass, and organize other aspects of their trip, including flights, rental cars, and activities, ensuring a memorable and hassle-free outdoor adventure.  

Started in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts who wanted to chart a path for better roads in America and advocate for safe mobility, AAA has transformed into one of North America’s largest membership organizations. Today, AAA provides roadside assistance, travel, discounts, and financial and insurance services to enhance the life journey of over 64 million members across North America, including more than 57 million in the United States. To learn more about all AAA has to offer or to become a member, visit AAA.com    

About RoverPass  

RoverPass is a leading provider of reservation and property management software specifically designed for campgrounds and RV parks. With a focus on innovation and customer service, RoverPass aims to revolutionize the camping industry by providing user-friendly and efficient solutions for campground owners and operators.  

Washington Tourbook Guide

Including seattle, olympic national park and the san juan islands.

Explore the dramatic scenery of Washington state with the AAA TourBook guide. From the snowcapped mountains of the Cascade Range to the rainforests of Olympic National Park, the state of Washington offers a wide range of experiences for every type of traveler. Plan your next trip with the help of AAA's TourBook travel guide, available now on mobile, tablet or desktop.

With the Washington guide, you'll get advice from AAA travel experts about the best things to see and do, where to stay and how to plan the trip of a lifetime. You'll learn insider travel tips and answers to many top questions asked by travelers. This guidebook includes information about the top things to do in Seattle and other places in Washington.

Here's a sampling of what you'll find in the Washington TourBook:

• Where to see flower displays during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
• Why “Twilight” fans will want to visit the city of Forks
• How to follow the Historic Columbia River Highway by car or bike
• Why Lake Chelan is one of the most scenic spots in the Pacific Northwest
• Where to spot free-roaming caribou, elk and bison in a wildlife park
• What to experience in Seattle's Pike Place Market
• Which sightseeing tours you shouldn't miss on the Puget Sound
• How to tour the Boeing Everett assembly plant, one of the world's largest buildings
• Where to camp, hike and fish in state parks and national forests

What are some of the must-dos covered in this guide?

We know no two travelers are alike, so we've included a wide variety of things to do in each TourBook, from state parks and botanical gardens to landmarks and museums.

We cover the top attractions in Seattle including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, The Museum of Flight, Chihuly Garden and Glass and MoPOP (Museum of Pop Culture), plus attractions in Tacoma, Spokane and other things to do in Washington state.

For adventurers, the guide includes listings for popular outdoor attractions like Snoqualmie Falls in Snoqualmie, Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, Point Defiance Park in Tacoma and Mount Rainier National Park.

You'll find all these attractions and more in this destination guide, plus ideas for family-friendly things to do and places to stay.

Will this guide help me plan a road trip?

Yes, this digital TourBook includes inspiration for scenic drives in Washington state. You can also use the high-quality maps to get started planning your own route.

Is national park information included?

The Washington tour book includes detailed information and travel tips for popular national public lands like Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. You'll also find travel information for national historic sites, national monuments and national forests throughout the region.

Explore the Washington AAA TourBook and start planning your next travel adventure today!