'Tis the season for amazing lights and lot's of cheer! Check out all that's happening in DC this month!
1. United States Botanic Garden Seasons Greenings - Daily from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. until January 5, 2025. Closed December 25th. Annual holiday display “Season’s Greenings” features model trains in the gated outdoor gardens, festive lights throughout the Garden, and the poinsettias, holiday decor, and D.C. landmarks made from plants inside the Conservatory. On select Tuesdays and Thursdays -- December 10, 12, 17, 19, and 26 -- the Conservatory and outdoor train display will have extended hours, staying open until 8:00 p.m. There will be live holiday music and food and drink vendors during these evenings. Cost: Free https://www.usbg.gov/holiday
2. DowntownDC Holiday Market - Daily until December 23, 2025. Be enchanted this holiday season as the DowntownDC BID presents the beloved DowntownDC Holiday Market in the Penn Quarter-Chinatown neighborhood for its 20th anniversary! The holiday market has undergone a rejuvenating transformation under the guidance of our new market operator The Makers Show, renowned for crafting unforgettable market experiences. Cost: Free to attend, market item purchases separate. https://www.downtowndc.org/event/downtowndc-holiday-market-2024/
3. Frosted at Franklin Park - Daily from from 4:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. until December 31st. Wander the evenings through a breathtaking display of thousands of tiny festive bright lights, bringing a shimmery cool front to Franklin Park. Gleaming photo opportunities run throughout the park to turn nightly strolls into radiant memories. Don’t miss the bright glittery icicle walkway, giant illuminating snowflakes, Baby and Momma Bear, and a giant star. Cost: Free https://www.downtowndc.org/event/frosted-at-franklin-park-2024-illumination/
4. Holiday Boat Parade & Party - December 7th 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Annual Holiday Boat Parade & Party at The Wharf. Celebrate the holidays with this iconic DC event that features 60+ beautifully decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel. Party to live music from Yani the Band on District Pier while you sip on hot toddies and drinks from the Corona Cheer Garden. Get into the spirit with ornament decorating, holiday karaoke, s’mores at Camp Wharf, and visits with Santa. Don’t forget to bring your camera to take photos in front of the Jack Daniel’s Barrel Tree and 45ft illuminated Christmas tree on District Pier.
2024 Event Schedule:
5:00–8:00pm — Activities throughout The Wharf (Corona Cheer Garden, s’mores, ornament decorating, live music by DC bands, visits with Santa & much more)
7:00pm — Boats arrive in the Washington Channel, Tommy McFly emcees the parade
8:00pm — Fireworks Finale
Cost: Free to attend, food and drink purchases are separate. https://www.wharfdc.com/boatparade/
5. The Coca‑Cola Caravan in Downtown DC - December 14 from 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. during the Washington Capitals game. The Coca‑Cola Caravan is hitting the road again to spread joy across the country. It'’ll be making a stop at Capital One Arena during the Washington Capitals game. Stop by for a chance to snap a photo with Santa, enjoy an ice-cold Coca‑Cola, and get your very own personalized Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar can! Cost: Free to attend, does not include tickets to the game. www.coca-cola.com/us/en/brands/coca-cola/coke-holiday/caravan
6. Washington Performing Arts: Children’s Gospel Choir - December 18th 6p.m. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. Come sing, dance, and have a gospel-music good time as Washington Performing Art’s Children of the Gospel (COTG) choir leads us in the season’s celebration of good cheer, peace, and love. Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date. Cost: Free https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/
7. Country Christmas Sing-Along Spectacular - December 19th 6p.m. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. For years, the has consistently delivered a dazzling display of yuletide cheer. This is a sing-along you don’t want to miss. Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date. Cost: Free https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/
8. National Menorah - December 25th 4 - 5:30 p.m. The Ellipse. Annual lighting ceremony of the National Chanukah Menorah, the world’s largest menorah, helps launch and strengthen the celebration of “Chanukah – Festival of Lights” in all 50 states and over 100 countries globally. Cost: Free https://nationalmenorah.org/
9. Celebrate Kwanzaa - December 26th until - January 1st at 1p.m. Anacostia Community Museum. The Anacostia Community Museum will be celebrating Kwanzaa with a multi-day program featuring events such as a traditional candle-lighting ceremony, an African Dance Workshop and a family memory box workshop. Cost: Free https://anacostia.si.edu/kwanzaa
10. The Legacy of the Dibinga Sisters and OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center Featuring special guest Dr. Omékongo Dibinga Dec. 27th 6p.m. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. A Kwanzaa celebration! For more than 30 years, the Dibinga Sisters have been a pillar of support for Boston’s youth. This year marks a significant milestone as their nonprofit, OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center, celebrates three decades. Come celebrate the second principle of Kwanzaa (Kujichagulia - Self-Determination) through African inspired dances and music celebrating 30 years. Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date. Cost: Free https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/
11. The Peace and Carol Ringers - December 28th 6p.m. Celebrate over five decades of handbells at St. Matthew’s UMC in Annandale, VA. Under the direction of Tamara Freeman, the Peace and Carol Ringers will perform Songs of the Season. Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date. Cost: Free https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/
12. Extraordinary Cinema: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation screening - December 29th 3p.m. The Justice Forum at the REACH. As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas. However, things go awry quickly. Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date. Cost: Free https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/
