Christmas lights in District of Columbia

10 displays across 1 city — each listing shows when it was last confirmed.

Washington

CityCenterDC Holiday Tree

CityCenterDC, 825 10th Street NW · Washington, District of Columbia

Tree lighting November 29; tree on display throughout the season · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeattraction75-foot Christmas treePalmer Alley lightsAmerican Pops Orchestra at lightingballoon artists and face painters

✓ Verified 2025-2026

District Holiday Boat Parade

Potomac River, from Alexandria, VA to The Wharf · Washington, District of Columbia

December 6 · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeattractiondozens of lighted boatsfireworks finaleSanta visitsornament decoratingvessel prizes

✓ Verified 2025-2026

Frosted at Franklin Park

Franklin Park, 1315 I Street NW · Washington, District of Columbia

November 21 - January 7 · 4:00pm-2:00am (per prior-season listing)

Freeattractionicicle walkwaygiant snowflakesbear family sculpturesshining starphoto ops

✓ Verified 2025-2026

Light Yards

301 Water Street SE · Washington, District of Columbia

November 25 - January 1 · 5:00pm-10:00pm

Freeattractionfree walk-through light installationNavy Yard waterfront setting

✓ Verified 2024-2025

National Christmas Tree

President's Park, The Ellipse · Washington, District of Columbia

Throughout the holiday season · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeattractionnational tree56 state and territory treeshandmade ornamentsnightly musical performances

✓ Verified 2025-2026

National Menorah Lighting

The Ellipse, President's Park · Washington, District of Columbia

Lighting ceremony December 14, then nightly candle lighting through the eight days of Chanukah · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeattractionworld's largest menorahU.S. Navy Bandlatkes and doughnutsdreidels and menorah kits

✓ Verified 2025-2026

Season's Greenings at the U.S. Botanic Garden

U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW · Washington, District of Columbia

November 27 - January 4; closed December 25 · 10:00am-5:00pm, with late nights on Dec 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 and Jan 1

Freeattractionmodel trainspoinsettiasminiature landmarksstring lights2025 dinosaur theme

✓ Verified 2025-2026

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

West Lawn, U.S. Capitol · Washington, District of Columbia

Throughout the holiday season · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeattractiongiant spruce or firthousands of handmade ornamentstradition since 1964

✓ Verified 2025-2026

Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park

Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE · Washington, District of Columbia

November 28 - December 30 · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeattraction100-foot tubing slideNorthern Lights Experiencewinter train rideLED see-sawscurling lanes21+ speakeasy

✓ Verified 2025-2026

ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Smithsonian's National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW · Washington, District of Columbia

November 21 - January 3 · 5:00pm-9:00pm (per prior-season listing)

$6attractionLED lightsglowing animal lanternslive musicwinter treatstimed passes required

✓ Verified 2025-2026

Know a display we're missing in District of Columbia?Add it to the guide.