12 Things to Do in Washington DC in December

Traveling to Washington in December is a great idea, as you’ll be able to enjoy a wide variety of activities beyond just Christmas and carols. Join me on this tour and I’ll show you everything you can’t miss.

From a moving tribute to its war veterans to a charming light show at the zoo, Washington is full of incredible places and unique activities to enjoy.

Every year, in the first days of December, one of the most anticipated events in Washington, D.C., takes place: the Boat Light Parade. At this event, you’ll see a huge number of boats cruising down the Potomac River, decorated with the most beautiful lights and Christmas motifs.

Motorboats, sailboats, and even local fireboats take center stage at this event, lighting up the sky with their decorations full of lights. The parade is also complemented by other attractions set up on both banks of the river: festivals, live music, ice skating, and numerous food stands. Admission to this event is completely free. A great way to wrap up this event is by enjoying a cruise through Washington, D.C

Below are several options you can choose from:

• Brunch cruise in Washington, D.C, starting at $100
• Lunch cruise in Washington, D.C, starting at $63
• Dinner cruise in Washington, D.C, starting at $122

Practical Information

• Location: departs from the Waterfront Wharf.
• Event dates: around December 7.
• Price: Free.
• Time: starting at 5:30 p.m.

One of the must-do activities on your trip to Washington is visiting Arlington National Cemetery. And December is the perfect time to do so, as the arrival of Christmas makes it even more beautiful.

This legendary military cemetery will bring you closer to U.S. history. I recommend booking a guided tour so a professional guide can show you the highlights and hidden gems, such as President John F. Kennedy’s grave. You’ll also get to witness the changing of the guard at the iconic Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

• Sightseeing tram tour of Arlington National Cemetery, starting at $21
• Arlington National Cemetery tour, starting at $69
• Arlington National Cemetery tour for small groups, starting at $55

Practical Information

• Location: Arlington, VA.
• Price: Tours start at €47.
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

And what better plan for December than to escape the cold in one of Washington, D.C.’s best museums, such as:

• The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, starting at $99, which is the second most visited natural history museum in the world after the one in London.
• The National Archives in Washington, D.C, starting at $112, where you can see original documents such as the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, among others.
• The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C, starting at $38, which, with eight floors and 40,000 square meters, houses an extensive collection of biblical artifacts.

Which one do you prefer? Add them to your list and book your tickets in advance.

The Georgetown tour is one of the year-round tours in Washington, but the Georgetown Glow Tour is exclusive to December and has its own special touch. On this tour, you’ll be guided through the picturesque streets of Georgetown, where you’ll see incredible light installations created by various local artists and those from other states.

As you walk through this historic neighborhood, the guides will share stories about Georgetown’s former residents and the history of DC. This is a unique visual experience, thanks to both the lighting and the immense beauty of Georgetown, with its classic brick houses, streets, and even its elegant cemeteries.

You also have the option to enjoy a themed experience by booking the Georgetown Ghost Tour or the Georgetown Food Tour.

Practical Information

• Location: Georgetown
• Dates: throughout the month of December
• Price: Themed tours start at €39 on Hellotickets.
• Schedule: Afternoon and evening

Washington National Cathedral is a true musical landmark. Here you can see and hear one of the largest pipe organs in the world, as well as a men’s choir and a mixed choir.

The choirs sing during evening masses—specifically on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays—and at Sunday morning masses. But in December, you can enjoy these same choirs performing special concerts.

In December, in addition to this beautiful building adorned with Christmas lights and special decorations, you can see the month’s main attraction, The Joy of Christmas, featuring classic Christmas musical works and essential carols. If you want to get there comfortably, book the bus tour of Washington.

Washington, D.C. is home to the famous National Christmas Tree, one of the most iconic symbols of Christmas in the United States. Located very close to the White House, in the northeast corner of The Ellipse, it is decorated year after year with thousands of lights.

In early December, after delivering his traditional Christmas address, the President of the United States lights the tree, which is surrounded each year by many other trees decorated with all kinds of ornaments crafted by artisans from different states and regions across the United States. This is one of the reasons why you should visit Washington, D.C., in December.

It’s worth noting that an online contest is held starting in October for those who want to participate in the tree-lighting ceremony. If you’re one of the winners, you’ll get to witness this spectacular event and enjoy the experience to the fullest. Another way to see the Christmas tree is by booking a bus tour of Washington.

Known as Enchant Christmas, this Christmas light maze features large-scale sculptures made of illuminated structures. The tour invites you to search for Santa’s reindeer.

An ideal event to enjoy with the family. If you’re traveling with children, the little ones can enjoy an exclusive area filled with fun games. You can also go ice skating and, of course, stroll through a classic Christmas market.

Practical Information

• Location: 1500 Capitol Street.
• Dates: November 26 to January 2.
• Price: starting at approximately €28.
• Hours: 4:30 PM to 10:30 PM.

Every December, Washington, D.C. hosts the Winternational Annual Embassy Showcase, an event held at the Ronald Reagan Building where embassies from countries around the world participate and showcase their nations through cuisine, art, music, and dance.

In addition, an international market is organized where hundreds of artisans also participate, offering their creations. There, you can purchase all kinds of handicrafts, jewelry, decorative items, works of art, and foods from different parts of the world without leaving DC.

Practical Information

• Location: Ronald Reagan Building.
• Dates: Around December 8.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: to be confirmed.

Throughout December, the Washington Botanical Garden is decked out in lights to celebrate Christmas. A place of great beauty, it’s one of the must-see spots during your visit to the city. In addition to viewing some 26,000 plants and numerous plant species, it features a special exhibit dedicated to the world’s deserts, where you can admire succulents, shrubs, and flowering plants characteristic of these regions.

Also taking place this month are a series of festive concerts and an annual exhibition featuring the finest plant species and miniature replicas of iconic buildings, such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Within the Botanical Garden is the Children’s Garden, a space designed for children where they can have fun and learn by using gardening tools and interacting with plants, while their parents relax surrounded by nature.

Practical Information

• Location: 100 Maryland Ave.
• Price: free.
• Hours: from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Every year during the first days of December, the city of Washington, D.C., pays tribute to its Scottish heritage. The Old Town Alexandria district presents its Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, where you can enjoy a series of charming events, featuring live traditional Scottish music and more than 100 Scottish soldiers dressed in their classic kilts.

The streets of Old Alexandria fill with the unmistakable sound of bagpipes, while the event offers the most delicious food, wine, and beer.

There are also activities designed for children, such as games, music, and a visit from Santa. Enjoy a unique experience and discover the best of Scottish tradition in DC.

Practical Information

• Location: Old Alexandria.
• Dates: Around December 7.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: starting at 11 a.m.

The Smithsonian National Zoo is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions and is visited each year by nearly two million visitors from all over the world. This charming zoo, where you can see numerous animal species and which also works toward their conservation, dresses up in December for a celebration known as ZooLights.

ZooLights is an event held at the National Zoo year after year. It mainly consists of decorating the park with the most beautiful light displays you can imagine. The brightest lights adorn the park’s paths and rest areas, and everywhere you go, you’ll come across glowing animal sculptures.

This light show is complemented by several musical performances. Of course, the more than 500,000 LED lights that make up this annual show are completely environmentally friendly and safe for the zoo’s animals. This is one of the things to do with kids in Washington, D.C, but adults will undoubtedly enjoy it just as much.

Practical Information

• Location: 3001 Connecticut Ave.
• Dates: TBD
• Price: Free
• Hours: Afternoon

Nearly a hundred vendors gather year after year at the Downtown Holiday Market in Washington, D.C.

This market offers all kinds of products: crafts, clothing, food, and artwork are just some of the things you’ll find. It’s the perfect place to buy Christmas gifts for the whole family.

In addition to shopping, you can enjoy delicious food. The Downtown Holiday Market also features musical performances of jazz, country, rock, soul, and, of course, Christmas carols.

December in the United States, like the rest of the winter, is generally a cold month. Daytime temperatures in Washington, D.C., are usually low, ranging from approximately 11 to 12 degrees Celsius.

On warmer days, the high can reach 18 degrees Celsius. At night, however, it’s usually quite cold, with an average of between 1 and 3 degrees Celsius.

Starting in mid-December, temperatures tend to drop even further, averaging between 6 and 7 degrees Celsius during the day; in the early morning hours, before sunrise, temperatures can range from -3 to -1 degrees. However, most days in December are usually sunny in Washington, D.C., and snow only makes an appearance on a few days of the month.

I recommend packing clothes to help you stay warm while exploring the city. A warm jacket, gloves, a scarf, a wool hat, and boots should be essentials in your luggage.

It’s also a good idea to bring lightweight sweaters and at least one mid-season jacket, just in case you get caught in one of those 18-degree days.

Although low temperatures are common, I recommend packing some lightweight clothing as well, since you’ll warm up quickly while walking.

Generally, the best months to visit and enjoy all the things to see and do in Washington, D.C are June, July, and August, as they offer the most pleasant temperatures of the entire year.

However, December features many unique events and attractions that make up for the cold weather. Just by bundling up a bit, you can enjoy the many treasures Washington, D.C. has to offer, for both locals and tourists alike.