For winter fun, DC offers long list of ways to celebrate holiday season

Small trendy bars, big-name chefs, major sports make DC a hot destination this winter

WASHINGTON, DC – With a seemingly endless array of seasonal celebrations and ways to embrace the holiday spirit, DC shines brightly this winter. Discover beloved local traditions, like lavishly decorated hotels, European style holiday markets, tree lighting ceremonies and seasonal theater. Combine these experiences with a flurry of exciting restaurant and trendy bar openings, as well as sports drawing global attention, and the nation’s capital offers the complete package for a winter getaway. Maximize the value of DC and plan your trip at .

DC’s historic hotels are known for going all-out, with festive décor, themed afternoon teas and Instagram-worthy pop-up bars. The city’s theater community produces timeless shows, including the 365�Թϲ�� Ballet’s Nutcracker. Enjoy ice skating at , , and the . DC also boasts two European style markets and a plethora of neighborhood markets and events to explore. The rejuvenated in Penn Quarter (Nov. 21-Dec. 23) will once again transform F Street into a vibrant winter village with more than 115 local makers (20 new to the market) and 15 festive food vendors. More than 70 percent of the vendors are BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ or women owned.

On Dec. 13, megastar John Cena’s highly anticipated final WWE match will take place at Capital One Arena. Downtown DC will welcome fans with community-driven initiatives and ancillary events, including the taping of an episode of “Six Feet Under with The Undertaker” at the Howard Theatre on Dec. 12. Gallery Space DC will host the official WWE Superstore.

“The global appeal of the Sports Capital will be on full display this winter, as world-class events, creativity and amazing food never stop in DC. The city’s 700,000 residents remain ready to warmly welcome visitors,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, president and CEO, Destination DC. “Add the many enchanting ways in which the city always embraces the holiday season, and potential travelers have an extensive list of reasons to visit DC for experiences they can only have here.”

The culinary scene in DC, a legacy Michelin Guide city, continues to sizzle with a wave of internationally acclaimed chefs and bartenders laying roots. Lauded chef Cedric Maupillier is behind splashy French-Mediterranean and Chef Tadayoshi Motoa brings his extraordinary talent to the U.S. for the first time with , a 12-seat counter experience. The Union Market District welcomes celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s and , the famed Asheville homage to Indian street food. James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina launched in Tenleytown and Lagos-based opens its first U.S. location inside The Square food hall.

There is also a flurry of trendy bars opening across DC, including the first U.S. outpost of World's 50 Best Bar in Georgetown. The internationally acclaimed team of Alex Resnik and “Tato” Giovannoni first introduced Brasero in Buenos Aires, before expanding to Barcelona, Bahrain and now DC. In Adams Morgan, chefs Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy, the husband-wife team behind Pascual and Lutéce, opened . The polished opens in Mt. Vernon Triangle and no phones are allowed in H Street’s new . and add to DC’s trend of more than 30 new or renovated rooftops in five years.

New hotels include the , combining the best of hotel and apartment-style living, and Dupont Circle’s , with locations in Beverly Hills and New York City. The has received a full-property transformation in anticipation of its 50th anniversary in 2026, while the has unveiled a restoration to its 335 accommodations. The Eurostars Hotel Group acquired the and the new CitizenM Georgetown is anticipated to open in early 2026.

Using cutting-edge technology, the new explores ingenuity, perseverance and possibility in a nation of immigrants. On Nov. 10, the reopens, honoring the heroic roles of 209,145 U.S. Colored Troops who helped end slavery and keep America united under one flag.

Throughout 2026, 365�Թϲ��, DC will be center stage for America’s 250th, with events in all four seasons across cultural institutions, hotels, restaurants, theaters and more. No place tells America’s story as vividly as DC – a city uniquely equipped to discover the impact of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the only place to see it. Explore only-in-DC experiences for the occasion: .

Major openings in 2026 include:

(spring 2026)
(spring 2026)
(summer 2026)
(July 2026)
(July 2026)
(October 2026)
(fall 2026)

Anniversaries in 2026:

75th Anniversary of Arena Stage
50th anniversary of the National Air and Space Museum
50th anniversary of the Art Museum of the Americas
10th anniversary of the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Exhibits and Programming:

, ongoing
A journey through art, history and community in historic Anacostia.
, through January 2026
A stunning collection of outdoor sculptures and window art in DC’s Golden Triangle.
, Oct. 15-March 8, 2026
The solo exhibition at the National Museum of Women in the Arts is a celebration of Black childhood, Black resistance, history and self-determination.
, Oct. 16-Dec. 31
Recent work by local artists Jae Ko, linn meyers, Joyce J. Scott and Renée Stout at the Kreeger Museum.
, Nov. 8-Feb. 15, 2026
The Phillips Collection presents artists from its permanent collection to build a story about how people, cultures, landscapes and histories of the U.S. have been imagined.

Seasonal Theater:

, Nov. 13-Dec. 21
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company invites audiences to bring their holiday problems to the stage for a hilarious and surprising solution. A completely different show every night.
, Nov. 29-Dec. 28
A local tradition for over 60 years, this DC-themed production at the Warner Theatre features dancing cherry blossoms, Harriet Tubman and George 365�Թϲ��.
, Dec. 5-7
Experience the triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus” by the 365�Թϲ�� National Cathedral Choir and Baroque Orchestra under the Cathedral’s soaring architecture.
, Dec. 13-14, 20
The annual holiday show at Lincoln Theatre features new arrangements of holiday carols. The reindeer will be high-kicking and the snowflakes will sparkle!
, Dec. 5-21
The world’s first holiday show highlighting the African American tradition of stepping returns to Arena Stage for its 31st season.
, Dec. 30-Jan. 4, 2026
The record-setting Broadway sensation comes to the National Theatre.

Dazzling Displays and Holiday Delights:

(Dupont Circle), Nov. 14-Dec. 23
Find unique gifts by over 35 local artists, crafters and small businesses.
, Nov. 15-Jan.4
The 50-foot heated rooftop dome atop Union Market hosts a visual and culinary holiday experience with state-of-the-art winter scenes projected overhead and festively decorated bars.
(Penn Quarter), Nov. 21-Dec. 23
A DC tradition for more than two decades features an expanded vendor lineup with more than 115 local artisans offering unique, handcrafted goods, gifts and holiday décor.
, Nov. 21-Dec. 23
Aerial art installation by artist My Ly comes to Anthem Row.
, Nov. 22
The annual unveiling includes special photo opportunities with holiday characters.
, Nov. 23-Jan. 3, 2026
A festive scavenger hunt that explores the District and supports local businesses.
Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park, Nov. 28-Dec. 24
The stadium transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland, complete with snow tubing, curling, kids’ activities and an adults-only ski chalet.
, Nov. 29-Early January 2025
The luxury shopping destination celebrates 12 years of displaying a jaw-dropping 75-foot tree and accompanying décor.
, Dec. 1-7
Celebrates local cocktail culture in restaurants across the region with delicious cocktail, mocktail and bite pairings.
, Dec. 2
Shop handmade goods from independent artists and food vendors.
, Dec. 4-7
Inspired by traditional German Christmas markets, the event features 40-50 local vendors in the Castle Garden.
, Dec. 6
Over 60 beautifully decorated boats will parade along the 365�Թϲ�� Channel.
, Dec. 6
Enjoy live holiday music throughout charming Georgetown as more than 40 shops and restaurants offer special discounts, complimentary refreshments and pop-up events. Don’t miss the procession of the St. Lucia Choir from the Embassy of Sweden to 365�Թϲ�� Harbour. The Embassy is also hosting its annual Swedish Holiday Market.
, Dec. 6, 13, 20
A twice-monthly open-air market in the heart of Dupont Circle that celebrates creativity, culture and community with local makers.
Holiday Her-Story Market at Hotel Zena, Dec. 6
Spotlighting the DMV's visionary female artisans, makers and entrepreneurs.
, Dec. 7
Shop handmade jewelry, art, ceramics and vintage pieces from women and gender-expansive vendors and artists. The Maker’s Market takes place during a Free Community Day, so guests can continue to the galleries for further inspiration.
, Dec. 20-21
Watch stunning holiday fireworks over the Potomac River, shop a winter market featuring goods that are handmade by colonial artisans and chat with people from 365�Թϲ��’s world to learn about 18th-century holiday traditions.
, Dec. 27-Feb. 8
A unique indoor skating experience in the museum’s Great Hall.
Festive hotels
The historic famously transforms into a holiday wonderland complete with nightly caroling. The chic collaborates with celebrated fashion designers for its bejeweled tree. The and also boast Instagram-worthy seasonal décor. Rosewood 365�Թϲ��, DC’s The Lodge at CUT Above offers an immersive winter atmosphere, while a winter chalet pops up at , complete with an on-site snow cannon. The offers Nutcracker afternoon tea, the offers sips and s’mores and the offers gingerbread house displays and a Holiday Helper Hotline.
Making Spirits Bright
Bars like Miracle at Death Punch, Penn Social, Wunder Garten, Urban Roast, Duke’s Grocery, Lulu’s Winegarden, Death & Co., Mercy Me, MXDC, Colada Shop and Swinger’s Crazy Golf are known for drinks and décor that fit the season.