Washington DC family weekend planner
Holiday events in Washington DC: lights, Santa and Christmas shows
Holiday events in Washington DC for 2026: 6 listings across 3 cities — light displays, Santa visits, tree lightings, Nutcracker shows, markets and New Year's Eve, from official calendars.
Washington's family calendar is dominated by the free Smithsonian museums and the National Mall, which makes it one of the few US cities where a full weekend of outings can cost nothing. Local libraries and parks fill the weekday gaps, and the Metro matters more than driving for anything downtown.
What's on this weekend in Washington DC →
Light displays and lantern walks
- Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens — Brookside Gardens, Wheaton · Nov 20
- ZooLights — National Zoo, Washington · Nov 26
- Mount Vernon by Candlelight — George Washington's Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon · Nov 27
- National Christmas Tree — The Ellipse, Washington · Dec 5 · Free
- Member Nights — National Zoo, Washington · Dec 8
Holiday markets, ice rinks and fairs
- Enchant Christmas DC — Nationals Park, Washington · Nov 20
Holiday traditions in Washington DC
Quick questions
When do the holiday lights start in Washington DC?
The earliest listing on this page opens Nov 20: Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens.
What holiday events in Washington DC are free?
1 of the 6 listings here are free, including National Christmas Tree.
Where can we see Santa in Washington DC?
Santa visits are usually announced later in November. This page updates every day as organizers publish them.