Updated. Originally published on December 14, 2015.
While many tourists visit Washington, D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Festival during springtime, Christmas is also a great time to enjoy the U.S. capital. There are plenty of free Christmas activities to do and walking around the beautifully decorated city at this time of the year makes a good Christmas tradition.
Downtown Holiday Market
If you love Christmas markets, D.C. has its very own Downton Holiday Market. You can find locally produced products from artisans and crafters as well as food stalls and live entertainment. It is a great place for Christmas shopping!
It is located in the Penn Quarter neighborhood, in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. The closest metro station is Gallery Place/Chinatown.
The National Christmas Tree and the Pathway of Peace
The White House and the monuments are one of the top things people want to see during their visit. In December, not only will you see these landmarks but you will also see the festive lights of the National Christmas Tree and the Pathway of Peace. It is located at The Ellipse which is part of the President’s Park.
Tickets are only required for the lighting ceremony but the park is free and open to the public for the rest of the season. Parking is extremely limited around the area and can be expensive. I suggested taking the metro.The closest stops are Metro Center, Federal Triangle, and McPherson Square.
Museums, Zoos and Parks
These are free any time of year but in December, these transform into a festive holiday destination with giant Christmas trees and fun-filled events for the family.
The National Zoo is brightly decorated with thousands of lights for ZooLight, which transforms the place into a wonderland. Hundreds of people make this as part of their annual holiday tradition.
If you’ve never been to the capital, consider visiting during Christmas season. There are a lot of fun-filled, family- friendly and most importantly FREE activities for everyone. It is one of my favorite cities!
Jen is a Chicago-based traveler and creative. She is a full-time development & communications executive specializing in non-profit organizations. Originally from the East Coast, she created The Jetsetter as a place to share her travel stories and photos with friends and family. Now, it is a place for adventurers and dreamers. Its purpose is to inspire and encourage busy professionals to see the world and achieve a better work-life balance.