Holiday Happenings in Washington, DC

From the lighting of the National Christmas Tree and ice-skating at the National Gallery of Art to Handel's Messiah at the Kennedy Center to the Washington Ballet's Nutcracker, there are dozens of events to celebrate the season in the city. Being in DC during the holiday season is like being the cool kids in town during Spring Break. Take advantage of fewer crowds in the museums, great shopping in their shops and in neighborhood boutiques and fantastic theatre.

2009 Presidential Inauguration

Please visit the special section of washington.org for up-to-date information for Inaugural festivities for President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President Elect Joe Biden on Jan. 20, 2009 here in Washington, DC.

"A New Birth of Freedom," is the theme for Obama's Inauguration and commemorates the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The words come from the Gettysburg address, and express Lincoln's hope that the sacrifice of those who died to preserve the nation shall lead to "a new birth of freedom" for our nation.

Lincoln in DC

Try creating a powerful experience through Destination DC’s Living the Legacy: Lincoln in Washington, DC promotion, a citywide celebration in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday. Running Jan. 1 through April 30, the promotion examines the life of Lincoln through exhibitions, performances, lectures and tours, plus special offerings at DC restaurants and themed hotel packages.

Highlights of the promotion include the grand re-opening of Ford's Theatre on Feb. 12 after an extensive renovation, the re-enactment of Marian Anderson's historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter weekend and the re-dedication of the Lincoln Memorial on Memorial Day. For more information, and to book packages, visit LincolninDC.com.

New Attractions

National Museum of American History (reopened Nov. 21, 2008)
"America's Attic" will unveil the results of its major renovation Nov. 21. The redesigned museum will feature a new gallery for the "Star-Spangled Banner," a sky-lit central atrium, a grand staircase connecting the first and second floors and other enhancements. Landmark items like the Greensboro lunch counter (famous for its significance to the Civil Rights Movement) and a car from the Dumbo the Flying Elephant Ride (one of Disneyland’s original attractions) will still be on display. The new Lemelsen Center for the Study of Invention and Imagination is a permanent gallery designed to house changing exhibitions. It opens with an interactive exhibition, "Invention at Play," which explores the playful side of invention and the inventive side of play.

U.S. Capitol Visitor Center (opened Dec. 2, 2008)
The largest project in the Capitol's 212-year history, the 580,000 square-foot underground facility is designed to enhance the visitor's experience with new interactive features, orientation theaters and exhibits. As visitors enter the massive underground facility, they'll catch a glimpse of the Capitol Dome through two skylights. Timed tickets for tours of the Capitol, available by advance reservation or same-day, will be distributed on site. While waiting for tours, visitors can browse galleries displaying artifacts from the Library of Congress and National Archives, touch a 10-foot model of the Capitol Dome and even watch live video feeds from the House and Senate. Tours begin with a new 13-minute film exploring the history of the Capitol and Congress, shown in the facility's orientation theaters.

National Museum of Crime & Punishment (opened May 23, 2008)
Located in Penn Quarter, the National Museum of Crime & Punishment dissects the concept of crime and the dark side of the criminal mind. Through interactive scenarios and galleries, the museum explores investigative techniques used by law enforcement officials to solve crimes. Highlights include an exact replica of Al Capone's prison cell at Alcatraz, a realistic forensics lab and an on-site TV studio where "America's Most Wanted," is filmed. Admission is $17.95 for adults, $14.95 for children (ages 5-11), seniors age 60 and older and law enforcement officers. Children under age five are free.

Pentagon Memorial (dedicated Sept. 11, 2008)
This memorial, located on the grounds of the Pentagon, honors the 184 people who perished in the September 11 attacks. Each victim is honored with a cantilevered bench designed for personal reflection. The benches honoring the 59 lives lost inside the Pentagon and the 125 passengers on board the plane face in opposite directions, and the victims are clustered according to their ages.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial:
Scheduled for 2009 completion, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial will be the first major memorial along the National Mall to be dedicated to an African-American. The memorial is designed to commemorate and honor Dr. King's national and international contributions to world peace through non-violent social change. It will be located on the Tidal Basin, near the Jefferson and FDR Memorials. The design features a crescent-shaped-stone wall inscribed with excerpts of Dr. King's sermons, and public addresses will serve as the living testaments of his vision of America. The centerpiece of the $100 million memorial, the "Stone of Hope", will feature a 30-foot likeness of Dr. King.