Winter in Washington means joining in holiday traditions like shopping in Georgetown, ice skating in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden and admiring the National Christmas Tree on the White House Ellipse. When temperatures drop, visitors can also take advantage of low rates at hotels throughout the city.
December is simply magical in DC, with magnificent landmarks like Union Station, the National Gallery of Art and the U.S. Botanic Gardens dressed in holiday style and a cultural calendar packed with festive seasonal performances. When the holidays have passed, visitors can take part in tributes to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Black History Month events or feast on specially-priced menus during the winter edition of DC Restaurant Week.
The city’s top hotels and restaurants pamper and delight Valentine’s Day visitors, and there’s also no better place to celebrate President’s Day than in DC, where you can pay tribute to America’s founding fathers at beautiful monuments and memorials and catch a glimpse of today’s political power players at work and at play throughout the city.
2008 HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS IN DC
Washington, DC is full of fun for the holidays and offers bright lights, prize-winning plays, and magical music for everyone to enjoy. Click here to see what DC has in store for you during this holiday season.
VISIT A MEMORIAL
A visit to DC’s world-famous memorials is a moving experience at any time of the year. Pay tribute to war veterans this winter or honor America’s founding fathers on President’s Day.
SAVOR LOCAL FLAVOR
DC's chefs bring together the season’s heartiest flavors in delicious culinary creations. Sample the menus of the city’s top tables during Washington, DC Restaurant Week, a winter tradition. Click here to make your reservation at any of the area's amazing restaurants through OpenTable.
EXPLORE MUSEUMS
Winter brings an impressive lineup of touring and permanent exhibitions to DC’s museums and galleries - from landscapes by JMW Turner to portraits of hip-hop artists.
DISCOVER NEIGHBORHOODS
Pick up unique holiday gifts at neighborhood boutiques, or warm up as you chat up the locals at a cozy coffee house.
STROLL PARKS & GARDENS
DC’s parks and gardens are especially inviting in winter, when colorful blooms give way to snow-covered landscapes perfect for peaceful walks.
SHOP THE CAPITAL
Make your list, check it twice then head to popular neighborhoods like Georgetown, Logan Circle and Capitol Hill for locally-owned boutiques and nationally-known retail shops.
VISIT INSPIRING PLACES
Find your inspiration this winter in DC's beautiful churches, soaring cathedrals and breathtaking religious sites, where seasonal concerts, exhibitions and special holiday events await. See for yourself why Northeast Washington, DC's Brookland neighborhood is also known as "Little Rome," thanks to its impressive collection of Catholic sites.
