Christmas in Washington DC 2026: National Christmas Tree, Holiday Lights & Festive Tours
Christmas in Washington DC means a national tree on the Ellipse, a towering tree on the Capitol lawn, a million lights at the zoo and markets filled with local gifts. With sunset before 5 p.m. in December, the monuments glow early, so you can see the decorations and the illuminated memorials in one evening. This guide covers the National Christmas Tree lighting 2026, the best holiday lights, what’s open on December 25 and the easiest way to tour it all.
Quick answer: The top things to do in DC for the holidays are visiting the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, seeing the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, ZooLights (November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027), the DowntownDC Holiday Market (November 13 – December 23) and an evening monuments tour. On Christmas Day the memorials are open, but the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are closed.
National Christmas Tree Lighting 2026
The National Christmas Tree has been lit every year since President Calvin Coolidge started the tradition in 1923. It stands on the Ellipse in President’s Park, just south of the White House, surrounded by smaller trees decorated for each U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia.
- Date: The 2026 ceremony date had not been announced as of late September. In recent years the lighting has taken place in the first week of December. Watch thenationaltree.org and the National Park Service for the announcement.
- Tickets: Seats for the ceremony are free but awarded through an online lottery on Recreation.gov, which usually opens several weeks before the event.
- Visiting the tree: After the ceremony, the tree site is free and open to the public daily through about January 1. You don’t need a ticket to visit.
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
Each year a different national forest sends a tree to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. It is usually lit in early December and then glows from dusk until about 11 p.m. every night into early January, framed by the lit Capitol dome. It is free and needs no ticket.
Best Christmas Lights and Holiday Events in DC
| Event | 2026 dates | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZooLights | Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 (select nights) | Smithsonian’s National Zoo | Ticketed, buy in advance |
| DowntownDC Holiday Market | Nov 13 – Dec 23 | F St NW, between 7th and 9th Streets | Free entry |
| National Christmas Tree & state trees | Early Dec – about Jan 1 | The Ellipse, President’s Park | Free |
| U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree | Early Dec – early Jan | Capitol West Lawn | Free |
| National Menorah | Hanukkah begins at sundown Dec 4 | The Ellipse | Free |
| Georgetown GLOW | Typically late Nov – early Jan | Georgetown streets and waterfront | Free outdoor light art |
| U.S. Botanic Garden holiday display | Typically late Nov – early Jan | Conservatory, near the Capitol | Free |
| Union Station holiday tree | Typically December | Union Station’s Main Hall | Free |
Dates marked “typically” follow past years; check each organizer’s website before you go.
Christmas Light Tour in DC: See the Lights and Monuments After Dark
In December, it is fully dark by about 5 p.m., so both evening departures of our DC Monuments Moonlight E-Cart Tour (5:30 and 8:00 p.m.) show the city at its most festive. It is a history tour of the illuminated monuments rather than a dedicated holiday-lights tour, but in December the route passes the Capitol, where the Capitol Christmas Tree stands on the West Lawn, and stops near the White House, a short walk from the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse.
Why it works for the holidays:
- Small groups of up to seven guests in an open-air e-cart, so everyone gets a view.
- About two hours, with photo stops at the Lincoln Memorial, the MLK Memorial and the White House.
- The meeting point at 333 G St NW is about a five-minute walk from the DowntownDC Holiday Market. Shop before your tour, then warm up with dinner in Penn Quarter after.
- $59 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. It also makes a great gift.
For a private holiday outing, the 1931 Buick private monuments tour takes up to four guests through the Capitol and National Mall in an authentic vintage car. Groups and office parties can book a custom private tour.
Tip: Bring gloves and a hat. December evenings are often near freezing, and the open-air ride makes it feel colder.
A Festive Evening in DC: Sample Plan
- 3:30 p.m. – Browse the DowntownDC Holiday Market on F Street.
- 5:30 p.m. – Moonlight E-Cart Tour from 333 G St NW: the Capitol tree, the Lincoln Memorial and the White House.
- 7:45 p.m. – Walk to the Ellipse to see the National Christmas Tree and the state trees up close.
- 8:30 p.m. – Dinner downtown, or head to ZooLights if you booked a late entry.
What’s Open on Christmas Day in DC (Friday, Dec 25, 2026)
| Attraction | Christmas Eve (Dec 24) | Christmas Day (Dec 25) |
|---|---|---|
| National Mall monuments & memorials | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours; no rangers on duty |
| Smithsonian museums | Open | Closed |
| Smithsonian’s National Zoo | Open | Closed |
| National Gallery of Art | Open | Closed |
| Washington Monument interior | Open | Closed |
| U.S. Capitol Visitor Center | Open | Closed |
| Mount Vernon | Open | Open (every day of the year) |
Christmas Day is one of the quietest days of the year on the National Mall, which makes a morning walk from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument especially peaceful. Check our booking calendar for tour availability on December 24 and 25.
Heads-up for 2026: Federal government funding currently runs through December 11, 2026. If Congress does not extend it, Smithsonian museums and some National Park Service services could be affected in mid-December, as in past shutdowns. Check si.edu and nps.gov before your trip.
Tips for Christmas in Washington DC
- Book ZooLights early. Weekend nights in December sell out.
- Plan for early darkness. Sunset is around 4:45 p.m., so schedule museums in the morning and lights in the evening.
- Use Metro. Parking near the Ellipse and the Capitol is very limited in December.
- Stay for New Year’s. The week between Christmas and New Year’s is busy but festive, and most attractions reopen on December 26.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the National Christmas Tree Lighting 2026?
The 2026 date had not been announced as of late September. In recent years the ceremony has been held in the first week of December on the Ellipse. Free tickets are awarded by online lottery through Recreation.gov, so watch the official National Christmas Tree website for the announcement.
Is the National Christmas Tree free to visit?
Yes. After the lighting ceremony, the National Christmas Tree and the surrounding state and territory trees on the Ellipse are free and open to the public daily through about January 1. Only the lighting ceremony itself requires a lottery ticket.
What is open in Washington DC on Christmas Day?
The monuments and memorials on the National Mall stay open 24 hours on December 25, and Mount Vernon is open every day of the year. Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo, the National Gallery of Art, the Washington Monument interior and the Capitol Visitor Center are closed.
Where are the best Christmas lights in DC?
The best Christmas lights in DC are ZooLights at the National Zoo, the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, Georgetown GLOW and the DowntownDC Holiday Market. Many visitors combine them with a night tour of the illuminated monuments.
Is there a Christmas light tour in DC?
Several evening tours run in December. Our small-group Moonlight E-Cart Tour departs at 5:30 and 8:00 p.m. and passes the Capitol Christmas Tree and the White House area while covering the lit monuments in about two hours. It is a relaxed way to see the city’s holiday glow.
Give the Gift of a DC Night Tour
Whether you are visiting for the holidays or looking for a gift, a night on the National Mall is hard to beat. Reserve the Moonlight E-Cart Tour today, and see our Thanksgiving in Washington DC guide if you are arriving earlier in the season.
