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Here's What is Open on Christmas Day Near DC

Immerse yourself in an imaginary holiday world at Spectacular Factory: The Holiday Multiverse. Photo courtesy of ARTECHOUSE
Immerse yourself in an imaginary holiday world at Spectacular Factory: The Holiday Multiverse. Photo courtesy of ARTECHOUSE
12/13/22 - By Jennifer Marino Walters

Christmas Day 2022 is almost here, and this year, it overlaps with Hanukkah! Whether your family celebrates Christmas or Hanukkah and you need an activity to burn off your kids' energy, or it's just another Sunday and you're wondering what is open on Christmas Day near DC, fear not—there are plenty of things to do on Christmas Day in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

From outdoor ice skating rinks to Christmas light shows to holiday activities at Gaylord National—including the return of the popular Ice! event—here's what is open on Christmas Day near DC. Remember—you can also see a movie at a local movie theater. And if you're looking to take a break from cooking as a Christmas present to yourself, check out our list of 12 restaurants that are open on Christmas Day. Whatever you decide to do, we hope you have a wonderful day with your family!

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Nationals Park has transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland. Photo courtesy of Enchant DC
Nationals Park has transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland. Photo courtesy of Enchant DC

Things To Do on Christmas Day in DC

The Washington Harbour Ice Rink

Georgetown Waterfront
DC's largest outdoor ice rink welcomes families to enjoy recreational skating in a scenic setting. Penguins for beginner skaters are available for an additional fee. READ MORE

Georgetown GLOW

Georgetown
The eighth edition of GLOW returns to winter this year. Set against the backdrop of Georgetown, GLOW is the area's only free, curated outdoor public light art experience.  READ MORE

National Christmas Tree and Pathway of Peace

The Ellipse
The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse will be lit every evening and open to the public from December 2, 2022 through January 1, 2023. Surrounding it will be more than 50 smaller trees representing the US states and territories, each featuring unique ornaments created by students. READ MORE

Enchant Christmas

Nationals Park
Enchant Christmas includes a giant light maze, a magical ice skating trail, a kids' play place, live music, and a Christmas market and eatery. Kids can also have professional photos taken with Santa and enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Light Yards 2022

Yards Park
Enjoy a free festive lighting installation in Yards Park. Light Yards 2022 features illuminated, 22-f00t- tall trees trimmed top to bottom in holiday decor and lights, designed by Australian artist studio Amigo & Amigo. READ MORE

Spectacular Factory: The Holiday Multiverse

ARTECHOUSE
Embark on a dazzling journey at ARTECHOUSE, where the imaginary world of a gift factory comes alive. Cross immersive digital multiverses filled with holiday themes, from floating giant swinging bells to thousands of nutcrackers, thrilling train rides through wreaths, spinning candy cane carousels, and more. READ MORE
Gaylord National Resort is one of several places to go ice skating on Christmas Day. Photo courtesy of the resort
Gaylord National Resort is one of several places to go ice skating on Christmas Day. Photo courtesy of the resort

Things To Do on Christmas Day in Maryland

Watkins Regional Park Festival of Lights

Upper Marlboro
Watkins Regional Park brings a little twinkle to the holidays with a drive-thru event featuring dazzling displays of more than 2.5 million lights throughout the park, culminating in a giant, 54-foot LED musical tree. READ MORE

SPCA Lights on the Bay

Annapolis
Driving through this holiday light show at Sandy Point State Park is a tradition for many families. It boasts more than 60 spectacular animated and stationary displays along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Snag some 3-D glasses for the full effects. READ MORE

Merriweather Symphony of Lights

Columbia
The Symphony of Lights drive-thru light show is back for the holidays with one mile of beautiful light displays and holiday music. On November 27, December 6 (dogs welcome), and December 31 (fireworks), families can walk through the light display for an additional fee. READ MORE

Inner Harbor Ice Rink

Baltimore
Go for a spin around the ice and enjoy magical water views at Baltimore's Inner Harbor Ice Rink. Keep an eye out for special events at the rink throughout the season. READ MORE

Ice Skating at Gaylord National

Gaylord National Harbor
Enjoy gorgeous views of the Potomac River and the Capital Wheel as you glide on the ice at Gaylord National Harbor's outdoor ice skating rink this holiday season.  READ MORE

Merry Snoopy Scavenger Hunt

Gaylord National Harbor
Go on a scavenger hunt through Gaylord National Resort to help Snoopy deck his house out for the Dog House Decorating Competition. Complete the quest to win a special souvenir. READ MORE

Cirque: Spirit of Christmas

Gaylord National Harbor
This Broadway-style Christmas show featuring dazzling acrobatics, feats of flexibility, and high-flying stunts centers around Noel, a child dismayed and distressed by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Trying to recapture her lost love of the season, she is visited by spirits who bring back the true meaning of the season in energetic, dreamlike chapters. READ MORE

Ice! featuring A Christmas Story

Gaylord National Harbor
Ice! is back at the Gaylord National. Visitors can experience the beloved holiday classic A Christmas Story through larger-than-life sculptures carved by expert artisans out of two million pounds of colorful ice. Don't miss the chance to race down ice slides or take pictures in the various scenes throughout. READ MORE

Mrs. Claus' Christmas Traditions

Gaylord National Harbor
Join Mrs. Claus for a retelling of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, sing along to favorite holiday songs, and share a batch of Christmas cookies and milk.  READ MORE

The Greatest Story Stage Show

Gaylord National Harbor - Free
Experience the birth of Jesus through the eyes of six international storytellers in a musical stage show and multicultural celebration of everlasting faith, hope, and love. Complimentary seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Guaranteed seating can be purchased online. READ MORE

Shine Light Show

Gaylord National Harbor - Free
Brand new for 2022, Gaylord National's Shine Light Show features thousands of dancing lights synchronized to a high-energy, seasonal soundtrack. Animated light curtains glow with Christmas imagery around a centerpiece tree that magically transforms into a glowing holiday spectacle. READ MORE

Wildlife Rescue - An Augmented Reality Experience

Gaylord National Harbor
Search for tracking markers to find 12 hidden animals throughout Gaylord National Resort, learn facts about them, and see them come to life before your very eyes with the magic of augmented reality (AR). A smart phone and free app download are necessary to enjoy this AR experience. READ MORE

Ice Bumper Cars

Gaylord National Harbor
If you like bumper cars, experience the thrill of driving them on ice. Slide, spin, and bump your friends and family as you zoom around. READ MORE

Snow Flow Mountain

Gaylord National Harbor
In this mechanized snow play space, slide through frozen solid factory conveyor belts and ride tubes down a thrilling plummet slide or hilly ice coaster. READ MORE

Gingerbread Decorating Corner at Gaylord National

Gaylord National Harbor
Families can purchase a gingerbread cookie, house, or family kit and let their creativity run wild at Gaylord National Resort's Gingerbread Decorating Corner, then have a sweet meet-and-greet with Nutmeg the gingerbread man. READ MORE
See more than 1,000 Chinese lanterns at the DC Winter Lantern Festival. Photo courtesy of the event
See more than 1,000 Chinese lanterns at the DC Winter Lantern Festival. Photo courtesy of the event

Things To Do on Christmas Day in Northern Virginia

Bull Run Festival of Lights

Centreville
Families can enjoy 2.5 miles of holiday light displays from the comfort of their own cars, then get out to visit the Holiday Village and carnival complete with rides, a visit with Santa, bonfires, and more. READ MORE

Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights

Vienna
Take a half-mile walk on a paved path through Meadowlark Botanical Gardens to enjoy dazzling holiday light displays and a magnificent light show set to music.  READ MORE

Ice & Lights

Alexandria
Elaborate light displays, photo ops, ice skating, and more await at Cameron Run's Ice & Lights Winter Village. After the Winter Village closes on January 1, the rink alone will be open for ice skating on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from January 7 through February 26, 2023. READ MORE

Stonebridge Ice Rink

Woodbridge
Make a reservation online fort a 1.5-hour skating session at the outdoor ice skating rink at Stonebridge Potomac Town Center. Skating aids are available on a first-come, first-served basis. READ MORE

Harris Pavilion Ice Skating

Manassas
Harris Pavilion's ice skating rink is open daily for ice skating through January 2, 2023, then open Wednesdays through Sundays until February 26, 2023. Advance online registration is encouraged. READ MORE

DC Winter Lantern Festival

Tysons
Lerner Town Square at Tysons II transforms into a dazzling world of light with over 1,000 Chinese lanterns portraying Chinese myths, legends, and zodiacs; a world of ice including mammoths, polar bears, and penguins; and interactive light swings, see-saws, and tunnels. READ MORE

Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion

Reston
The ice skating rink at Reston Town Center offers daily public skating, with extended hours for the holidays. The skate shop has over 500 pairs of skates for rent in both figure and hockey styles, ranging from toddler size 8 through men’s size 15. Beginner skaters can try double-bladed, flat-edge skates to walk across the ice until they’re ready to advance to single-bladed skates. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center
Lerner Town Square at Tysons II