The DC Winter Lantern Festival features over 1,000 Chinese lanterns. Photo courtesy of the festival
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The DC Winter Lantern Festival dazzles through January 12. Photo courtesy of the festival
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Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks
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Take a stroll through the Marshall Pond Christmas Village in Burke, VA. Photo courtesy of Kristy Case, from the Marshall Pond Christmas Village Facebook page
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Pull on a signature blue parka for Ice! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National Resort
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Enjoy snow every night at Winter City Lights. Photo by Kyle Lanzer courtesy of the Winter City Lights .event.
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There are so many places to have breakfast with Santa throughout the DC area. Photo courtesy of Theissman's Restaurant's Facebook page
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The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography
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Tackle the slides at Ice! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National Harbor
Tackle the slides at Ice! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National Harbor
12/15/24 - By Jennifer Marino Walters

Christmas Day 2024 is almost here! Whether your family celebrates Christmas and you need an activity to burn off your kids' energy, or it's just another Sunday and you're wondering what's open on Christmas Day near DC, fear not—there are plenty of things to do on Christmas Day in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

Here is our ultimate list of what's open on Christmas Day in and near DC. Most outdoor ice skating rinks and local movie theaters are open as well. And if you're looking to take a break from cooking as a Christmas present to yourself, check out our list of restaurants that are open on Christmas Day.

Whatever you decide to do, we hope you have a wonderful Christmas Day with your family!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

See the lighting of the National Menorah on The Ellipse. Photo by Adam Fagan via Flickr 2.0
See the lighting of the National Menorah on The Ellipse. Photo by Adam Fagan via Flickr 2.0

Things To Do on Christmas Day in DC

National Christmas Tree and Pathway of Peace

Free
The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse is lit every evening and open to the public. Surrounding it are more than 50 smaller trees representing the US states and territories, each featuring unique ornaments created by students. READ MORE

Family Program: Hanukkah Cheer (at Capital Jewish Museum)

Free
Embrace the holiday spirit with family-friendly crafts and activities, in partnership with PJ Library. READ MORE

National Menorah Lighting (on The Ellipse)

Free
One of the most prominent public Hanukkah programs in the world is the annual lighting ceremony of the National Menorah on the Ellipse, just across from the White House. Ticket holders get hot latkes and donuts as well as free dreidels and menorah kits. The US Navy Band performs. READ MORE

The Escape Game Washington DC

In The Escape Game, players are immersed into interactive rooms where they have to follow clues, solve puzzles, and complete missions in under 60 minutes. READ MORE

Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures at Rhode Island Center

Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures is an exhibition that offers guests an unprecedented glance into Ancient Egypt. With hundreds of perfectly reconstructed objects, breathtaking decorations, and fascinating explanations, visitors can step right into the wonder of the most famous archaeological discovery site of the 20th century. Ready to travel to the era of the pharaohs? READ MORE

Light Yards

Free
Light Yards is back with another family-friendly art installation at Yards Park. This year’s holiday light installation, Swinging Bells, invites guests to become part of the artwork by prompting animated light displays and amplifying the cheerful sound of holiday bells through swinging. READ MORE

Tingle Bells at ARTECHOUSE

Come for a holiday celebration where tradition meets innovation, and the warmth of the holidays is reimagined through cutting-edge digital artistry. Let Tingle Bells be a space for reflection, relaxation, and the rediscovery of joy. Step into a world of serenity and sensory wonder this holiday season with ARTECHOUSE’s Tingle Bells: An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special, an immersive digital exhibition designed to soothe the senses and warm the spirit. READ MORE
Sailing Through the Winter Solstice is a dazzling free event. Photo courtesy of the Downtown Frederick Partnership
Sailing Through the Winter Solstice is a dazzling free event. Photo courtesy of the Downtown Frederick Partnership

Things To Do on Christmas Day in Maryland

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. READ MORE

Merry Snoopy Christmas Scavenger Hunt (at Gaylord National Harbor)

National Harbor
Snoopy needs your help to find the most festive decorations for his doghouse. Take a scavenger hunt through the 4.5-acre garden atrium and follow clues to locate some dazzling decor for his famous red house. Find all the decorations and complete the quest to receive a seasonal souvenir. READ MORE

Cirque: Spirit of Christmas (at Gaylord National Harbor)

National Harbor
This 35-minute, 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 Charlie Brown Christmas (at Gaylord National Harbor)

National Harbor
Visitors can experience the beloved holiday ICE! featuring "A Charlie Brown Christmas", a dazzling, immersive, story-driven holiday showplace complete with larger-than-life ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels. READ MORE

Mrs. Claus' Christmas Traditions (at Gaylord National Harbor)

National Harbor
Join Mrs. Claus for a retelling of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, sing along to favorite holiday songs, and enjoy a chocolate chip cookie and milk.  READ MORE

Here We Glow A-Caroling Light Show (at Gaylord National Harbor)

National Harbor
Free
Experience the magic of caroling door to door without moving a muscle in this spectacular holiday light show. Thousands of glowing lights and a custom score create a unique journey through past holiday celebrations. From swinging '20s jazz and the doo-wop of the ‘50s to the funky disco beats and rock and roll riffs of the ‘60s and ‘70s, your favorite Christmas carols come to life. Enjoy a high-energy sing-along finale. READ MORE

Wildlife Rescue - An Augmented Reality Experience (at Gaylord National Harbor)

National Harbor
Free
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 smartphone and free app download are necessary to enjoy this AR experience. READ MORE

Snow Flow Mountain Ice Tubing (at Gaylord National Harbor)

National Harbor
Hop on a tube and slide down real frozen ice lanes on Snow Flow Mountain. Race family and friends to reach the finish. READ MORE

Gingerbread Decorating Corner (at Gaylord National Harbor)

National Harbor
Purchase a gingerbread kit and let your creativity run wild, then have a sweet meet-and-greet with Nutmeg the gingerbread man. READ MORE

Snowball Build and Blast (at Gaylord National Harbor)

National Harbor
Build and toss real snowballs to boost the power of the snowmaking machines and earn points in this experience at Snow Factory, a mechanized, snowy play space. READ MORE

Sailing Through the Winter Solstice

Frederick
Free
Carroll Creek Park once again comes alive with individually designed lighted sailboats. Visitors can view the boats anytime day or night, with the lights turning on at sunset. READ MORE

Washington, DC Temple Festival of Lights

Kensington
Free
The Festival of Lights at the Washington, DC Temple features over 400,000 lights and beautifully decorated Christmas trees. The Visitors’ Center exhibits beautiful créche displays featuring nativities from around the world and hosts many free holiday performances. The lights are on from 4:45-9pm.  READ MORE

Winter City Lights (in Olney, MD)

Olney
The largest light show in the DC and Baltimore areas, Winter City Lights is one of the most technologically advanced Christmas light experiences in the US. It includes a 1.5-mile-long trail of Christmas lights and displays through the woods, a 52-foot-high programmable Christmas lights tree and light show, an eight-lane snow tubing ride, 14 bonfires, and more. READ MORE

Kensington’s Annual Menorah Lighting

Kensington
Free
The annual Kensington menorah lighting takes place at Town Hall, featuring music, treats, and the lighting of the menorah. All are welcome! 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
Experience the magic of the holidays at the Bull Run Festival of Lights, Northern Virginia’s largest drive-through holiday light experience! A family favorite for three decades, the Bull Run Festival of Lights dazzles with a 2.5-mile display of holiday and fairytale vignettes. READ MORE

Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights

Vienna
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights is an elegant garden trail decorated with thousands of sparkling lights. The half-mile walk through the enchanting Meadowlark Botanical Gardens features lighted nature themes and animated displays along a paved wheelchair- and stroller-accessible trail. Stay warm by sipping on a hot beverage (with or without spirits) while walking, and enjoy s’mores to finish out the evening. READ MORE

Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run

Alexandria
Ice & Lights offers a fun, outdoor family experience to see unique holiday lights, take family pictures or selfies with a variety of displays, and take a spin on the outdoor ice rink. The Village opens on November 15, 2024, and ice skating begins on November 29. READ MORE

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon is the historic home of America's first president, George Washington, just a short drive from Washington, DC and Alexandria, Virgnia. READ MORE

Winter Lantern Festival (at Tysons Corner)

Tysons
The Winter Lantern Festival is back this holiday season, with a display of electrifying lights made from more than 1,000 handmade Chinese lanterns. Guests will enter and wander through a wonderland of light and color inspired by Chinese myths, legends, and zodiacs. Attractions will include a bounce house, sugar paintings, dino ride, interactive light swings, see-saws, tunnels, and many majestic creatures. 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
Lerner Town Square at Tysons II