Best holiday festivals and villages in the D.C. area
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Enchant takes over Nationals Park. Photo courtesy of Enchant
'Tis the season for holiday festivals around D.C.
Why it matters: Hot drinks, twinkling lights, faux snow — the season at its best.
Be smart: Anything that's fun, festive, and offers online reservations can book up fast — make those rezzies asap!
Programming note: We'll update this list as the holiday season goes on.
Holiday festivals and villages
⛸️ Enchant: The massive holiday takeover of Nationals Park is like a supersized Christmas village with mega-watt light displays, an ice skating trail through a magic forest, a kids' zone, and a marketplace for shopping, drinking, and eating. Get online tickets ($27-36), Nov. 24-Dec.31
🎄 Christmas at the Harbor: National Harbor goes big for the holidays with nightly tree light shows, Saturday evening fireworks, snow tubing, ice skating, and Ice! The massive ice display (we're talking 1,000 tons) is back at the Gaylord with a Rudolph theme. Ticket prices vary by activity (and some are free), Nov. 19-Dec. 31.
🎁 Downtown Holiday Market: Winter Wonderland returns to Penn Quarter today through Dec. 23. In addition to shopping from local vendors, enjoy music, sweet treats, and warm drinks.
🌲 National Arboretum Winter Festival: Families can shop from local vendors among the greenery and partake in free activities including nature-based crafts and face painting. There's also a Christmas tree sale. Dec. 2, online registration is free.
🇳🇴 Norwegian Festival: Norway House throws an indoor/outdoor festival in Fairfax with plenty of Nordic fun, including lefse demonstrations, fjord horse riding, a holiday market, and a Norwegian café. Admission is free, Dec. 1-2.
⛷️ Lodge at National Landing: The Arlington neighborhood is hosting a ski-themed winter festival with kid-friendly activities, a holiday market, a puppy playground, and "black diamond" fun for adults with axe throwing and spiked drinks. Admission is free, Dec. 1-3.