The District is a festive place to be for the holidays, and DowntownDC is full of activities, restaurants, and more to celebrate the season. Check out the list below and fill your calendar with things to do.
Festive Events
18th Annual DowntownDC Holiday Market
This one-stop winter wonderland shopping event, open daily from noon to 8:00 p.m. through December 23, is a must-visit! Stop by DowntownDC’s outdoor shopping village and find gifts from small businesses and entrepreneurs from across the region, get a snack or two, and take in the season.
DowntownDC Holiday Market, F Street between 7th and 9th streets NW
Holiday Pajamboree at Brickstones Kitchen & Bar
Anyone who stops by Brickstones in holiday pajamas or onesies on Friday, December 16, from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m., will receive two complimentary beverages per table and two free kids meals for family members. Families are invited to enjoy a hot cocoa bar, special holiday cookies, festive decor, and more with a photographer onsite to capture the special memories.
Brickstones Kitchen & Bar, Embassy Suites Washington DC Convention Center Hotel, 900 10th Street NW
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Magical Hostess Lucy Darling takes you through an evening of dazzling performers and breathtaking cirque artists in the spellbinding production A Magical Cirque Christmas. Get into the spirit of the season with this merry treat at the National Theatre that’s perfect for the entire family. The two-hour event is welcome to adults and children older than 3 and will run December 16–18.
National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Frosted at Franklin Park: Iceless Skating and Trackless Train
Franklin Park is filled with spirit this winter, as Frosted takes over with more than 20,000 lights. On Saturday, December 17, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., kids can hop on a trackless train ride through the park, and visitors can try their skills on an iceless skating rink. Both activities are free.
Franklin Park, 1315 I Street NW
Santa’s Sleigh at the Hamilton Hotel
Stop by the Hamilton Hotel through December 26 to see Santa’s sleigh parked outside! Grab a Christmas photo with the life-size gift-delivery vehicle and bring an unwrapped toy for donation to House of Ruth, a D.C.-based nonprofit that empowers women, children, and families to rebuild their lives and heal from trauma, abuse, and homelessness.
Hamilton Hotel, 1001 14th Street NW
Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker at Warner Theatre
Experience the magic of the Washington Ballet’s charmingly D.C.-centric The Nutcracker, with this celebrated ballet set in historic 1882 Georgetown and featuring George Washington, King George III, and other famous figures. Performances continue through December 30.
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW
A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre
Enjoy the holiday classic A Christmas Carol in the historic Ford’s Theatre through December 31. You’ll join the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption.
Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th Street NW
All the Peppermint at Taffer’s Tavern
When you stop into Taffer’s Tavern any day this month between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., they will offer a complimentary treat. Might as well try to the limited-time peppermintini while you’re there.
Taffer’s Tavern, 700 6th Street NW
Holiday Tea
Holiday Tea at the Willard InterContinental
The Willard InterContinental’s Holiday Afternoon Tea is one of the hotel’s most cherished traditions. Seated in the grandeur of Peacock Alley among the holiday decor and elegant sounds of the harp, guests can enjoy a tantalizing array of warming teas, sandwiches, and seasonally inspired pastries.
Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. Hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Holiday Afternoon Tea at the St. Regis
Luxuriate in the hotel’s grand lobby for one of our most cherished holiday traditions. Enjoy the finest selection of teas from Dammann Frères, exquisite tea sandwiches, festive holiday desserts and pastries, and optional Champagne pairings. To commemorate the experience, guests will receive an official 2022 White House Christmas Ornament to take home.
St. Regis Washington D.C. Hotel, 923 Black Lives Matter Plaza NW
Henley Park Holiday Tea
The Henley Park Hotel has a lovely seasonal tea with finger sandwiches, dried fruit scones, holiday bundtinis, tartlets, chocolate truffles, and fresh seasonal berries. Different menus expand the options, and wine is also available.
Henley Park Hotel, 926 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Thé de L’après-midi Des Fêtes Afternoon Holiday Tea
Enjoy a traditional French afternoon tea with seasonal touches. Sweet treats include a cranberry scone, pear frangipane tart, assorted French macarons, and pumpkin spice crème brûlée. Savory additions include herb whipped cream cheese, cucumber, and radish with brioche, and corn cake with smoked salmon, lemon crème fraiche, and pickled red onion. Rounding out the menu is a black truffle egg salad with watercress and country wheat bread. A selection of Metz fine teas, cocktails, and other beverages adds to this magnifique experience. Hot chocolate service will also be available.
Opaline Bar & Brasserie, Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square Hotel, 806 15th Street NW
Christmas Eve & Day Meals
L’Ardente: December 17–24
This Italian restaurant will have its regular menu, as well as a Feast of the Seven Fishes. The feast includes two glasses of Veuve Clicquot, a seafood platter, a squid-ink pasta tossed with lobster, leek sofrito, tomato, Calabrian chili, and lemon confit, a whole stuffed and grilled branzino, and two desserts of guests’ choosing.
L’Ardente, 200 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Estuary: December 22—24
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is part of the Italian Christmas Eve celebration. Estuary will host its Fest of Seven Fishes with snacks for the table, roasted oysters, marinated trout roe, crab Rangoon gougères, smoked fish dip, mussels escabeche, bouillabaisse or XO pasta, and fried whole fish or crab fried rice.
Estuary, Conrad Hotel, 900 New York Avenue NW
Unconventional Diner: Takeout December 22–24 and 26–31
Don’t want to cook but want to stay at home? The chef of Unconventional Diner has created a special take-home holiday menu of beef Wellington with bordelaise sauce, green beans, mashed potatoes, and a slice of bûche de Noël. Heating instructions are included.
Unconventional Diner, 1207 9th Street NW
Fiola: December 23–24
Enjoy a traditional Italian Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes at Michelin-starred Fiola. This culinary experience is known in Italy for changing slightly according to the location and the number of courses, but always highlights the freshest and most delicious seafood, prepared with traditional techniques and innovative touches.
Fiola, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Centrolina: December 24
Enjoy a four-course, family-style, traditional Italian Christmas Eve feast. Options in the prix-fixe include Venetian whipped cod with grilled polenta, squid ink pasta with spicy stewed octopus and bitter greens, swordfish and eggplant Parmesan, and struffoli.
Centrolina, 974 Palmer Alley NW
Immigrant Food: December 24
Immigrant Food at Planet Word will host its annual holiday brunch on Christmas Eve. Expect specials like the milanesa holiday sandwich, made with ham and fontina cheese on toasted sourdough bread topped with garlic butter, dijonnasie, tomatoes, baby arugula, marinara sauce, and two eggs.
Immigrant Food, 925 13th Street NW
RPM Italian: December 24
RPM Italian is offering a Feast of the Seven Fishes menu available for dine-in on Christmas Eve. The four-course menu includes bay scallops with blood orange and champagne vinegar, Maryland crab and Dijon aioli, lemon tajairin with Manila clams, prawns with Sicilian caponata, and more. Wine pairings are available.
RPM Italian, 650 K Street NW
Cure Bar & Bistro: December 24–25
Cure will have a specially curated, three-course meal available à la carte or prix fixe with foie gras mousse, crispy Rohan duck, and bûche de Noël. Complete the experience with optional wine pairings.
Cure Bar & Bistro, Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel, 1000 H Street NW
Michele’s: December 24–25
Michele’s will be open for brunch and dinner on Christmas Eve and brunch on Christmas Day with holiday-themed dishes.
Michele’s, Eaton Hotel, 1201 K Street NW
Opaline Bar & Brasserie: December 24–25
The executive chef of Opaline is preparing Christmas specials such as roasted cauliflower bisque with black truffles and chive oil, duck confit with braised lentils and shaved Brussels sprouts, wild mushroom and black truffle risotto, and white chocolate-raspberry cheesecake.
Opaline Bar & Brasserie, Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square Hotel, 806 15th Street NW
Via Sophia: December 24–25Opaline Bar & Brasserie: December 24–25
This modern Italian restaurant in the Hamilton Hotel has a special holiday dining experience, with a three-course menu including chestnut soup, rib-eye, and tiramisu.
Via Sophia, Hamilton Hotel, 1001 14th Street NW
Willard InterContinental Washington D.C.: December 25
Indulge in the highly anticipated Christmas Day brunches that return to the Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. hotel this year. Set against the magnificence of the Willard and Crystal ballrooms, enjoy this scrumptious presentation of epicurean delights created by the hotel’s culinary team.
The staff is also creating a special to-go menu with your choice of ham or prime rib, three sides, and a chocolate or raspberry-vanilla bûche de Noël. Place your order by December 20 with pickup available on December 25.
Willard InterContinental Washington D.C., 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Yardbird: December 25
Yardbird will host brunch with options such as surf and turf, roasted beets, Maine scallops, and cinnamon roll bread pudding.
Yardbird, 901 New York Avenue NW
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