Free Tree Lightings and Christmas Light Displays in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

National Harbor Holiday Tree Light Show
National Harbor, MD
Daily, through December 27, 2025
Each night, families can enjoy a beautiful light show as a 60-foot Christmas tree at National Harbor lights up. On Saturdays at 5:30pm, the show is followed by fireworks. Website

Here We Glow A-Caroling Laser Light Show (at Gaylord National Harbor)
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, MD
Daily, through January 4, 2026
Experience the magic of caroling without leaving your seat! A dazzling light show and custom soundtrack take you through decades of holiday music, from ‘20s jazz to ‘70s disco. End with a high-energy sing-along finale and memories that shine bright! Website

Light Yards
Yards Park Plaza, Washington, DC
Daily, through January 2, 2026
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. Website

Sailing Through the Winter Solstice
Carroll Creek Park, Frederick, MD
Daily, through March 14, 2026
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. Website

CityCenterDC Holiday Tree Lighting
Washington, DC
Saturday, November 29, 2025
CityCenterDC's larger-than-life tree lighting features live performances, a curated holiday art tree installation, sweet surprises, and a limited-edition charitable commemorative ornament. Website

National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
President's Park, Washington, DC
Thursday, December 4, 2025
The annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Ellipse features live musical performances. The tree will be lit every evening and open to the public from December 6 through January 1. Website

Washington, DC Temple Festival of Lights
Kensington, MD
Daily, December 4, 2025 - January 1, 2026
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. Website

Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park
Woodbridge, VA
Daily, December 4-28, 2025
Experience the magic of the season at the 3rd Annual Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park and Boardwalk. Stroll through a sparkling winter wonderland filled with thousands of twinkling lights, holiday-themed characters, a holiday market, and joyful holiday music. Enjoy a hot beverage, seasonal treats and food vendors, and special photo ops along the illuminated paths, perfect for families, friends, and holiday lovers of all ages. Website

National Christmas Tree and Pathway of Peace
President's Park, Washington, DC
Daily, December 6, 2025 - January 1, 2026
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. Website

Leesburg Holiday Tree Lighting
Town Green, Leesburg, VA
Saturday, December 6, 2025
The Town of Leesburg holds its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on the Town Green. Enjoy lights, live music, holiday characters, and community cheer. Website

One Loudoun Holiday Tree Lighting
Downtown One Loudoun, Ashburn, VA
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Celebrate the holiday season at One Loudoun with live music, Santa photos, food, shopping, and more before the lighting of the Christmas tree. Website

Celebration of Lights at Great Falls Village Field
Great Falls Village Centre, Great Falls, VA
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Great Falls celebrates the beginning of the season at its annual Christmas tree lighting. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, performances by local school choirs, a petting zoo, and pony rides before Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by fire truck to light the tree at 5pm. Children are then welcome to share their holiday wishes with Santa. The evening closes with a live Nativity. Website

Free Menorah Lightings in and Near DC

One Loudoun Menorah Lighting
Downtown One Loudoun, Ashburn, VA
Sunday, December 6, 2025
Celebrate the Hanukkah season at One Loudoun with the lighting of the Menorah. Website

National Menorah Lighting (on The Ellipse)
Washington, DC
Wednesday, December 14, 2025
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. Website

Kensington’s Annual Menorah Lighting
Kensington Town Hall, Kensington, MD
Wednesday, December 14, 2025
The annual Kensington menorah lighting takes place at Town Hall, featuring music, treats, and the lighting of the menorah. All are welcome! Website

Free Holiday and Christmas Markets and Craft Shows in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle
1500 block of 19th Street, NW behind Kramers Book Store, Washington, DC
Daily, through December 23, 2025 (except November 27 & December 1)
The DC Holiday Market features over 35 small businesses with artisans, boutique brands, worldwide handcrafts, and unique gift items. The market brings its signature style, local performers, festive decor, and popular holiday treats to an iconic location adjacent to Dupont Circle and Kramer’s Books & Café. Website

DowntownDC Holiday Market at Gallery Place/Chinatown
F Street sidewalk in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery
Centered at 8th and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC
Daily, through December 23, 2025 (except November 27)
With regional artisans, crafters, and boutique businesses of ethically produced goods, the DowntownDC Holiday Market brings a unique and festive shopping village to the heart of downtown DC. There's also a live stage featuring regional performers. Website

German Christmas Village (in Baltimore, MD)
West Shore Park, Baltimore, MD
Various dates, through December 24, 2025
Experience an authentic German Christmas market at West Shore Park at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. There are a variety of vendors, thousands of Christmas lights, live music, rides, food, and more. Website

Mosaic Holiday Village
Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA
Saturdays & Sundays, through December 14, 2025
Shop for everyone on your list from more than 65 makers at Mosaic's Holiday Village. Enjoy live entertainment, Christmas carolers, photos with Santa, and more. Website

Fairfax City Holiday Market
Old Town Square, Fairfax, VA
Fridays - Sundays, December 5-14, 2025
Shop for holiday gifts from local artisans and small businesses at the Fairfax City Holiday Market. On Sunday, December 7, bring a camera to take a free photo with Santa. Website

Leesburg Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show
Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, Leesburg, VA
Saturday, December 6, 2025
The Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show features local and regional artisans selling handmade items including candles, stained glass, carved wood, jewelry, table linens, and more. Website

Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show
John Carlyle Square, Alexandria, VA
Saturday, December 13, 2025
This festive Christmas market in Old Town features arts and crafts, jewelry, baked goods, hair care products, and more from over 110 local vendors. There's also live entertainment, food and desserts, and hot cocoa to enjoy. Website

Other Free Holiday and Christmas Events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Season's Greenings at US Botanic Garden
Washington, DC
Daily, through January 4, 2026 (except December 25)
Celebrate the holiday season in the US Botanic Garden's annual holiday display, with the Conservatory full of poinsettias, holiday decor, and DC landmarks made from plants. In the outdoor gardens, find festive lights and decor and a model train show. This year, G-gauge model trains will chug through displays of dinosaurs made from plant parts, including T-rex, Triceratops, Velociraptor, and more, plus living plants whose ancestors lived alongside them such as cycads, ferns, and magnolias. Website

Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
Hanover, MD
Daily, through December 24, 2025
Get a free 4x6 photo with Santa Claus at Santa's Wonderland in Bass Pro Shops. Kids can also mail their letters to Santa and receive free giveaways. Website

Santa's Wonderland at Cabela's
Gainesville, VA
Daily, through December 24, 2025
Visit Santa at his wonderland in Cabela's and get a free 4x6 photo with him. Kids can also mail their letters to Santa and receive free giveaways. Website

Willard Holiday Caroling
Willard InterContinental Washington, DC
Daily, December 1-23, 2025
Each night, highly accomplished choral and vocal ensembles from around the DC area perform holiday songs for free at The Willard hotel. Website

The District's Holiday Boat Parade
District Wharf, Washington, DC
Saturday, December 6, 2025
More than 60 beautifully decorated boats pass by the Wharf at this iconic annual DC holiday event. Other activities include ornament decorating, s'mores, family photos with Santa, live music under the Wharf's Christmas tree, and a fireworks finale. Website

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront, Alexandria, VA
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Head to the Alexandria waterfront at 5:30pm for a dazzling light display as decorated boats light up the Potomac River. While the parade is the main attraction, families can also enjoy dockside festivities from 2-8pm in Waterfront Park including a pop-up beer garden, food, activities, and more. Website

Bethesda Winter Wonderland
Bethesda, MD
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Celebrate the holiday season with Santa at the Norfolk Avenue Streetery in downtown Bethesda. Enjoy live ice sculpting, a visit with Santa Claus, a student concert, face painting, games, arts and crafts, and a holiday market. Website

Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade
Alexandria, VA
Saturday, December 6, 2025
The annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade is back for its 52nd year to benefit programs that help children and families. Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town Alexandria, joined by pipe and drum bands, terriers and hounds, and more. Website

Greater Manassas Christmas Parade
Historic Downtown Manassas Manassas, VA
Saturday, December 6, 2025
The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade includes marching bands, floats, high-flying balloons, dancers, and more. This year's theme is "Christmas in Candyland." Website

Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-A-Long
Wolf Trap Filene Center, Vienna, VA
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Wolf Trap’s Annual Holiday Sing-A-Long hosts a performance by the United States Marine Band and a sing-a-long of Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs with local choir and vocal groups from the metropolitan DC area. Website

Christmas and Holiday Parade in Leesburg
Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, VA
Saturday, December 13, 2025
The city of Leesburg's annual Christmas & Holiday Parade features floats, live music, and the arrival of Santa. The parade begins at Ida Lee Park and ends at Fairfax Street.  Website