Shop, Sip, Sparkle: Your Ultimate DowntownDC Holiday Guide

Holiday season is right around the corner, and Downtown DC is ready to celebrate! From sipping cocoa and snapping photos with Santa to shopping the Holiday Market, catching festive shows, and strolling through sparkling installations, the magic of the season is everywhere in the city. Check out your ultimate holiday guide below to experience the one-of-a-kind holiday fun in Downtown DC.

🎅 SIP hot cocoa and enjoy Breakfast with Santa at Hard Rock Cafe

• Location: Hard Rock Cafe | 999 E St NW
• Date: December 13, 2025

Start your holiday season with a cozy, family-friendly tradition. Bring the kids (and your inner child!) to Breakfast with Santa at Hard Rock Cafe, where you can enjoy festive meal deals, snap a photo with Santa, and relive those magical childhood moments.

🎁 SHOP at the 2025 DowntownDC Holiday Market

• Location: F St NW | Between 7th and 9th St NW
• Date: November 21 – December 23 | Closed on Thanksgiving

Returning for its 21st year, the DowntownDC Holiday Market once again lights up the heart of the city, shining brighter than ever. From November 21 to December 23, Downtown DC transforms into a festive winter village with 115+ local vendors, ready to bring the holiday magic. Wander through rows of handcrafted treasures, indulge seasonal flavors, mingle under twinkling lights, and soak in cozy holiday vibes all season long.

🎭 SEE “ho ho ho ha ha ha” at Woolly Mammoth Theatre

• Location: Woolly Mammoth Theatre | 641 D St NW
• Date: November 12 – December 31, 2025

Add some festive comedy to your holiday outing. Julia Masli returns to Woolly Mammoth with a holiday twist on her award-winning hit. Fresh off a global tour, she invites audiences to bring their holiday problems to the stage for hilarious, unexpected “solutions.”

❄️ SNAP your favorite memory with Frosted at Franklin Park 2025

• Location: Franklin Park | I1332 I St NW
• Date: November 21 – January 7, 2026

Step into a winter wonderland in the heart of the city, where bright, shimmering light installations transform Franklin Park into a magical escape. Wander through the glittering icicle walkway, pause under the giant illuminating snowflakes and star, and visit Downtown’s beloved Baby and Momma Bear. Every corner is a glowing moment — and every walk is a photo-worthy memory.

🌟 SPARKLE with the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration 2025

• Location: CityCenterDC | 825 10th St NW
• Date: November 29, 2025

From dazzling lights to lively entertainment, this annual celebration brings a big dose of holiday magic to the heart of the city. Watch the plaza shimmer as the massive Christmas tree illuminates CityCenterDC, plus Broadway star Michelle Williams will make an appearance as the stage headliner. This is your moment to pause, soak in the cheer, and snap that first iconic holiday photo of the season.

🌲 SAVOR under the National Mistletoe

• Location: Anthem Row | 800 K St NW
• Date: November 21 – January 31, 2026

Complete your holiday itinerary with a stop at the National Mistletoe — a stunning 10-foot art installation bringing festive cheer to every corner of Anthem Row. Traveling with a partner? Mark your calendar for December 13 and join hundreds of couples attempting to break the world record for the most couples kissing under the mistletoe at the National Kiss Under the National Mistletoe.

✨ Make this holiday season unforgettable in Downtown DC! ✨

Discover even more festive happenings and experiences around the city at www.downtowndc.org/holiday-market/holiday-happenings-events/ .