Beyond the World Records: Holiday Romance Lives in Downtown DC

On Saturday, December 13, nearly 3,000 visitors filled Anthem Row for the National Kiss Under the National Mistletoe, wrapped in festive red and green. While the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt was the headline, the real story went far beyond the record—it’s about shared joy, romance, and the spirit of community.

Beneath the towering National Mistletoe installation, 1,435 couples shared 1,435 kisses simultaneously, making DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) the new official holder of the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most couples kissing under the mistletoe.

“Breaking a Guinness World Records title is an incredible moment for Downtown DC, but what’s even more meaningful is seeing our community come together and celebrate in the heart of the district. Events like this show the true vibrancy, creativity, and energy of the city we love.” – said Gerren Price

But, beyond the title, the National Kiss moment was rooted in something deeper: inspiration, bold vision, and a genuine love for Downtown DC.

It all began with the idea of an “imagined” National Mistletoe, dreamed up by DowntownDC BID President & CEO Gerren Price, during a proposal to his wife. What started as a personal moment between two people gradually grew into a city-scale installation, created to bring the community together in the heart of Downtown.

Turning that vision into reality required meticulous planning and behind-the-scenes coordination led by Lukas Umana, DowntownDC BID Director of Public Space and Operations. From collaborating with artist My Ly of My Ly Design to design and suspend the 10-foot National Mistletoe more than 30 feet above Anthem Row, to managing the temporary closure of K Street to create the official Kissing Zone, Lukas was the very ink that wrote this moment into history.

“Public art is powerful—it’s a great way to draw people into a space. By aligning events with these installations, we add another layer of engagement that drives foot traffic and creates meaningful economic impact for our stakeholders.” – said Lukas Umana

With nearly 6,000 couples registered, Lukas had a puzzle to solve: creating a seamless experience for attendees while checking all the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ boxes, including couple standing markers, a single entry point, and real-time counting by an official adjudicator. Despite the scale, the process unfolded smoothly, building anticipation and momentum as the countdown approached and showing that thoughtful coordination can turn logistics into magic.

Now etched into the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ book, this milestone stands as a testament to the power of connection, love, and community. And to the hundreds of couples who showed up, locked lips, and made history together—this record belongs to you.

Scroll through the full photo gallery to relive the moment, spot your kiss, and keep the smooches going! 💋✨