The DowntownDC Holiday Market Returns November 21 – Bigger, Brighter & More Magical

Unveiling 2025’s Bold New Enhancements and Festive Activations

Media Contact:

• Shelby Jolly | LRA PR | shelby@lindarothpr.com

Washington, D.C. (October 27, 2025) — Today the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) announced the return of the beloved DowntownDC Holiday Market, with an expanded and elevated experience, and new features for visitors of all ages.

The DowntownDC Holiday Market will once again transform F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets NW into a vibrant winter village, open daily from November 21 through December 23, 2025. The market is free to the public and open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Back and better than ever, this year’s market celebrates over two decades of holiday magic with new vendor offerings, and exciting activations that provide something for everyone.

During today’s “Mingle by the Fire” press conference, Mayor Muriel Bowser joined DowntownDC BID officials to unveil enhancements for this year’s market, including an expanded vendor lineup featuring more than 115 local artisans and entrepreneurs offering unique, handcrafted goods, gifts, and holiday decor. A complete list of vendors, holiday activations, entertainment and more are available at downtowndcholidaymarket.com.

“Every holiday season, thousands of people come to the DowntownDC Holiday Market to shop, eat, and take in the holiday spirit. That energy supports our local businesses and keeps our Downtown thriving,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “So, mark your calendars. Make plans to come Downtown. Make a reservation at a restaurant for when you’re down here. And let’s have a great holiday season.”

The 2025 DowntownDC Holiday Market will feature:

• More than 115 curated vendors bring the magic of the season to life, including 20+ first-time participants like the DC Makers’ Guild, Heidi Pix, and Blue Moon Aquarius. Shoppers will discover everything from handcrafted art and home décor to gourmet treats and festive fashion – offering more opportunities than ever to shop small and local right in the heart of Downtown DC.
• 15 festive food vendors, endless flavor! Indulge in returning favorites like S’mores N’ More’s viral hot chocolate topped with toasted marshmallows and candy, and authentic German-inspired fare from The Taste of Germany. New additions include Daikaya’s Kat’s King of Steaks – serving an inventive Japanese-style cheesesteak – and crowd favorite Carmine’s.
• The Winter Chalet by Dirty Habit returns as the Market’s official bar – serving up artisan cocktails and holiday classics such as spiked hot cocoa and mulled wine.
• A printed gift guide will spotlight maker stories, product highlights, and more to help shoppers buy local and meaningful gifts.
• Shoppers can memorialize their dreams on the DC Dream Wall, an oversized chalkboard installation celebrating community hopes and creativity.
• The Dov Co. Craft Café will feature creative craft workshops for children and adults.
• Live entertainment will grace the main stage, presented by the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME).

“The DowntownDC Holiday Market has long captured what makes our city so special – its creativity, culture, and community spirit,” said Gerren Price, President and CEO of the DowntownDC BID. “It’s also one of my family’s favorite traditions. There’s nothing like seeing downtown come alive with lights, laughter, and local talent. This year, we’re celebrating even more small and local businesses that reflect the true heart of the District. DowntownDC is safe, beautiful, and brimming with holiday cheer – and we can’t wait to share it with everyone.”

From live music and twinkling lights to one-of-a-kind finds and cozy treats, the DowntownDC Holiday Market is the go-to destination for seasonal cheer, all in the heart of the nation’s capital.

The DowntownDC BID is partnering with The Makers Show – a women-founded market operator dedicated to equity, sustainability, and small business growth – to manage and enhance vendor operations. This collaboration helps diversify the vendor lineup, provide reduced booth rates, staggered activations, and scholarship opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs. More than seventy percent of the vendors at this year’s Market are BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ or women owned. Eleven vendors received scholarships totaling more than $70,000.

The DowntownDC BID also announced the return of several beloved holiday events designed to make the city shine all season long. Highlights include the National Mistletoe at Anthem Row (800 K Street NW) – where Washingtonians will have the chance to help set a Guinness World Record for the most kisses under the mistletoe – and an expanded Winter Skate Spectacular at the National Building Museum, running through February and paired with The Wave, the museum’s stunning new aerial installation. The BID will also continue to amplify holiday programming from Downtown’s world-class cultural institutions, theaters, and partners, creating an unforgettable, citywide celebration of the season.

To arrange media interviews about the DowntownDC Holiday Market please contact Shelby at downtowndcbid@lindarothpr.com and all high-res media images will be updated HERE.

###

About the DowntownDC BID

DowntownDC is the most diverse and exciting neighborhood in one of the most important cities in the world. Here, locals and visitors find all the most thrilling experiences of D.C. in 140 walkable and transit-rich blocks: business, education, and government; shopping and dining; parks, art, music, sports, theater, history – adding up to a bright future. The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) was founded in 1997 as the city’s first private nonprofit place management organization where property owners agree to tax themselves to fund services that enhance people’s experiences in the neighborhood. The BID’s area includes 530 properties and is defined by Massachusetts Avenue on the north, including the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at Mount Vernon Square, to Constitution Avenue on the south, and from Louisiana Avenue on the east to 16th Street on the west.

About The Makers Show

The Makers Show (TMS) is a mixed-use retail market platform rooted in social justice. Founders Julie Feltman and Tiziana Indelicato have more than a decade of New York City holiday market-making and retail experience. Promising a commitment to promoting equity and community investment through local marketplaces, TMS believes in keeping resources in local economies by using sustainable materials as well as amplifying businesses owned by BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, and other underrepresented groups. And of course, helping consumers shop local. Since its inception in 2020, TMS has produced a dozen of large-scale markets in Brooklyn and Boston, in partnership with city authorities and developers. TMS continues to create immersive and festive marketplaces that engage, enchant and inspire.