Your holiday getaway to Washington DC will be a magical memory that you will carry with you long after the holiday season ends. The nation's capital is simply stunning during the holiday season when it is dressed in holiday décor and illuminated with the festive twinkle of holiday lights. There are also numerous special events and activities that take place during the holiday season that will add to your great holiday experience in Washington DC.
Mount Vernon is the famous estate of the first US President, George Washington. Tours are available throughout the year that give you a glimpse of what life was like for George and Martha Washington in 18th century Virginia. During the holiday season, you can explore an 18th century Christmas as the Washington's shared together each year with the Historic Mount Vernon by Candlelight Tour. This season tour gives you a glimpse into how the Washington's entertained their holiday guests, celebrated the holidays, and survived during harsh winter weather over 200 years ago. The tour includes a tour of the estate by candlelight as well as hot cider, cookies, and festival colonial-style holiday music sung by the fire.
The National Christmas Tree and Pageant of Peace is one of the most popular events of the season. If you are in town in early December each year, you can check out the festivities as this 40-foot tall Christmas Tree standing in front of the White House is first illuminated for the season. The lighting ceremony includes live musical performances from top name musicians and is typically televised. If you miss the official lighting ceremony, you can enjoy the sparkle of the holiday lights on this grand tree throughout the season. Live music, a yule log, the Pathway of Peace, and a large-scale model train also run throughout the season, giving you a truly magical winter wonderland to explore right at the White House.
Spend some time shopping for your loved ones this season at the National Museum of American Indian Holiday Art Market. This annual event features the fine arts and crafts of Native American Indians for purchase and display. Here, you can shop for fine apparel, ceramics, masks, ivory carvings, quilts, dolls, and many other items. There are also several items available from Ecuador and Guatemala. The event includes live music, food and wine vendors, and more, to give you a truly relaxing holiday shopping experience.
In Old Town Alexandria each year, the Annual Campagna Center's Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend draws in thousands of visitors. This festival is marked by the parade of hundreds of Scottish clansmen walking through the streets of Old Town Alexandria in their Scottish garb and performing on their bagpipes. The festival also features children's tea parties, tours of historic homes, Celtic concerts, a Christmas Marketplace, a visit by Santa Claus, and more.
Include some of these festive holiday events and activities into your holiday plans on your Washington DC getaway this year!
