Washington events & things to do in December 2026
Start with National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, plus US Capitol. December in Washington averages 9°C / 48°F highs, 1°C / 33°F nights, and about 12 rainy days.
Expect 9°C/48°F days and about 12 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- National Mall★ 4.8 · 139.6k reviewsThe two-mile park axis links the US Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian museums, and war memorials.
- Lincoln Memorial★ 4.8 · 54.1k reviewsThe 1922 memorial faces the Reflecting Pool and contains Daniel Chester French statue of Abraham Lincoln.
- Hank AzariaDec 1The Atlantis · Source: SeatGeek
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By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Washington in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
48°F / 33°F
8.7°C / 0.6°C
RainPrecipitation
12d
3.6in · 90.4mm
LightDaylight
9.6h
December is cold and festive, with holiday lights and shorter daylight around monuments.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 1 – Dec 23
Downtown Holiday Market
A festive open-air market in the heart of downtown Washington, D.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 1
- Dec 2
Show all 39 events for December
- Dec 2
- Dec 2
- Dec 3
National Christmas Tree Lighting
Annual ceremony marking the lighting of the National Christmas Tree near the White House, featuring musical performances and holiday celebrations.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 3
- Dec 3
- Dec 4 – Dec 31
ZooLights at Smithsonian National Zoo
Annual holiday light display featuring illuminated animal sculptures, festive activities, and seasonal treats at the National Zoo.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 4
- Dec 4
- Dec 5 – Dec 20
Christmas at Mount Vernon
Historic holiday celebrations at George Washington’s estate featuring period decorations, crafts, and special tours.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 5
- Dec 5
- Dec 6
- Dec 6
- Dec 6
- Dec 7
- Dec 8
- Dec 8
- Dec 8
- Dec 9
- Dec 9
- Dec 9
- Dec 10 – Dec 31
Kennedy Center Holiday Performances
A series of holiday-themed concerts, ballets, and theatrical performances at the John F.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 10
- Dec 10
- Dec 11
- Dec 11 – Dec 12
- Dec 11
- Dec 12
Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Decorated boats parade along the Washington Channel, celebrating the holiday season with lights and music.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 12
- Dec 13
- Dec 16 – Dec 31
- Dec 18 – Dec 20
- Dec 19
- Dec 21 – Dec 28
- Dec 22
- Dec 26
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
About Washington
City overview
Washington, DC is a planned capital on the Potomac where the National Mall, federal buildings, free Smithsonian museums, neighborhood nightlife, and embassy rows sit inside a compact district. The Mall is the first-time anchor, but Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, U Street, Shaw, Adams Morgan, and the Wharf carry much of the city beyond monuments.
Food & drink
DC food starts with counter-service classics and immigrant dining: a half-smoke is a smoky sausage split into a bun with chili, onions, and mustard, mumbo sauce glosses fried wings and carryout chicken, Ethiopian meals spread stews over injera, and Salvadoran pupusas arrive as griddled corn cakes with curtido. Ben Chili Bowl on U Street, Eastern Market, Union Market, Adams Morgan, Mount Pleasant, and Eden Center outside the district add crab cakes, jumbo slices, food-hall counters, and power-lunch rooms.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1US Capitol
- 2Washington Monument
- 3Georgetown waterfront and C&O Canal
- 4White House and Lafayette Square
- 5National Museum of African American History and Culture
- 6National Gallery of Art
- 7Library of Congress
- 8National Air and Space Museum
1US Capitol
4.7★ · 4,886outdoorClosed SunThe Capitol anchors the east end of the Mall and houses Congress under its 19th-century dome. Visitor tours start at the Capitol Visitor Center below the east plaza.
Wikipedia
2Washington Monument
4.7★ · 24,193outdoorOpen dailyThe 169m obelisk honors George Washington and stands at the center of the Mall composition. Timed elevator tickets are limited and views depend on weather.
Wikipedia
3Georgetown waterfront and C&O Canal
4.7★ · 7,498outdoorOpen dailyGeorgetown predates the federal city and keeps brick houses, university streets, shops, restaurants, the canal, and Potomac waterfront paths west of downtown.
Show 3 more sights
- 4White House and Lafayette Square
- 5National Museum of African American History and Culture
- 6National Gallery of Art
Neighborhoods
1National Mall and Federal Triangle
This is monumental DC, with museums, memorials, federal offices, long lawns, security lines, food trucks, and heavy daytime walking.
2Capitol Hill and Eastern Market
Capitol Hill mixes government buildings, row houses, Eastern Market, Barracks Row, parks, and quieter residential streets east of the Capitol.
3Georgetown
Georgetown is historic and polished, with brick sidewalks, shops, the university, canal paths, waterfront restaurants, and limited Metro access.
Day trips
25km / 45min by car or seasonal boat from Washington
Mount Vernon
George Washington estate on the Potomac includes the mansion, gardens, museum, farm areas, and river views south of Alexandria.
12km / 20min by Metro or water taxi from central Washington
Old Town Alexandria
Alexandria has 18th-century streets, waterfront parks, restaurants, and the King Street mile, making it the easiest non-DC half-day.
25km / 35-45min by car from Washington
Great Falls Park
The Potomac drops through rocky falls and gorge viewpoints northwest of the city. There is no simple Metro access, so a car or tour helps.
Getting around
WMATA Metrorail, Metrobus, SmarTrip cards, Capital Bikeshare, and walking cover most visitor routes, with Metro strongest for the Mall edges, Capitol Hill, Dupont, U Street, and airports. Georgetown and late-night cross-town moves often need a bus, bike, taxi, or ride-hail.
Planning a Washington trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Washington in December
- Best rainy-day things to do in Washington in December
December averages 12 rainy days in Washington, so keep these indoor stops as realistic backups.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture — The Smithsonian museum opened in 2016 and traces African American life, slavery, segregation, culture, and politics. Timed entry is often required during busy periods.
- National Gallery of Art — The West Building, East Building, sculpture garden, and underground concourse cover European painting, American art, modern collections, and outdoor skating in winter.
- Library of Congress — The Jefferson Building is one of the city most ornate interiors, with mosaics, marble staircases, exhibitions, and a view into the Main Reading Room. It sits across from the Capitol.
- National Air and Space Museum — The Smithsonian museum covers flight, space exploration, aircraft, spacecraft, and science near the center of the Mall. Renovation phasing makes current gallery planning important.
- What to pack for Washington in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Washington checklist.
- A warm coat and insulating layers for average highs around 9°C / 48°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average 1°C / 33°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 12 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Washington
- 4 days covers the main Washington highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
Ready to plan Washington?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Washington plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.