December in Washington DC means short days and cold air, with daylight fading by 4:45pm and a damp Potomac wind that gets through anything thinner than a proper winter coat. Average highs sit around 9°C (48°F), and overnight lows hover near 0°C (33°F). If comfortable outdoor weather is the priority, April or October are stronger choices.
But December offers something those months do not. The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse anchors a month of holiday programming across the city. Georgetown's shop windows along M Street fill with seasonal displays, and the Downtown Holiday Market on F Street NW runs daily through December 23, its food stalls sending the scent of roasted chestnuts and warm spiced cider down the block. The Smithsonian Institution, founded in 1846, still charges nothing for admission. In December, the galleries are noticeably emptier than during cherry blossom season. You can stand in front of the Hope Diamond at the National Museum of Natural History without a crowd at your back.
Mind you, this is genuine winter. Gray skies outnumber clear ones more often than not. Snow is possible, though heavy accumulation is rare. Congress recesses by mid-December, which thins the professional crowd and makes restaurant reservations in Penn Quarter and Capitol Hill easier to land. Hotel rates stay moderate, dipping further in the stretch between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.
Why visit in December
- The Smithsonian complex becomes more accessible in December, with shorter lines and room to linger in galleries that feel shoulder-to-shoulder during warmer months.
- Holiday programming runs city-wide through the month, including light displays at the National Zoo, concerts at the Kennedy Center, and a long-running production of A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theatre.
- Accommodation costs sit below the spring and summer peaks, with the post-Christmas week offering some of the lowest nightly rates of the year.
- The congressional recess thins weekday foot traffic, making it easier to get tables at restaurants in neighborhoods like Dupont Circle and along Barracks Row on Capitol Hill.
Worth knowing
- A persistent wind off the Potomac and along the open Mall corridor drops the felt temperature well below what the thermometer reads, particularly near the waterfront and around the Washington Monument.
- The shortest days of the year compress outdoor plans. Sunrise comes after 7:15am, and by late afternoon the monuments are in shadow.
- Precipitation arrives as cold rain, sleet, or occasionally wet snow, making the Mall's gravel paths and marble memorial steps slippery on roughly a third of December days.
Best for
Think twice if
December brings proper winter to Washington DC. Mornings often start with frost on car windshields and a raw feel in the air. Afternoon highs typically reach about 9°C (48°F), though clear days with direct sun feel warmer than the reading suggests. Nights regularly touch freezing or dip slightly below. The humidity sits around 70%, which gives the cold a damp, penetrating quality that visitors from drier climates find sharper than expected. Precipitation arrives on about 9 days across the month, totaling around 98mm, mostly as cold rain. One or two snow events are typical, though accumulation beyond a few centimeters is uncommon. The Potomac waterfront and the open Mall corridor channel wind that adds a real bite.
Seasonal caution
- Overnight temperatures regularly fall below 0°C (32°F), and wind chill in exposed areas like the National Mall and Tidal Basin can push the felt temperature well below freezing. Limit time outdoors after sunset without proper layering.
- Occasional freezing rain or ice events make the Mall's stone walkways, memorial steps, and gravel paths treacherous. When the National Weather Service issues a freezing rain advisory, stick to indoor attractions and well-salted city sidewalks.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6 | -2 | 84 |
| Feb | 9 | 0 | 82 |
| Mar | 15 | 4 | 98 |
| Apr | 20 | 8 | 95 |
| May | 24 | 13 | 139 |
| Jun | 29 | 18 | 138 |
| Jul | 31 | 21 | 168 |
| Aug | 30 | 20 | 140 |
| Sep | 26 | 17 | 118 |
| Oct | 20 | 10 | 78 |
| Nov | 14 | 4 | 62 |
| Dec | 9 | 0 | 98 |
Holidays and festivals in December
Public holidays
- Christmas Day(Christmas Day)25 December 2026
When is Christmas season in 2026?
27 November to 26 December 2026
Christmas season is a major cultural celebration in Washington DC. In 2026 it runs from 27 November to 26 December 2026.
Washington DC Christmas Eve Plated Dinner Cruise
- 3 hr
- Free cancellation
- Easy pace
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Washington DC Christmas Eve Brunch Buffet Cruise
- 2 hr
- Free cancellation
- Easy pace
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Private Walking Tour in Washington with Christmas Markets
- 2 hr
- Free cancellation
- Private tour
- Easy pace
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Washington, DC: National Christmas Tree & Holiday Lights Bus Tour
- 2.5 hr
- Free cancellation
- Easy pace
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Headline events
National Christmas Tree Lighting
Late November or early December (lighting ceremony); display open daily through early January
The President lights the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, south of the White House, continuing a tradition that has run every year since 1923. The tree and its surrounding Pathway of Peace, featuring 56 smaller trees representing every U.S. state and territory, remain on display and open to the public through early January. The nightly scene on the Ellipse, with the lit tree against the White House backdrop, draws steady foot traffic all month.
Best things to do in December
Ice skating at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
outdoorThe open-air rink in the Sculpture Garden sits surrounded by large-scale sculptures and looks directly toward the National Archives building. Skating after dark, with the sculptures lit and the Capitol dome visible to the east, is one of December's genuinely atmospheric experiences.
The rink opens seasonally from mid-November through mid-March, but December's holiday lighting and cooler-not-brutal temperatures make it the most pleasant month to skate before January's deep cold arrives.Booking tipWeekday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm typically have the shortest wait for skate rental. Weekend evenings draw long lines.
ZooLights at the Smithsonian National Zoo
familyThe National Zoo's evening light display covers its main pathways with themed LED installations, illuminated animal sculptures, and a tall lit tree near the Connecticut Avenue entrance. The walk through the display takes about 90 minutes at a comfortable pace, and hot chocolate stands line the route.
ZooLights runs from late November through January 1. December evenings are the core window, and the display is not available the rest of the year.Booking tipEntry is free but timed passes are required. Reserve online at least a week ahead for weekend nights. Weeknights are significantly less crowded.
Exploring the National Gallery of Art's West Building
museumThe West Building, founded in 1937, houses European old masters, French Impressionists, and American art in marble-floored galleries that stay a steady 21°C (70°F) year-round. You could spend 4 hours here and still not see every room.
December's thin crowds make this the ideal month for an unhurried visit. During peak season, the popular Impressionist galleries fill 3 or 4 people deep at the major paintings.Walking the monuments on the National Mall at dusk
sightseeingThe Lincoln Memorial, completed in 1922, and the Washington Monument anchor opposite ends of the Reflecting Pool corridor. At dusk, the monuments glow under floodlights, and in December you might share the Lincoln Memorial steps with fewer than a dozen other visitors.
The early sunset means dusk falls before 5pm, making a dramatic lit-monument walk accessible without staying out past 6pm. Summer visitors would need to wait until 9pm for the same effect.Holiday concerts at the Kennedy Center
performing artsThe John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts runs a concentrated holiday schedule in December, including the National Symphony Orchestra's holiday pops series and performances of Handel's Messiah. The building's terrace also offers a free panoramic view of the Potomac, worth seeing even if you skip the ticketed events.
The holiday concert season runs exclusively from late November through late December. The NSO Holiday Pops and the annual Messiah are December-only traditions.Booking tipPopular performances sell out by early November. Check the Kennedy Center calendar in October if a specific concert matters to your trip.
Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery
culturalOn a single Saturday in December, volunteers place wreaths on headstones across the 639 acres of Arlington National Cemetery, founded in 1854. The ceremony and wreath-laying are open to the public. It is solemn, cold, and unlike anything else on the standard tourist circuit.
Wreaths Across America takes place only once a year, on the third Saturday of December. The event does not repeat in any other month.Booking tipNo ticket required, but arrive by 9am to participate in the wreath-laying. Parking fills quickly. Take Metro to Arlington Cemetery station instead.
Holiday shopping at Eastern Market
shoppingEastern Market on Capitol Hill runs an indoor market hall year-round, but December weekends bring additional outdoor artisan vendors selling handmade ornaments, pottery, and gifts under temporary shelters along 7th Street SE. The indoor hall stays warm and sells produce, baked goods, and prepared food.
The holiday vendor expansion runs only through December. The mix of regular market sellers and seasonal artisans creates a shopping atmosphere the rest of the year does not match.What to eat in December
On menus now
Maryland crab soup, winter style
The winter variant of Maryland's crab soup swaps a cream base for a spiced tomato broth with root vegetables, celery, and Old Bay seasoning. Restaurants around Capitol Hill and Georgetown serve it through the cold months as a warming starter.
What to drink
Hot spiced apple cider
Warm cider with cinnamon, clove, and star anise is the standard drink at outdoor holiday markets and seasonal pop-ups. Virginia orchards supply much of the regional cider, and spiked versions with bourbon appear on bar menus in Adams Morgan and along U Street.
Boozy eggnog
DC bars put their own spin on eggnog through December, often using Virginia bourbon or local rye whiskey. Several cocktail bars along the 14th Street corridor run dedicated eggnog menus through the holiday weeks.
In markets
Chesapeake Bay oysters
Cold-month harvest brings Chesapeake oysters to peak brininess. December is prime time for Rappahannock and Chincoteague varieties, served on the half shell at raw bars across the city. The old rule about eating oysters only in months with an R still holds water here.
Regular events in December
Downtown Holiday MarketFree
An open-air market with about 70 vendors selling crafts, jewelry, art, and seasonal food on F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets. Runs daily from late November through December 23.
Late November through December 23, daily from noonGeorgetown GLOWFree
An outdoor light-art installation along the Georgetown waterfront and canal, featuring works by contemporary artists. The installations are viewable on foot, and the walk takes about 45 minutes.
Early December through late JanuaryWashington National Cathedral Christmas services and concerts
The Cathedral, which broke ground in 1910 and took 83 years to complete, hosts Advent services, a Festival of Carols, and Christmas Eve liturgies. The stone nave amplifies choral sound in a way no concert hall replicates.
Throughout December; Christmas Eve services at 4pm, 7pm, and 10pmPageant of PeaceFree
The area around the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse hosts nightly entertainment, live musical performances, a Yule log, model trains, and holiday displays throughout December.
Early December through January 1, nightlyNational Menorah LightingFree
A large public menorah is lit on the Ellipse for Hanukkah. The ceremony draws several hundred attendees and includes musical performances and speakers.
First night of Hanukkah (date varies yearly; falls in late November or December)Best places this December
Georgetown
neighborhoodThe neighborhood's Federal-era rowhouses and cobblestone side streets look their best dressed in holiday lights. M Street and Wisconsin Avenue have the concentration of shops and restaurants. The waterfront stretch hosts Georgetown GLOW's light installations through January.
GeorgetownThe Wharf
waterfrontDC's Southwest waterfront district runs holiday programming through December, including an outdoor ice rink and a seasonal tree lighting. The boardwalk restaurants offer heated patios for waterfront dining even in cold weather.
SouthwestLibrary of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building
museumThe Jefferson Building's interior is one of the most ornate public spaces in the country. Gilded ceilings, mosaic floors, and the Main Reading Room's domed ceiling are all free to visit. In December, the building is warm, uncrowded, and largely overlooked by tourists focused on the Mall museums.
Capitol HillNational Mall
landmarkThe 3.2 km (2-mile) corridor between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial anchors the city's monumental core. December's bare trees open up sightlines that summer foliage obscures, and the Washington Monument, which broke ground in 1848, stands starkly visible from nearly every angle.
National MallDupont Circle
neighborhoodThe neighborhood north of the Mall has independent bookshops, specialty coffee roasters, and rows of brownstone-lined streets that feel particularly inviting when the weather turns cold. A good warm-up stop between museum visits.
Dupont CircleAdams Morgan
neighborhoodA neighborhood along 18th Street NW with a dense cluster of bars, restaurants, and international grocery stores. Adams Morgan stays lively through the holidays when parts of downtown empty out, and the dining options range from Ethiopian to Salvadoran to contemporary American.
Adams MorganFord's Theatre
historic siteThe theatre where Lincoln was shot in 1865 is both a working performance venue and a museum. December brings a long-running production of A Christmas Carol that has become a local tradition. The museum and theatre tour run daily.
Penn Quarter
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Insider tips
The Smithsonian museums on the Mall's south side, especially Air and Space, draw the biggest crowds even in December. Cross to the north side and visit the American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery in the old Patent Office Building, where you might have entire galleries to yourself on a weekday afternoon.
Metro has no paper farecards. Get a SmarTrip card at any station kiosk or use Apple Pay or Google Pay at the turnstiles. Rush-hour pricing still applies on weekdays from roughly 7am to 9:30am and 4pm to 6:30pm, so shifting your museum arrival to 10am saves a few dollars per ride.
The food court in Union Station, a 1907 Beaux-Arts building about 12 minutes on foot from the Capitol, is a reliable warm-up stop with seating for several hundred. The building itself is worth seeing.
The best head-on views of the Washington Monument come from spots most visitors skip. Try the steps of the Jefferson Memorial across the Tidal Basin. In December, the area is nearly deserted.
Avoid these mistakes
- Planning an all-day outdoor itinerary on the National Mall without indoor breaks. The cold is manageable for an hour or two, but 5 or 6 hours outside in wind chill near 0°C leads to a miserable, cut-short afternoon. Alternate 90 minutes outdoors with a museum stop to warm up.
- Dressing for the thermometer instead of the wind chill. A forecast of 8°C (46°F) sounds mild until you are standing on an exposed memorial plaza with a 20 km/h (12 mph) wind dropping the felt temperature to about 3°C (37°F). Dress for 5 degrees below whatever the app says.
- Assuming the holiday atmosphere runs through the end of December. Most holiday markets and special events wrap up by December 23. The stretch between Christmas and New Year's is the quietest week of the year in DC, with Congress out and most office workers gone. If you want the festive energy, come during the first 2 weeks instead.
Practical tips for December
Book Smithsonian museum timed-entry passes online at least 30 days ahead. The National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Air and Space Museum require reservations year-round, and December's holiday visitors claim slots faster than the summer walk-up model allows. Kennedy Center holiday concerts sell out by early November for prime dates, so check that calendar in October if a specific performance matters. Metro runs from 5am to 11:30pm on weekdays, with Friday and Saturday service extending until roughly midnight. Sunday service starts at 7am. Government buildings like the Capitol Visitor Center and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing keep weekday-only hours and close on federal holidays. December 25 is a near-total shutdown for public buildings, though most restaurants in Georgetown and Adams Morgan stay open. Call ahead for Christmas Day specifically. If driving, metered street parking rates vary by zone and time of day, though many meters are free on Sundays and federal holidays. Check the ParkDC app or meter signage for current rates in each neighborhood.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Washington DC?
December is a solid choice if you enjoy holiday programming and want the Smithsonian museums without peak-season crowds. The cold is real but manageable with proper clothing, and nearly all of DC's top attractions are indoors. It ranks 7th out of 12 months for visiting. That said, if warm-weather outdoor sightseeing is the priority, April and October are the strongest months.
What is the weather like in Washington DC in December?
Expect daytime highs around 9°C (48°F) and overnight lows near or slightly above freezing at 0.3°C (33°F). Humidity sits around 70%, giving the cold a damp bite that drier climates do not prepare you for. Rain shows up on about 9 days, totaling roughly 98mm across the month. Snow is possible but accumulation beyond a light dusting is uncommon. Wind along the Mall and the Potomac waterfront makes the felt temperature noticeably lower than the reading.
Does it snow in Washington DC in December?
Snow is possible but not guaranteed. Roughly half of all Decembers see at least one snowfall, though accumulations beyond 2 to 3 cm tend to be uncommon. When snow does arrive, the city slows noticeably. DC's infrastructure handles light dustings, but ice is the real problem. Major roads get treated, while side streets and sidewalks can stay slippery for a day or two.
Are the Smithsonian museums open on Christmas Day?
No. All Smithsonian museums close on December 25. Most reopen on December 26 with regular hours, though a few branches adjust their schedule through New Year's Day. Check each museum's website for its specific holiday hours before planning that week.
Is Washington DC crowded in December?
Moderately. December draws holiday tourists and school groups on winter break, but the overall level sits well below the cherry blossom crowds in spring and the family-vacation peak of summer. Weekdays are especially manageable. The gap between Christmas and New Year's tends to be the quietest stretch, with Congress out of session and much of the professional workforce traveling.
Things to Do in Washington DC in December
Free cancellation DC Monuments by Night: 10+ Landmarks | Open-Top Upgrade Available
City tour: 3 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation DC Monuments Night Tour with 10+ Stops, National Mall, Tickets
City tour: 3 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Washington DC in One Day: Guided Sightseeing Tour + boat cruise
City tour: 6 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards
City tour: free cancellation.
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Free cancellation US Capitol with Library of Congress or Supreme Court Entry
City tour: free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Washington DC "See the City" Guided Sightseeing Segway Tour
City tour: 2.5 hours, free cancellation.
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