By Regina Sass
Things to Do in Washington D.C. at Christmas
Washington D.C. puts on quite a show every Christmas. There many things to see and do in Washington D.C. during the holiday season that you cannot experience at any other time of the year. There are both indoor and outdoor things to do and even the animals in the zoo are part of the celebration.
The National Christmas Tree
The National Christmas Tree is lit the first Friday in December and it remains lit from dusk to 11:00 p.m. until New Year's. Starting the Saturday after the lighting up until New Year's, there are free concerts every night, weekdays 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and weekends 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The National Christmas Tree
On The Ellipse, south of the White House
Festival of Lights at Mormon Temple
The festival begins the first Friday in December and lasts through New Year's Day. Every evening there is a live Nativity performance from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. weekdays and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. weekends. There are also live ½-hour performances nightly at 7:00 p.m. and one at 8:00 p.m. The outside of the Temple is lit every evening from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The Temple is fully handicap-accessible.
Washington DC Temple Visitor Center
9900 Stoneybrook Drive
Kensington, MD
Tel: (301-587-0144)
U.S. Botanic Garden
The U.S. Botanic Garden has a special Christmas show and display that opens on Thanksgiving Day and remains open through the first Sunday in January, every day including Christmas and New Year's. There are free concerts on Fridays and Sundays, a room full of electric trains, the largest indoor Christmas Tree in Washington and Christmas plants in bloom.
U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory
100 Maryland Avenue, SW
(at the foot of the US Capitol)
Mount Vernon Candlelight Tours
Experience Christmas the way George and Martha did in the first years of the United States. Martha is the hostess who takes you on candle lit walks through the grounds and leads the caroling by the fireside. The last place on the tour is the kitchen where you will learn how Christmas dinned was prepared and get a copy of the recipe for Martha's famous Christmas Cake. You also get hot cider and cookies.
Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
P.O. Box 110
Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Tel: (703-780-2000)
The National Zoo
Every year from Thanksgiving to the end of December, the National Zoo is illuminated with thousands of environmentally-friendly holiday lights. There are also special family activities and live entertainment.
The National Zoo
Tel: (202-633-4800)
About the Author:
Regina Sass is based in the Adirondack Region of New York State. She has been a writer for 10 years writing for publications in the real estate and retail industries. Online experience includes writing,advertising and editing for an educational web site. Sass is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Photo Credits:
Wikimedia Commons.
