2025 Holiday Arts & Things to Do Preview
By • November 10, 2025 0 847
Wondering where to spend the holidays with your family, on a date, with your best friend, or perhaps where to take mom and dad? The D.C. area has plenty of options, including performances, outdoor art exhibits, and free caroling events.
With the family…
Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park
Opens November 28, evenings
Enchant Christmas is not coming to Nats Park this year, but in its place, there is something even better: Winter Wonderfest. There will be a variety of family-friendly activities at Nats Park, notably a 100-foot ice slide, LED see-saws, a snowflake studio featuring local artists, nine-hole “Frosty” fairway, and a winter train ride too. There are also plans for special theme nights built to champion local community members.
Choral Arts’ O Night Divine
December 15 at 7 p.m. and December 24 at 2 p.m.
At the Kennedy Center’s Performing Arts Concert Hall, Choral Arts rings in the holiday season with traditional Christmas carols, sing-alongs, and new takes on timeless compositions. The performance is all set to a full orchestra. Shows are just 90 minutes with no intermission, making them ideal for those with little ones.
Dr. Seuss’s ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical’
December 30-January 4, various times
Courtesy GrinchMusical.com
The Grinch is showing up in D.C. for a six-day stint at the tail end of the holiday season. Families will love the musical, narrated by the Grinch’s beloved dog Max. It features music from the 1966 cartoon like “Welcome Christmas” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
On a date…
Frosted at Franklin Park
November 21-January 7, 2026
Feel like you’re in a romantic comedy as you stroll hand in hand with your significant other, illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights. There are multiple photo ops available, like a glittering icicle walkway, giant snowflakes and more. While the exhibit runs November 21 through January 7, on Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 20, there is special free programming like a life-sized ice sculpture carving demo and free hot chocolate and hot apple cider.
Georgetown Jingle
December 6
1310 Kitchen + Bar participates in the 2024 Georgetown Jingle. Photo by Lucy Cullen.
Running from 1-4 p.m., Georgetown Jingle is a great option for an afternoon date post-brunch or pre-dinner. Featuring live holiday music at multiple outdoor locations in Georgetown, artists will perform festive songs and over 40 Georgetown businesses will be providing discounts, free refreshments and pop-up events throughout the Jingle. Stick around for the St. Lucia Choir’s procession from the Embassy of Sweden to Washington Harbour followed by a Swedish holiday celebration.
The Washington Chorus’s ‘A Candlelight Christmas’
December 14-22
Grab tickets to a romantic evening with The Washington Chorus. Enjoy appearances by the National Capital Brass and Percussion, Annandale High School, and this year’s featured guest artist, pianist Rod Vester. Vester will be performing with new, jazzy takes on Christmas carols.
With your best friend…
DowntownDC Holiday Market
November 21-December 23
Get all your shopping done with your friend as you stroll through this open-air market featuring 119 vendors, including 23 new ones. After a long day of shopping, grab food from one of the market’s many food and drink vendors like Fireside Eats, Raclette by Stable DC, S’Mores n’More and others.
NSO at The Anthem: Home Alone in Concert
December 9
If you’re still quoting Home Alone every Christmas like my siblings and I do, you’ll want to celebrate Home Alone’s 35th anniversary at The Anthem this year. The holiday classic’s John Williams soundtrack will be performed live-to-picture by the National Symphony Orchestra, all at The Anthem. Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals!
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s Holiday Show
December 13, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., December 14, 5 p.m., and December 20, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Grab tickets for your BFF and you and head to the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s most popular show. Their holiday spectacular includes new arrangements of classics like “We Wish You the Merriest” and “Let It Snow,” high-kicking reindeer and lots of fun. You’ll leave smiling and in the holiday spirit after this one.
Take mom and dad
Nightly Caroling at the Willard InterContinental
December 1-23
Courtesy Willard InterContinental.
Parents will adore this free evening event at the Willard where vocal and choral ensembles perform holiday carols in the lobby. With two performance times of 6-6:45 p.m. and 7:15-8 p.m., it’s a great option to tuck into before or after heading to dinner.
An Irish Carol at Keegan Theatre
December 11-28
One of the best parts of getting to know your parents as an adult is doing adult activities with them. Keegan Theatre’s “An Irish Carol” is an homage to the Dickens’ classic, set in a modern Dublin pub. It tells the tale of David, a rich pub owner who is visited by voices from the past, present and future (sound familiar?). The comedic tale is recommended for audiences ages 16+ due to mature language.
Handel’s ‘Messiah’
December 18-21
Take mom and dad for a night out to hear the 280-year-old holiday tradition. Ton Koopman will conduct the performances, which feature four singers and the University of Maryland Concert Choir.
