United States, North America

Washington, DC in December

The National Christmas Tree, holiday concerts, and empty museums between the holidays' travel peaks.

GoodCold, highs near 48F (9C), festive downtown

Washington Monument over the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — Washington, DCPhoto: G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Washington, DC. The National Christmas Tree, holiday concerts, and empty museums between the holidays' travel peaks.

Weather: Cold, highs near 48F (9C), festive downtown
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What December is like in Washington, DC

December is cold, with highs near 48F (9C), but the city is festive. The National Christmas Tree glows near the White House, holiday markets pop up, and concerts fill the calendar. Between the holiday travel peaks, museums are quiet. Most Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery close only on December 25. Hotels are cheap early in the month.

It suits families who want holiday lights and free museums, and budget travelers early in the month. Dress warmly. If you want mild weather for walking, wait for April or plan for September.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Washington, DC this month.

The National Christmas Tree

The big tree near the White House is lit all season. It is a fun evening stop with kids.

Holiday markets downtown

Seasonal markets sell gifts and warm treats through the holidays.

Holiday skating in the sculpture garden

Skate in the sculpture garden, then warm up inside with free art.

What to pack for December

A warm winter coat
Hat, gloves, and a scarf
Waterproof shoes
Layers for heated museums

Our timing tip

Visit in the first half of December for festive lights, low prices, and quiet museums before holiday travel picks up.

Book Washington, DC for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Washington, DC
Opens a hotel search for Washington, DC in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
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Vacation rentals in Washington, DC
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Washington, DC
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Washington, DC for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Holiday season downtown

Late November through early January

The National Christmas Tree near the White House, holiday markets, and blissfully quiet museums outside the travel-peak days.

Things to do in Washington, DC

Full guide

The National Mall monuments

Do Lincoln, the Vietnam Wall, and the Korean Memorial at sunrise or after dark. Distances are longer than they look; the loop is several miles on foot.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Smithsonian Air and Space and Natural History

The two biggest kid magnets. Free timed passes are required at some Smithsonian museums in busy season; check before you go.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Tidal Basin and the cherry trees

In bloom week, go at sunrise. By 10am it is shoulder to shoulder. Off season it is a lovely, quiet waterside walk.

Tickets and tours →

National Gallery of Art

A world-class collection, free, and usually calmer than the Smithsonian giants. The sculpture garden fountain becomes an ice rink in winter.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

The Capitol and Library of Congress

Book Capitol tours ahead through your representative or the visitor center. The Library's Great Hall is the most beautiful room in the city.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Arlington National Cemetery

The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier runs year-round. Give it a half day and wear walking shoes; the grounds are hilly.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

For blossoms without the crush, hit the Tidal Basin at sunrise, or see the same trees with a fraction of the people at the National Arboretum and around East Potomac Park.
School groups dominate weekday mornings from March through early June. Flip your day: monuments and neighborhoods in the morning, museums after 2pm when the buses leave.
September and October give you April's weather with a third of April's people. If bloom is not the point, this is the trade to make.
Do the monuments after dark. They are lit, open 24 hours, cooler in summer, and the tour-bus waves are gone by 9pm.

Know before you go

DC is a genuine year-round city. The Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery are open nearly every day of the year, typically closing only December 25.
The outdoor monuments and memorials never close: they are open 24 hours a day, every day, with rangers on duty at the major sites during the day and evening.
Peak bloom is not schedulable. The trees peak for roughly a week, sometime between late March and mid April depending on the year, and a warm or cold snap can move it. Book refundable rooms if bloom is the whole mission.
A federal government shutdown, when one happens, can shutter the Smithsonian museums, the Archives, and National Park Service sites. It is rare but worth a news check before a big trip.

Washington, DC in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Washington, DC?

December is a good month to visit Washington, DC. The National Christmas Tree, holiday concerts, and empty museums between the holidays' travel peaks.

What is the weather like in Washington, DC in December?

Cold, highs near 48F (9C), festive downtown.

Is Washington, DC crowded in December?

December is one of the quieter months in Washington, DC; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Washington, DC in December?

Holiday season downtown (late november through early january).