Feel the holiday cheer across the district with these free events.
Hot Chocolate Happy Hour
Back by popular demand, Hamilton Hotel Washington DC is introducing Hot Chocolate Happy Hour as a special 12 Days of Christmas celebration. From December 6th-21st, guests and locals can enjoy free hot chocolate in the lobby on weekdays from 4pm – 6pm.
The hotel will serve up a special Caribbean Hot Chocolate – a nod to Alexander Hamilton’s hometown of Charlestown – along with a classic Creamy Hot Chocolate option.
LIGHT YARDS 2018
It’s the happiest time of year! ✨ Shine bright this holiday season with the fourth annual playful, interactive #LightYards art installations by Artist Jen Lewin and OGE Group!
A beautiful and social sculptural installation, Angels of Freedom aims to reveal the inner beauties of everyone by visually turning visitors into real-life angels! Visitors will be invited to pose with five giant, neon-colored wings and white halos as a reminder that everybody counts and deserves love. Angels of Freedom has traveled across the globe with invitations to exhibit at locations including Beijing, Moscow, Berlin, Amsterdam and Jerusalem.
After experiencing the wonders of Light Yards, extend your evening at more than a dozen great places to eat and drink at The Yards to officially toast the 2018 holiday season.
Impulse at Crystal City
You are invited to experience Impulse, an interactive work comprising a series of 15 seesaws that emit light and sound that changes when in motion, creating an ever-changing experience. By playing on the seesaws, you create a dynamic light and sound wave giving a pulse of warmth to the winter’s short days and dark nights.
Impulse, located at The Grounds in Crystal City, will be free and open to the public starting on Friday, December 7th with an opening reception from 4-8pm, and will be open from 11am – 8pm (10pm on Fridays and Saturdays) every day until Monday, January 7th.
ZooLights at the National Zoo
Join the thousands of visitors who make ZooLights a part of their annual holiday tradition. A free event, ZooLights includes live music performances, tasty winter treats and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping. More than 500,000 environmentally-friendly LED lights transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland complete with a dazzling light show set to music!
Winter in Washington
Dreaming of snow this season? On Friday, December 7th at 4pm, CityCenterDC will bring winter to the city with a scenic snowy view of DC’s most beautiful monuments towering 12 feet high, built with over 50,000 pounds of ice. CityCenterDC’s Winter in Washington will allow Washingtonians to fulfill their subzero dreams for a weekend. Located in The Park at CityCenter, Winter in Washington opens on Friday, December 7th at 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. and will also be open to the public Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: WINTER IN WASHINGTON WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. EACH DAY FOR CHILLING REPAIRS.