13 BEST Things to do in Washington DC in Winter

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From watching the President light the National Tree to sledding down Capitol Hill, here are the best things to do in Washington DC in winter!

Washington DC won’t be the place that pops into your head when someone mentions the words ‘winter wonderland’. However, I’m here to tell you why travelling to the US capital city in winter is the perfect time to visit.

I love Washington DC. It’s got it all: cool neighbourhoods, great places to eat, plus it’s the cultural centre of the US. The history practically radiates from its walls. And look, summer is good, but it’s busy. The queues are long, the streets are packed full of tourists, and it’s so hot you genuinely need to sip water with every step.

Washington DC in winter is much quieter. It’s cold, sure, but that brings the chance of snow – which opens up so many more opportunities for awesome winter activities!

Sledding, snowball fights, cosying up in a cafe – the whole lot. And that’s before we even get started on the festive events around Christmas. So without further ado, let’s get into it. Hopefully this blog post will help plan your trip to this incredible city!

Heading to Washington DC in spring instead? Check out my blog on the best activities. I’ve also got an extensive Washington DC itinerary for those planning a shorter trip to the city.

Winter weather in Washington DC

Washington DC is chilly in winter, and sees around a week of rain each month on average. Temperatures start out low in December, peaking at 9°C (48.2°F) and creeping down to -1°C (30.2°F). 

January is often DC’s coldest month, seeing highs of just 6°C (42.8°F) and lows that’ll see you shivering at -4°C (24.8°F). February is only slightly less cold: expect to be your warmest at 8°C (46.4°F), but remember to wrap up in the mornings and evenings – it’s not uncommon for it to reach -3°C (26.6°F). 

Planning your Washington DC winter trip

Getting around. Metro is the answer to almost everything, and in winter it’s also the warmest option. You can tap a contactless card or phone at the gate, exactly like London. If you’re doing more than about four trips in a day, a 1-Day Unlimited Pass at $13.50 works out cheaper. There’s a 3-Day version too. Evenings after 9.30pm and all weekend, every rail trip is capped at $2.50 however far you go.

Book your free tickets first. This trips people up constantly. Several of DC’s best museums are free but still need a timed pass, including the Air and Space Museum and the African American History and Culture Museum. Sort those before you fly.

The tree lighting is a lottery. You can’t just show up. Tickets are free but allocated through a lottery on Recreation.gov that usually opens in late October or early November. If you miss out, the tree stays lit and open to the public until 1 January, and that’s a lovely visit in itself.

What to pack. A proper coat, gloves and something warm on your head. DC is a walking city and the wind off the Potomac is sharper than the temperature suggests. Waterproof boots if there’s snow in the forecast, because the pavements get slushy fast.

Map of Washington DC

Here’s an interactive map featuring the best places and attractions from the article, with each location highlighted so you can easily see where everything is and plan your winter trip around Washington DC.

Things to do in Washington DC in Winter

December

Watch the lighting of the National Christmas Tree

DC isn’t just home to any old Christmas tree lighting. Nope, this is the National Christmas Tree – that’s why its annual lighting is broadcast on CBS all over the USA. It’s also traditionally lit by the US president and first lady, so that’s something. 

As well as seeing the president up close and personal (or at least, as near as you’ll probably ever get), there are musical performances too and previous line-ups have included Shania Twain, H.E.R and LL Cool J.

Explore the Downtown Holiday Market

I love a Christmas market. Tasty bites, warming drinks, quirky odds and ends on every corner. What more could you want? DC’s Downtown Holiday Market has got all of that and more.

With more than 110 exhibitors it’s a great place to do a bit of Christmas shopping. But it’s also a great place just to wander around, enjoy the music from live performers, and soak up the atmosphere. This year it returns 13 November to 23 December 2026. Just make sure you bring a bag for all that shopping!

Marvel at the Holiday Boat Parade

A different kind of festive parade than one you’ll normally see, don’t miss the Holiday Boat Parade when visiting Washington DC in December.

This event sees a succession of 60 brilliantly decorated boats sail along the Washington Channel, which you can view from the Wharf. It’s free to attend, and there’s tons of festivity on land too: from ornament (or face) decorating, to roasting s’mores, to sipping winter warmers.

This year it is on Saturday 5 December 2026 at 7pm, with the fireworks at 8pm.

Have the Christmas at Mount Vernon experience

Mount Vernon is actually in Alexandria, Virginia, but it’s a quick and simple trip from DC. Famous as the home of first US president George Washington and his wife, it’s one of the most frequently visited spots in the country.

During Candlelight, the estate is transformed for the holidays, with historic buildings illuminated by candlelight, seasonal decorations, music and festive entertainment creating a particularly atmospheric experience after dark. There are usually several evenings throughout the Christmas season, with sessions taking place in the late afternoon and evening.

Illuminations offers a different experience, combining the beautiful grounds of Mount Vernon with spectacular holiday lights and fireworks. The evening typically culminates in fireworks over the Potomac, making this one of the more memorable ways to experience the estate during the festive season.

Catch a classic at the Shakespeare Theatre

First established in 1986, DC’s Tony award-winning Shakespeare Theatre has been reimagining the classics. It doesn’t just put on Shakespeare plays; it adapts and transforms them, sometimes so much so that they’re only Shakespearean in the deepest sense.

It’s pretty cool stuff. This December will see a 1960s rendition of As You Like It, so get tickets if you’re going to be around.

January

Take part in a snowball fight

It doesn’t snow every winter in Washington DC. But when it does, it’s a proper treat. So, if you’re lucky enough to visit when it’s snowing, make sure you join one of the city’s snowball fights! I’m not talking about joining some random people in the park – these are proper organised events hosted by the Washington DC Snowball Fight Association.

Yep, it’s a real thing. Make sure to follow their Facebook page or dcsfa.org for event announcements.

Go sledding on Capitol Hill

If – again, if – it snows on your trip, then this is an experience you won’t want to miss. Sledding from Capitol Hill is hands down one of the coolest Washington DC winter activities. I mean that literally and figuratively.

Now, even if it does snow, it’s not guaranteed you’ll be able to do this. Sledding at Capitol Hill is at the discretion of the AOC, but occasionally, if it snows enough, the West Front opens up during the day for wintery fun. Definitely keep an eye out.

Commemorate Martin Luther King Junior Day

Martin Luther King Junior Day takes place on the third Monday of January each year. It’s an important day in the USA’s cultural calendar, paying homage to one one of its most significant figures of all time.

Martin Kuther King Junior’s famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech was made from the Lincoln Steps in DC, so it’s particularly fitting to commemorate him here. The city does so accordingly with its annual Peace Walk and Parade, plus a service at the Washington National Cathedral.

February

Celebrate at the Chinese New Year Parade

Washington DC is a great city to celebrate Chinese New Year, with colourful festivities taking place across the capital around the start of the lunar new year.

The celebrations are centred around Chinatown, where you’ll find traditional decorations, performances and plenty of opportunities to experience Chinese culture. One of the highlights is the annual Chinese New Year parade, which brings the streets to life with colourful floats, Chinese folk dancers, musicians, firecrackers and, of course, the iconic lion and dragon dances.

The exact date of Chinese New Year changes each year, usually falling between late January and mid-February, so it’s worth checking the dates and event schedule before your visit. If you’re in Washington DC during the celebrations, the parade is a particularly fun way to experience the festive atmosphere, but you’ll find events and performances happening throughout the city as well.

All Winter

Glide around the ice at Washington Harbour Ice Rink

Love getting out on the ice? You’re planning a trip to the right place. Ice skating is one of the best things to do in Washington DC in winter, especially when you want to take a break from sightseeing and enjoy something a little more active.

There are several places to go skating around the city during the winter months, but one of the most popular is the Washington Harbour Ice Rink in Georgetown. Set alongside the Potomac River, the outdoor rink is the largest in Washington DC, covering around 11,800 square feet.

The setting makes this more than just a place to skate, too. You can glide around the rink with Georgetown’s waterfront and historic buildings as a backdrop before warming up with a hot drink or grabbing something to eat at one of the restaurants around Washington Harbour. It’s a particularly fun option if you’re visiting Washington DC with children or looking for a classic winter activity away from the museums and monuments.

Ticket prices: $11 adults, $9 children/seniors/military, $7 skate hire, $10 penguin aid; 90-minute sessions, mid-Nov to around 1 March.

Head underneath the Lincoln Memorial

For more than a hundred years there was a huge hidden space under the Lincoln Memorial that almost nobody got to see. It’s called the undercroft, and it’s now a museum. This is my top pick for a cold day in DC. It’s indoors, it’s warm, it’s free, and it’s easily the most interesting thing to open in the city in years.

You walk out above a forest of concrete columns that have held the memorial up since 1922. The exhibits cover how it was built and how its meaning has shifted over the last century. That second part is what makes it worth your time. This is where Marian Anderson sang in 1939 and where Martin Luther King Jr made his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. Standing underneath it all puts those moments in a completely different light.

Need to know: entry is free but timed. Book ahead on Recreation.gov for a $1 reservation fee, or pick up a free same-day ticket at the Korean War Veterans Memorial kiosk from 8.45am. Winter hours are 9am to 8pm, last entry an hour before. It’s fully step-free.

Escape the cold at a museum

Happen to be in DC on a day where temperatures reach the minuses? No problemo: this city has more than its fair share of museums to escape the cold in.

After all, with the Smithsonian Institute, you’re honestly spoiled for choice. Take your pick between the Air and Space Museum, the African American Museum, the Natural History Museum and many, many more. 

Or warm up in an art gallery

If art is more to your taste, while away the time in one of the many galleries, also part of the Smithsonian Institute. Once again, there’s something for everyone: from modern art and sculpture at the Hirshhorn Museum to the African Art Museum or the Freer Gallery.

Outside of the Smithsonian, there’s the famous National Gallery of Art, home to pieces from Raphael to Leonardo da Vinci. 

Only in Washington for a few days? Check out my 3-day itinerary to pack in as many of the key attractions and landmarks as you can! 

What’s new in Washington DC for 2027?

Washington DC has plenty of new openings, exhibitions, and events in 2027, making winter a brilliant time to experience the capital beyond the monuments. From major museum updates to fresh hotel openings and a packed cultural calendar, there’s a lot happening alongside the city’s classic sights.

• The Air and Space Museum is finally finished. After eight years of scaffolding and closed wings, the last two galleries opened in autumn 2026: At Home in Space and Modern Military Aviation. All 20 galleries are now done. Note that you need a free timed-entry pass to get in, so book it before you turn up.
• The Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden reopened on 31 October 2026. It had been shut since 2022 for a rebuild led by the artist Hiroshi Sugimoto. If you’re doing the gallery loop on the Mall, this is the new bit.
• The National Geographic Museum of Exploration. A $300 million reinvention of Nat Geo’s old headquarters on M Street NW, with 100,000 square feet of exhibits, a 270-degree theatre and an actual bar. Tickets are $29.99 for adults and $22.99 for kids. It’s a proper rainy-day option away from the Mall.
• Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. This exhibition opens at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in January 2027 and runs while the permanent exhibition is rebuilt. It’s heavy going, but it’s the winter exhibition people will be talking about.
• The Washington Auto Show, 22 to 31 January 2027. The biggest indoor event of the DC winter, back at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Worth knowing about even if cars aren’t your thing, because it fills the city’s hotels for ten days.

Where to stay in Washington DC

Riggs Washington DC 

Riggs is the hotel to head to if you want to while away your Washington winter in luxury. Named because it’s housed in the former building of the Riggs National Bank, guests enjoy opulent, spacious rooms and views out over Penn Quarter. 

Eaton DC

Eaton DC is cosy and quirky, decked out in warm colours that’ll nicely contrast those pale winter skies. The hotel is home to on-site bars, restaurants and cafes, so there’s little need to venture back out into the cold after a busy day of exploring the city. 

Hotel Hive

Welcome to Hotel Hive, DC’s first micro hotel. With cosy, homey rooms, you’re all set for some downtime between exploring the city. As for the actual exploring part, it couldn’t be easier: landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial are just 900 metres from the front door.

If you’ve got a little more time, why not combine Washington DC with another East Coast city? Baltimore makes an especially easy addition, with regular trains from Washington Union Station making the journey in around an hour. Boston is further away but can also be reached directly by train, making it a great option if you’re planning a longer East Coast adventure.

Whether you’ve already visited Washington DC or you’re in the midst of planning a trip, tell me all about it in the comments!

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