Looking for something to do in Washington, DC on Christmas Day? Although not everyone celebrates the holiday, most businesses and attractions are closed on December 25th. Here are some ideas to fill your day.
Christmas Day is a good time to see the monuments and memorials in DC and Northern Virginia. Although the visitor centers are not open, you can still get up close and enjoy the majestic views. It’s also an easy day to find parking close by!
The estate is open Christmas and New Year's Day. During the Holidays at Mount Vernon visitors get a glimpse of an early-American Christmas. Exclusively during this time, the rarely-seen third floor is open to the public. An elaborately re-created dessert course is displayed in the large dining room with the Washingtons' famed "Great Cake" as the centerpiece of the feast.
The grounds to the national burial ground are open 365 days a year. Tourmobiles do not operate on Christmas Day, but visitors may explore on foot. Print out an
interactive map and plan your own walking tour.
4. Go to a Movie
Movie theaters are open and a selection of good movies usually come out in time for the holiday season. Here’s a guide to local cinemas:
5. Take a Hike in a Local Park
If the weather is clear, this is a nice day to take a quiet stroll through a park. Please note that some parks may close their entrance gates, so you may want to call ahead to find out about accessibility. See a guide to the local parks:
Washington's premier performance venue offers a free All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam at 6 p.m. at its Millennium Stage. Ticketed performances are also scheduled in the Opera House, the Eisenhower Theatre and the Theatre Lab on Christmas Day. Check the official site for schedules.
The Christmas holiday is a great time to lend a hand to the needy. Offer to help at a local soup kitchen or a nursing home.
A variety of nice restaurants offer Christmas dinner or brunch, buffets and a la carte menus. See a guide to Christmas Dinner at Restaurants in the Washington, DC Area.
The community center offers a health and fitness center and a variety of programs for all ages. There’s a location downtown and one in Rockville, Maryland. Check the schedule online or call to see what is going on.
The popular ice skating rink is open every day and is a fun way to get some exercise and some fresh air.
