It’s that time of year again! With or without the snowfall, the holiday cheer is slowly creeping up on everyone. Starbucks has changed to their holiday cups and you are slowly feeling less guilty blasting the holiday music. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, or any other holiday, here are three holiday-themed things to do in DC during the month of December!
1. Skating at the National MallAlthough it hasn’t snowed yet in DC, it’s never too early to get into the holiday spirit through ice skating! Located in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, the skating rink is open every day from November 14, 2014 – March 16, 2015. People of all ages are welcome with no skating experience required. Admission for two-hour times slots starting on the hour is $7.00 for students with student ID and skate rentals $3.00. Check out more information online.
2. Zoo LightsFrom November 28 to January 1st, visiting the National Zoo from 5-9pm for their annual holiday tradition of ZooLights! Watch as the zoo turns into a picture perfect holiday scene with over 500,000 LED lights strung about the area. There are live performances every night by area performers and from 5:30-8:30pm you can get a free photo with Panda Claws, the ZooLights mascot! If you are heading over by metro, there is a free shuttle ride every twenty minutes from the Woodley Park metro station directly to the zoo every Saturday night.
3. Smithsonian Holiday FestivalHead down to the mall on December 6th and 7th to enjoy a free holiday festival at the Smithsonian museums. There are family holiday photos, showings of holiday movies, and musical performances by the USAF Band’s Silver Wings. There are also special holiday treats in the cafeterias and free gift-wrapping with your purchase in the museum gift shops. If you don’t want to walk between museums, there will be a free shuttle bus that loops around the mall and stops off at the American History Museum, Smithsonian Castle, Air and Space Museum, American Indian Museum and Natural History Museum from 9 am to 6 pm.
Try out these fun events this year which will give you excellent stories to tell over those awkward holiday family dinners.