{"id":50355,"date":"2019-12-05T13:44:20","date_gmt":"2019-12-05T19:44:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=50355"},"modified":"2019-12-17T15:26:52","modified_gmt":"2019-12-17T21:26:52","slug":"6-magical-holiday-events-in-washington-dc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2019\/12\/6-magical-holiday-events-in-washington-dc\/","title":{"rendered":"6 magical holiday events in Washington DC"},"content":{"rendered":"

Peace, unity and harmony in Washington, DC<\/a>? Hard to believe with an election year upon on us, but with the holidays quickly approaching, good tidings are everywhere in the nation\u2019s capital. Here are the best ways to celebrate.<\/p>\n

RELATE<\/strong>D<\/strong>: 5 weird Christmas traditions from around the world, from pickles to poo logs<\/a><\/p>\n

Lights! Camera! Selfie!<\/h2>\n

\"Washington<\/p>\n

The holiday season officially kicks off in Washington when the National Christmas Tree is lit. The ceremony happens this year on December 5, after which visitors can swing by President’s Park any day between 4:30pm and midnight as part of the America Celebrates display. The 30-foot National Menorah will be lit for eight nights beginning December 22.<\/p>\n

On the right track<\/h2>\n

Train your attention over to the U.S. Botanic Garden this holiday season. Pollination Station is a model train exhibit running through a lush holiday jungle. Stops include plant-based replicas of the city\u2019s iconic landmarks. Also check out the showcase of poinsettias and one of the city\u2019s largest Christmas trees.<\/p>\n

A nut worth cracking<\/h2>\n

A classic holiday tradition is The Nutcracker<\/em>. The Warner Theatre puts a local twist on the timeless tale, hosting Septime Webre\u2019s version November 23 through December 29. Performed by the Washington Ballet, this version is set in Georgetown circa 1882. George Washington and King George III are among the historical figures portrayed in ballet tights.<\/p>\n

Let is GLOW, let it GLOW, let it GLOW<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Photo: Courtesy of Georgetown Business Improvement District<\/p><\/div>\n

Meanwhile, in 21st century Georgetown, GLOW lights up the enclave nightly December 6\u2013January 5. After exploring this exhibition of unique illuminated artworks, head to Washington Harbour for a spin on the seasonal ice skating rink.<\/p>\n

Zoo story<\/h2>\n
\"zoo

Photo: Skip Brown, Smithsonian’s National Zoo<\/p><\/div>\n

Speaking of animals, back in the city proper, Zoo Lights at the National Zoo is a holiday freebie featuring live performances, edible winter treats and animals, animals and more animals. More than 500,000 environmentally-friendly LED lights transform the zoo into a dazzling light spectacle between November 29 and January 1.<\/p>\n

By George (and Martha)<\/h2>\n

\"Mount<\/p>\n

Martha and George Washington\u2019s home, Mount Vernon, offers daytime and candlelight tours of the dolled-up house on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Alexandria, Virginia, estate showcases 18th century holiday traditions, including chocolate-making, dancing and caroling. Don\u2019t miss visiting Aladdin the Camel, who pays homage to Washington\u2019s 1787 Christmas celebration when he entertained his guests with a dromedary.<\/p>\n

\"Orbitz,<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DC in December? Sounds like a capital idea!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":152,"featured_media":77052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2455],"tags":[339],"class_list":["post-50355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-dc","tag-holiday-travel"],"acf":{"api_active":false,"api_title":"","api_excerpt":"","api_featured_image":false,"api_lob":"Hotels"},"posts_api_cpm_point":"","yoast_head":"\n6 magical holiday events in Washington DC | Orbitz<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Between twinkling zoo lights and nighttime tours of Mount Vernon, the U.S. capital offers plenty of events that make the season brighter.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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