Christmas Tree Lighting Guide 2022

 

Christmas is upon us, bringing back a lot of our favorite events are back on the schedule. Its the time again to take out our calendars and fill them with the best of our family’s favorite events. Nothing says its Christmas time like a nice tree lighting event. We have been building this list over the years for DC Moms, and its extremely exciting to see it grown longer as the events become more popular. So lets kick off the holiday season with carols, Santa and a lot of Christmas fun.

Tree Lightings in Washington, DC

National Christmas Tree
Sunday, December 11
The 2022 ceremony and holiday performances will be broadcast on December 11th on CBS. The 100th National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will feature performances from Shania Twain, the Estefans, Joss Stone, Andy Grammer, and more.

US Capitol Christmas Tree
Wednesday, November 30
The Capitol Christmas Tree, or “The People’s Tree,” is a tradition dating back to 1964. Every holiday season, a different national forest is selected to provide a tree for the west lawn of the US Capitol building. This year’s tree comes from the National Forests in North Carolina.

Union Station
Monday, November 28
6:00-9:00 pm
This beloved holiday event kicks off the Christmas season with festive music, special guests, and of course, the lighting of the magnificent Norwegian Christmas Tree.

Cathedral Commons
Friday, December 2nd
6:00-8:00 pm
What a great downtown tradition, holiday tree lighting & festive celebration! Enjoy photos with Santa, strolling entertainment, live music & more!

City Center DC
Saturday, November 26, 22
6:00-7:00 pm
This excellent downtown tradition comes back for its 9th year. Enjoy a night out in the city with activities for the little one, including face painting and balloon art, to kick off the holiday season.

Fairmont’s 15th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Tuesday, November 29
5:30–7:00 pm
Decorate holiday cards while you listen to the Georgetown Visitation Madrigals perform holiday classics. Don’t forget to dress up for a picture with Santa. Fairmont’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, free and open to the public, will benefit Horton’s Kids. There is no charge to attend all family Fairmont’s Tree Lighting.

City Market at O Holiday Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 26, 2022
4:00–7:00 pm
5th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Celebration at City Market at O! Enjoy photos with Santa, live music, and more. The special tree

Capitol Hill Christmas Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 26, 2022
5:30 pm
In 2007, the BID planted a 20-foot evergreen tree (species Cedrus deodara) in the large circle garden at Eastern Market Metro Plaza to honor our founding President George Didden III. The tree is beautifully decorated by the BID’s “men in blue” every December, and illuminated in front of the Capitol Hill community to kick off the holiday season.

City Ridge Tree Lighting Festival
Saturday, December 3, 2022
4:00–8:00 pm
City Ridge is celebrating its first holiday season by hosting fun, FREE seasonal activities all evening long for guests of all ages. The celebration will culminate in a tree lighting ceremony hosted by NBC4’s Shawn Yancy, featuring a performance and sing-along with a local choir.

Rhode Island Row Holiday Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 3, 2022
5:00–7:00 pm
The Holiday Tree Lighting and WPGC Coat Drive is back at Rhode Island Row on Saturday, December 3rd! The tree lighting is at 6 PM. Donate a winter coat and/or winter accessories for the WPGC Coat Drive from 10 AM – 7 PM. Donations will be collected at the WPGC tent, in front of Carolina Kitchen.

Tree Lightings in Virginia

Stoner Bridge Potomac Town Center
Friday, November 25
6:00-8:00 pm
This special ceremony will host the Woodbridge Dance Company and Those Funny Little People. Bring the little ones for carriage rides – free with a donation of a canned good to A.C.T.S, Face Painting, Carnival Games, Balloon Art, and Ice Carving.

Stafford County Tree Lighting
Friday, December 2
6:00-9:00 pm
Welcome the holiday season with Stafford County’s 2nd annual Tree Lighting Festival on Friday, December 2nd.Community festivities begin at 6 PM with the Tree Lighting at 7:30 PM.

City of Fairfax
Saturday, December 3
12:00-6:00 pm
Head to Old Town Square for holiday music, stores, and cider, followed by the tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30 pm.

The Village at Leesburg
Saturday, November 19
4:00–7:00 pm
Visit The Village every day at the top of the hour and enjoy a holiday light show. Don’t forget to check out the FIRST of its kind on the East Coast: the Wish Tree at Village at Leesburg! This is the ONLY interactive Christmas tree where children can bring their Christmas list and make their wish to send up to Santa at the North Pole. Check out the full list of events here.

Reston Town Center
Friday, November 25
11:00 am
Reston town center has lots of events around Christmas, so be sure to check them all out. Come in the morning to enjoy a holiday parade along Market Street and welcome Mr. and Mrs. Claus in their carriage.

Mosaic District
Friday, November 25
4:30–8:30 pm
Holiday fun kicks off with a great family event at Strawberry Park. Visitors will also meet and greet Santa at the Target lobby and catch a screening of ‘Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ on Strawberry Park.

Mount Vernon
December 16-17
5:30–8:30 pm
Fireworks, the Potomac River, and a history lesson. Tickets start at $60 for adults and $38 for kids under 12.

Historic Manassas
Friday, December 2
5:15–7:00 pm
Join Santa as he lights up the Manassas Christmas Tree, a more than 25-year tradition. The event includes holiday music performances and a special appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Tree Lightings in Maryland

Annual Holiday Tree Lighting & Color Burst Ice Rink Opening 2022
Friday, November 18
5:30-8:30 pm
Holiday Tree Lighting and Ice Rink opening on Friday, November 18, at 5:30 pm at Color Burst Park. Bring your family and friends to ring in the holiday cheer as we light up the Merriweather District.

Rio Washingtonian Center
Holidays reimagined. Visit Rio throughout the holiday season for a wide variety of activities for the whole family.   

Montgomery Village
Wednesday, November 30
6:00-7:00 pm
Meet Santa and sing along to some holiday carols at Montgomery Village. Bring the family to enjoy festive music, and an opportunity to sing along with classic carols. There will also be complimentary hot chocolate and treats to help celebrate. The tree is located adjacent to the Village Center on Montgomery Village Avenue.

City of Gaithersburg
Saturday, December 3
6:00 pm
Welcome the holidays with a traditional tree lighting ceremony, holiday music, & a special visit from Santa at Jingle Jubilee.  You can find other holiday activities in Gaithersburg here.

City of Hyatsville
Friday, December 2
7:00 pm
Bring the family to Driskell Park, 3911 Hamilton Street, on Friday, December 2, at 7 p.m., to help us light the City’s holiday tree. In addition to the traditional tree, five additional mini trees will be decorated around the garden circle to represent each of the City’s Wards. Hot chocolate, carolers, and a visit from Santa will be included.

Kensington Christmas Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 4
5:30 pm

If we missed any Christmas Tree lighting events, please leave them in the comments below. Thank you!