Photo Credit to Ballston Quarter

🎄 Greater Arlington Holiday Guide 2025

The Greater Arlington area becomes one of the most festive regions in the DC metro during December. Holiday markets, glowing light displays, pop up bars, skating rinks, tree farms, and animal friendly celebrations create endless options for couples, families, and friends looking to make the most of the season.

Before you start planning, browse our Instagram carousel for a full visual look at this year’s events.
✨ See our Holiday Guide on Instagram

TLDR: What You’ll Find in This Guide

• The best holiday markets across Arlington, DC, and Northern Virginia

• Popular Christmas light experiences

• Festive pop up bars and seasonal activities

• Christmas tree farms with easy access from Arlington

• Pet friendly events

• Holiday performances and classic annual traditions

✨ Holiday Markets

• Singing Tree Market — Ballston

• Procrastinator’s Holiday Market — Northeast DC

• Christmas Markt — Heurich House Museum

• DC Holiday Market — Dupont Circle

• Snow Daze — Aslin Beer Co., Alexandria

🍸 Festive Pop Up Bars

• Holly Jolly Bar — Puttery

• Griswold’s on the Deck — Clarendon Ballroom

• Joy on the Avenue — Del Rey

• Miracle — Black Whiskey

• Snowglow at the Dome — Hi Lawn

🎄 Holiday Lights

• Winter Walk of Lights — Meadowlark Gardens

• Ice and Lights Winter Village — Cameron Run

• Zoo Lights — Smithsonian National Zoo

• Winter Wonderfest — Nationals Stadium

• Festival of Lights — Bull Run

🌲 Christmas Tree Markets

• Merrifield Garden Center — Merrifield

• Meadows Farms Nurseries — West Falls Church

• Gheens Trees — Washington DC

• Sutherland Christmas Trees — Washington DC

• Almost Heavenly Christmas Trees — Alexandria

⛸️ Ice Skating Rinks

• Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating — Westpost at National Landing

• Fairfax Ice Arena — Fairfax

• The Wharf Ice Rink — The Wharf

• Washington Harbor Ice Rink — Georgetown

• Sculpture Garden Ice Rink — National Gallery of Art

🐾 Animal Friendly Events

• Santa Paws Yappy Hour — Central Place Plaza

• Pet Photos with Santa — Ballston Quarter

• Ugly Sweater Goat Yoga — Faith Lutheran Church Arlington

• Holiday for the Hounds — Shipgarten

• Paws and Pints Holiday Party — Lost Generation Brewing Co.

🎁 Festive Activities

• Boat Parade of Lights — Old Town Alexandria

• Holiday Boat Parade and Party — The Wharf

• Menorah Lighting — Light Up Clarendon

• ICE — Gaylord National

• The Lodge Winter Festival — Metropolitan Park

🎭 Holiday Performances

• The Nutcracker — Kennedy Center

• A Christmas Carol — Ford’s Theater

• Trans Siberian Orchestra — Capital One Arena

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas — National Theater

• Home Alone in Concert — The Anthem

⭐ Key Takeaways

• December offers dozens of markets, lights, concerts, and pop ups in Greater Arlington

• The region features both free and ticketed winter attractions

• Many events are kid friendly and dog friendly

• Classic traditions like Zoo Lights, Menorah Lighting, and The Nutcracker return each year

• Curated by Discover Arlington and the best realtors in Arlington VA

📍 Thinking about buying or selling in Arlington? Work with the Best Realtors in Arlington VA
📞 Sign up for our next FREE Home Buying Workshop
🏡 Explore Neighborhoods in Arlington
📅 Check out upcoming Arlington Events
🔎 Start your Property Search
💬 Book your free Discovery Call