Create your holiday itinerary in Bethesda! Our guide features all the best festive events and activities. From Bethesda natives to seasonal migrants, our guide illuminates the path to holiday joy.
Popular events include the enchanting Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon, where dazzling light displays fill the historic grounds with seasonal splendor. Another highlight is the Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show, offering a unique blend of gospel music and holiday cheer. And the lively performance, A Swingin' Little Christmas, is something you definitely don’t want to miss. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Bethesda
- Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon)
- Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show (Washington, DC)
- A Swingin' Little Christmas (North Bethesda)
- DowntownDC Holiday Market (Washington, DC)
- Atlas Presents Navidad Flamenca (Washington, DC)
- ZooLights (Washington, DC)
- DC Holiday Market (Washington, DC)
- Winter City Lights (Olney)
- Garden of Lights (Wheaton)
- Holiday Boat Parade (Washington, DC)
See these and even more events listed below!
Bethesda Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with historic and festive elements.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Mount Vernon with lantern-lit Historic Area, Mansion aglow in amber light, and Upper Garden and Greenhouse dazzling in blue and lavender. Enjoy classic holiday music, patriotic inspirational quotes, and stunning fireworks over the Potomac River. Explore an 18th-century winter encampment, visit sutlers selling 18th-century crafts, and warm up with food and holiday drinks.
Where: Mount Vernon | More Info: Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
ZooLights
What to Expect:
Holiday light display with live music and seasonal treats.
Description:
ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo features thousands of LED lights depicting animals and their habitats, live musical performances, and seasonal treats. Visitors can explore immersive displays, ride the Conservation Carousel, and enjoy holiday shopping at various stores.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: ZooLights
Garden of Lights
What to Expect:
Outdoor walk-through light exhibit with secular displays.
Description:
Brookside Gardens transforms into a dazzling display of over one million LED lights, featuring handcrafted art forms of flowers, animals, and natural elements along a half-mile paved trail.
Where: Wheaton | More Info: Garden of Lights
Winter City Lights
What to Expect:
Technologically advanced Christmas light experience with eco-friendly, high-quality lighting.
Description:
Over 1 million twinkling lights spread across 18 acres, featuring a 1.5-mile trail of Christmas lights and displays through the woods, a 52-foot tall programmable Christmas tree, and 200-foot diameter canopy of Christmas lights. The event includes 33 bonfires, an 8-lane Snow Tubing Ride, and various food and drink options.
Where: Olney | More Info: Winter City Lights
Gaithersburg’s Winter Lights Festival
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light drive-through experience with themed areas.
Description:
The Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival is a 3.5-mile drive-through holiday light display at Seneca Creek State Park, featuring over 450 illuminated displays and beautifully lit trees.
Where: Gaithersburg | More Info: Gaithersburg’s Winter Lights Festival
City Center Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Dazzling 75-foot tree with live music and festive activities.
Description:
Join CityCenterDC for its 10th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, featuring a joyful music performance by The Revels, balloon artists, face painters, and holiday treats. NBC4's Eun Yang will host the official tree lighting ceremony and countdown. Enjoy the dazzling 75-foot tree and visit the two resident 25-foot reindeer.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: City Center Christmas Tree Lighting
Bethesda Holiday Markets and Shopping
DowntownDC Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Diverse local vendors and community activations.
Description:
The DowntownDC Holiday Market is a 20th-anniversary celebration in Penn Quarter-Chinatown, featuring upgraded vendor kiosks, diverse artisans, community activations, and a delectable food and beverage lineup.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: DowntownDC Holiday Market
DC Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Diverse local artisans and upgraded vendor kiosks.
Description:
The DowntownDC Holiday Market is a vibrant holiday marketplace in Penn Quarter-Chinatown, featuring a diverse array of local artisans, upgraded vendor kiosks, and a delectable food and beverage lineup. The market is open daily from November 22 to December 23, offering a variety of community activations and shopping experiences.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: DC Holiday Market
Mosaic Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique gifts from local artisans with Santa photo opportunities.
Description:
Mosaic Holiday Market features over 65 talented makers offering unique gifts for everyone on your list. Enjoy a memorable shopping experience with local artisans and the chance to snap a selfie with Santa.
Where: Fairfax | More Info: Mosaic Holiday Market
Bethesda Holiday Shows and Entertainment
A Swingin' Little Christmas
What to Expect:
Retro-style, jazzy Christmas special with top-notch talents.
Description:
A Swingin' Little Christmas is a hilarious and heartwarming holiday extravaganza featuring Jane Lynch, Kate Flannery, Tim Davis, and the Tony Guerrero Quintet. This show blends comedy and music with classic holiday tunes and original songs, offering a fresh take on 1950s and 1960s-style Christmas specials.
Where: North Bethesda | More Info: A Swingin' Little Christmas
Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show
What to Expect:
Grammy-winning gospel music performance by living legends.
Description:
The Blind Boys of Alabama bring their soul-stirring gospel music to The Barns at Wolf Trap, performing traditional festive standards and selections from their Grammy-winning holiday albums.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show
Atlas Presents Navidad Flamenca
What to Expect:
Flamenco dancing and traditional Spanish holiday music.
Description:
Celebrate the holidays with a journey through Spanish and Puerto Rican traditions. Enjoy Spanish holiday music and song (villancicos) alongside flamenco dancing and a "parranda." The event features Furia Flamenca Dance Company and a rich cast of musicians.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: Atlas Presents Navidad Flamenca
Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Interactive ice sculpting and family-friendly entertainment.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season in downtown Bethesda with Santa Claus, live ice sculpting, live music, face painting, and games. Enjoy activities like a live ice sculpting demo, visiting Santa, and a student concert. Plus, indulge in food from local restaurants Red Bandana Bakery and Good Ducking Burger.
Where: Bethesda | More Info: Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland
Bethesda Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Spectacular fireworks finale over the Washington Channel.
Description:
The Holiday Boat Parade at The Wharf features 60 beautifully decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel, accompanied by landside activities like hot toddies, live music, ornament decorating, holiday karaoke, and family photos with Santa. The event culminates with a spectacular fireworks finale.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: Holiday Boat Parade
The Crossing Clarendon
What to Expect:
Fall celebration with live music and foodie events.
Description:
The Crossing Clarendon offers a vibrant fall celebration with live music, Instagrammable photo-ops, and exclusive foodie events.
Where: Clarendon | More Info: The Crossing Clarendon
US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains
What to Expect:
Unique holiday display with model trains and pollinator sculptures.
Description:
The US Botanic Gardens' holiday display features model trains running through pollinator sculptures made from plant parts, festive lights, and DC landmarks crafted from plants inside the Conservatory. Thousands of poinsettias and holiday decor add to the festive atmosphere.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Silver Spring (4 miles)
- North Bethesda (5 miles)
- Wheaton (5 miles)
- McLean (5 miles)
- Chillum (6 miles)
- Potomac (6 miles)
- Washington (7 miles)
- Arlington (7 miles)
- Aspen Hill (7 miles)
- Rockville (8 miles)
- College Park (9 miles)
- Baileys Crossroads (9 miles)
- West Falls Church (9 miles)
- Fairland (10 miles)
- North Potomac (11 miles)
- Landover (11 miles)
- Lincolnia (11 miles)
- Annandale (12 miles)
- Olney (12 miles)
- Greenbelt (12 miles)
- Alexandria (12 miles)
- Gaithersburg (12 miles)
- Oakton (13 miles)
- Reston (13 miles)
- Suitland (13 miles)
- Suitland-Silver Hill (13 miles)
- Rose Hill (13 miles)
- Springfield (14 miles)
- Oxon Hill-Glassmanor (14 miles)
- Fairfax (14 miles)
- Montgomery Village (14 miles)
- South Laurel (15 miles)
- Herndon (15 miles)
- Scaggsville (16 miles)
- West Springfield (16 miles)
- Laurel (16 miles)
- Burke (16 miles)
- Oak Hill (17 miles)
- Sterling (18 miles)
- Woodlawn (18 miles)
- Clinton (18 miles)
- Chantilly (19 miles)
- Fort Washington (19 miles)
- Bowie (20 miles)
- Centreville (20 miles)
- Ashburn (21 miles)
- South Riding (22 miles)
- Crofton (22 miles)
- Odenton (23 miles)
- Columbia (23 miles)
- Lake Ridge (23 miles)
- Severn (24 miles)
- Hanover (25 miles)
- West Elkridge (25 miles)
- Ellicott City (26 miles)
- Manassas (26 miles)
- Ilchester (26 miles)
- Waldorf (26 miles)
- Dale City (26 miles)
- Leesburg (27 miles)
- South Gate (27 miles)
- St. Charles (27 miles)
- Saint Charles (27 miles)
- Catonsville (28 miles)
- Glen Burnie (28 miles)
- Arbutus (29 miles)
- Linton Hall (30 miles)
- Pasadena (30 miles)
- Eldersburg (30 miles)
- Severna Park (30 miles)
- Milford Mill (31 miles)
- Woodlawn (31 miles)
- Randallstown (31 miles)
- Lochearn (32 miles)
- Arnold (32 miles)
- Annapolis (33 miles)
- Gwynn Oak (33 miles)
- Baltimore (34 miles)
- Pikesville (34 miles)
- Frederick (34 miles)
- Owings Mills (35 miles)
- Dundalk (36 miles)
- Reisterstown (37 miles)
- Towson (39 miles)
- Essex (40 miles)
- Parkville (41 miles)
- Carney (42 miles)
- Cockeysville (42 miles)
- Middle River (43 miles)
- Hunt Valley (43 miles)