Welcome to the perfect holiday guide for Dale City! Find all the top festive events and attractions right here. Whether you're a familiar face or a new visitor, this guide ensures you experience the holiday charm in Dale City.
Popular events this season include the enchanting US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains, where families can marvel at stunning seasonal displays and intricate model trains winding through lush greenery. Another highlight is the Downtown Holiday Market, featuring local vendors offering unique gifts and delicious treats perfect for the holiday season. And the US Capitol Tree Lighting is something you definitely don’t want to miss, showcasing the beauty of the season with a spectacular tree illuminating the Capitol. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Dale City
- US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains (Washington, D.C.)
- National Harbor Tree Light Show (National Harbor)
- US Capitol Tree Lighting (Washington, D.C.)
- Downtown Holiday Market (Washington, D.C.)
- ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (National Harbor)
- Gaylord National Hotel Show (National Harbor)
- City Center Tree Lighting (Washington, D.C.)
- Riverside Christmas Spectacular (Woodbridge)
- Middleburg Christmas Festival (Middleburg)
- Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military: A Holiday Pops (Washington, D.C.)
See these and even more events listed below!
Dale City Holiday Light Displays
City Center Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Dazzling 75-foot tree with live music and festive activities.
Description:
CityCenterDC's 10th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting features a 75-foot tree, live music by The Revels, balloon artists, face painters, and holiday treats. NBC4's Eun Yang hosts the official tree lighting ceremony.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: City Center Tree Lighting
US Capitol Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Time-honored tradition of over 50 years featuring a decorated tree lit on the U.S. Capitol grounds.
Description:
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is a 63-foot Norway spruce from West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest. The tree travels to Washington, D.C., making stops in various communities before being lit on the West Front Lawn during a ceremony, spreading holiday cheer to visitors from around the world.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: US Capitol Tree Lighting
National Harbor Tree Light Show
What to Expect:
Spectacular RGB tree light show with holiday music.
Description:
The National Harbor Tree Light Show features a 60-foot RGB tree that comes to life nightly with a breathtaking light show dancing alongside a holiday medley recorded by the United States Air Force Band.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: National Harbor Tree Light Show
Chevy Chase Main Street Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Unique holiday light displays along a bustling shopping corridor.
Description:
Chevy Chase Main Street is transformed into a vibrant holiday spectacle with businesses decked out in festive lights. Explore, shop, and dine amidst the holiday events and activities throughout the month.
Where: Chevy Chase | More Info: Chevy Chase Main Street Holiday Lights
Cleveland Park Main Street Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Local businesses showcase festive holiday lights and special events.
Description:
Cleveland Park Main Street is decked out in holiday lights from November 17 to January 7. The event features a variety of local businesses showcasing their festive displays, offering holiday deals, and hosting special events. Visitors can explore the corridor, enjoy amazing holiday activities, and cast their vote for their favorite light display.
Where: Cleveland Park | More Info: Cleveland Park Main Street Holiday Lights
Dale City Holiday Markets and Shopping
HolidayFest & Tree Lighting Event
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with tree lighting and Santa visits.
Description:
HolidayFest & Tree Lighting Event features holiday activities, entertainment, and shopping, including the annual Tree Lighting and visits with Santa, all held in River Mill Park.
Where: Historic Occoquan | More Info: HolidayFest & Tree Lighting Event
Downtown Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Diverse local vendors and community activations.
Description:
The DowntownDC Holiday Market is a vibrant holiday market in Penn Quarter-Chinatown, featuring over 100 local vendors, upgraded vendor kiosks, diverse artisans, community activations, and a delectable food and beverage lineup.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: Downtown Holiday Market
Dale City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Riverside Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday performance with singers and dancers.
Description:
Riverside Christmas Spectacular features a spectacular cast of singers and dancers presenting the heart and essence of the holiday season with excitement, memories, and joy.
Where: Woodbridge | More Info: Riverside Christmas Spectacular
Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military: A Holiday Pops
What to Expect:
Free holiday concert honoring military service members and their families.
Description:
The National Symphony Orchestra's Notes of Honor initiative presents a special free performance of A Holiday Pops featuring Broadway darling Jessica Vosk. This sparkling celebration includes holiday showstoppers and Broadway favorites, honoring active duty, prior service members, veterans, and retired service members and their families.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military: A Holiday Pops
Gaylord National Hotel Show
What to Expect:
Larger-than-life ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides.
Description:
The Gaylord National Hotel Show features larger-than-life ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels, creating a spectacular holiday experience.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: Gaylord National Hotel Show
ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
What to Expect:
Interactive ice sculptures and live demonstrations by master artisans.
Description:
ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is an immersive holiday attraction with over 2 million pounds of ice sculptures, including scenes from the beloved TV special. Visitors can explore 14 immersive scenes, including Snoopy's doghouse and thrilling frozen slides, all hand-carved by world-renowned artisans from Harbin, China.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Dale City Other Holiday Activities
US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains
What to Expect:
Model trains traverse through pollinator scenes made from natural plant parts.
Description:
The United States Botanic Garden's Season's Greenings holiday exhibit features model trains running through pollinator sculptures made from plant parts, along with festive lights, poinsettias, and DC landmarks made from plants inside the Conservatory.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains
Kwanzaa & Watch Night: Visions of Freedom
What to Expect:
Historical and cultural celebration of African American heritage.
Description:
Celebrate Kwanzaa and Watch Night with activities honoring the last three principles of Kwanzaa—Kuumba, Imani, and Nia—while learning about the historical significance of Watch Night and the role of African American military units in the Civil War.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: Kwanzaa & Watch Night: Visions of Freedom
Middleburg Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday events in a picturesque horse country setting.
Description:
Middleburg Christmas Festival features tree lighting, a mile-long Christmas parade, the Middleburg Hunt Review, and various shopping and dining activities.
Where: Middleburg | More Info: Middleburg Christmas Festival
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Lake Ridge (4 miles)
- West Springfield (11 miles)
- Burke (11 miles)
- Woodlawn (11 miles)
- Manassas (12 miles)
- Springfield (12 miles)
- Fairfax (14 miles)
- Annandale (15 miles)
- Rose Hill (15 miles)
- Centreville (15 miles)
- Lincolnia (15 miles)
- Fort Washington (16 miles)
- Linton Hall (17 miles)
- Oakton (17 miles)
- West Falls Church (17 miles)
- Baileys Crossroads (18 miles)
- Alexandria (18 miles)
- Chantilly (19 miles)
- Waldorf (20 miles)
- Arlington (20 miles)
- Saint Charles (20 miles)
- Oak Hill (21 miles)
- St. Charles (21 miles)
- Oxon Hill-Glassmanor (21 miles)
- McLean (22 miles)
- South Riding (22 miles)
- Reston (23 miles)
- Washington (23 miles)
- Herndon (23 miles)
- Clinton (24 miles)
- Fredericksburg (24 miles)
- Suitland-Silver Hill (25 miles)
- Suitland (25 miles)
- Sterling (26 miles)
- Bethesda (26 miles)
- Potomac (27 miles)
- Chillum (28 miles)
- Silver Spring (29 miles)
- Ashburn (30 miles)
- North Bethesda (30 miles)
- Landover (30 miles)
- North Potomac (31 miles)
- Wheaton (31 miles)
- College Park (31 miles)
- Rockville (32 miles)
- Aspen Hill (33 miles)
- Greenbelt (35 miles)
- Gaithersburg (35 miles)
- Leesburg (36 miles)
- Fairland (36 miles)
- Bowie (38 miles)
- Montgomery Village (38 miles)
- Olney (38 miles)
- South Laurel (39 miles)
- Laurel (40 miles)
- Scaggsville (41 miles)
- Crofton (42 miles)