22 Things to Do on Christmas Day in the DMV

1. See the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, not only in DC but also from the chosen National Forest of the year. Follow the enormous tree's journey across the country to the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol building. Then, visit the brilliantly lit evergreen on Christmas day.

2. Take a stroll around the Tidal Basin to visit the Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials. With government buildings closed on the big day, parking is easy, and crowds are often light.

3. Stop for a photo op with Albert Einstein. The colossal bronze memorial statue is a great place to snap a picture with the whole family just across from the Vietnam Wall. See who can do the best Albert Einstein pose.

4. Visit Aladdin, the Christmas camel at Mt. Vernon and see the estate dressed up for the holidays. Travel back in time, enjoy the historical decorations, and prepare for all the holiday feels.

5. Pay your respects at Arlington National Cemetery. Yes, it is a solemn place to visit on Christmas Day, but it is inspiring in so many ways. Each headstone is decorated with a beautiful green wreath, and the sight is a special reminder of the brave men and women that served our country.

6. Admire ornaments representing every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia. All made by ordinary Americans who want to commemorate their hometown's history, heritage, and culture. The display surrounds the National Christmas Tree.

7. Check out the sparkling light displays in Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, U Street, Woodley Park and more. Be sure to cast your vote for your favorite one.

8. Wind your way through the light maze at Enchant in Nationals Park. Try out one of the ice skating trails, and follow your kids to the play place. Shop small and local at the Enchant Market filled with yummy treats and fancy finds from nearby shops and restaurants.  

9. Get lost in a larger-than-life light spectacular at Light Yards. With beautiful blinking colors, sparkling 22-foot trees brighten up the Yards' Sun Deck. The whole family will love this glowing stop on the big day.

10. Leave the cooking to the chefs at Angolo Ristorante. They're serving a traditional Christmas feast complete with ham, turkey and all the fixings. Round out your three-course meal with homemade pie and vanilla ice cream.  

11. Take in a new release, independent, foreign or avant-garde movie at Landmark Theatres E Street Cinema. The snack bar has a great selection of bites, beer and wine.

12. Catch the best view around from the top of The Capital Wheel in National Harbor. Grab the whole crew as each gondola seats 6-8 people. You can book your tickets online before you go and walk through the Christmas spectacular at the Gaylord Hotel next door after you're finished.

13. Drive outside the city to Centerville, VA and keep on driving through the Bull Run Festival of Lights. The 2.5-mile drive is full of twinkling lights and family fun. It's a great way to end a fun-filled Christmas day.

14. Lace up your ice skates for Ice & Lights, The Winter Village at Cameron Run in Alexandria, VA. The waterpark is transformed into a winter wonderland with icy fun, Instagram-worthy photo ops and tons of holiday music.  

15. Walk through the most iconic scenes from your favorite Christmas movies in a multi-sensory experience at Gaylord National in National Harbor. The I Love Christmas Movies experience features The Polar Express, Elf, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story and The Year Without a Santa Claus. 

16. Head out with your little ones (best for ages 3-6) and get ready for a fun family scavenger hunt through the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA. Find clues, check out new places together, and connect the dots to Jingle Journey's latest holiday adventure.

17. Take Christmas To-Go thanks to the Holidays at the Willard. Why spend your day in the kitchen when you can order the three-course prix fixe menu featuring Prime Tenderloin and Chilean Seabass. Get your order in by Dec. 20.

18. If you're heading to see friends and family on Christmas day, stop by the West Hall of Union Station to see the model train display. Your crew will love the handmade replicas of real Norwegian trains set in a Nordic landscape filled with fjords, mountains and tiny skiers. 

19. Stay warm inside DC's ARTECHOUSE, where you can walk through a neuron and witness the beauty of the human brain. The tech-centric art installation is a super cool way to spend your holiday together.  

20. Accept the National Cathedral's invitation to make a cup of hot chocolate, don an ugly Christmas sweater and celebrate the holiday with a free organ concert at 1:30 p.m on Christmas day. Young and old alike will enjoy the program full of festive holiday tunes. 

21. Get outside together and hike Scotts Run loop for a slightly challenging stretch of the Potomac Heritage Trail, not far from the city. Keep in mind the trail can be slippery after heavy rain or melting snow. 

22. Pick up a bicycle at one of the hundreds of bikeshare around the DC area. Take in tons of local sights (and lights!) and burn off some of those holiday meal calories.