MAIN Christmas USA Christmas in Washington, DC

A tourist magnet for millions of tourists a year, the nation's capital really pulls out all the stops during the holiday season, kicking off with the annual lighting ceremony of the National Christmas Tree in early December.

Watch for this year's official tree lighting at the White House scheduled for 5PM ET on Thursday, December 1, 2011

Find out what else is going on in around the nation's capital at the National Cathedral (scheduled to reopen on November 12, 2011 for the first time since the August 23 earthquake), as well as the Smithsonian, and other museums around The Mall with additional must-sees further afield in nearby Maryland and Virginia ....

More information about Christmas in Washington DC around the Web:

National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - This year's official holiday kickoff with date and time, entertainment performers, chorale schedule, and a history of the National Christmas Tree.

Smithsonian Institution Event Calendar- Discover what's happening in the "nation's attic" with annual festivities centering around the Castle.

Washington National Cathedral - A hot ticket during the holidays with a full schedule of Christmas services, concerts and craft workshops. Check out the entire schedule on the home page as the holidays draw near.

National Gallery of Art - See the grand West Building Rotunda decorated for the holidays, and take in the annual Christmas concert.

Union Station - The halls are decked out for Christmas at the annual Norwegian Christmas celebration featuring a tree lighting ceremony, ice sculptures and food and crafts fair.

Wolf Trap Family Sing-A-Long - Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs performed by the United States Marine Band and vocal groups from the DC area, at the Filine Center.

The Washington Ballet - The Nutcracker - Dates, times, ticket prices and online ordering for the annual holiday performance.

Bethesda's Winter Wonderland - Times & dates for this year's festivities centering around Veterans Park with a winter concert, ice sculpting demonstrations, and a visit from St. Nick.

also see -> Christmas in Maryland | Christmas in Virginia

also see in Travel -> Washington, DC Tourist Attractions