Your DC Area Guide To Festive Places To Photograph the Holidays
December 10, 2025 by Marie Joabar
If you love capturing the holidays, check out all the photo ops in this guide. December transforms our city and surroundings to an incredibly festive location! Here's where to point your camera or smartphone to get those magical holiday shots.
Special Displays
U.S. CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE
Through Jan 6, 2026
Location: West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
Decorated with thousands of hand-made ornaments and The Capitol building makes the perfect backdrop for stunning compositions with the illuminated Capitol dome. Capture it any time of day from early morning to evening, but the prettiest time is just after dusk (around 5-6pm) when sky has color and the tree is lit. Shoot from various angles on the West Lawn to capture different Capitol perspectives. Use a wide-angle lens (16-35mm) to capture both tree and Capitol dome. Weeknights typically less crowded than weekends. Consider shooting from Third Street for a wide Capitol view with the reflecting pool.
THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE & MENORAH
Through January 1, 2026, 10am - 10pm daily
Location: President's Park, White House Ellipse
The iconic tree surrounded by 56 smaller trees (one for each U.S. state and territory) is peak Washington holiday imagery. Shoot the full scene with the White House in the background (bring a wider angle lens or use your phone's wide mode), individual state trees with their decorations, people enjoying the display, close-ups of ornaments, the perspective looking down the rows of state trees.
Arrive around 5-6 PM (blue hour) to catch that magical time when the sky is deep blue and the lights really pop.
CANADIAN EMBASSY CHRISTMAS TREE
Through early January
Location: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 20001
Just a few blocks from the Capitol Tree is the Canadian Embassy tree in a beautiful outdoor setting. Capture the tree by itself, then include the lights leading up to it, frame a shot with the Capitol visible thru the columns, and finally, get close and get some tight shots of the ornaments.
U.S. BOTANIC GARDEN - Season's Greenings Dino-Mite!
Through January 4, 2026, 10am - 5pm daily
Location: 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001
Free admission, no tickets required
Explore all the iconic D.C. landmarks models made from plant parts inside as well as hundreds of vibrant poinsettias. The Conservatory provides good natural light during day and evening hours (Dec. 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 30, and Jan. 1) offer unique lighting and live music atmosphere.
The outdoor garden features plant-crafted dinosaurs and the popular model trains. For the trains, try using continuous/burst mode to capture trains in motion, or slow shutter (1/15-1/30 sec) for motion blur.
To avoid the crowds, consider weekday mornings, especially early December.
CITYCENTER DC HOLIDAY TREE
Through January 8, 2026
Location: Palmer Alley, City Center DC
Free
A 75-foot Christmas tree with 155,000+ lights and 4,500 ornaments is the centerpiece. Shoot it from different angles (look for interesting foreground elements to frame it), detail shots of ornament clusters, the reflection in store windows, people gathered around the tree, the lit-up alley perspective.
Visit after sunset when the tree is fully lit but the sky still has some color. The urban alley setting and modern buildings make for clean, architectural compositions.
ZOO LIGHTS AT THE NATIONAL ZOO
Through January 3, 2026
Location: Wisconsin Ave
Cost: $6 admission
Thousands of LED lights and glowing animal lanterns transform the zoo into a wonderland. The display creates unique opportunities for creative shots with color and light. This is a great place to practice creative techniques—slow shutter speeds for light trails, silhouettes of people against bright displays, abstract shots of colored lights.
MOUNT VERNON CHRISTMAS
Throughout December.
Location: George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, Alexandria, VA
Cost: $28 adults, $15 ages 6-11, free for 5 and under
Special Event: Christmas Illuminations (December 20-21, 5:30-8:30 PM) offers evening tours with special lighting and holiday atmosphere.
This is an 18th-century holiday experience with authentic candlelight, lanterns, and bonfires creating warm, atmospheric lighting throughout the historic area.
Shoot the fireworks over the Potomac River with the mansion as foreground, candlelit mansion windows glowing in evening darkness and lantern-lit pathways through the historic area.
OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA
Throughout December.
Location: King Street, Alexandria, VA
A stroll down King Street offers many beautiful photo ops, the best on being the beautiful tree and wreathes in the Market Square in front of City Hall. On the river end on King Street frame another holiday tree with the river in the background. Head to the other end and capture the Washington Masonic Temple lit with green and red Christmas colors. Frame King St in the foreground with shops and lit trees along the street with the Temple in the background.
WASHINGTON DC TEMPLE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Through January 1, 2026
Location: Kensington, MD
Free
More than 500,000 lights illuminate the temple grounds, and the white temple architecture reflects light beautifully. This display is DESIGNED to be photographed. Bring a tripod if you have one, the brightness allows for cleaner shots at lower ISOs. Wide-angle lenses capture the scale, telephoto lenses compress the layers of lights.
Capture the lit-up temple as your anchor, pathways lined with lights creating perspective, the international-themed Christmas trees, the nativity scene, creative abstract shots of light patterns, silhouettes of visitors against the bright backgrounds.
GAYLORD NATIONAL RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER
Location: 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD
The ICE! experience features two million pounds of carved ice sculptures themed around The Polar Express—it's legitimately unlike anything else you can photograph in our area.
It's 9 degrees inside, so bring gloves (or mittens you can still press your shutter button with). The blue ice lighting creates a cool, surreal atmosphere and looks great in photos. Frame the ice sculptures from creative angles, capture people's reactions to the cold and the art, silhouettes against the blue ice, and detail shots of ice carving craftsmanship.
Nearby National Harbor features a fireworks display over the Capitol Wheel on Saturday evenings.
WINTER WALK OF LIGHTS AT MEADOWLARK BOTANICAL GARDENS
Through January 4, 2026
Location: Vienna, VA
Cost: $20.85 (free for children 2 and under)
This elegant garden trail decorated with thousands of sparkling lights creates a peaceful, enchanting atmosphere perfect for families. The natural setting provides beautiful backdrops for holiday photos. Bring your tripod and capture the wide variety of magically lit trees, sculptures and displays.
WINTER LANTERN FESTIVAL
Thursday-Sunday, daily from December 18-January 20, 5-10 PM
Location: Tysons II, 8025 Galleria Drive, Tysons, VA 22102
Cost: $19-$26
Dozens of glowing animal lanterns create an Asian-inspired light festival perfect for evening strolls and unique photo opportunities. The displays are spread throughout an outdoor paved area, giving you space to shoot from multiple angles. Capture glowing tunnel walkways creating leading lines and dramatic perspectives, massive illuminated animal sculptures (some over 20 feet tall), colorful reflection shots if there's been rain, silhouettes of visitors against bright lantern backgrounds, and detailed close-ups of intricate lantern craftsmanship.
Professional equipment and tripods are not permitted
BROOKSIDE GARDENS GARDEN OF LIGHTS
Through Jan 4, 2026, 5pm - 9:30pm
Location: Wheaton, MD 20902
Cost: $13.99 - $16.99
Over 1.5 million LED lights featuring a rainbow canopy, the Loch Ness monster, twinkling sky-high pine tree. New additions include flamingos with reflecting glow in the pond and color-changing jumping pads. New lighted archway choreographed to music. Walk the half-mile loop with intricate, nature-inspired light displays embedded within trees, flowerbeds, and manicured grounds. The best time to visit for photography is at dusk when the deep blue winter sky provides beautiful background contrast.
GAITHERSBURG'S WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL
Through December 31, 2025
Location: Seneca Creek State Park
Cost: $15-25 per vehicle
Drive through this spectacular light display featuring animated scenes and holiday vignettes throughout the park's winding roads.
Holiday Markets: Festive Backdrops & Warm Vibes
The variety of vendors creates a documentary-style opportunity, photograph the bustling market atmosphere, detail shots of handcrafted items, people interacting with vendors. Mix in some architectural shots from the surrounding historic buildings.
DC HOLIDAY MARKET AT DUPONT CIRCLE
Through December 23, 2025
Weekdays 12-8pm, Weekends 11am - 8pm
Location: New Hampshire Avenue NW (just north of Dupont Circle)
Free admission
The market's bright white and red tents create clean, cheerful backgrounds that make your photos pop without being overwhelming. With 35+ vendor booths, you'll find lots of colors, textures, and holiday details to work into your shots.
DOWNTOWN DC HOLIDAY MARKET
Through December 23, 2025, Daily, 12-8pm
Location: F Street NW (between 7th and 9th Streets)
Free admission
This market stretches two blocks with 100+ vendors, giving you tons of variety.
HEURICH CHRISTMAS MARKET
December 13-14, 2025 (Friday-Saturday only)
Location: Heurich House Museum, Dupont Circle
Admission: $6 - 18
An intimate German-style market. The Victorian mansion as a backdrop offers a completely different aesthetic from the other markets. It's smaller which actually makes it easier to get clean shots without crowds in your frame. Go during the day for warm natural light on the mansion, or evening for a cozier atmosphere.
Ice Skating: Action Shots & Winter Scenes
Photography Tips: Position yourself at the rink's edge for close-up shots, or find a spot on the elevated areas around the perimeter for overhead views. go during evening sessions (7-9pm) when the lights really shine.
Capture skaters gliding past so capture motion shots of people skating, detail shots of skates on ice, couples holding hands. Use fast shutter speed to freeze skaters and slow shutter speeds for creatively blurring them. The bigger rink means more action to capture, people doing spins, couples skating together, kids learning. Capture wide shots showing the whole scene, close-ups of skaters moving through the lights.
WASHINGTON HARBOUR ICE RINK
Through March 1, 2026, Sun-Thurs 11am - 8:30pm, Fri-Sat 11am -10:30pm
Location: 3050 K Street NW, Georgetown
Free to photograph but a fee to skate.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART SCULPTURE GARDEN
Through March 1, 2026
Location: Constitution Avenue NW & 7th Street NW
Free to photograph but a fee to skate.
THE WHARF ICE RINK
Through February 22, 2026 Wed-Fri 4-10 PM, Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-8 pm
Location: 970 Wharf Street SW (Transit Pier)
Free to photograph but a fee to skate.
Hotels: Holiday Elegance
THE WILLARD INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL
Location: 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
The Willard's lobby is basically a free photography studio during the holidays. Multiple towering Christmas trees, elaborate garlands, marble columns, and crystal chandeliers, it's old-world luxury cranked up to 11. The gingerbread display features miniature National Mall landmarks you can photograph up close.
Photography Tips: The lobby is open to the public. Weekday mornings (9-11am) are quieter. The lobby has lots of natural light from windows plus chandelier lighting, so it works throughout the day. Look up! The ceilings and chandeliers are incredible. Capture the massive Christmas trees from multiple angles—straight on, looking up from the base, detail shots of ornaments. Wide-angle shots showing the entire lobby's grandeur.
Holiday Classes
Learn techniques for capturing all the the holiday photo ops as well as night photography tips at any of our Holiday Classes!
12/13 Smartphone Holiday Photo Walk
12/14 Holiday Lights at National Harbor
12/18 Holiday Field Shoot at the Library of Congress
12/20 Holiday Photos Around the White House
12/21 Holiday Photos Around the U.S. Capitol
We'd love to see what you've captured, tag CapitalPhotographyCenter on Facebook or CapitalPhotogCenter on Instagram so we can see and share!