Updated July 10, 2020.

It’s Christmas! And it’s one of the best times of year to be in D.C. The lights, the music, the ice skating, and the seasonal sweets of every sort all help to make the season bright, but what really lights up my life this time of year are all the Christmas trees! So here’s the scoop on where to find the best Christmas trees in all of D.C. Happy tree peeping!

Library of Congress Christmas Tree

The Library of Congress Jefferson Building is one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in D.C., if not the world. And that beauty is only complemented by its gorgeous, luminous, magnificent Christmas tree each year! It usually goes up around the first weekend of December, and it stays up through the first week of January. Don’t miss it!

Read on: How to Tour the Library of Congress

Capitol Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree in front of the Capitol building is a highlight of every Christmas in the District. Their tree comes from a National Forest every year, and this year’s tree came from New Mexico!

Read on: How to Visit the U.S. Capitol

Trump International Hotel Christmas Tree

If you could have seen this hotel 10 years ago, you’d think there was no hope. It wasn’t a hotel at all! It was a smelly food court with tacky souvenir shops. You’d never believe it could be what it is today. And it’s most beautiful at Christmas!

Read on: Afternoon Tea at the Trump International D.C.

Willard Hotel Christmas Tree

The Willard is one of the most historic and most beautiful hotels in Washington, D.C., so it stands to reason that they have the most traditional tree: red, green, and gold!

But don’t miss their Gingerbread Display, too! This year’s display is the Jefferson Memorial (which is appropriate since the real Jefferson Memorial is currently under significant renovation!), and there are real fish in that little pond!

The National Christmas Tree

The National Tree is the one in front of the White House, and it’s always stunning! The tradition started in 1923 with President Coolidge. The whole history and a timeline can be found on their website!

Read on: How to Visit the White House

There are also dozens of smaller trees representing each state and U.S. territory. Find the one from your home and don’t forget to get its picture!

Honorable Mention: U.S. Botanic Garden

Okay, so the U.S. Botanic Garden doesn’t have a decorated Christmas tree, per se, but they do have loads of other festive Christmas decorations! Each year, they make all the major monuments, memorials, museums, and landmarks out of natural materials. They’re absolutely gorgeous, but go early and on a weekday if possible… the line to get in and see the decorations can be so long it wraps around the building!

Want more about all the things to do in D.C. this time of year? Check out Christmas in D.C.! And don’t miss my Washington, D.C., Page for everything you need to know for your trip!

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