Take a Trip to the Nation’s Capital!

Not sure what to do with your friends and family this holiday season? Take a trip to Washington DC and enjoy some FREE events happening this December!

Something I love to do during this time of year is getting my family together and walking around DC. Areas like the National Mall and the Capitol are a must in order to visit the annual Christmas tree that is lit each year. It’s fun to walk around, laugh, and enjoy the sight of all the lights and the sounds of holiday cheer. I don’t enjoy driving in cities, so riding the Metro is always my family’s go-to option in order to avoid any extreme parking fees or tickets!

Here are a few things you can do in DC this holiday season:

The District’s Holiday Boat Parade is returning for its 30th anniversary! Watch festive boats with decorative lights on the waterfront at the Wharf in DC. This Saturday, December 3rd from 6pm-9pm there will be live music performances, ornament decorating, photos with Santa, s’mores with a fire pit, an ice skating rink, and more.

the Holiday Boat Parade on the waterfront at the Wharf

The Embassy of Canada houses a beautifully red lit Christmas tree that is perfect for picture taking!
The Capitol Christmas tree. What more do I even have to say? This is a must.

The Downtown Holiday Market is lit with hundreds of Christmas lights and is surrounded by many small business booths from the metropolitan DC area, and the majority of them are minority owned businesses. Be sure to check them out and support your local small business. This began on November 18th and will close on December 23rd, but is available from 12pm-8pm daily on 8th & F Streets, NW. Enjoy yummy treats, hot chocolate, and more.

CitycenterDC has cool lights and visual art exhibitions that little ones would be sure to enjoy. As for grown ups, I’m sure they’ll enjoy the stores nearby as well for some holiday shopping.

There is so much more that you and your loved ones can enjoy to make fun holiday memories! These are just a few things I’ll be sure to do when the semester ends and I hope everyone can do so as well. Stay up to date on holiday events in DC through social media and the Washington Post Magazine.

Happy holidays USG folks!

About melanyclaros

Hi everyone! My name is Melany Claros and I am currently a Junior at the University of Maryland, College Park at the Universities at Shady Grove. I was born and raised in Maryland and I love this state! I recently graduated from Montgomery College with an associate of arts in Business and am now majoring in Marketing in the Robert H. Smith School of Business. I also have a minor in Technology Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation. I hope to expand my knowledge in marketing analytics and I strive to obtain an internship where I can gain experience in the fruition that resonates with Marketing. Some topics I plan to write about include struggles that first-generation college students face (especially in the perspective of Latino households), imposter syndrome, and fun hobbies like hiking, new books I suggest people should read, new music discoveries, and much more. During my free time I enjoy reading, listening to music, discovering new coffee shops, and spending time with my friends and family.

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