Washington DC is abuzz with the spirit of the season, from Georgetown GLOW to ZooLights at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, there is no shortage of luminous events that will leave you feeling appropriately festive.

In Brookland, this holiday season began with the erected Monroe Street Market holiday tree, the focal point of the tree lighting ceremony held a couple of weeks ago. This included festive performances and of course a special visit from Santa Claus. If you missed the local tree lighting, there is always the Trolley Tours: Celebration of Lights, an event that inspires neighbors to dress their houses and lawns with lights and decorations to illuminate the season. Residents enjoy participating in the event, whether they are on the trolley, enjoying the community reception hosted at The Menkiti Group office or simply a part of the Tolley route as a stop for carolers and onlookers.

Probably one of the most elaborately decorated and known Christmas trees with a recurring memorable tree lighting ceremony is the National Christmas Tree, which celebrated its 94th year, this year.  Another “national” tree, although not the tree in front of the White House, is The National Harbor Tree. The picturesque tree adorns the Downtown Waterfront District where on Saturdays (up until the 23rd of December), viewers can enjoy holiday inspired caroling and a movie in the afternoon. If you want to stay more local to DC, make your way to Union Station! At the center of the station is a tree, decorated and illuminating holiday cheer to travelers moving through the station, lit earlier in the season by the Ambassador of Norway.

Keeping with the Brookland holiday theme, Georgetown has their own “Celebration of Lights”. The Georgetown Business District has lit up the neighborhood with 9 strategically placed art installations. The outdoor light art exhibition is free and positioned in a variety of public areas.

“Georgetown GLOW” Exhibits
Horizontal Interference
Joachim Slugocki and Katarzyna Malejka
Washington Harbour (300 K Street NW)

Aqueous
Jen Lewin
Georgetown Waterfront Park (Near Wisconsin Avenue NW and K Street NW)

My Light Is Your Light
Alaa Minawi in collaboration with Light Art Collection and Amsterdam Light Festival
Grace Church (1041 Wisconsin Avenue NW)

Light Cloud
Ted Bazydlo and Brandon Newcomer
Hok Courtyard (3223 Grace Street NW)

Bands of Friendship
Vikas Patil and Santosh Gujar in collaboration with Light Art Collection and Amsterdam Light Festival
Dean & Deluca and Georgetown Park Plaza (3276 M Street NW)

Open Lounge
Géraud Périole in collaboration with Light Art Collection and Amsterdam Light Festival
Cady’s Alley (Near 33rd and M streets NW)

Quayola, Casey Reas, & Sara Ludy
LSM Architects
3333 M Street NW

Glow Structural Remix
Robin Bell
Old Georgetown Theater (1351 Wisconsin Avenue NW

The Neighbors 
Ombrélumen, Shanghai, and Houston
Book Hill (Along Wisconsin Avenue from P Street NW to Reservoir Road NW)