Washington DC: Holiday Lights Bus Tour & Christmas Trees

Four Christmas Trees & Holiday Lights Across Washington DC in One Evening

You board a heated bus at your starting point and visit four separate Christmas trees across Washington DC (the National Tree, the Capitol Tree, the Embassy of Canada's tree, and CityCenterDC's illuminated display) plus the mistletoe installation and, on select December and January dates, the U.S. Botanic Gardens' outdoor holiday lights. A professional guide leads you on and off at each stop, and the tour concludes at Frosted at Franklin Square. No arranging transport between sites or timing the evening yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Washington DC Holiday Lights Tour

• Visit Willard InterContinental lobby
• Reflect at World War I Memorial
• See National Christmas Tree at Ellipse
• Visit U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
• View Christmas Tree at Embassy of Canada
• Stop at National Mistletoe display
• Admire CityCenterDC Holiday Tree
• Conclude at Frosted at Franklin Square

The experience

The bus pulls away from the first stop, the Willard InterContinental, and you're already inside the season. The hotel's lobby had marble halls strung with garlands, live carollers echoing off the walls, towering trees in every corner. That's the opening move of this holiday lights bus tour through Washington DC: you step off the climate-controlled vehicle at each stop for 15 to 20 minutes, walk through the decorated spaces, take photos under the glow, then climb back on. The first 45 minutes are spent outside, so dress warm, but after that you're moving between sites in heated comfort.

The National Christmas Tree sits on the Ellipse just south of the White House, lit each December by the President, surrounded by smaller trees from every U.S. state and territory. They call it the Pathway of Peace. Then there's the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on the West Lawn, a different hand-selected evergreen from a different National Forest each year, decorated with handcrafted ornaments from its home state. The Capitol dome glows behind it. You'll also stop at the Embassy of Canada's tree along Pennsylvania Avenue, and if you're on one of the select dates (December 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, or January 1) the tour includes the U.S. Botanic Gardens, where an intricate miniature train display winds through plant-based scenes under festive lights. The mistletoe stop is playful, oversized and glowing, built for photos. CityCenterDC's tree dazzles with thousands of lights and mirrored ornaments in a sleek, contemporary plaza.

The tour ends at Frosted at Franklin Square, a final stop designed to feel like a grand finale: twinkling displays, cozy winter décor, the kind of place where you step off the bus and into the last bit of holiday energy before heading home. A professional guide moves with the group at each stop, pointing out details and timing the transitions so nothing feels rushed. The whole experience runs in the evening, which is when the lights actually show. Groups stay small enough that you're not fighting crowds at each site, and since it's a hop-on hop-off format, you control how long you linger at any stop before reboarding.

What’s included

• Climate-controlled bus transportation between all stops.
• visits to the National Christmas Tree, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, Embassy of Canada tree, CityCenterDC tree, National Mistletoe display, and Frosted at Franklin Square.
• U.S. Botanic Gardens holiday light displays on December 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and January 1.
• professional tour guide leading the group on and off the bus at each stop.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Saturday and SundayDeparts at 18:30

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (2 to 15 years)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.Operator's directions: “Meet your guide outside the White House Visitor Center - look for your DC by Foot guide in orange and a white bus with a Holiday Lights Bus Tour sign.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by DC by Foot

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see DC's main holiday tree displays in one evening without arranging your own transport or timing between stops: the fixed route and guide handle both, leaving you free to focus on the lights and photos.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 15 years).

What dates does the tour include the U.S. Botanic Gardens?

December 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and January 1, 2025. On other dates, the tour visits the other holiday displays but skips the Botanic Gardens.

How long do you spend at each stop?

Most stops are 15 to 20 minutes. The first 45 minutes of the tour are spent outside, so plan for cold weather at the start.

Is the vehicle heated?

Yes, the bus is climate-controlled, so you're warm between stops.

What's included in the tour price?

Climate-controlled transport between sites, entry to all stops, a professional tour guide, and visits to four Christmas tree displays plus the mistletoe installation and final stop at Frosted at Franklin Square.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You board and exit the bus at each stop, and time spent walking is short, typically 15 to 20 minutes per site.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the bus.

Can I get on and off the bus at different stops?

Yes, it's a hop-on hop-off format, so you can stay longer at any stop and reboard the next bus, as long as you return before the tour concludes.