9 Places to See Stunning, Towering Christmas Trees Around DC

Indulge in the magic of the season this December and visit some of the most dazzling holiday trees in town. Get glammed up or put on your best holiday sweater to snap a photo alongside one of these elaborate trees at a park, hotel, and other places.

Riggs

“Golden Origins” is the title of this lustrous holiday tree created by Dutch couture designer David Laport. The towering beauty—inspired by the designer’s latest golden-hued collection—can be spotted in the Riggs Washington DC hotel lobby. After you catch a glimpse of the handcrafted pleated ornaments, stop by Cafe Riggs to taste the seasonal drink pairing, a Golden Mule-Tide.

Union Station

Dating back to the ’90s, Norway and the US have commemorated their strong friendship with the lighting of a Norwegian Christmas tree. The lofty tree graces the train station’s Main Hall, with mini flags honoring both Norway and the United States. In addition to the festive sapling, there are massive wreaths around the facade of the station, free concerts from string performance groups, a holiday market to shop local vendors, and the 1908 Holiday pop-up bar.

US Capitol

For more than 50 years, the Forest Service has kept up the tradition of supplying the legislative building with a tree from a different state. This year’s trunk is a red fir hailing from Nevada’s Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. You can view the People’s Tree shimmering on the West Lawn until the New Year.

National Christmas Tree

From 10 AM to 10 PM every day on the Ellipse, spectators can explore 58 decorated trunks along the Pathway of Peace encircling a towering holiday tree. The ornaments are one-of-a-kind—they’re designed by students from each state and territory.

Canadian Embassy

Check out the glamour of Canada’s 2025 holiday tree inside the open rotunda at the Canadian Embassy. The immense sapling is ornamented with red, gold, and silver decor surrounded by glowing Christmas-colored lights.

Willard InterContinental

Chic garland and glittering trees line the halls of DC’s Willard InterContinental. Hotel visitors can observe the splendor of the main tree, in the lobby, featuring cream and gold ornaments and holiday bells. Through December 23, guests can listen in on nightly carols while taking in the decor in the lobby and a gingerbread display.

CityCenterDC

You’ll want to get a front-row look at this oversized 75-foot tree embellished with thousands of lights and ornaments. Snap a memorable photo with the expansive tree and two 25-foot reindeer.

Floriana

The Dupont Circle Italian restaurant commissioned local designer and bar owner Dito Sevilla to give a nod to the history of holidays at the White House for this year’s Christmas tree design. Sevilla also designed a rose-hued tree featuring decorative swirls of fuchsia, lime green, and more pops of color—inspired by popular television show The Golden Girls—at The Little Gay Pub.

The Wharf

The Wharf is a one-stop destination for wintertime favorites, welcoming guests for ice skating, s’mores, and more. In addition to the festive activities, there are two trees. One is a 45-foot-tall spruce guarded by nutcrackers on District Pier. The other, on Market Pier, is a “tree” built with more than 100 Jack Daniel’s whiskey barrels from Tennessee.

Correction: An earlier version of this article gave the wrong address for the Willard InterContinental hotel. We apologize for the error.

Briana Thomas

Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.