Upcoming Garden Events in Washington, DC – December 2025
Washington, DC, is a vibrant city that offers a variety of garden-themed activities this December. Here is a list of notable events to consider for your holiday season plans:
Season’s Greenings: Dino-Mite! Holiday Show
Dates: November 27, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Location: U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001
Details: This annual holiday exhibit features stunning botanical wreaths, thousands of poinsettias, and intricate models of famous D.C. landmarks made from plant materials. The highlight this year is the “Dino-Mite!” theme, showcasing G-gauge model trains navigating through dinosaur models constructed from plant parts, including species like Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended hours until 8:00 PM on December 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and January 1. The garden remains closed on December 25.
Admission: Free
Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park
Date: December 5, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Details: Transforming into a winter wonderland, Nationals Park hosts a festive celebration featuring a 100-foot tubing slide, Northern Lights experience, winter train rides, LED seesaws, mini putt-putt challenges, curling lanes, snowball speed throw challenge, and an artistic sculpture garden curated by local artists.
Admission: $27 (for ages 4 and up)
FONA’s Winter Festival
Date: December 6, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002
Details: This lively festival hosted by the Friends of the National Arboretum features a vibrant gift market with over 30 local artisans. Attendees can enjoy holiday train rides around the historic Capitol Columns, participate in family-focused activities, sip hot chocolate, and join in lively caroling sessions.
Admission: Free
Growing Community: Indoor Winter Garden Workshop
Date: December 20, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE, Washington, DC 20020
Details: Focused on sustainable indoor gardening, this workshop covers techniques for growing vegetables and herbs indoors during the winter months. Participants will also learn tips for caring for holiday plants to ensure they stay healthy and vibrant throughout the season.
Admission: Free
These upcoming events provide excellent opportunities to enjoy the holiday season while discovering the beauty and diversity of Washington, DC’s gardens and green spaces.
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
The WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWashingtonDC.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Washington, DC, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and regional news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Washington Auto Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Washington Board of Trade and Destination DC, plus leading businesses in government contracting and technology that power the local economy such as Lockheed Martin and Amazon. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape of the Washington metropolitan area.
