Annual Holiday Tree Lighting 2026

CityCenterDC Announces Nov. 14 Date for Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

The beloved D.C. tradition will take place during the opening weekend of the DowntownDC Holiday Market and other holiday festivities across downtown.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 2026) – CityCenterDC’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting will take place Saturday, Nov. 14, during the opening weekend of the DowntownDC Holiday Market and other holiday festivities across downtown. The date marks the first time in 13 years the event will be held before Thanksgiving. 

For the previous 12 years, thousands of Washingtonians and visitors have gathered at CityCenterDC on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to watch its spectacular 78-foot holiday tree illuminate the heart of downtown. This year, the celebration moves to a date before Thanksgiving, bringing the Tree Lighting together with the Holiday Market’s opening weekend and seasonal programming throughout the neighborhood. 

Festivities will take place from 5–8 p.m. in The Park at CityCenter, at New York Avenue NW and 11th Street NW. The evening will include live entertainment, family-friendly activities such as face painting and balloon animals, and food and beverages available for purchase, including warm pretzels, popcorn, donuts, and other festive favorites. The celebration will culminate with the lighting of CityCenterDC’s 78-foot tree. The official Tree Lighting program begins at 6 p.m. 

NBC4 Anchor Eun Yang will return to emcee the celebration, joined by community partners for the official countdown and tree lighting.

Previous celebrations have featured performances by artists including Jordin Sparks, accompanied by the American Pops Orchestra, and Michelle Williams. This year’s special musical headliner will be announced in the coming weeks. 

“CityCenterDC’s Holiday Tree Lighting has become one of our favorite traditions, bringing thousands of Washingtonians and visitors downtown each year to celebrate the start of the holiday season together,” said Timothy Lowery, Managing Director – Retail and Mixed-Use at Hines. “This year, we’re excited to usher in the season a little earlier and bring our Tree Lighting together with the opening weekend of the DowntownDC Holiday Market and the many holiday experiences happening throughout downtown. Come for the Tree Lighting, stay to shop and dine, explore the Holiday Market,  and make a day of celebrating the season in the heart of the city.”

CityCenterDC’s signature holiday décor will also return for the season, transforming the downtown destination with its 20-foot reindeer, festive installations and illuminated 78-foot tree. The November 14 celebration will mark the beginning of a season of holiday shopping, dining and experiences at CityCenterDC and throughout downtown Washington.

CityCenterDC’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting is free and open to the public. Festivities will take place from 5–8 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, with the official Tree Lighting program beginning at 6 p.m. Additional details, including this year’s musical headliner and other event programming, will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information and updates on CityCenterDC programming, retailers and restaurants, please visit CityCenterDC.com and follow @CityCenterDC on social.

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ABOUT CITYCENTERDC
CITYCENTERDC (CityCenterDC.com) is a unique, pedestrian-friendly, 10-acre mixed-use development located in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. Developed by Hines and Qatari Diar, the project is home to more than 221,000 square feet of retail space, 520,000 square feet of prime office space, 458 rental apartment units and 216 condominium units, a 360-room hotel, a 1,550-space parking garage, a public park, a central plaza, and pedestrian-oriented streets and alleyways.