Free DC: Holiday cheer

December 19, 5:16 PMDC Budget Travel ExaminerKatie Howell

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The Capitol Tree is one of many free holiday sights.

For a traveler on a budget, there’s nothing better than free. Travelers headed to the nation’s capital – and residents – are lucky because of the profusion of free things to do around the city. Periodically, I’ll offer up suggestions of these free activities. Today: free holiday fun.

Marvel at the trees: DC is home to a number of spectacular Christmas tree displays. The highlights include the National Tree at the White House and the Capitol Tree in front of the U.S. Capitol (see photo). But the trees in Union Station and the Willard Hotel are equally spectacular, indoors (that is, warmer temperatures for prolonged viewing) and perhaps less crowded.

Warble on the water: The Kennedy Center offers free nightly performances at 6 p.m. at Millennium Stage. Catch live acts playing a variety of winter holiday tunes through the rest of December.

Winter wonderland: The U.S. Botanic Garden offers a spectacular Christmas display complete with miniature trains. After a long day of touring, enjoy free music performances in the holiday exhibit. Dec. 23, catch Project Natale, and Dec. 30, don’t miss the Frederick Chorale.

Caroling with the masters: Choral groups will sing favorite holiday tunes this Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in the seasonally decorated West Building Rotunda at the National Gallery of Art. Enjoy the music or sing along. Or head to the National Gallery’s West Garden Court on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. for a free holiday concert. To really soak up the Christmas vibe in the museum, attend the public lecture on Dec. 23 in the Rotunda. Curators will discuss the Christmas story in art.

Skiing Santa?: Looking for something a little more unique to spice up your holiday week? Head down to the new National Harbor on Christmas Eve. At 1 p.m., Santa aboard water skis, knee-boarding reindeer, the Grinch and other seasonal characters will perform their annual holiday show on the Potomac.

Midnight Mass: If you weren’t one of the lucky ones to score tickets to the National Cathedral’s Christmas Eve services, head up to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception or the Franciscan Monastery, both located near Catholic University, for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

Photo by Paull Young.