15+ holiday happenings around DC area

WASHINGTON — Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in D.C. From bustling markets to whimsical light displays, here are more than 15 ways to get in the holiday spirit.

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The Dream Closet overhead installation is back in Palmer Alley! Enjoy 400 modern holiday ornaments suspended above the Alley, creating a whimsical winter wonderland. We invite you to share your photos of any CityCenterDC holiday décor using the hashtag #CCDCHolidays. #CityCenterDC #WashingtonDC #Holidays #MyDCCool #CCDC #Hines #IGDC #DreamCloset #PalmerAlley

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**The holiday train exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden** If you’re looking for a free and festive holiday activity to entertain both adults and kiddos, the “Season’s Greenings” exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden is for you. Through Jan. 1, visitors can take in a variety of vegetation, such as a range of beautiful poinsettias, as well as a model display of iconic train stations from across the country. The museum’s Conservatory will also showcase live seasonal music from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on certain Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check out the schedule of shows here. **READ MORE: “All aboard! US Botanic Garden holiday display features tiny train stations”** (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

**Downtown Holiday Market** Looking for a unique gift? The annual Downtown Holiday Market returns to F Street NW, between Seventh and Ninth streets. There, you’ll find a number of artists selling everything from paintings, to clothing and accessories, to antiques and seasonal foods. The market is open from noon to 8 p.m. daily through Dec. 23. **READ MORE: “Downtown Holiday Market comes to life”** (WTOP/Michelle Murillo)

Stunning floral displays in the West Building Rotunda rotate throughout the winter and into spring and make the Gallery a classic holiday destination. (Courtesy National Gallery of Art) — **Christmas decorations, caroling and more at National Gallery of Art** Throughout December, the National Gallery of Art is hosting a range of activities that are free and family-friendly. Get into the holiday spirit with “Caroling in the Rotunda,” learn about artworks depicting the birth of Jesus, and enjoy the decorations featuring red poinsettias and white hydrangeas through the museum. But, take note: The National Gallery of Art is closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. (Courtesy National Gallery of Art)

People ice skate at the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden in Washington, on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) — **Holidays on ice rinks** Canal Park, the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden, Pentagon Row and The Watergate Hotel all offer outdoor skating during the holiday season and throughout the cold-weather months. Times and prices vary based on location. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

**Admire a menagerie of lights at LightUP Fest in Loudoun County** Catch LightUP Fest at One Loudoun in Ashburn, Virginia, through Jan. 2. The eight-week installation features a plethora of light displays that fall into a number of themes, including “Tour of Fantasy” and “Freedom America.” Tickets for kids ages 3 to 12 cost $19.99; tickets for adults cost $29.99. Find tickets here. **READ MORE: “LightUP Fest brings 1 million lights to Loudoun“** (Courtesy LightUP Fest)

**Georgetown GLOW** Georgetown is dressing a bit differently than the rest of the city for the holiday season. Georgetown GLOW is a curated celebration of contemporary art, put on by the Georgetown BID. The free outdoor exhibit runs through Jan. 6 from 5 to 10 p.m. nightly. Visit the GLOW website for a map of this year’s installations. (Sam Kittner/Georgetown BID)

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 02: The Smithsonian National Zoological Park's entrance is decorated with holiday lights during the ZooLights celebration December 2, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) — **Zoo Lights** Zoo Lights is a D.C. tradition. Each year, the Smithsonian National Zoo transforms the Northwest D.C. destination into a winter wonderland with 500,000 environmentally-friendly LED lights — many of which are in the shape of the zoo’s beloved animals. Zoo Lights is a free event, and it runs through Jan. 1 (closed on Dec. 24, 25 and 31). (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

DC Temple Festival of Lights The 41st annual Festival of Lights offers one of the best light displays in the region. Head to the Washington D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kensington, Maryland, to see the temple’s grounds lit with more than 650,000 lights until Jan. 1. There are also nightly performances in the visitors’ center. The Festival of Lights is free and open to the public. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The National Christmas Tree Even if you didn’t make it to the lighting ceremony, you can still visit the National Christmas Tree at 15th and 17th streets NW, near the White House. For more information, visit the landmark’s website. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

AP Photo/Susan Walsh