DowntownDC Holiday Market at Penn Quarter

I visited the Downtown DC Holiday Market on opening day and again last Friday, and it brought the holiday spirit to life both times. The moment you walk in, you’re surrounded by festive lights, music, and rows of vendors filled with gifts, treats, and creative finds for every type of shopper. The vendor mix is fantastic. You’ll find local makers, regional artisans, and plenty of unique pieces that make holiday shopping actually fun. I enjoyed browsing the art and print stalls, the Peruvian vendor with bright wool scarves, and a chocolate boutique selling handmade chocolates shaped like cameras and tools. It’s the kind of place where you keep discovering something new. Food lovers have a lot to enjoy. I tried the Naughty Waffle with Nutella and peanut butter. Mine was a little overcooked, but the concept is still worth checking out. There’s rich hot chocolate topped with s’mores, raclette and crepes for warm comfort food, and a churro stand serving hot crispy churros made to order. Maps throughout the market make it simple to find your next snack or must see booth. If you want to avoid crowds, weekday daytime visits are the best choice. Evenings are busier but beautiful as the lights glow and the entire market feels like a holiday postcard. And if you want to explore more seasonal spots nearby, Dirty Habit has a ski chalet style winter bar and Puttery DC offers a Holly Jolly Holiday Bar. There are extra touches that make the visit even more fun like a holiday wish wall where visitors can write their wishes in chalk and a craft cafe where you can sit and work on creative projects. A cheerful and festive stop in the heart of downtown DC that’s perfect for holiday shopping, snacking, and soaking in the season.

Thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Downtown DC Holiday market while visiting DC. Went during the day and happened to be in the area at night so went back through for the Holiday lights. The JO GO band was amazing and had me jamming the whole time. Mix of food choices that I tried to support as many as I could. Large range of booths with all kinds of goodies. Crowded at night but it was a good crowd. Police on the scene and barricades at each end to keep everyone safe. A must visit.

Great experience and felt so warm and fuzzy inside 🤗🤗🤗. Except for the hot chocolate lines 🥲. Over an hour wait for the hot chocolate unfortunately but hey, you can’t win them all. Food was priced moderately, not crazy overly expensive like the rest of DC. The shops did have their trademark DC price tags but were still really cute. It was crazy packed and we went during mid November. The close you get to Christmas, the more packed and cold it gets so keep that in mind!

Many local craftsmen with great handmade gifts. The whole market was full of holiday spirit and is the perfect spot to find something unique! (And make sure to stop by the churro stand—even if the line is long!!)

The Downtown DC Holiday Market is absolutely charming! The twinkling lights, festive stalls, and delicious holiday treats instantly put you in the holiday spirit. There’s so much to explore unique gifts, handmade ornaments, tasty food, and fun little surprises around every corner. The vibe is super cozy and fun, perfect for friends, family, or even a solo stroll to soak it all in. It’s right in Penn Quarter, so you can easily explore the heart of DC too. Tip: Visit in the evening to see the lights at their best, and bring some cash just in case some vendors don’t take cards. Definitely a must-visit holiday experience!

Despite many of the mediocre reviews, my trip to the Penn Quarter Holiday Market was wonderful. Arriving at the metro station mere steps from the market, there were so many little shops and small eateries, teeming with unique products and foods. I also liked the wide range of foods and products from across the world, including Egypt and Germany. In the center of it all was a surprisingly spacious area to sit and relax with a kids play area and a stage with musicians and singers, though it can get extremely crowded at peak times. In conclusion, this is a great place to get some handmade, one-of-a-kind products and authentic eats in a well-decorated space right in the heart of DC.

While this is a great place to do some Christmas shopping with a number of great vendors, I would recommend going on a weekday as the weekend gets extremely crowded. However its a fun date night with good food vendors. They also allow dogs so you can shop with your best pal! A fun annual tradition in my family and friend group.

Recent review - Dec 3rd Dubai Waffle is absolutely delicious! The pistachio cream hits perfectly in every bite, and the churros tasted incredibly authentic—crispy, not overly sweet, and so satisfying. I tried both the sweet condensed milk and the chocolate versions, and they were amazing in their own way. I also got a spicy hot dog from Taste of Germany, and it tasted genuinely authentic. It was the perfect warm, comforting bite for winter. Can’t wait to go back and try the rest of their menu! Past review The Naughty Waffle was delightful! I tried the Wild Berry and Perfect Couple, and both were delicious. The hot chocolate with s’mores was excellent, and the churros tasted very authentic. The shawarma, however, wasn’t great. I also tried a German hot dog for the first time, and it was quite good. Overall, it was a lovely experience with a festive Christmas vibe.