DowntownDC Holiday Market at Penn Quarter

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!

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.

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!

Super cute holiday market with fun live music and Christmas lights that’ll get you in the festive mood. The only downside is that there aren’t that many vendors and or food options. This led to extremely long lines for food and limited options for shopping. Still it’s in a great location with loads of nearby restaurants so it’s still worth a visit for the beautiful photo opportunities.

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.

We were so happy to find this holiday market and all the local artists. Our favorite was Ray Hart, a painter whom we had a fabulous chat with to understand his process and his gift of painting. And oh yes, we did walk away with one of his paintings. There was nice holiday music playing and some delicious treats as well. Pop into the portrait Gallery to warm up.

Had tickets to see TSO at the Capital One Arena and we know that the Holiday market was one of the things we also wanted to do. Did not realize how perfectly close it was to the arena and the parking so it worked out wonderfully!! Had one of the best hot chocolates at Kilwins. Some of the food booths had incredibly long lines. Lots of amazing vendors. Couple photo opportunities very well put together

Title: Mixed Merriment at the Downtown Holiday Market Review: I’ve visited the Downtown Holiday Market for two consecutive years, and while the festive atmosphere remains a highlight, this year came with a few hiccups. Last year was exceptional: manageable crowds, vibrant live music, various food vendors, and friendly staff. This year, however, was notably busier, which made navigating the market challenging. The number of food vendors seemed to shrink, and the festive music was less prominent. The vendor selection for gifts has expanded, which is excellent, but the prices felt inflated, with some items seemingly overpriced for their quality. Accessibility for disabled visitors and restroom options also appeared limited. That said, the market still shines as a hub of holiday spirit, and it’s a fun seasonal experience worth exploring. More organization and balance in offerings could easily make it a five-star visit next year.