# National Menorah Lighting Ceremony on the Ellipse

> Event for families in the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria area (DC / VA / MD / WV). Times are Eastern Time.

- When: Sun, Dec 6
- Where: The Ellipse, President's Park, Constitution Avenue NW & 15th Street NW, Washington, DC
- Ages: Check age guidance
- Price: Check official pricing
- Organizer: American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad)
- Official page: https://nationalmenorah.org/
- Last checked: Tue, Nov 3

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/national-menorah-lighting-ceremony-on-the-ellipse--listing-501d9989f63ac9f3f099c645

## About

Annual lighting of the world's largest menorah on the Ellipse across from the White House — military bands, a celebrity Jewish artist, latkes and donuts, and student essay winners reading live. Organized by American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) since 1979.

## Similar picks in Washington, DC

- [Bowie Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/bowie-holiday-tree-lighting-ceremony-2026--listing-fd189320e69fd61752e1e6fb) — Sat, Dec 5 · 4:00 PM · Bowie Senior Center · All ages · Free · checked Oct 27. Bowie's tree lighting has run for more than 50 years and fills a whole late afternoon at the Bowie Senior Center grounds. From 4 to 6:30 p.m. children can make a festive craft…
- [Westfield Montgomery Menorah Lighting Ceremony](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/westfield-montgomery-menorah-lighting-ceremony--listing-ffdd68b86f3c13929ecdba04) — Sat, Dec 5 · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Westfield Montgomery, Bethesda · checked Nov 9. Gather for a community menorah lighting and festive music. Families can take part in holiday traditions and activities.
- [2026 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/2026-national-christmas-tree-lighting-ceremony--listing-dd0342e00b3da7d768fe7fc2) — Thu, Dec 3 · The Ellipse, President's Park · Free · checked Oct 20. The 2026 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on Thursday, December 3, 2026, on the Ellipse south of the White House. The tradition began on Christmas Eve in…
- [Olde Tyme Holiday Gathering and Tree Lighting — La Plata](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/olde-tyme-holiday-gathering-and-tree-lighting-la-plata--listing-a8d5e314003bf05dc6033b82) — Sun, Dec 6 · 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM · La Plata Town Hall · All ages · checked Oct 28. The Town of La Plata's holiday gathering for the whole family in the heart of town. The town Christmas tree stands in the circle at Town Hall on Queen Anne Street and is…
- [Lakeland for the Holidays — Ornaments and Tree Lighting](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/lakeland-for-the-holidays-ornaments-and-tree-lighting--listing-ce3086d00a7a4bc68a92abb1) — Sun, Dec 6 · 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM · College Park Aviation Museum · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. A free intergenerational holiday afternoon that starts at the College Park Aviation Museum. Community elders and families share stories and memories of the historic Lakeland…
- [Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks at National Harbor](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/activities/holiday-tree-lighting-and-fireworks-at-national-harbor--listing-3b4ee79361681141d8ef4802) — Sat, Nov 14 (+6 more dates) · 5:30 PM – 5:45 PM · National Harbor Waterfront District (National Plaza) · checked Oct 27. Every Saturday evening from November 21 through December 26, National Harbor holds a holiday tree light show with fireworks at 5:30 p.m. in the heart of its Waterfront District…

## More for families

- [Christmas lights and holiday events for kids in Washington, DC](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/christmas) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/christmas.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Washington, DC — December 2026](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/events/2026-12) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/events/2026-12.md)
- [This weekend in Washington, DC](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc/this-weekend.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Washington, DC](https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/washington-dc.md)