Washington, D.C. is one of the easiest big-city trips to do on points. Downtown hotel cash rates can be steep, all four big hotel programs have strong options, and most of the headline sights, from the Smithsonian museums to the monuments, are free. December adds holiday markets, light shows and the National Christmas Tree. Here’s how we’d approach a D.C. trip on points this season, with details checked as of October 2026.
Holiday season highlights (as of October 2026)
One big caveat first: the 2026 National Christmas Tree Lighting date had not been announced as of October 18, 2026. The National Park Service page says information about the 2026 ceremony “will be forthcoming.” For reference, the 2025 lighting was held on Thursday, December 4, 2025, and the tree site was open from December 6, 2025, through January 1, 2026. The NPS says there is no fee to visit the tree site.
| Event | 2026 dates | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Christmas Tree Lighting | Not announced yet | President’s Park, near the White House | 2025 lighting was Dec. 4; watch the NPS page |
| DowntownDC Holiday Market | Nov. 13 to Dec. 23 | F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets | Reported closed Thanksgiving Day; next to Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro |
| ZooLights | Daily, Nov. 20, 2026 to Jan. 3, 2027 | Smithsonian’s National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW | Check the Zoo’s site for hours and any pass requirements |
| CityCenterDC tree lighting | Nov. 14 (reported) | CityCenterDC, downtown | Reported by Axios; moved before Thanksgiving this year |
| Frosted at Franklin Park | Nov. 13 to Jan. 9 (reported) | Franklin Park, downtown | Reported by Axios |
The ZooLights dates come from Destination DC, the city’s official tourism site. The holiday market and tree lighting dates come from local news coverage; we couldn’t open the organizers’ own pages, so confirm before you plan a day around them.
A quick note on Hyatt’s 2026 award chart
World of Hyatt still publishes a chart, but it changed for bookings made from May 20, 2026. Each category now has five price levels (Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper and Top) instead of three. A standard room in Category 4 now runs 12,000 to 25,000 points a night, Category 5 runs 15,000 to 35,000, and Category 6 runs 20,000 to 40,000. Which level you pay depends on the date, so holiday weekends may price toward the top. Hyatt’s May 2026 category-change lists that we reviewed did not include any Washington, D.C. hotels.
Where to stay on points
World of Hyatt
- Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (Category 5, 15,000 to 35,000 points): walkable to the Capitol, the National Mall and Union Station. A February 2026 Frequent Miler review flagged an ongoing renovation, so ask the hotel what’s affected before you book.
- Grand Hyatt Washington: downtown near the Mall and Metro Center. Upgraded Points lists it as Category 5 as of October 2026, but one other guide we checked says Category 4. Check the current category on hyatt.com.
- Park Hyatt Washington (1201 24th Street NW, West End): the luxury pick. The sources we checked disagree on whether it’s Category 5 or Category 6, so expect roughly 15,000 to 40,000 points a night and confirm on hyatt.com.
- Hyatt Place Washington, D.C./White House: listed by Upgraded Points as Category 4 (12,000 to 25,000 points under the new chart), a simpler base near the White House.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott uses dynamic pricing, so points rates move with cash rates. The St. Regis Washington, D.C. (923 16th Street NW) is a 1926 Beaux-Arts hotel that Marriott describes as “just steps from the White House”; valet parking is listed at $85 a day. For lower prices, Upgraded Points saw the Washington Marriott at Metro Center from about 35,000 points a night as of October 2026, and The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown from about 83,500. Search your exact dates on marriott.com with “Use Points” checked.
Hilton Honors
Conrad Washington, DC (950 New York Ave. NW) sits inside CityCenterDC, the same development that hosts the CityCenterDC tree lighting, and a few blocks from the convention center. Its rooftop bar is a spring and summer venue, so don’t count on it in December. Award prices are dynamic; guides we checked in 2026 reported roughly 85,000 to 105,000 points a night. The Washington Hilton north of Dupont Circle was seen from about 54,000 points.
IHG One Rewards
InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf (801 Wharf Street SW) is on the waterfront next to The Anthem music venue. It has a heated rooftop pool (open sunrise to sunset, weather permitting), a spa and a free local-area shuttle; valet is listed at $75 a day. Upgraded Points saw awards from about 58,000 points a night as of October 2026. IHG prices are dynamic, so compare points with cash on your dates.
Practical tips
- Use transferable points. Chase Ultimate Rewards lists World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy and IHG One Rewards as hotel transfer partners. Hyatt is usually the best value of the three, but only move points once you’ve found award space.
- Skip the car. Valet parking is listed at $75 to $85 a day at the St. Regis and the InterContinental. Metro reaches Reagan National and Dulles directly.
- Watch the NPS page. Details for attending the 2026 National Christmas Tree Lighting, including whether tickets are needed, will come from the National Park Service. Check its page before you lock in dates.
- Price holiday weekends early. Under Hyatt’s new five-level chart and the other programs’ dynamic pricing, peak December dates can cost much more than a quiet weeknight.
Want to book a D.C. Hyatt with transferred points? Chase Sapphire cards earn Ultimate Rewards points that transfer to World of Hyatt, Marriott and IHG. You can compare current offers and apply with our Chase referral link.
Disclosure: This is our personal Chase referral link. If you’re approved through it, we may earn a referral bonus, at no extra cost to you. You can always apply directly on Chase’s website. See our Advertising & Referral Disclosure.
Our take
For most points travelers, we’d start with Hyatt: the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill and the Grand Hyatt put you near the Mall at a chart price, and the Park Hyatt is a strong splurge if its price level on your dates is reasonable. Conrad Washington, DC is the most convenient Hilton for holiday events downtown, but it isn’t cheap in points. The downsides: Hyatt’s 2026 chart made peak dates pricier, the Capitol Hill Regency had renovation work reported this year, and the biggest holiday event, the National Christmas Tree Lighting, has no confirmed 2026 date yet. Book refundable awards now and adjust once the NPS announces the schedule.
Sources
- National Park Service: National Christmas Tree
- Destination DC: Zoo Lights 2026
- Axios Washington D.C.: D.C. holiday markets, tree lightings start earlier in 2026
- DC Spot: DowntownDC Holiday Market 2026
- On Points With Kids: World of Hyatt award chart changes in 2026
- SuiteSmile: World of Hyatt award category changes 2026
- Frequent Miler: Hyatt Regency Washington DC on Capitol Hill review
- Upgraded Points: Best Washington, D.C. hotels to book with points
- Upgraded Points: Best Park Hyatt hotels
- The Points Analyst: Park Hyatt Washington D.C. review
- Platinum Flyer: Washington DC on points
- Marriott: The St. Regis Washington, D.C.
- Hilton: Conrad Washington, DC
- IHG: InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf
- Chase: How to transfer Ultimate Rewards points
- WMATA: Airports and train stations
Prices, points rates, schedules and entry rules change often; confirm details with the airline, hotel or organizer before you book. Points Capital is not a financial advisor.
