WHEN TO GO
Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/New York
Loading…
United StatesSaved
Local artisans and food trucks are planned for December 5, alongside a separate Holiday Tree Sale with a longer schedule.
All times are local to the venue · America/New York
A gift-shopping trip to the U.S. National Arboretum can also include a search for a holiday tree—but the two sales keep different hours. Friends of the National Arboretum’s Holiday Market takes place on Saturday, December 5, 2026, while its Holiday Tree Sale opens before that weekend and continues after the market ends.
The Holiday Market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is advertised as a place to shop for gifts from local artisans, buy food from trucks and find holiday greenery. Friends of the National Arboretum has not yet named the participating makers or food trucks, so shoppers looking for a particular craft or meal should check for an update before going.
The separate Holiday Tree Sale begins at 11 a.m. on December 5 and continues until 5 p.m. That leaves an 11 a.m.–2 p.m. overlap for anyone who wants to visit both. The market’s first hour offers a head start on gift shopping; after 2 p.m., the tree sale continues without the market.
Tree shoppers have other dates to consider, including Sunday, December 6. That is a tree-sale day, not a second advertised day of the Holiday Market.
Further reading: Holiday Market - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
The December gathering is one part of Friends of the National Arboretum’s seasonal calendar. Its spring Lahr programme pairs a native plant symposium about plants, wildlife and ecosystems with a sale featuring native-plant vendors from the mid-Atlantic. The Garden Fair and Plant Sale is a separate spring event centered on plants, local vendors and gardening advice. The holiday market instead puts gifts and seasonal greenery at the center of the visit.
The setting is a 451-acre public garden and research facility administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service. The Arboretum’s work has produced plant introductions with resistance to pests and diseases, while its collections give visitors a chance to see plants in garden settings as well as shop.
For a walk beyond the sales, the National Herb Garden has a knot garden and beds arranged by theme; Fern Valley features native plants of the eastern United States. The Gotelli Conifer Collection offers another connection to the season’s interest in evergreen trees, though the collection is not the tree-sale inventory. The Arboretum’s official app includes a grounds map and self-guided tours.
Further reading: Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · VISIT - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
Registration information is forthcoming. The organizer has not clearly stated whether registration will be required or whether the market has an admission fee.
The sale is scheduled for November 27–29, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; November 30–December 4, 2–7 p.m.; and December 6, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. The weekday evening hours conflict with the Arboretum’s published 5 p.m. grounds closing and 4:30 p.m. last admission. Confirm access with the organizer before planning an evening visit.
Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · VISIT - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
For a visit beyond the market, the organizer directs visitors to the Arboretum’s individual collection pages for accessibility information. Market-specific accessibility details have not been announced.
Holiday Market - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · VISIT - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
The event address is 2400 R St NE, Washington, DC. The R Street entrance is open to cars and pedestrians from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last admission to the grounds at 4:30 p.m. The market’s precise location within the grounds has not been announced.
Arboretum parking is free in marked lots. The organizer asks visitors not to park along roadsides or on grass.
Holiday Market - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · VISIT - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
No rail line goes directly to the Arboretum, but there are nearby bus stops. Use Metro’s Trip Planner or the directions links to calculate a route from your starting point.
A Capital Bikeshare hub is outside the R Street entrance, which the organizer also recommends for rideshare pickups.
Holiday Market - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · VISIT - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
Both are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 5. The Holiday Market opens at 10 a.m.; the tree sale continues until 5 p.m.
Holiday Market - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
No Sunday market is listed. The separate Holiday Tree Sale is scheduled for December 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Holiday Market - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
The sale is listed until 7 p.m. November 30–December 4, but general grounds hours end at 5 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. Confirm evening access with the organizer before going.
Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · VISIT - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
Registration information is coming soon; a market fee and registration requirement have not been clearly stated. General admission to the Arboretum is free.
Holiday Market - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · VISIT - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
Friends of the National Arboretum has advertised local artisans and food trucks but has not yet named participants.
The grounds are generally open until 5 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. The Arboretum’s app offers a map and self-guided tours.
2400 R St NE, Washington, DC
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-10-27 against the linked sources.