Christmas Eve 2026 · Checked November 7, 2026
Christmas Eve services in Washington
This page lists 19 Washington, DC churches that hold Christmas Eve services, with a link to each church's own schedule. 2 have posted 2026 times so far, and we last checked on November 7, 2026.
Christmas Eve service times in Washington
St. John's Church, Lafayette Square
EpiscopalLafayette Square
- 4:30 PM Christmas Pageant & Eucharist (Pageant presented by the youngest members of the parish)
Family - 7:00 PM Festal Eucharist
- 10:00 PM Festal Eucharist
16th and H Streets NW, Washington, DC 20005 · Map (opens in a new tab)
Washington National Cathedral
EpiscopalCathedral Heights
- 6:00 PM Christmas Lessons & Carols
LivestreamFree reserved pass required; passes open November 16 at 10 AM Eastern - 10:00 PM Christmas Eve Festival Holy Eucharist
LivestreamFree reserved pass required; passes open November 16 at 10 AM Eastern
Reserved passes are required for both services because of capacity limits. Services are free; an optional $7 processing fee applies. The cathedral's calendar lists livestream links for both services.
3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016 · Map (opens in a new tab)
More churches in Washington with Christmas Eve services
These churches held Christmas Eve services last year. Their 2026 times are not posted yet, so we link to each church's own page. We check again every week.
National Community Church (DC Campus, Capital Turnaround)
Navy Yard
2026 times not posted yet · Family service in 2025
The building covers a full block with entrances on 7th St SE and L St SE. Limited free attended parking is in the lot at 7th St and Virginia Ave SE.
700 M St SE, Washington, DC 20003 · Map (opens in a new tab)
National Presbyterian Church
PresbyterianTenleytown
2026 times not posted yet · Family service in 2025
4101 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016 · Map (opens in a new tab)
Church of the Annunciation
CatholicUpper Northwest
2026 times not posted yet · Family service in 2025
In 2025 children could take part in a Christmas pageant procession at the start of the afternoon Christmas Eve Mass.
3810 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016 · Map (opens in a new tab)
National United Methodist Church
United MethodistWard Circle
2026 times not posted yet · Family service in 2025
3401 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 · Map (opens in a new tab)
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
CatholicBrookland
2026 times not posted yet
400 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20017 · Map (opens in a new tab)
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Capitol Hill
EpiscopalCapitol Hill
2026 times not posted yet
301 A Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 · Map (opens in a new tab)
St. Alban's Episcopal Church
EpiscopalCathedral Heights
2026 times not posted yet
3001 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 · Map (opens in a new tab)
Asbury United Methodist Church
United MethodistDowntown
2026 times not posted yet
926 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001 · Map (opens in a new tab)
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
PresbyterianDowntown
2026 times not posted yet
The church's Christmas Eve service has been a candlelight service of about one hour.
1313 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 · Map (opens in a new tab)
Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle
CatholicDupont Circle
2026 times not posted yet
In 2025 the late Solemn Mass of Christmas was bilingual, in English and Spanish. The cathedral has offered sign language interpretation at its late Christmas Eve Mass in past years.
1725 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 · Map (opens in a new tab)
First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, DC
BaptistDupont Circle
2026 times not posted yet
In past years this has been a candlelight service with carols, choir, organ and brass.
1328 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 · Map (opens in a new tab)
Foundry United Methodist Church
United MethodistDupont Circle
2026 times not posted yet
Foundry has offered its Christmas Eve services online as well as in person in past years.
1500 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 · Map (opens in a new tab)
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
CatholicGeorgetown
2026 times not posted yet
The parish says holy day Mass times are posted on its website, bulletin, eLetter and Facebook.
1315 36th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 · Map (opens in a new tab)
Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Greek OrthodoxMassachusetts Avenue Heights
2026 times not posted yet
2815 36th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 · Map (opens in a new tab)
St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church
CatholicNorth Capitol Street
2026 times not posted yet
The parish's special Mass schedule lists a Christmas Eve Family Mass.
1908 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20002 · Map (opens in a new tab)
St. Columba's Episcopal Church
EpiscopalTenleytown
2026 times not posted yet
In past years the church has held a children's Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve and offered a Christmas service online.
4201 Albemarle St. NW, Washington, DC 20016 · Map (opens in a new tab)
National City Christian Church
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)Thomas Circle
2026 times not posted yet
In 2025 this was a candlelight service with the reading of the Christmas story and special music.
5 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC 20005 · Map (opens in a new tab)
Christmas Eve services by tradition in Washington
Every church on this page, grouped by tradition in alphabetical order. Tap a church to jump to its listing.
Baptist (1) · Catholic (5) · Christian Church (Disciples) (1) · Episcopal (5) · Methodist (3) · Orthodox (1) · Presbyterian (2)
Baptist Christmas Eve services in Washington
- First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, DC · Dupont Circle · 2026 times not posted yet
Baptist services in other cities
Catholic Christmas Eve Mass times in Washington
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception · Brookland · 2026 times not posted yet
- Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle · Dupont Circle · 2026 times not posted yet
- Church of the Annunciation · Upper Northwest · 2026 times not posted yet
- Holy Trinity Catholic Church · Georgetown · 2026 times not posted yet
- St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church · North Capitol Street · 2026 times not posted yet
See all Catholic listings in Washington · Catholic services in other cities
Disciples of Christ Christmas Eve services in Washington
- National City Christian Church · Thomas Circle · 2026 times not posted yet
Christian Church services in other cities
Episcopal Christmas Eve services in Washington
- St. Alban's Episcopal Church · Cathedral Heights · 2026 times not posted yet
- St. Columba's Episcopal Church · Tenleytown · 2026 times not posted yet
- St. John's Church, Lafayette Square · Lafayette Square · 4:30 PM, 7:00 PM, 10:00 PM
- St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Capitol Hill · Capitol Hill · 2026 times not posted yet
- Washington National Cathedral · Cathedral Heights · 6:00 PM, 10:00 PM
See all Episcopal listings in Washington · Episcopal services in other cities
Methodist Christmas Eve services in Washington
- Asbury United Methodist Church · Downtown · 2026 times not posted yet
- Foundry United Methodist Church · Dupont Circle · 2026 times not posted yet
- National United Methodist Church · Ward Circle · 2026 times not posted yet
See all Methodist listings in Washington · Methodist services in other cities
Orthodox Christmas Eve services in Washington
- Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral · Massachusetts Avenue Heights · 2026 times not posted yet
Orthodox services in other cities
Presbyterian Christmas Eve services in Washington
- National Presbyterian Church · Tenleytown · 2026 times not posted yet
- New York Avenue Presbyterian Church · Downtown · 2026 times not posted yet
All Christmas Eve services in the United States
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Questions about Christmas Eve services in Washington
What time are Christmas Eve services in Washington?
Two Washington churches have posted 2026 times for Thursday, December 24, 2026. St. John's Church, Lafayette Square holds services at 4:30 PM, 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Washington National Cathedral holds Christmas Lessons & Carols at 6:00 PM and a Festival Holy Eucharist at 10:00 PM. The other churches listed here have not posted 2026 times yet.
Are there Christmas Eve services for kids in Washington?
Yes. St. John's Church, Lafayette Square holds a Christmas Pageant & Eucharist at 4:30 PM on December 24, 2026, presented by the youngest members of the parish. In 2025, National Community Church, National Presbyterian, National United Methodist and Annunciation also had family services or pageants. St. Mark's, St. Columba's, St. Alban's and St. Martin of Tours have held family services before. Their 2026 times are not posted yet.
Is there a Midnight Mass in Washington?
No Catholic parish on this page has posted 2026 Christmas Eve Mass times yet. Holy Trinity in Georgetown listed a Midnight Mass in 2022, the Basilica of the National Shrine held a Solemn Mass on Christmas Eve in 2023, and the Cathedral of St. Matthew held a Solemn Mass of Christmas in 2025. For a late service with posted 2026 times, Washington National Cathedral and St. John's Lafayette Square both start at 10:00 PM.
Are there Spanish-language Christmas Eve services in Washington?
The Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle held a bilingual English and Spanish Solemn Mass of Christmas on Christmas Eve in 2025. Its 2026 schedule is not posted yet. No other church on this page has listed a Spanish-language Christmas Eve service so far. We add Spanish Christmas Eve services here as soon as churches post them.
Do I need tickets or reservations?
For Washington National Cathedral, yes. Free reserved passes are required for both Christmas Eve services, and passes open November 16 at 10 AM Eastern, with an optional $7 processing fee. St. John's Church, Lafayette Square does not mention tickets for its 2026 services. Check each church's own page for the latest details before you go.
Can I watch a Christmas Eve service online?
Washington National Cathedral lists livestream links for its two 2026 Christmas Eve services. In past years Foundry United Methodist, National United Methodist, Holy Trinity in Georgetown, the Basilica of the National Shrine and St. Columba's also offered Christmas services online. Each listing links to the church's own page, where streaming links usually appear in December.
How early should we arrive?
Christmas Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for Washington churches, and downtown services can fill. Plan to arrive 20 to 30 minutes early, and earlier for family services and for Washington National Cathedral, where a reserved pass is required. Allow extra time for parking or Metro on the night.
How long is a family Christmas Eve service?
Most family Christmas Eve services with a children's pageant run about 45 minutes to one hour. Longer services with communion and full choir music, such as a Festival Eucharist, often run one to two hours. Churches on this page that post service lengths will show them in their listing.
When do churches in Washington post their Christmas Eve times?
Washington National Cathedral and St. John's Lafayette Square have already posted 2026 times. The other 17 churches here, including the Catholic parishes of the Archdiocese of Washington, usually post in late November or early December. This page lists churches without 2026 times as not posted yet, and we recheck them weekly from November 20.
Is there parking or childcare?
National Community Church at Capital Turnaround has limited free attended parking in the lot at 7th St and Virginia Ave SE, with street parking nearby. Most downtown churches have little parking, so Metro is often easier. Childcare details for 2026 are not posted yet; check each church's own page in December.
What day is Christmas Eve in 2026?
Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24, 2026. Most churches in Washington hold services from the afternoon into the evening, and some hold a service at or near midnight.
How many churches in Washington hold Christmas Eve services?
This page lists 19 churches in Washington with Christmas Eve services. 2 have posted their 2026 times so far; the rest held Christmas Eve services in past years and usually post times in late November or December.
What is the earliest Christmas Eve service in Washington?
Of the times posted so far, the earliest is 4:30 PM at St. John's Church, Lafayette Square (Christmas Pageant & Eucharist).
Which parts of Washington have Christmas Eve services?
Churches on this page are spread across Brookland, Capitol Hill, Cathedral Heights, Downtown, Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Lafayette Square and Massachusetts Avenue Heights and more. Each listing has its address and a map link.
Are Christmas Eve services okay for young children?
Yes. Family and children's services are planned with kids in mind, and many churches welcome little ones at every service. Some offer a nursery or a family room; each church's page has the details.
Is there a Catholic Christmas Eve Mass in Washington?
Yes. This page lists 5 Catholic churches in Washington with Christmas Eve services, including Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle and Church of the Annunciation. Their 2026 times are not posted yet; we add them as each church posts.
How is this list put together?
We list every church we find in Washington that holds a Christmas Eve service, in the same format. Churches with 2026 times come first, with family services at the top and then by start time. No church pays to be listed or to be placed higher.
Is this page connected to any church or faith?
No. Rally Takes the Train is a children's book. This is a free public listing of Christmas Eve service times and addresses, and it does not endorse any church or faith.
How can a church add or correct its listing?
Church staff can email kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com with the church's name and a link to its Christmas Eve page. We check corrections against the church's own page, usually within 24 hours.
Where can I find Christmas events for kids in Washington?
Our guide to Christmas events for kids in Washington lists Santa visits, holiday lights, shows and free events for 2026, each checked on the host's own website.
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Listed as a free public service. Rally Takes the Train is a children's book and does not endorse any church or faith. Times come only from each church's own website or official page, checked November 7, 2026. Plans change, so please confirm with the church before you go. Church staff: send corrections or removals to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update within 24 hours.