From November 20 on, Navy Yard runs two holiday light shows a short walk apart. Enchant returns to Nationals Park for 32 nights, its first run there since 2023. Three days later, Light Yards opens a new interactive installation on The Yards' Sundeck. It's free with registration and runs nightly through New Year's Day.
One show takes a ticket and the other takes a sign-up. Together they split this December between the ballpark and the riverfront, and the four weeks before either one opens are already booked with markets, matches and rooftop nights.
The Ballpark Spent Two Winters Without Its Light Maze
Enchant used to come to Nationals Park every year. As Northern Virginia Magazine reported in July, it did not return to Washington for the 2024 or 2025 seasons. In 2025 the ballpark held a "Winter Wonderfest" instead, with a slide, a light show and other holiday activities. According to the magazine's 2025 coverage, Wonderfest opened on select days between November 28 and December 24.
This year's Enchant starts earlier and runs longer than Wonderfest did. The Nationals' event page lists November 20 through December 27. The ballpark will hold a light maze, an ice-skating trail, and a holiday village with seasonal treats, gifts and visits from Santa. Organizers call the maze "the world's largest Christmas light maze," Northern Virginia Magazine reported.
Jayson Babel, senior vice president of Social House Holidays, described the return in the same Northern Virginia Magazine article: "Bringing Enchant back to Nationals Park gives us the opportunity to reintroduce this tradition to returning guests while creating entirely new memories for families experiencing it for the first time."
A few practical details from the official pages:
- Tickets: The Enchant ticket calendar shows starting prices of $28 and $38 but doesn't say which dates carry which price.
- Ticket types: The event page lists general admission, family and friends offers, group pricing, a suite package, a Premier Pass upgrade and add-ons.
- Skating: Skating is an add-on you reserve when you buy tickets. Children under five must skate with a parent or guardian.
- Fine print: All sales are final, the event runs rain or shine, and the Nationals' bag policy applies.
Because sales are final and the event runs in any weather, check the forecast before you pick a night.
Light Yards Moved to the Sundeck and Got Buttons
Light Yards isn't new to the riverfront, but this year's version is. The 2025 installation ran at The Yards Park from November 25, 2025, to January 2, 2026, and featured animated lights with swinging holiday bells. For 2026, The Yards moved it to the Sundeck and built it around more than 20 lit candy canes. Visitors push a button to make them light up.
That makes the two shows easy to compare:
| Enchant at Nationals Park | Light Yards at The Yards | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Nov. 20 to Dec. 27, 2026 | Nov. 23, 2026, to Jan. 1, 2027 |
| Length | 32 nights | Nightly through New Year's Day |
| Hours | Not yet published on the official pages | 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Cost | Starting prices of $28 and $38 shown; skating is an add-on | Free, registration required |
| What it is | Light maze, skating trail, holiday village | Push-button candy cane installation |
| Last year | Not held; ballpark ran Winter Wonderfest | Swinging bells at The Yards Park |
The dates overlap for more than a month, and Light Yards stays up five days after Enchant closes. From December 28 through January 1, the free show is the only one running. Light Yards keeps the same evening hours every night, and you register instead of buying a ticket, so it works for a short walk after dinner. Enchant is the one to plan ahead for.
The Weeks Before Nov. 20 Are Already Booked
Waiting for the lights doesn't mean waiting for something to do. The Capitol Riverfront BID calendar, The Yards and the Nationals have filled nearly every weekend from now until Enchant opens.
- Thursday, Oct. 29: Hocus Pocus shows outdoors at Audi Field as part of Movies on the Pitch.
- Friday, Oct. 30: Nightmare on Tingey St., a costumed Halloween karaoke night on the Thompson DC rooftop.
- Sunday, Nov. 1: The Washington Spirit host the Chicago Stars at Audi Field.
- Saturday, Nov. 7: The busiest day on the list. The Half Street Central Farmers Market runs in the morning, DC Beer Fest takes over Nationals Park, and D.C. United play New York City at Audi Field.
- Saturday, Nov. 14: The farmers market returns, and that night Boots on the Boardwalk brings live country music, line dancing and games to The Yards.
- Friday, Nov. 20: Enchant opens at Nationals Park.
- Saturday, Nov. 21: The last Half Street market date on the BID's November calendar.
- Monday, Nov. 23: Light Yards opens on the Sundeck.
The BID describes the Half Street market as having more than 30 vendors selling produce, baked goods, prepared food and artisanal goods. Its listing also says the market runs "from spring through fall." That puts the three November Saturdays at the end of the season. The last one falls on the day after Enchant opens.
With the ballpark, Audi Field and The Yards all hosting events on November 7, plan for event crowds on the streets between them that Saturday, even with baseball done for the year.
The Dining Map Shifted While the Calendar Filled
Every night on that list brings people to the neighborhood around dinnertime, and the restaurants near the ballpark have changed since spring.
The newest is Bar Nuestro at Urby, 1345 Yards Place SE. Eater DC reported it was set to open Wednesday, October 28. It's a Latin-leaning bistro from 5C Hospitality, the group founded by Colada Shop's Daniella Senior, with seafood, meats, pastas and a build-your-own martini program. According to Eater, 5C culinary director Claudio Foschi and executive chef Harper McClure lead the kitchen, and the group also runs Elegancia at Union Market. It's a few minutes' walk from both the Sundeck and the ballpark gates.
Croix opened August 14 on the ninth floor of the Cambria Hotel at 69 Q Street SW. Eater DC described it as a Caribbean restaurant with a rooftop setting. It's on the Audi Field side of the neighborhood, so it's an easy stop before the Spirit or D.C. United games.
One familiar spot near Nationals Park has closed. Eater's September closings roundup reported that TaKorean closed its 1212 4th Street SE location in late September after 12 years. Its Union Market stall is still open.
Before Enchant opens on November 20, there's one new dinner option facing The Yards, one new rooftop near Audi Field, and one less counter-service spot a block from the ballpark.
If you're working out which part of Capitol Riverfront fits how you actually spend your evenings, from the Sundeck side to the Audi Field end, Dave Moya and the TSR Homes team know these blocks year-round, not just on game days. Hire Us to walk them with you this season.
