There are some holiday traditions that just feel right. Hot cocoa, terrible hallmark movies, and for us this year—seeing A Christmas Carol in one of the most historic buildings in America.
We just got back from seeing the 2025 production at Ford’s Theatre in downtown DC, and I have to tell you, it was such a unique mix of emotions. You’re watching this joyous, redeeming story about Scrooge, but you’re sitting in the literal room where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. It’s a contrast that stays with you.
Here’s the lowdown on our visit, from the show itself to the museum downstairs!
The Show: A Christmas Carol 🎭
First off, if you’re in DC during the holidays, this is the ticket to get. We settled into our seats (which are surprisingly comfortable for a historic site, though the legroom is definitely “1860s authentic”) and the atmosphere was electric.
The 2025 production stars the local legend Craig Wallace as Ebenezer Scrooge. He is an absolute force. You know how sometimes Scrooge can be a bit of a caricature? Wallace plays him with this deep, booming intensity that makes his eventual transformation actually tear-jerking.kidfriendlydc+1
** highlights:**
- The Vibe: This isn’t a stuffy play; it’s a full-on musical. They weave in classic carols like “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “O Christmas Tree,” which makes the whole audience feel like they’re part of a Victorian Christmas party.
- The Ghosts: The special effects were super cool. The Ghost of Christmas Present (played by Erin Weaver this year) was this effervescent, glittering ball of energy—a perfect counter to Scrooge’s “Bah Humbug” energy.
- The Set: It evokes this industrial, foggy London that looks beautiful against the theatre’s historic interior.
There’s a moment near the end where snow falls on stage, and looking around at the restored theatre balcony… magic. Pure magic.
The Museum: A Step Back in Time 📜
Before the show (definitely arrive early!), we headed downstairs to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.
It’s located in the basement level, directly underneath the auditorium. It’s a fascinating, if somber, shift from the holiday cheer upstairs. The museum walks you through Lincoln’s presidency, the Civil War, and, of course, the assassination conspiracy.
Things you can’t miss:
- The Gun: They have the actual .44 caliber Deringer pistol that John Wilkes Booth used. Seeing it in person is chilling. It’s so small—it looks like a toy, which makes the history feel even more surreal.
- Lincoln’s Boots: They have his size-14 boots on display. The man was tall, guys.
- The Greatcoat: There’s a replica of the coat he wore that night (the real one is too fragile to display constantly), but it really helps you visualize the human being behind the monument.
It gives you such important context. Walking back up the stairs to the theatre after seeing those artifacts changes how you look at the Presidential Box.
A Bit of History (The “Did You Know?” Section) 🤓
Since I’m a nerd for this stuff, I picked up a few facts while wandering around:
- It wasn’t always a theatre: The building started as a Baptist church in 1833! John T. Ford bought it and turned it into a theatre in 1861.artsandculture.google+1
- Disaster struck… twice: The theatre burned down in 1862 and had to be rebuilt. Then, years after the assassination (when it was being used as a government office), a floor collapsed in 1893, killing 22 clerks. This building has seen things.frommers+1
- The Restoration: The theatre sat closed/repurposed for over 100 years. It didn’t reopen as a working theatre until 1968! The National Park Service restored it to look exactly like it did on that fateful night in 1865.trolleytours+1
The Verdict
Combining A Christmas Carol with a visit to Ford’s Theatre is a must-do. You get the joy of the season, but grounded in a place that reminds you of the fragility and importance of history.
If you go next year, pro tip: Look up at the Presidential Box on the right side of the stage. It’s draped in an American flag, just as it was in 1865. It’s a quiet, powerful presence that watches over every performance.