GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title Set at DowntownDC BID’s “National Kiss Under the National Mistletoe” Event
1435 couples simultaneously kissed underneath the National Mistletoe at Anthem Row
WASHINGTON, DC (December 13, 2025) - The DowntownDC Business Improvement District is proud to announce that its “National Kiss Under the National Mistletoe” event on Saturday, December 13 at Anthem Row officially set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most couples kissing underneath the mistletoe.
A total of 1435 couples simultaneously kissed for five seconds underneath the National Mistletoe is a stunning 10-foot installation of greenery, blooms, ribbons, and a jingle bell, suspended 30-feet in the air. Guinness World Records representatives were on-site to verify and certify the achievement. The previous record was 480 couples, according to GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS, and was held by Anheuser-Busch after an event they held in St. Louis, Missouri in 2019.
“Breaking a Guinness World Record title is an incredible moment for DowntownDC, but what’s even more meaningful is seeing our community gather and celebrate in the heart of the district,” said DowntownDC President and CEO Gerren Price. “Events like this bring people together in such a memorable, joyful way and show the true vibrancy and energy in the city that we love.”
The record-breaking kiss took place at 4:15pm, with festivities that featured live music by Ellington Carthan Quartet featuring Valentina Maria, live art, photobooths, and food and drink from City Tap House and Root & Vine. The event was also hosted by Sherrell Duncan, WPGC 95.5 and Rod Hendrix, 94.7 The Drive.
This is the second year the National Mistletoe has been installed at Anthem Row. Designed as a first-of-its-kind aerial art installation by multi-disciplinarian artist My Ly Design, the National Mistletoe transforms the downtown corridor into a haven of festive romance and joyful connections, making every moment captured under its canopy unforgettable.
Media-ready photos and videos from the event will be uploaded HERE. Please credit the “DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID)”. If you would like to speak to a representative from the DowntownDC BID, email Samantha Pell at sam@lindarothpr.com.
About the DowntownDC BID:
Downtown DC is the most diverse and exciting neighborhood in one of the most important cities in the world. Here, locals and visitors find all the most thrilling experiences of DC in 140 walkable and transit-rich blocks: business, education and government; shopping and dining; parks, art, music, sports, theater, history — adding up to a bright future. Founded in 1997, the DowntownDC BID’s area includes 530 properties and is defined by Massachusetts Avenue on the north, including the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at Mount Vernon Square, to Constitution Avenue on the south, and from Louisiana Avenue on the east to 16th Street on the west.