Celebrate the Holidays at National Harbor, Md.

Washington, D.C. region’s  premier waterfront escape features Santa, larger-than-life ice sculptures, performers, stunning holiday décor and displays

National Harbor has quickly become one of the nation’s top holiday waterfront destinations, offering both family activities and romantic getaways for couples.

(photo by Chuck Fazio)

Each year, National Harbor welcomes Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center’s amazing ICE! This year, the fun begins on November 16 and runs through January 1, 2019.  The world-famous interactive ICE! attraction will showcase the true meaning of Christmas with its rendition of the ever-popular Peanuts holiday story, A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schulz. Beloved characters including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy and friends will come to life in more than two million pounds of colorful, larger-than-life ice sculptures hand-carved by 35 artisans from Harbin, China—made famous for its International Snow and Ice Festival. The attraction includes multi-story ice slides and culminates with a breathtaking, crystal clear ice sculpture nativity scene that echoes Linus’ famous soliloquy from the holiday classic.

ICE! is part of Gaylord National’s Christmas On the Potomac celebration that includes a variety of family-friendly holiday events and attractions. This year, Gaylord National adds Cirque Dreams Unwrapped—a brand new, permanent holiday show that will take place in the resort’s 19-story atrium. Composed by Cirque Dreams founder and Broadway director, Neil Goldberg, attendees will experience a 25-minute dazzling journey into the holiday-inspired dreams of a child. Audiences of all ages will be mesmerized. Additional activities include Breakfast with Charlie Brown and Friends, gingerbread decorating, ice skating and more. For additional information including ticket pricing, overnight packages that include unlimited priority entry to ICE! and more, visit the webs

Gaylord National Atrium Christmas Tree

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MGM National Harbor celebrates its two-year anniversary and third holiday season at National Harbor with spectacular decorations throughout, including the property’s popular Conservatory where the holidays come alive with a breathtaking display.  Cirque Dreams Holidaze will be at the Theater at MGM National Harbor from Dec. 20-23.

The holiday celebration continues throughout the destination with the lighting of its 56-foot tree and two million twinkling lights in the National Harbor Waterfront District on November 10, followed by a spectacular fireworks display. Fireworks will continue every Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. throughout the season until December 22. Activities continue throughout the holidays with the opportunity to meet Santa at the Capital Wheel and the Carousel.

National Harbor is the perfect location to enjoy a wide array of holiday activities and events in close proximity to the Capital Region including Christmas at Mount Vernon (George Washington’s Alexandria home) and holiday events in Washington, D.C.—all just a short drive from National Harbor. And National Harbor has a convenient water taxi that goes to Washington, D.C., Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon and runs until January 1.

The property is also the perfect location for holiday shopping with more than 160 shops including Tanger Outlets’ more than 85 designer brands such as Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, Movado, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Coach and H&M.

There’s additional shopping in the Waterfront District where there are walkable streets with unique shops and boutiques such as Peeps & Company (one of only two in the country), Pinktini Fashion Boutique, House of Jonlei Atelier, Pretty Girl Cupcakery and more. These join nationally recognized brands including Build-A-Bear, Carhartt, South Moon Under, Charming Charlie and others. MGM National brings additional boutique shopping opportunities including SJP by Sarah Parker, MCM, Fink’s Jewelers, Breitling, Stitched and others.

For more information about all of National Harbor’s holiday fun, visit www.NationalHarbor.com.