Just across the river from Old Town Alexandria is National Harbor, where holiday celebrations kick off starting this weekend with events and activities all season long. H
ighlights include a Christmas tree lighting, holiday market, live entertainment, holiday-themed movies, fireworks and photos with Santa.
Take a peek at some of the holiday fun coming your way:
- Tree lighting: National Harbor lights a majestic 60-foot tree with two million twinkling lights in its Waterfront District Saturday, Nov. 16, through Saturday, Jan. 5, 2020. Every half hour from sundown to 9 p.m., on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, watch for a snowfall on the tree during a light show.
- Fireworks, movies and Santa: Beginning Saturday, Nov. 16 through Saturday, Dec. 21. Fireworks will illuminate the sky every Saturday at 5:30 p.m on the plaza screen. Movies are set for every Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Movie schedule:
Saturday, Nov. 16: "Planes, Trains and Automobiles"
Saturday, Nov. 23: "Elf"
Saturday, Nov. 30: "The Grinch"
Saturday, Dec. 7: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
Saturday, Dec. 14: "The Polar Express"
Saturday, Dec. 21: "A Christmas Story"
Preparing to do some holiday shopping? Check out Tanger Outlets' "Moonlight Madness" and after-Thanksgiving sales, from Nov. 28-Dec. 1. Their "Moonlight Madness" sales event begins on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, when doors open at 6 p.m. and stay open all night long. Deals continue throughout the weekend, through Dec. 1.
Gaylord National is offering holiday attractions and events to its annual Christmas On The Potomac celebration presented by Pepsi© from Saturday, Nov. 15 through Dec. 30. Resort guests will experience an extra 7,000 pounds of ice with new attractions including "Reindeer Rush Ice Tubing" and an outdoor ice skating rink.
The two offerings add to Gaylord National’s more than 2 million pounds of ice used to create colorful, life-size ice sculptures for the resort’s signature attraction, ICE!, presented by DEI©.
Reindeer Rush Ice Tubing will feature a four-lane tubing hill designed for all ages to zoom down inside the resort’s Christmas Village. Visitors can then head outdoors to ice skate in a newly created area, Winter Square, with views of the Potomac River. In addition to ice skating, Winter Square will include Tinsel Tavern, a "tacky" Christmas bar complete with adult and kid-friendly beverages.
Family and friends can start planning their holiday visits early with tickets and overnight packages for "Christmas On The Potomac" currently on sale. Overnight packages include:
ICE! Is Nice
Tickets to ICE! featuring Dr. Seuss’ "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
One (1) Souvenir ICE! photo
Added overnight guest-only experiences including Silent Disco on Ice and a Pajama Story Time (with Snowflake the Elf on select dates)
Package starts at $259 for two people and $289 for four people.
Christmas On The Potomac
Tickets to ICE! featuring Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
One (1) Souvenir ICE! photo
$100 resort credit for onsite dining outlets
Added overnight guest-only experiences including Silent Disco on Ice and a Pajama Story Time (with Snowflake the Elf on select dates)
Package starts at $359 for two people and $389 for four people.
To book a room or package or purchase tickets, visit www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com or call (301) 965-4000.
MGM National Harbor: MGM’s Conservatory will have a holiday-themed display and evening light shows synchronized to music — a nice backdrop for that holiday family photo.
Also at MGM's Theater, Cirque Dreams "Holidaze" will be featured from Dec. 20-23.
The Capital Wheel: Ride the Capital Wheel with Santa from Nov. 30-Dec. 21, on Saturdays from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Guests can tell Santa if they have been naughty or nice during a ride on The Capital Wheel. Santa will be available for photos and wish-list sharing on a first-come, first-served basis. Each climate-controlled gondola, warmed to a comfortable 72-degrees, will be wrapped in holiday cheer featuring peppermint striping, Santa hats and snowflakes. Guests can also enjoy custom photos, warm fire-pits and hot cocoa. There is no additional charge for rides with Santa.
Frozen Carousel Christmas: From Saturday, Nov. 30 to Dec. 21 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. meet National Harbor's Ice Princess and her favorite Snowman in the waterfront Carousel Pavilion. A frosty backdrop and wintry theme will create a perfect spot to meet heart-warming characters and pose for holiday pictures. (Free with Carousel admission.)
A Holidate to Remember is set for Saturday, Nov. 16-Dec. 31. Flight Deck operating hours ($45, plus tax). Enjoy a warm escape 180 feet above the Potomac River when you bring that special someone and a cozy beverage along for the ride on a giant observation wheel, where it’s always a comfortable 75-degrees. The "Holidate" package includes two tickets to The Capital Wheel; two insulated souvenir cups filled with choice of hot cocoa, spiked apple cider, beer or wine; and a 6x8” souvenir photo.
