Christmas at National Harbor

National Harbor, the 300-acre waterfront development near Washington, DC, will host a festive season of holiday events along the Potomac River including a Christmas tree lighting, outdoor market and even a water skiing Santa Claus. While visiting National Harbor, be sure to check out the spectacular holiday decorations and special events at the Gaylord National Resort. The decor includes a 65-foot tall Christmas tree made of synthetic “candy” glass, sparkling icicles lighting up the 20-story atrium, a miniature Potomac Express Train Village and much more. New this year, an interactive holiday attraction debuts that you won't want to miss. Gaylord National Resort's ICE! is a winter wonderland created entirely of 5,000 BLOCKS of ice weighing 1.5 MILLION POUNDS! hand-sculpted by 40 international artisans and kept at a chilling nine degrees Fahrenheit.

See Photos of Christmas at National Harbor

National Harbor Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

National Harbor will kick off the holiday season by lighting up the night sky with fireworks and a 60ft Christmas tree decorated with 20,000 lights. With hot chocolate and roasted nuts to keep visitors warm, the tree lighting will include story-telling and an ornament-making workshop from the National Children's Museum as well as performances by Abbey Miller, Rashida Jolley, and the cast from Spirit of Christmas! The evening's finale will be a spectacular light show featuring the lighting of the National Harbor Christmas Tree and fireworks.

November 27, 2009, 5-7 p.m.
Waterfront Plaza - National Harbor

Nightly National Harbor Christmas Light Show

The light show will continue each night through the holiday season. Beginning the half hour after sunset and continuing every half hour until 10 p.m.

Waterfront Plaza - National Harbor

Outdoor Holiday Market

Located on American Way, regional vendors will offer holiday goods and specialty foods including handmade crafts, handmade scarves and mittens, hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts and hot apple cider.

Saturdays and Sundays, November 28-December 20, 2009
Saturdays 12 - 8 p.m., Sundays 12 - 6 p.m.
Waterfront Plaza - National Harbor

Waterskiing Santa Claus

And on Christmas Eve, Santa himself will visit National Harbor, though without his sleigh. Waterskiing Santa will make his debut at National Harbor gliding across the Potomac River, making a special visit with guests and visitors before his big night. See Photos of Waterskiing Santa.

December 24, 2009, 1 p.m.
National Harbor Waterfront

Christmas Events at the Gaylord National Resort

November 19, 2009 through January 10, 2010.
Gaylord National Resort
201 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, Maryland

Kick-Off Celebration: November 19, 2009 at 7 p.m. Gaylord National Resort Atrium. The event will feature spectacular fireworks, musical performances, an indoor snowfall, laser light show and many other surprises.

Gaylord National Resort's ICE! - The winter wonderland is an interactive attraction featuring ten different, larger-than-life scenes. Visit with the whole family throughout the holiday season. See Photos of ICE!

Nightly Entertainment at the Gaylord National Resort:

• Nightly Tree Lighting - Every evening kicks off at 6 p.m. as our Atrium comes to life with a nightly Tree Lighting extravaganza. The delightful show features Christmas music, a light show, and a dancing fountain that shoots 60-feet high!
  
  
• Indoor Snowfall – It’s always 72 degrees in our atrium, but you won’t believe your eyes as it snows inside! Snow falls twice nightly in the atrium.
  
  
• Voices of Gaylord National Christmas Choir – This joyous presentation of classic Christmas music is performed by a 75-voice choir.
  
  
• Brightest Star Fountain Show – A heartwarming narration of the classic Christmas story, choreographed with dancing water and special effects.