Get ready for a festive adventure in Aspen Hill with our holiday guide. For those who wake up to Aspen Hill views and those just dreaming of them, our guide brings holiday wishes to life.
Popular events this season include the US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains, where you can enjoy stunning floral displays and intricate train setups that capture the holiday spirit. Christmas Eve and Christmas Dinners at Element 47 offer a delightful dining experience that combines seasonal flavors in a warm atmosphere. And the Fireworks in Aspen Snowmass is something you definitely don't want to miss, lighting up the winter sky with a vibrant celebration. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Aspen Hill
- - Wintersköl Parade (Aspen)
- - Fireworks in Aspen Snowmass (Aspen)
- - Christmas Eve + Christmas Dinners at Element 47 (Aspen)
- US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains (Washington, D.C.)
- - New Year's Eve Dinner (Aspen)
- - AVSC’s Audi AJAX Cup (Aspen)
- National Harbor Tree Light Show (National Harbor)
- Downtown Holiday Market (Washington, D.C.)
- - Breathtaker Alpine Coaster (Snowmass)
- National Harbor Fireworks Display (National Harbor)
See these and even more events listed below!
Aspen Hill Holiday Light Displays
City Center Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Dazzling 75-foot tree with live performances and festive activities.
Description:
Join CityCenterDC for its 10th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, featuring a joyful music performance by The Revels, balloon artists, face painters, and holiday treats. NBC4's Eun Yang will host the official tree lighting ceremony and countdown. Enjoy a dazzling 75-foot tree, visit two resident 25-foot reindeer, and capture the holiday spirit with a photo under the Palmer Alley Dream Closet art installation.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: City Center Christmas Tree Lighting
US Capitol Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Time-honored tradition of lighting a national forest tree on the U.S. Capitol grounds.
Description:
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is a 63-foot Norway spruce from West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, decorated with handmade ornaments and lit on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building each evening through January 1, 2024.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: US Capitol Tree Lighting
National Harbor Tree Light Show
What to Expect:
Spectacular RGB tree light display with synchronized music.
Description:
The National Harbor Tree Light Show features a 60-foot RGB tree that comes to life nightly with a breathtaking light show dancing alongside a holiday medley recorded by the United States Air Force Band.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: National Harbor Tree Light Show
National Harbor Fireworks Display
What to Expect:
Synchronized fireworks and light show.
Description:
National Harbor's Fireworks Display is a spectacular event featuring a 60-foot RGB tree and a holiday medley recorded by the United States Air Force Band, culminating in a breathtaking light show that dances alongside the fireworks display.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: National Harbor Fireworks Display
Aspen Hill Holiday Markets and Shopping
Downtown Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Diverse local vendors and community activations.
Description:
The DowntownDC Holiday Market is a vibrant holiday marketplace in Penn Quarter-Chinatown, featuring over 100 local vendors, upgraded vendor kiosks, and a diverse array of artisans. Expect captivating community activations, a delectable food and beverage lineup, and a rejuvenating transformation under the guidance of The Makers Show.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: Downtown Holiday Market
Lucketts Old General Store and Grounds
What to Expect:
Holiday decor showcase with daily restocks and unique murals.
Description:
Lucketts Old General Store and Grounds transform a 100-year-old farmhouse into a beautifully decorated holiday space each November. The event features unique holiday murals, photo vignettes, and an array of gorgeous holiday decor available for purchase. Each room is lovingly curated and restocked daily, offering a vast selection of festive items. Visitors can relax by the fire with a glass of wine from Vanish Brewery.
Where: Leesburg | More Info: Lucketts Old General Store and Grounds
Old Town Alexandria Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Local artisans and festive activities.
Description:
The Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show features local artisans, delicious treats, and heartwarming activities. Explore handcrafted delights, indulge in culinary journeys, and immerse yourself in Christmas music. Visit Santa's Corner and the Kids Corner for ornament crafting.
Where: Alexandria | More Info: Old Town Alexandria Christmas Events
Aspen Hill Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Gaylord National Hotel Show
What to Expect:
Interactive ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides.
Description:
At Gaylord National Resort, immerse yourself in a holiday showplace featuring larger-than-life ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels. Enjoy spectacular light displays, holiday decorations, and family-friendly activities like ice-skating and gingerbread house decorating.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: Gaylord National Hotel Show
ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculpture display featuring beloved holiday characters.
Description:
ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a walk-through holiday attraction showcasing two million pounds of colorful ice sculptures, hand-carved by 40 artisans from Harbin, China. The display includes scenes from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, with visitors able to crawl through iconic structures and slide down thrilling frozen slides.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- New Year's Eve Dinner
What to Expect:
Celebratory dinner with local flavors.
Description:
Savor a chef’s festive menu highlighting the finest local flavors of Colorado at Hotel Jerome’s New Year's Eve Dinner.
Where: Aspen | More Info: - New Year's Eve Dinner
Aspen Hill Other Holiday Activities
US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains
What to Expect:
Unique holiday display with model trains and pollinator sculptures.
Description:
The US Botanic Gardens' holiday display features model trains running through pollinator sculptures made from plant parts, along with festive lights, poinsettias, and DC landmarks crafted from natural materials.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains
Kwanzaa & Watch Night: Visions of Freedom
What to Expect:
Cultural celebration linking Afrofuturism and historical freedom seekers.
Description:
Celebrate Kwanzaa and Watch Night with activities honoring the last three principles of Kwanzaa—Kuumba (creativity), Imani (faith), and Nia (purpose). Explore the link between Watch Night and Kwanzaa through Afrofuturism, and create a scrapbook with images from the museum's collection to affirm self-worth and imagine a better future.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: Kwanzaa & Watch Night: Visions of Freedom
Christmas in Middleburg
What to Expect:
Historic town celebration with horse hunts and festive parades.
Description:
Christmas in Middleburg is a festive holiday event featuring a tree lighting ceremony, breakfast with Santa, the Middleburg Hunt Review, a mile-long Christmas parade, and progressive food and wine tastings. The town transforms into a holiday scene with carolers, dancers, and actors, offering a variety of activities for all ages.
Where: Middleburg | More Info: Christmas in Middleburg
Middleburg Hunt Review
What to Expect:
Equestrian parade with foxhunt riders and hounds.
Description:
The Middleburg Hunt Review features mounted foxhunt riders and hounds parading down the main Washington Street, showcasing the town's equestrian heritage.
Where: Middleburg | More Info: Middleburg Hunt Review
Middleburg Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
A mile-long parade with diverse participants and festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Middleburg Christmas Parade features floats, groups, clubs, and animals marching down Washington Street, showcasing the town's festive spirit.
Where: Middleburg | More Info: Middleburg Christmas Parade
Manassas Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
"Christmas-themed parade with Candyland decorations"
Description:
The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade is a festive holiday event featuring over 100 units, including marching bands, floats, and high-flying balloons. The parade celebrates the holiday season with a "Christmas in Candyland" theme, attracting approximately 2,000 participants and over 300 volunteers.
Where: Manassas | More Info: Manassas Christmas Parade
- Christmas Eve + Christmas Dinners at Element 47
What to Expect:
Luxurious holiday dining with a focus on local ingredients and exceptional wine pairings.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with a four-course prix fixe menu at Element 47, featuring indulgent favorites like lobster and wagyu beef.
Where: Aspen | More Info: - Christmas Eve + Christmas Dinners at Element 47
- AVSC’s Audi AJAX Cup
What to Expect:
Dual GS race with head-to-head competition and a vibrant après-ski celebration.
Description:
The Audi Ajax Cup is Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club's signature annual fundraiser, featuring a dual GS race with 16 teams competing head-to-head for the prestigious Gorsuch Cup. The event concludes with a vibrant après-ski celebration combining tradition and neon retro flair.
Where: Aspen | More Info: - AVSC’s Audi AJAX Cup
- Fireworks in Aspen Snowmass
What to Expect:
Synchronized fireworks display following a torchlight parade.
Description:
The fireworks display in Aspen Snowmass is a spectacular conclusion to the Wintersköl festivities, illuminating the night sky with vibrant colors and synchronized patterns.
Where: Aspen | More Info: - Fireworks in Aspen Snowmass
- Breathtaker Alpine Coaster
What to Expect:
Unique control over speed and braking through the forest.
Description:
The Breathtaker Alpine Coaster is a thrilling ride through over a mile of forest on an elevated track, reaching speeds of 28 mph. Riders control the speed and braking, navigating curves and turns.
Where: Snowmass | More Info: - Breathtaker Alpine Coaster
- Tubing
What to Expect:
Lift-served snow tubing with illuminated runs during Ullr Nights.
Description:
At Aspen Snowmass, experience lift-served snow tubing at Elk Camp, with multiple lanes carved into The Meadows. Enjoy tubing every day, including Ullr Nights, where runs are illuminated by lighting facilities. Weather-dependent activities may be subject to cancellation.
Where: Snowmass | More Info: - Tubing
- Ullr Nights
What to Expect:
Family-friendly winter activities with gondola rides and bonfires.
Description:
Ullr Nights is a nighttime event at Elk Camp Snowmass, featuring gondola rides, tubing, Breathtaker Alpine Coaster rides, s'mores, hot chocolate, and à la carte dining.
Where: Snowmass | More Info: - Ullr Nights
- Wintersköl Parade
What to Expect:
Torchlight ski descent with fireworks display.
Description:
The Wintersköl Parade is a spectacular event where participants ski down Aspen Mountain's Little Nell Run, led by an Aspen Snowmass Ski Pro, followed by a dazzling fireworks display.
Where: Aspen | More Info: - Wintersköl Parade
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Wheaton (3 miles)
- North Bethesda (3 miles)
- Rockville (4 miles)
- Olney (5 miles)
- Fairland (6 miles)
- Silver Spring (7 miles)
- Bethesda (7 miles)
- Gaithersburg (8 miles)
- Potomac (8 miles)
- Chillum (9 miles)
- Montgomery Village (9 miles)
- College Park (10 miles)
- North Potomac (10 miles)
- Scaggsville (10 miles)
- McLean (11 miles)
- Greenbelt (12 miles)
- South Laurel (12 miles)
- Laurel (12 miles)
- Washington (13 miles)
- Landover (14 miles)
- Arlington (14 miles)
- West Falls Church (16 miles)
- Baileys Crossroads (16 miles)
- Reston (16 miles)
- Columbia (17 miles)
- Suitland (18 miles)
- Suitland-Silver Hill (18 miles)
- Oakton (18 miles)
- Lincolnia (18 miles)
- Herndon (18 miles)
- Annandale (18 miles)
- Alexandria (19 miles)
- Ellicott City (20 miles)
- Sterling (20 miles)
- Odenton (20 miles)
- Rose Hill (20 miles)
- Hanover (20 miles)
- Oxon Hill-Glassmanor (20 miles)
- Ilchester (20 miles)
- Fairfax (20 miles)
- Severn (20 miles)
- West Elkridge (21 miles)
- Oak Hill (21 miles)
- Bowie (21 miles)
- Springfield (21 miles)
- Crofton (21 miles)
- Ashburn (22 miles)
- Burke (22 miles)
- Catonsville (23 miles)
- West Springfield (23 miles)
- Chantilly (23 miles)
- Eldersburg (23 miles)
- Arbutus (23 miles)
- Clinton (24 miles)
- South Gate (24 miles)
- Milford Mill (25 miles)
- Glen Burnie (25 miles)
- Randallstown (25 miles)
- Woodlawn (25 miles)
- Centreville (25 miles)
- Woodlawn (25 miles)
- South Riding (26 miles)
- Fort Washington (26 miles)
- Lochearn (26 miles)
- Leesburg (26 miles)
- Gwynn Oak (27 miles)
- Pasadena (27 miles)
- Pikesville (28 miles)
- Owings Mills (28 miles)
- Severna Park (28 miles)
- Baltimore (29 miles)
- Frederick (29 miles)
- Lake Ridge (30 miles)
- Reisterstown (30 miles)
- Arnold (31 miles)
- Manassas (31 miles)
- Dundalk (32 miles)
- Annapolis (32 miles)
- Waldorf (32 miles)
- Dale City (33 miles)
- St. Charles (34 miles)
- Towson (34 miles)
- Saint Charles (34 miles)
- Linton Hall (35 miles)
- Parkville (35 miles)
- Essex (36 miles)
- Cockeysville (36 miles)
- Carney (37 miles)
- Hunt Valley (37 miles)
- Middle River (38 miles)
- Perry Hall (40 miles)