Organize your festive season in Chillum with our guide. We’ve listed all the top holiday events for you. For Chillum experts and novices, our guide is the key to unlocking the city's holiday treasures.
Popular Events: The Downtown Holiday Market transforms the heart of Chillum into a winter wonderland, featuring local artisans and unique gifts perfect for the season. Experience the awe of the National Harbor Tree Light Show, where dazzling lights and music create a magical atmosphere. And definitely don't forget the Gaylord National Hotel Show, showcasing breathtaking holiday displays and activities that delight visitors of all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Chillum Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Chillum
- National Harbor Tree Light Show (National Harbor)
- Downtown Holiday Market (Washington, DC)
- US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains (Washington, DC)
- Gaylord National Hotel Show (National Harbor)
- Merriweather Symphony of Lights (Columbia)
- ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (National Harbor)
- Merriweather District Tree Lighting and Ice Rink Opening (Columbia)
- City Center Tree Lighting (Washington, DC)
- Mount Vernon Winter Glow (Mount Vernon)
- Light Yards (Yards Park Plaza)
See these and even more events listed below!
Chillum Holiday Light Displays
National Harbor Tree Light Show
What to Expect:
Spectacular RGB tree light show with holiday 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
Merriweather Symphony of Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling display of holiday lights with new additions each year.
Description:
Merriweather Symphony of Lights is a family-oriented holiday spectacle featuring over 300,000 bulbs in larger-than-life animated and stationary light creations at historic Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Merriweather Symphony of Lights
Merriweather District Tree Lighting and Ice Rink Opening
What to Expect:
Annual tree lighting and ice rink opening event.
Description:
Join Merriweather District for the annual Tree Lighting celebration and ice rink opening. This festive event marks the beginning of the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony and the opening of the ice rink. Enjoy the lively atmosphere and get ready for a fun-filled winter.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Merriweather District Tree Lighting and Ice Rink Opening
Mount Vernon Winter Glow
What to Expect:
18th-century holiday experience with lantern-lit historic area and festive lights.
Description:
Explore Mount Vernon's historic estate illuminated with brilliant lights and patterns set to holiday music. Visit an 18th-century winter encampment, meet Aladdin the Camel, and enjoy 18th-century entertainment, including tavern tent activities and blacksmith demonstrations.
Where: Mount Vernon | More Info: Mount Vernon Winter Glow
City Center Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Dazzling 75-foot tree with live music and festive activities.
Description:
Join CityCenterDC for their 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 the dazzling 75-foot tree, visit the two resident 25-foot reindeer, and capture the holiday spirit with a photo under the Palmer Alley Dream Closet art installation.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: City Center Tree Lighting
Georgetown GLOW
What to Expect:
Free outdoor light art exhibition by national and international artists.
Description:
Georgetown GLOW is a free outdoor light art experience featuring national and international artists' commissioned works, displayed nightly from 5 pm to 10 pm in Georgetown's historic commercial district. The event includes walking tours, shopping promotions, and a holiday cocktail crawl.
Where: Georgetown | More Info: Georgetown GLOW
Chillum 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 market in the Penn Quarter-Chinatown neighborhood, celebrating its 20th year with a rejuvenating transformation under The Makers Show. Expect upgraded vendor kiosks, diverse artisans, community activations, and a delectable food and beverage lineup.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: Downtown Holiday Market
Merriweather District Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with regional vendors.
Description:
Visit Merriweather District's Annual Holiday Market to support unique small businesses and explore a variety of holiday pop-ups from regional vendors. Enjoy hot cocoa from The Charmery, sip wine in the outdoor wine chalet, and listen to carolers while checking off your holiday shopping list.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Merriweather District Holiday Market
German Christmas Village at Baltimore's Inner Harbor
What to Expect:
Authentic German Christmas Market with a wide selection of mulled wine and European cuisine.
Description:
German Christmas Village at Baltimore's Inner Harbor features over 60 local and international vendors offering unique holiday gifts and authentic European cuisine. Enjoy a wide selection of German mulled wine and explore the festive atmosphere amidst thousands of twinkling lights.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: German Christmas Village at Baltimore's Inner Harbor
Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday shopping experience with local artisans and festive music.
Description:
The Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair at Veterans Plaza offers a festive celebration featuring seasonal artisans, delicious treats, and unique gifts. Explore a merry marketplace filled with handcrafted treasures from local artisans and savor the flavors of the holidays with delightful food and desserts.
Where: Silver Spring | More Info: Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair
Chillum Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Gaylord National Hotel Show
What to Expect:
Interactive ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides.
Description:
At Gaylord National, immerse yourself in a holiday spectacle featuring stunning ice sculptures, festive decorations, and family-friendly activities like ice tubing and gingerbread decorating. Enjoy larger-than-life sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels in the signature ICE attraction.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: Gaylord National Hotel Show
ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculptures and interactive scenes from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Description:
ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is an immersive holiday showplace with larger-than-life ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels. Over 40 world-renowned master artisans hand-carve approximately 6,000 blocks of ice to create this one-of-a-kind attraction, featuring iconic scenes from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Chillum 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 plants inside the Conservatory.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains
National Menorah Lighting
What to Expect:
International symbol of religious freedom with significant media coverage.
Description:
The National Menorah Lighting Ceremony is a significant Chanukah event in Washington, D.C., featuring musical performances by the Military Bands of the Military District of Washington, special guests including prominent government officials and celebrities, and the lighting of the world's largest menorah. The event also includes the recognition of National Essay Winners and celebrates the story of Chanukah through student essays.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: National Menorah Lighting
Light Yards
What to Expect:
Lucha Libre Mexican performances and interactive activities.
Description:
Light Yards offers a vibrant and interactive experience with new sideshow performances, glowing giveaways, live music, and activities for all ages, including a twist of Lucha Libre Mexican performances.
Where: Yards Park Plaza | More Info: Light Yards
B&O Ellicott City Station Museum Holiday Train Garden
What to Expect:
Intricate train models depicting historic railroad routes.
Description:
The B&O Ellicott City Station Museum presents a Holiday Train Garden featuring intricate train models set up throughout the historic Freight House, showcasing the first 13 miles of the B&O Railroad from Baltimore to Ellicott City. This exhibit is available during normal business hours and is open to all ages.
Where: Ellicott City | More Info: B&O Ellicott City Station Museum Holiday Train Garden
32nd Annual Bel Air Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday parade with tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
The 32nd Annual Bel Air Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting is a cherished community event featuring festive floats, holiday music, and the lighting of the town's iconic Christmas tree.
Where: Bel Air | More Info: 32nd Annual Bel Air Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
Christmas in Middleburg
What to Expect:
Mile-long Christmas parade with foxhunt riders and festive activities.
Description:
Christmas in Middleburg is a festive celebration featuring a tree lighting ceremony, breakfast with Santa, the Middleburg Hunt Review, and a mile-long Christmas parade. The event includes progressive food and wine tastings, caroling, and shopping in historic Middleburg. It is a family-friendly event that evokes the Christmas spirit with its unique activities and special events.
Where: Middleburg | More Info: Christmas in Middleburg
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Silver Spring (3 miles)
- College Park (3 miles)
- Washington (5 miles)
- Landover (5 miles)
- Bethesda (6 miles)
- Wheaton (6 miles)
- Greenbelt (7 miles)
- Fairland (8 miles)
- Arlington (8 miles)
- Suitland (9 miles)
- Suitland-Silver Hill (9 miles)
- North Bethesda (9 miles)
- Aspen Hill (9 miles)
- McLean (10 miles)
- South Laurel (11 miles)
- Baileys Crossroads (11 miles)
- Alexandria (11 miles)
- Oxon Hill-Glassmanor (12 miles)
- Rockville (12 miles)
- Laurel (12 miles)
- Potomac (12 miles)
- West Falls Church (13 miles)
- Lincolnia (13 miles)
- Scaggsville (13 miles)
- Olney (14 miles)
- Rose Hill (14 miles)
- Bowie (14 miles)
- Annandale (14 miles)
- Clinton (15 miles)
- Springfield (16 miles)
- Crofton (17 miles)
- Gaithersburg (17 miles)
- North Potomac (17 miles)
- Oakton (18 miles)
- Odenton (18 miles)
- Fort Washington (18 miles)
- West Springfield (18 miles)
- Montgomery Village (18 miles)
- Woodlawn (19 miles)
- Fairfax (19 miles)
- Reston (19 miles)
- Burke (19 miles)
- Severn (20 miles)
- Columbia (21 miles)
- Herndon (21 miles)
- Hanover (21 miles)
- West Elkridge (22 miles)
- Oak Hill (22 miles)
- South Gate (23 miles)
- Ilchester (23 miles)
- Ellicott City (23 miles)
- Waldorf (24 miles)
- Sterling (24 miles)
- Glen Burnie (24 miles)
- Chantilly (24 miles)
- St. Charles (25 miles)
- Pasadena (25 miles)
- Severna Park (25 miles)
- Centreville (25 miles)
- Saint Charles (25 miles)
- Lake Ridge (25 miles)
- Catonsville (25 miles)
- Arbutus (25 miles)
- Arnold (27 miles)
- Annapolis (27 miles)
- Ashburn (27 miles)
- South Riding (28 miles)
- Dale City (28 miles)
- Woodlawn (29 miles)
- Milford Mill (29 miles)
- Lochearn (30 miles)
- Randallstown (30 miles)
- Manassas (30 miles)
- Gwynn Oak (30 miles)
- Baltimore (30 miles)
- Eldersburg (30 miles)
- Pikesville (32 miles)
- Dundalk (32 miles)
- Leesburg (32 miles)
- Owings Mills (33 miles)
- Linton Hall (34 miles)
- Reisterstown (36 miles)
- Essex (37 miles)
- Towson (37 miles)
- Parkville (37 miles)
- Frederick (38 miles)
- Carney (39 miles)
- Middle River (39 miles)
- Cockeysville (40 miles)
- Hunt Valley (42 miles)
- Perry Hall (42 miles)