Experience the best of the holidays in Greenbelt with our comprehensive holiday guide. Whether you're intimately familiar with Greenbelt or just getting acquainted, our guide maximizes your seasonal enjoyment.
Kick off the festivities at the National Harbor Christmas, where you'll find a stunning array of lights and seasonal decorations, transforming the waterfront into a winter wonderland. Another highlight is Midnight Madness, featuring extended shopping hours and special treats that create a festive atmosphere throughout the town. And the ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a wonderful artistic display that captures the spirit of the season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Greenbelt
- National Harbor Christmas (National Harbor)
- ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (National Harbor)
- Midnight Madness (Annapolis)
- Downtown Holiday Market (Washington, D.C.)
- Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks (National Harbor)
- City Center Tree Lighting (Washington, D.C.)
- US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains (Washington, D.C.)
- German Christmas Village at Baltimore's Inner Harbor (Baltimore)
- Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair (Silver Spring)
See these and even more events listed below!
Greenbelt Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks
What to Expect:
Spectacular fireworks display following tree lighting.
Description:
The Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks event features a spectacular display of fireworks following the nightly tree lighting show, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks
City Center Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Dazzling 75-foot tree and live music performance.
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 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, D.C. | More Info: City Center Tree Lighting
Greenbelt Holiday Markets and Shopping
National Harbor Christmas
What to Expect:
Rotating selection of local artisans and crafters.
Description:
The National Harbor Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show series offers a vibrant and ever-changing holiday experience every Saturday and Sunday from November 30th to December 22nd. Each day features a rotating selection of talented artisans and crafters, along with an array of delectable holiday sweets and desserts. Visitors can immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere, discover one-of-a-kind treasures, and enjoy delightful treats.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: National Harbor Christmas
Midnight Madness
What to Expect:
Extended shopping hours with holiday decorations and live entertainment.
Description:
Downtown Annapolis transforms into a holiday shopping paradise with Midnight Madness, featuring holiday decorations, live entertainment, and extended shopping hours at over 90 stores and 80 restaurants.
Where: Annapolis | More Info: Midnight Madness
Downtown Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Diverse local vendors and community activations.
Description:
The DowntownDC Holiday Market, celebrating its 20th year, offers a diverse array of local vendors, artisans, and community activations. Expect upgraded vendor kiosks, fresh artisans, and a delectable food and beverage lineup.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: Downtown Holiday Market
German Christmas Village at Baltimore's Inner Harbor
What to Expect:
Authentic German Christmas Market with diverse vendors and festive food options.
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 with a historic carousel and Ferris wheel.
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 joyful spirit. Explore a merry marketplace filled with handcrafted treasures from local artisans, savor delightful food and desserts from various vendors, and immerse yourself in festive melodies of Christmas music.
Where: Silver Spring | More Info: Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair
Greenbelt Holiday Shows and Entertainment
ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides.
Description:
ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a dazzling, 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 Christmas attraction, featuring 14 immersive scenes including the iconic Rudolph Saves the Day scene.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Greenbelt Other Holiday Activities
US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains
What to Expect:
Unique plant-based landmarks and pollinator sculptures.
Description:
The US Botanic Garden's "Season's Greenings" holiday exhibit features model trains in the outdoor gardens, festive lights, and thousands of poinsettias. Inside the Conservatory, explore DC landmarks made from plants and enjoy a tropical paradise with a large indoor decorated tree.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- College Park (4 miles)
- South Laurel (5 miles)
- Landover (5 miles)
- Fairland (7 miles)
- Laurel (7 miles)
- Chillum (7 miles)
- Silver Spring (8 miles)
- Bowie (9 miles)
- Scaggsville (10 miles)
- Wheaton (10 miles)
- Crofton (10 miles)
- Odenton (11 miles)
- Suitland (11 miles)
- Suitland-Silver Hill (11 miles)
- Washington (11 miles)
- Aspen Hill (12 miles)
- Bethesda (12 miles)
- Severn (13 miles)
- North Bethesda (13 miles)
- Olney (15 miles)
- Arlington (15 miles)
- Hanover (15 miles)
- Oxon Hill-Glassmanor (15 miles)
- Rockville (16 miles)
- South Gate (16 miles)
- West Elkridge (16 miles)
- Columbia (16 miles)
- Clinton (17 miles)
- Alexandria (17 miles)
- McLean (17 miles)
- Baileys Crossroads (17 miles)
- Glen Burnie (17 miles)
- Potomac (18 miles)
- Ilchester (18 miles)
- Pasadena (18 miles)
- Severna Park (18 miles)
- Ellicott City (19 miles)
- Lincolnia (19 miles)
- West Falls Church (19 miles)
- Rose Hill (20 miles)
- Arbutus (20 miles)
- Gaithersburg (20 miles)
- Catonsville (20 miles)
- Arnold (20 miles)
- Annapolis (21 miles)
- Montgomery Village (21 miles)
- Annandale (21 miles)
- North Potomac (22 miles)
- Fort Washington (22 miles)
- Springfield (22 miles)
- Woodlawn (23 miles)
- Woodlawn (24 miles)
- Baltimore (24 miles)
- Milford Mill (24 miles)
- Oakton (24 miles)
- West Springfield (25 miles)
- Lochearn (25 miles)
- Gwynn Oak (25 miles)
- Reston (25 miles)
- Randallstown (25 miles)
- Dundalk (26 miles)
- Fairfax (26 miles)
- Burke (26 miles)
- Waldorf (26 miles)
- Pikesville (27 miles)
- Herndon (28 miles)
- St. Charles (28 miles)
- Eldersburg (28 miles)
- Saint Charles (28 miles)
- Oak Hill (29 miles)
- Owings Mills (29 miles)
- Sterling (30 miles)
- Essex (30 miles)
- Chantilly (31 miles)
- Towson (31 miles)
- Parkville (31 miles)
- Lake Ridge (32 miles)
- Centreville (32 miles)
- Reisterstown (32 miles)
- Middle River (33 miles)
- Carney (33 miles)
- Ashburn (33 miles)
- South Riding (34 miles)
- Dale City (35 miles)
- Cockeysville (35 miles)
- Perry Hall (36 miles)
- Hunt Valley (36 miles)
- Manassas (37 miles)
- Leesburg (38 miles)
- Frederick (40 miles)
- Linton Hall (41 miles)
- Edgewood (42 miles)