Excited for holiday fun in North Potomac? Our guide will lead you to all the festive activities! Whether you're a North Potomac veteran or a first-timer, this guide will make your holidays unforgettable.
Popular events this season include the DowntownDC Holiday Market, where you can explore a variety of local crafts and delicious seasonal treats. The enchanting ZooLights, featuring stunning light displays and the chance to see animals in a winter wonderland, offers a unique experience for families. And the Winter Glow at Mount Vernon is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its beautiful decorations and the historic estate's festive charm. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around North Potomac
- DowntownDC Holiday Market (Washington, D.C.)
- Winter Glow at Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon)
- ZooLights (Washington, D.C.)
- Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon)
- ICE Featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (National Harbor)
- Holiday Boat Parade (Washington, D.C.)
- Garden of Lights (Wheaton)
- CityCenterDC's Holiday Tree (Washington, D.C.)
See these and even more events listed below!
North Potomac Holiday Light Displays
ZooLights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with immersive light displays and live music.
Description:
This annual holiday light spectacular at the Smithsonian's National Zoo features glowing lantern animals, live musical performances, and festive pathways to explore. Visitors can sample seasonal treats, check gifts off their lists, and enjoy the Conservation Carousel.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: ZooLights
Winter Glow at Mount Vernon
What to Expect:
Lantern-lit historic area with 18th-century winter activities.
Description:
Explore Mount Vernon's Winter Glow, an 18th-century holiday experience featuring lantern-lit historic areas, an 18th-century winter encampment, and festive lights set to holiday music. Meet Aladdin the Camel and enjoy activities like s'mores roasting and an 18th-century tavern tent.
Where: Mount Vernon | More Info: Winter Glow at Mount Vernon
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
What to Expect:
Historic estate illuminated with wintry lights and fireworks.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Mount Vernon with Christmas Illuminations, featuring lantern-lit historic areas, the Mansion aglow in amber light, and stunning fireworks over the Potomac River. Enjoy an 18th-century winter encampment, a working blacksmith shop, Christmas carolers, and Aladdin the Camel. Explore 18th-century traditions and shop for holiday gifts at The Shops at Mount Vernon.
Where: Mount Vernon | More Info: Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
Garden of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and animated features.
Description:
Brookside Gardens transforms into a vibrant display of over 1.5 million twinkling LED lights, featuring secular displays of flowers, plants, insects, animals, and other natural elements along a half-mile paved trail.
Where: Wheaton | More Info: Garden of Lights
CityCenterDC's Holiday Tree
What to Expect:
Dazzling 75-foot tree with live music and holiday activities.
Description:
CityCenterDC's 75-foot holiday tree is illuminated with thousands of lights and ornaments, accompanied by live music from The Revels, balloon artists, face painters, and festive treats.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: CityCenterDC's Holiday Tree
North Potomac Holiday Markets and Shopping
DowntownDC 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, featuring a diverse array of local artisans, community activations, and a delectable food and beverage lineup. Expect upgraded vendor kiosks and a fresh array of artisans.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: DowntownDC Holiday Market
North Potomac Holiday Shows and Entertainment
ICE Featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculptures of beloved Peanuts characters.
Description:
ICE at Gaylord National features "A Charlie Brown Christmas" with over 2 million pounds of ice, hand-carved by 40 artisans into a nearly 20,000-square-foot frozen attraction kept at 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Guests are provided with signature blue parkas to stay warm.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: ICE Featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
North Potomac Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Spectacular fireworks finale over the Washington Channel.
Description:
The Holiday Boat Parade at The Wharf features 60 beautifully decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel, accompanied by live music, ornament decorating, holiday karaoke, and family photos with Santa. The event also includes hot toddies, s'mores, and a spectacular fireworks finale.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: Holiday Boat Parade
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Gaithersburg (5 miles)
- Potomac (5 miles)
- Rockville (6 miles)
- Montgomery Village (7 miles)
- North Bethesda (8 miles)
- Reston (9 miles)
- Herndon (10 miles)
- Sterling (10 miles)
- Aspen Hill (10 miles)
- McLean (11 miles)
- Bethesda (11 miles)
- Wheaton (12 miles)
- Olney (12 miles)
- Ashburn (12 miles)
- Oak Hill (13 miles)
- Oakton (14 miles)
- Silver Spring (14 miles)
- West Falls Church (16 miles)
- Chantilly (16 miles)
- Leesburg (16 miles)
- Arlington (16 miles)
- Fairland (16 miles)
- Fairfax (17 miles)
- Chillum (17 miles)
- South Riding (17 miles)
- Baileys Crossroads (18 miles)
- Annandale (18 miles)
- Washington (18 miles)
- Centreville (19 miles)
- College Park (19 miles)
- Lincolnia (19 miles)
- Burke (20 miles)
- Scaggsville (20 miles)
- Springfield (21 miles)
- West Springfield (22 miles)
- Greenbelt (22 miles)
- Rose Hill (22 miles)
- South Laurel (22 miles)
- Landover (22 miles)
- Laurel (22 miles)
- Alexandria (23 miles)
- Frederick (24 miles)
- Suitland (24 miles)
- Suitland-Silver Hill (24 miles)
- Oxon Hill-Glassmanor (25 miles)
- Columbia (25 miles)
- Manassas (26 miles)
- Woodlawn (26 miles)
- Lake Ridge (27 miles)
- Eldersburg (28 miles)
- Linton Hall (28 miles)
- Ellicott City (28 miles)
- Fort Washington (29 miles)
- Ilchester (29 miles)
- Clinton (30 miles)
- Hanover (30 miles)
- West Elkridge (30 miles)
- Odenton (30 miles)
- Bowie (30 miles)
- Severn (31 miles)
- Dale City (31 miles)
- Catonsville (31 miles)
- Crofton (31 miles)
- Randallstown (32 miles)
- Milford Mill (32 miles)
- Arbutus (33 miles)
- Woodlawn (33 miles)
- Lochearn (34 miles)
- South Gate (34 miles)
- Glen Burnie (35 miles)
- Owings Mills (35 miles)
- Gwynn Oak (35 miles)
- Pikesville (35 miles)
- Reisterstown (35 miles)
- Waldorf (36 miles)
- Pasadena (37 miles)
- Saint Charles (38 miles)
- St. Charles (38 miles)
- Baltimore (38 miles)
- Severna Park (39 miles)
- Arnold (41 miles)
- Dundalk (42 miles)
- Towson (42 miles)
- Annapolis (42 miles)
- Cockeysville (43 miles)
- Parkville (44 miles)
- Hunt Valley (44 miles)