Create your ultimate holiday itinerary in Waldorf! Discover all the best festive events with our guide. For Waldorf experts and novices, our guide is the key to unlocking the city's holiday treasures.
One highlight of the holiday season is the National Harbor Tree Light Show, where a dazzling display of lights transforms the waterfront into a winter wonderland. In addition, the US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains offers enchanting miniature train rides surrounded by stunning floral arrangements and festive decorations. And the Gaylord National Hotel Show is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring spectacular ice sculptures and an immersive holiday experience. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Waldorf
- National Harbor Tree Light Show (National Harbor)
- ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (National Harbor)
- Gaylord National Hotel Show (National Harbor)
- US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains (Washington, D.C.)
- Christmas in Middleburg (Middleburg)
- Downtown Holiday Market (Washington, D.C.)
- Free Holiday Events at Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.)
- Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park (Annapolis)
- Old Town Alexandria Scottish Parade (Alexandria)
- German Christmas Village at Baltimore's Inner Harbor (Baltimore)
See these and even more events listed below!
Waldorf Holiday Light Displays
City Center Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Dazzling 75-foot tree with live music and festive activities.
Description:
CityCenterDC's 10th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting features a 75-foot tree, live music by The Revels, balloon artists, face painters, and holiday treats. NBC4's Eun Yang hosts the official tree lighting ceremony.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: City Center Christmas Tree Lighting
National Harbor Tree Light Show
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a 60-foot RGB tree.
Description:
The National Harbor Tree Light Show features a 60-foot RGB tree that comes to life nightly with a breathtaking light show synchronized to a holiday medley recorded by the United States Air Force Band.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: National Harbor Tree Light Show
Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park
What to Expect:
Scenic holiday light show along the Chesapeake Bay.
Description:
Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park features a scenic two-mile drive along the Chesapeake Bay with over 70 animated and stationary light displays.
Where: Annapolis | More Info: Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park
Winterfest of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and a 50-foot Christmas tree.
Description:
The Winterfest of Lights in Ocean City, Maryland, features a 58-acre display of thousands of sparkling holiday lights and animated light displays along paved park paths. Visitors can enjoy hot chocolate, meet Santa, and explore the gift shop while taking in the festive atmosphere.
Where: Ocean City | More Info: Winterfest of Lights
SOMD Holly Jolly Lights Trail
What to Expect:
Community contest with 125 dazzling light displays.
Description:
Southern Maryland's Holly Jolly Light Trail features 125 dazzling displays showcasing creativity and spreading holiday cheer.
Where: Various | More Info: SOMD Holly Jolly Lights Trail
Waldorf 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 a diverse array of local artisans, upgraded vendor kiosks, community activations, 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 atmosphere.
Description:
German Christmas Village at Baltimore's Inner Harbor features over 60 local and international vendors offering unique gifts and European cuisine. The event includes a magnificent Glühwein pyramid, historic carousel, and Ferris wheel, making it a premier holiday shopping and dining destination.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: German Christmas Village at Baltimore's Inner Harbor
Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and local artisans.
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
Lucketts Old General Store and Grounds
What to Expect:
Holiday decor in a 100-year-old farmhouse with daily restocks.
Description:
Lucketts Old General Store and Grounds transform into a holiday spectacle each November, featuring beautifully decorated rooms, unique holiday murals, and photo vignettes. The event showcases gorgeous holiday decor, with every item available for purchase. Visitors can relax by the fire with a glass of wine from Vanish Brewery.
Where: Leesburg | More Info: Lucketts Old General Store and Grounds
Waldorf Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Gaylord National Hotel Show
What to Expect:
Larger-than-life ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides.
Description:
Gaylord National Hotel features an immersive holiday experience with larger-than-life ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels, all set amidst extraordinary Christmas decorations.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: Gaylord National Hotel Show
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 an immersive holiday attraction showcasing larger-than-life ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides. Visitors can explore 14 immersive scenes, including Snoopy's doghouse and the Peanuts gang rehearsing for a school Christmas play. The event is kept at a chilly -9°F, with guests provided with signature blue parkas to stay warm.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: ICE featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Free Holiday Events at Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center
What to Expect:
Free weekly performances featuring world-class artists.
Description:
The Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center offers a diverse range of free performances, including live music, chamber music, and film screenings. These events showcase a variety of artists and ensembles, from renowned musicians to emerging talent, providing a rich cultural experience for all attendees.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: Free Holiday Events at Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center
Merry TUBACHRISTMAS
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday music performed by tubas and euphoniums.
Description:
Merry TUBACHRISTMAS is an annual event where musicians of all ages gather to perform traditional Christmas music arranged by American composer Alec Wilder on tubas and euphoniums.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: Merry TUBACHRISTMAS
NSO Youth Fellows
What to Expect:
Intensive orchestral training with renowned musicians.
Description:
The NSO Youth Fellowship Program is an orchestral training program for serious music students interested in pursuing orchestral music as a career. It provides high school students in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area with opportunities to study with National Symphony Orchestra or Washington National Opera Orchestra musicians, observe rehearsals, attend concerts, and participate in chamber music ensembles, master classes, and discussions.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: NSO Youth Fellows
Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military: A Holiday Pops
What to Expect:
Free holiday concert honoring military service members.
Description:
The National Symphony Orchestra's Notes of Honor initiative honors active duty, prior service members, veterans, and retired service members with a free performance of A Holiday Pops This special event features Broadway showstoppers and favorites, ensuring a memorable and uplifting holiday celebration.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military: A Holiday Pops
Winter Concert Youth Orchestra
What to Expect:
Advanced-level symphonic orchestra performance by youth musicians.
Description:
The Charles County Youth Orchestra presents a Winter Concert featuring a diverse range of musical pieces performed by its talented ensembles, showcasing the skill and dedication of young musicians.
Where: Port Tobacco | More Info: Winter Concert Youth Orchestra
Handel’s Messiah Concert
What to Expect:
Annual performance of Handel's iconic oratorio by the SMCM Chamber Singers and Orchestra.
Description:
The SMCM Chamber Singers and Orchestra, under the direction of Professor Larry Vote, will perform Handel's "Messiah," an annual event featuring the renowned oratorio composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741.
Where: St. Mary’s City | More Info: Handel’s Messiah Concert
Children’s Christmas Musical
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday performance with children's choir.
Description:
Cool Spring Baptist Church invites children from Preschool Age through 5th Grade to participate in this year's Christmas musical production, "The Bethlehem Beat." The event features a festive holiday performance with drama auditions scheduled for August 25 and 28.
Where: Mechanicsville | More Info: Children’s Christmas Musical
Christmas Cantata
What to Expect:
Heartfelt holiday music performance by the church community.
Description:
The Christmas Cantata at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church is a heartfelt celebration of the holiday season, featuring beautiful music and community spirit.
Where: Waldorf | More Info: Christmas Cantata
Waldorf Other Holiday Activities
US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains
What to Expect:
Model trains running through pollinator sculptures made from plant parts.
Description:
The United States Botanic Garden's Season's Greenings holiday display features model trains running through pollinator sculptures made from plant parts, festive lights, and DC landmarks made from plants inside the Conservatory. The event includes thousands of poinsettias and offers a unique blend of natural and architectural wonders.
Where: Washington, D.C. | More Info: US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains
32nd Annual Bel Air Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday celebration with community participation.
Description:
The 32nd Annual Bel Air Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting features a festive procession, tree lighting ceremony, and opportunities to sponsor the event.
Where: Bel Air | More Info: 32nd Annual Bel Air Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
Old Town Alexandria Scottish Parade
What to Expect:
Celebration of Scottish heritage with traditional music, dance, and tartans.
Description:
The Old Town Alexandria Scottish Parade is a vibrant celebration of Scottish heritage, featuring over 100 marching units, Scottish clans, bagpipes, drums, dancers, and dignitaries. The parade begins at St. Asaph and Wilkes Streets and concludes at Market Square.
Where: Alexandria | More Info: Old Town Alexandria Scottish Parade
Christmas in Middleburg
What to Expect:
Historic horse hunt review and festive town parade.
Description:
Christmas in Middleburg is a festive holiday event featuring a tree lighting ceremony, Breakfast with Santa, the Middleburg Hunt Review, and a mile-long Christmas parade. The town transforms into a charming holiday setting with shopping, caroling, and progressive food and wine tastings.
Where: Middleburg | More Info: Christmas in Middleburg
Winter Dreams Concert
What to Expect:
Self-guided tour of stylishly decorated homes.
Description:
Explore beautifully decorated homes in St. Marys, Ohio, during the 7th Annual Winter Dreams Holiday Tour of Homes. This self-paced, self-guided tour allows visitors to glimpse inside stylishly dressed homes, with volunteers greeting guests at each location. The event includes a registration packet with a booklet, map, and shoe coverings for wear within the homes.
Where: St. Mary’s City | More Info: Winter Dreams Concert
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- St. Charles (1 miles)
- Saint Charles (1 miles)
- Fort Washington (7 miles)
- Clinton (10 miles)
- Oxon Hill-Glassmanor (12 miles)
- Woodlawn (12 miles)
- Alexandria (14 miles)
- Rose Hill (15 miles)
- Suitland-Silver Hill (15 miles)
- Suitland (16 miles)
- Lincolnia (17 miles)
- Springfield (18 miles)
- West Springfield (18 miles)
- Baileys Crossroads (19 miles)
- Washington (19 miles)
- Arlington (20 miles)
- Lake Ridge (20 miles)
- Annandale (20 miles)
- Dale City (20 miles)
- West Falls Church (21 miles)
- Burke (21 miles)
- Landover (22 miles)
- Chillum (24 miles)
- College Park (25 miles)
- Bowie (25 miles)
- McLean (25 miles)
- Fairfax (25 miles)
- Silver Spring (26 miles)
- Bethesda (26 miles)
- Oakton (26 miles)
- Greenbelt (26 miles)
- Wheaton (29 miles)
- Crofton (29 miles)
- Manassas (30 miles)
- Centreville (30 miles)
- North Bethesda (31 miles)
- Potomac (31 miles)
- South Laurel (31 miles)
- Fairland (31 miles)
- Reston (32 miles)
- Aspen Hill (32 miles)
- Chantilly (32 miles)
- Oak Hill (32 miles)
- Laurel (33 miles)
- Rockville (34 miles)
- Herndon (34 miles)
- Odenton (34 miles)
- Annapolis (34 miles)
- Linton Hall (36 miles)
- Fredericksburg (36 miles)
- Scaggsville (36 miles)
- North Potomac (36 miles)
- Arnold (37 miles)
- South Riding (37 miles)
- Olney (37 miles)
- Sterling (37 miles)
- Severna Park (37 miles)
- Severn (38 miles)
- Gaithersburg (39 miles)
- South Gate (39 miles)
- Pasadena (39 miles)
- Montgomery Village (41 miles)
- Glen Burnie (41 miles)
- Hanover (41 miles)
- Ashburn (41 miles)
- West Elkridge (42 miles)
- Columbia (43 miles)
- Ilchester (44 miles)