Christmas on the Potomac 2017

Christmas on the Potomac 2017

Last December, we enjoyed a trip to see ICE! at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD near Washington D.C.  It was such a magical experience with all the activities at the resort and the beautiful sculptures in ICE!

Each year, Gaylord National has a different theme for ICE!  Earlier this summer, Gaylord National “teased” about what the theme for this coming Christmas season would bring.  Can you guess?

No holiday season would be complete without the resort’s famous ice sculpture attraction, ICE!, presented by Pepsi, featuring a brand new theme. Families and friends can relive the beloved 1964 TV classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, as they walk through 13 scenes of more than two million pounds of colorful ice sculptures that tell the story of how Rudolph’s red-nose first helped Santa guide his sleigh.  Kept at a chilly nine degrees, visitors also can enjoy four thrilling ice slides and a crystal clear, breathtaking Nativity scene.

ICE! opens daily from November 18, 2017 through January 1, 2018. Discounted ticket pricing is available now through October 1 on select days starting at $28* for adults ages 12 and older and $20* for children ages 4 to 11. Tickets after October 1 start at $32* for adults and $24* for children on value days; $38* for adults and $31* for children on general admission days; and $39* for adult and $32* for children on peak days. Kids 3 and younger are free. Military and group ticket pricing is available. Hours vary and can be found at www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com.

I just LOVE how vivid the colors are in the ICE! displays and can’t wait to see how Rudolph plays out in ice form!  Can’t you see how his red nose would “glow”?

The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center has some other fun options to go along with ICE! for the Christmas Village this upcoming holiday season! [Additional costs apply.]

• NEW! Glacier Glide Ice Skating experience
• Cookies with Mrs. Claus, a carousel, miniature train ride, photos with Santa and Gingerbread Decorating Corner presented by Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas
• Build-A-Bear Workshop® experience where guests make their very own furry winter friend – a cuddly, cute polar bear plush, designed exclusively for Gaylord Hotels
• Build-A-Bear Workshop® Scavenger Hunt to gain a “beary” special prize
• Gaylord National has bundled some of these activities together to create packages at a reduced rate.  Make sure to check out pricing for these fun activities on the Gaylord National website. 

What would Christmas on the Potomac be without the suspended Starlight Christmas Tree?  Gaylord National has a new live entertainment option this year that will be followed by the Tree Lighting Show.  

The Christmas Village isn’t the only area to experience holiday cheer within the resort. New this year, Gaylord National is introducing a live entertainment show, JOY – A Holiday Spectacular, set within its stunning 19-story atrium. Visitors can enjoy the rich harmonies of classic and modern songs that celebrate the joy of the holiday season performed by Gaylord National singers. The show is immediately followed by a spectacular Tree Lighting Show that includes laser lights, a dancing water fountain, indoor snowfall and holiday music – all centered on the resort’s suspended Starlight Christmas Tree. 

There will be VIP seating in the Atrium for JOY – A Holiday Spectacular.  More information about this new offering is available on the Gaylord National website. 

And here’s something extra special for those with younger kids (however, I think my teenage son would LOVE this activity)…

Gaylord National also will offer a new family breakfast experience featuring the star of ICE!, Rudolph! Rudolph’s Holly Jolly™ Breakfast is a one-of-a-kind interactive character breakfast experience featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster and Clarice. Children of all ages will enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, play reindeer games and sing-a-long to favorite music from the beloved television special. Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Breakfast is offered on select days and costs $39.99* for adults ages 12 and older and $26.99* for children ages 4 to 11. Kids 3 and younger are free.  *Taxes, service fees and/or gratuity not included.

There are so many fun things to do at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center during the holidays!  As I wait for the dog days of summer to pass, I’m thinking of all the fun my family can have during the holidays at ICE! and Gaylord National.  I can’t wait!

Disclosure:  I have previously received free stays at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.  However, I’m sharing the above information with you because of how much fun my family had there both at ICE! last year and the Sounds of SummerFest this year.