It’s been said, “There’s no place like home for the holidays,” but a trip to Gaylord National — with its festive décor, seasonal dining, and original holiday experiences — may be even better than staying home.

This year, let someone else do the cooking and cleaning. Gather the family, pack your bags, and head out of town for a Christmastime vacation everyone will enjoy.

Close to home, but worlds apart  

Standing on the banks of the Potomac River in the waterfront destination of National Harbor, Md., is Gaylord National Resort. Just minutes outside Washington, D.C., Gaylord National is perfect for those looking for a fun holiday getaway close to home.  

From Nov. 19 through Dec. 31, the resort will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Millions of lights will twinkle, dozens of trees will sparkle, and hours of festive entertainment and activities will be offered for all ages.   

And while Gaylord National itself can’t be wrapped and placed under the tree — with nearly 2,000 guest rooms including 110 suites, it would be a tight fit — event and attraction tickets make great stocking stuffers. The gift of an overnight stay would certainly spread Christmas cheer!  

ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™

The coolest attraction of all is ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™. This holiday spectacle, kept at 9 degrees and hand-carved by artisans out of 2 million pounds of brightly colored ice, is back again this season. This year’s theme is making a return visit to the Capital Region and is sure to captivate every generation. 

In this one-of-a-kind retelling of the iconic Christmas classic, guests will see Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius, Clarice, The Abominable Snow Monster, Santa, and all their friends come to life in more than 10 scenes from the classic 1964 Christmas television special. See Santa’s workshop, the Island of Misfit Toys, and how Rudolph saved Christmas, all carved from ice.  

And there’s no need to pack the coats (although scarves, gloves, and extra apparel are suggested for those who tend to get cold). Even though it’s cool inside, Gaylord National provides parkas to keep guests warm and toasty as they zoom down epic ice slides, marvel at larger-than-life displays, and wander through the winter wonderland.   

Entertainment for the whole family 

Love a Broadway-style spectacle? An original Gaylord Hotels production, Cirque: Spirit of Christmas, features amazing acrobatics and feats of flexibility. Designed for the entire family to enjoy, the story centers around Noel, a child dismayed by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. 

Trying to recapture her lost love of the season, she is visited by spirits who bring back the true meaning of the season in energetic, dreamlike chapters. 

A heartwarming story that soars through the air and sparkles with imagination, this 35-minute show will delight and dazzle with a riveting score, world-class contortionists, jugglers, trapeze artists, and more.  

Festive fun for all   

With signature events like ICE! and the Cirque: Spirit of Christmas show, classic holiday activities including photos with Santa, and thrilling experiences like ice tubing and Snowball Build & Blast, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during So. Much. Christmas. at Gaylord National Resort.  

SO. MUCH. CHRISTMAS.  

After a fun, festive day of memory making, unwind with a meal at Old Hickory or Harbor Social before seeing the holidays light up the night at the #LIT Light Show. This dynamic light show brings the fun of decorating a tree to life through thousands of dancing lights, culminating in a memorable tree lighting experience. 

This season, get away together and make memories that will last forever at Gaylord National Resort. For more information, visit ChristmasAtGaylordNational.com.