By Lani Gering

For those of you who have been reading this column for any length of time, you know how partial I am to the Christmas holidays in the Harbor. I really miss living there during this time of year. While I do think they start the “celebrating” way too early – they started on November 9th with the weekly tree lighting and fireworks – I do get in the groove after Thanksgiving. Full disclosure, however, I have watched a few Halmark Christmas movies already!

I asked our friends at Bendure Communications for some updated information about what is happening this year. The highlights include:

The Harbor has become one of the DMV’s top holiday waterfront destinations as well as being recognized nationally. This year, the 350-acre mix-used property adds a Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show Series to its packed holiday schedule. National Harbor is magical during the holidays and all dressed up with more than two million holiday lights and decorations throughout. With its eight hotels, more than 40 restaurants and The Capital Wheel, it’s the perfect location to make holiday memories. From family activities to a romantic getaway for couples—National Harbor has it all.

Each year, National Harbor welcomes Gaylord National Resort’s amazing annual holiday celebration including its world-famous ICE! attraction. This year, the fun runs through the 28th, with “A Charlie Brown Christmas!” theme.  The larger-than-life sculptures are accompanied by frozen slides and awe-inspiring tunnels. The carvers, from Harbin, China, work with more than two million pounds of colorful ice, taking more than 12,000 man hours to create the nearly 20,000 square foot, frozen attraction. ICE! is part of Christmas at Gaylord National, which includes a variety of family-friendly holiday events such as photos with Santa, ice tubing, snow ball tossing and much more. For additional information, visit ChristmasAtGaylordNational.com.

The National Harbor Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show Series runs Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 pm. The market will be set up along American Way and each week where new crafters and artisans will have their works for sale. Some of the goods being sold include clothing made for children, upscale jewelry, dog accessories, candles, maple products, home décor, bath and body, pillows and table runners, dinnerware, cashmere and silk scarves, rugs and carpets, glasswork, alpaca blankets and shawls, crystals, metal art, aprons, towels, resin art, woodwork, stationery, leather products, photography, kids’ crafts and a wide array of artworks.

MGM National Harbor celebrates the holiday season at National Harbor with spectacular decorations throughout, including the property’s popular Conservatory where the holidays come alive with a breathtaking display. The Theater at MGM National Harbor is offering a variety of holiday shows. MGM provides additional boutique shopping and a variety of dining options ranging from a burger at Shake Shack to 4-star dining at Voltaggio Brothers.

The holiday celebration continues throughout the destination with the lighting of the Waterfront District’s extraordinary 60-foot animated RGB tree, guarded by two 12-foot nutcrackers. The nightly light show starts at sunset and continues every half hour until 9 p.m. Guests will enjoy thousands of lights dancing alongside a holiday medley recorded by the United States Air Force Band. Saturday night fireworks follow the tree lighting and run through the 28th at 5:30 p.m. Activities continue throughout the holidays with the opportunity to meet Santa at The Capital Wheel on the 7th, 14th and 21st.

National Harbor continues its annual holiday movie tradition with Movies on the Potomac at 11:30 a.m. on Sundays with The Muppet Christmas Carol on the 1st, The Santa Clause (1994) will show on the 8th, The Year Without a Santa Clause (1976) will run on the 15th, Jack Frost will be shown on the 22nd and The Polar Express will be featured on the 29th.

National Harbor is also the perfect location for holiday shopping with more than 140 shops including Tanger National Harbor’s 85 designer brands such as Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, Movado, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Coach and H&M.

There is additional shopping in the Waterfront District where there are walkable streets with unique shops and boutiques such as Mahogany Books, ZAAF, Brookie Girl, Miguel Wilson, It’Sugar, Corinto Gallery and more. These join nationally recognized brands including Carhartt and others.

For more information about all of National Harbor’s holiday fun, visit www.NationalHarbor.com/hohoho.

Here’s wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and happy whatever celebrations you take part in during the Holiday Season!