The capital region’s most anticipated holiday celebration, Christmas on the Potomac presented by The Noerr Programs, returns to Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center with all new family-friendly experiences beginning Saturday, November 21. Among its most popular offerings includes the nine degrees ICE! presented by Pepsi© attraction featuring a new ice sculpture exhibit of the classic TV special, Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town, celebrating its 45th anniversary.
New this year, visitors to the resort will discover a free, immersive way to experience a variety of the holiday offerings during Christmas on the Potomac at the Village of the North Pole, located in the hotel’s exhibit hall. Upon entrance, guests will discover a decorated Christmas town square, complete with holiday merchandise, a hot chocolate stand, Santa’s sleigh, a new carousel ride and access to guest-favorite attractions. The carousel costs $4 on non-peak days and $6 on peak days.
Among the guest-favorite attractions featured in the Village of the North Pole includes the interactive, colorful walk-through ICE! featuring Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town. Hand-carved from more than two million pounds of ice, learn how Santa Claus started giving toys to good girls and boys in the retelling of the classic television special with ice sculpture scenes including Burgermeister outlawing toys in Sombertown, Winter Warlock’s heart melting and Kris Kringle becoming Santa Claus. ICE! also features the artisans who create the attraction in The Frostbite Factory, where guests can learn how ICE! is made and see the ice sculptor’s carve first-hand.
ICE! opens daily from Saturday, November 21 through January 3. Tickets start at $28 for adults ages 12 and older and $20 for children ages 3 to 11 during non-peak days; and $35 for adults ages 12 and older and $28 for children ages 3 to 11 during peak days. Kids 2 and younger are free. Military and group ticket pricing is available. Hours vary and can be found at www.ChristmasOnThePotoamc.com.
Visitors also can experience a new Gingerbread Decorating Corner sponsored by PEEPS® in the Village of the North Pole. Participants can choose to decorate a gingerbread house or family, as well as have the opportunity to pose for photos with the PEEPS Gingerbread Man. Gingerbread decorating kits start at $35.95.
In the resort’s 1.5-acre atrium, children can jump aboard the Potomac Express Train for $2 per ride or $5 for three rides; take photos with Santa starting at $34.99; and enjoy FREE nightly holiday fountain shows on the hour from 6 to 9 p.m. including a magical indoor snowfall and the debut of the resort’s new 55-foot-tall suspended, star-tiered Christmas tree.
Families also can test their puzzle-solving prowess during The Elf on the Shelf® Scavenger Hunt, featuring 10 of Santa’s scout elves who have landed at Gaylord National Resort. This new interactive event will lead guests on a journey to find the elves, reveal their names and help them get their Christmas magic so they can fly to the North Pole. All families that help the scout elves fulfill their special Christmas mission will receive a prize. The scavenger hunt costs $9.95.
Additional holiday festivities include a new gourmet holiday truffle-making class led by the resort’s pastry chefs; holiday dining experiences including Kris Kringle’s Holiday Feast and Brunch with Santa at Old Hickory Steakhouse; and new pomegranate spa treatments at Relache Spa.
To make the most of the Christmas on the Potomac celebration, guests can choose from two overnight packages that offer unlimited admission to ICE! Packages include:
ICE! Is Nice Package
· One night room accommodations
· Tickets to experience ICE! with unlimited, priority admission
Package starts at $199^.
Christmas on the Potomac Package
· One night room accommodations
· Tickets to experience ICE! with unlimited, priority admission
· $100 resort credit that can be used towards hotel dining and Relache Spa
· One (1) complimentary souvenir ICE! photo
Package starts at $259^^.
So much to see and do, there is something for everyone. I am so excited to visit the Gaylord National Resort this holiday season!
