Unwrap Christmas in Capital Region USA

Each year the Capital Region USA, encompassing the vibrant regions of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C., sparkles with Christmas lights and festive spirit from November through to early January. Whether it’s driving light tours, pop up festive markets, or season long celebrations, visitors will find a touch of holiday magic in every corner of the Capital Region USA.

The National Christmas Tree is a holiday highlight in Washington DC. This stunning conifer, free to visit, resides in President’s Park on the White House Ellipse. It’s surrounded by trees adorned with handmade ornaments from all 56 US states and territories and features nightly musical performances throughout the season. During Chanukah, the majestic golden National Menorah graces the top of the tree. Busch Gardens Christmas Town in Williamsburg, Virginia, is a festive event featuring over 10 million lights, holiday shows, delicious seasonal treats and plenty of holiday shopping opportunities. It’s a magical experience for the whole family and a must-see during the Christmas month. Maryland boasts the Winter City Lights in Olney which features over 1 million twinkling lights spread across 18 acres creating a magical winter wonderland including a 52 foot high programmable Christmas tree and a 200 foot diameter canopy of lights. The drive through Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis is another highlight along the Chesapeake Bay with more than 70 animated and stationary displays.

There are plenty of ice skating rinks across the Capital Region USA. In Virginia, Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion is surrounded by the lively streets of Reston making for a picturesque spot. Kings Dominion WinterFest near Richmond is a wonderland during WinterFest and the ice rink is set up in the iconic fountain on International Street. In Maryland, the Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis is a scenic outdoor rink nestled in a beautiful park setting making it a perfect spot for a festive skate. Glen Burnie’s Outdoor Ice Rink located in the heart of the town centre offers skating with live music. The rink on the pier at The Wharf in Washington, DC is particularly unique because it’s above the water, offering a special skating experience. The ice rink at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is another favourite, set in a beautiful location surrounded by sculptures. Step inside a holiday showplace like no other as you wind your way through the larger-than-life sculptures, zoom down thrilling frozen slides, and traverse awe-inspiring tunnels. Escape to Gaylord National to enjoy the splendour of the holiday season.

Christmas Village in Maryland returns to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor from 29th November to 24th December. Offering the largest footprint to date, new surprises, more vendors, festive lights and holiday cheer will be found at an authentic German Christmas Market, also in Baltimore. Maryland Christmas Show, held in Frederick spans two weekends (22-24 November and 29 November -1 December) and includes seven buildings filled with artisans and merchants offering a wide range of holiday items. Whilst in Maryland, visitors should visit Kris Kringle Christmas Market or Williamsport Christkindlmarkt both offering a traditional holiday experience. Multiple holiday markets feature around Washington, DC, including a majorly revamped DowntownDC Holiday Market, celebrating its 20 year anniversary this year, and a new DC Holiday Market in Dupont Circle. Virginia boasts an array of holiday markets to get in the Christmas spirit. Whether it be Virginia Beach Christmas Market, Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market or enjoying seasonal food at Charlottesville City Market or Williamsburg Farmers Market, there will be a festive atmosphere to suit everyone.

In Washington, DC CityCenterDC, a premier shopping destination, will have even more decorations, including a new interactive light display and expanded holiday pop up shops.  Georgetown may be DC’s oldest neighbourhood, but its shopping scene is off the scale and features everything, from indie specialty shops such as Shop Made in DC, where all items are made by DC locals, home design and high-end boutiques to national and international retail. Serious shoppers should head to Tysons area with the Corner Center and Galleria accessible by Metro and the largest in the Baltimore Washington area.  There’s more than 100 stores at the  Williamsburg Premium Outlets and Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets features a collection of 110 designer and name brand stores including Adidas, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and more. Maryland’s small towns and downtown districts become enchanting winter wonderlands during the holiday season. Holidaymakers can experience Midnight Madness, where shops stay open late, allowing visitors to wander the festively decorated streets, shopping for gifts and souvenirs, and savouring special culinary delights from local restaurants. Downtown Annapolis, historic Ellicott City, and St. Michaels on Maryland’s Eastern Shore each host these magical events.

Christmas traditions around the world are as diverse and enchanting as the cultures that celebrate them. In Alexandria, on the first weekend in December, there is a Scottish Christmas Walk which is an annual parade celebrating Alexandria’s heritage with bagpipes, kilts and fanfare. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights held on the Potomac River, this event features dozens of festively decorated boats parading from Alexandria to Washington, D.C, creating a spectacular sight. Maryland welcomes the Polar Express Train to Cumberland from 29th November to 24th December - a magical train ride for adults and children of all ages. Each year, George Washington’s Mount Vernon features Aladdin the Christmas Camel, a nod to Washington’s nod to a came’s visit to Mount Vernon for Christmas 1787. As well, visiting the immaculately decorated 'Residence of Presidents, the Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. Hotel for a holiday tea and nightly carolling is a popular pastime with locals, more information can be found in the notes.

For those seeking snowy playgrounds, Maryland and Virginia offer the perfect ski escape. Whether skiing, snowboarding or cosying up in a ski lodge or mountain resort these destinations offer the ultimate white winter getaway. In Maryland, the slopes of Wisp Resort average 64 inches of snow annually offering stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains and a Black Diamond run called ‘The Face’. There are other ski trails at New Germany State Park, Herrington Manor near Oakland, Seneca Creek near Germantown for its enchanting winter lights display, and Savage River State Forest. Virginia’s Massanutten Resort delights winter enthusiasts with skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing in the Shenandoah Valley. At Wintergreen Resort in Nellysford, Virginia, dash through the snowy (and stunningly scenic) Blue Ridge Mountains on skis, boards or tubes. Two hours from Washington, DC by car, Bryce Resort is an upscale, family-friendly retreat in the Allegheny Mountains.

Take me to the Capital Region USA this Christmas with American Sky. View itinerary here. Seven nights from £1379 per person, departing 4th December 2024. Prices includes return international flights from London Heathrow to Washington Dulles International Airport, three nights in Washington DC at The Churchill Hotel Near Embassy Row, two nights in Baltimore at the Lord Baltimore Hotel, and two nights in Williamsburg at the Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort, car rental throughout. Based on two people sharing. To book, visit www.americansky.co.uk or call  01342 395042.