Things to Do

Find Festive Holiday Fun at National Harbor

Whether you want to celebrate the holidays or cheer on the Commanders, National Harbor has plenty to offer.

By Kate Oczypok October 30, 2025 at 7:00 am

National Harbor is a local destination for the holiday season. Guests can visit the Gaylord National Resort’s annual ICE! display, a Christmas and holiday craft show, and Santa himself at The Capital Wheel. In addition to holiday displays, Washington Commanders fans can attend away game rallies at Tap Sports Bar and couples can enjoy date night at Cirque Italia.

Cirque Italia

November 7 through 17

One of the biggest traveling shows in the country, Cirque Italia’s Water Circus Gold is coming to National Harbor for 10 days. Under a circus-like tent in National Harbor’s parking lot, a stage holds 35,000 gallons of water over which acrobats and aerialists perform. 204 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill

Christmas at Gaylord National

November 14 through January 4, 2026

Gaylord National’s annual ICE! display features the iconic holiday movie The Polar Express shown through colorful ice sculptures. After checking out ICE!, stroll through the resort’s more than two million lights decorating every part of the venue. You can also enjoy pictures with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, ice tubing, a gingerbread decorating corner, and much more. 201 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill

Santa at the Capital Wheel

November 29 through December 21, noon to 2 p.m.

The jolly man in red will be at The Capital Wheel for photos on Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 2 p.m. Children are welcome to share their holiday gift wish list and get their picture with Santa before taking a ride on the 180-foot wheel. Pets are welcome to get their photos with Santa and stick around for Yappy Hour. Holiday movies will also screen on Sundays at 2 p.m. 141 American Way, Oxon Hill

Holiday market at National Harbor — Courtesy National Harbor

Christmas and Holiday Craft Show Series

November 29 through December 21, noon to 6 p.m.

The Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show series begins November 29 and runs through December 21. Held from noon to 6 p.m., there’s a rotating selection of artists and vendors, holiday-themed desserts, and more. 100 American Way, National Harbor

Watch the Commanders at Tap Sports Bar

December 7 and 14, January 4, 2026

Tap Sports Bar hosts away-game rallies where guests can enjoy appearances from the Command Force performance group, mascot Major Tuddy, and the marching drumline. Rallies are free. Upcoming hames include December 7 versus the Minnesota Vikings, December 14 versus the New York Giants, and January 4 versus the Philadelphia Eagles. 101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill

Feature image courtesy National Harbor

Kate Oczypok

Contributing Writer

Kate Oczypok has been a freelance writer since 2011, and is proud to be a regular contributor to Northern Virginia Magazine in digital and print since 2020. Her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, People.com, Better Homes and Gardens, and locally The Georgetowner and Washingtonian Magazine, among others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism from American University and a M.Ed. in Education from Penn State. She also teaches virtual piano lessons in the after school hours and does portrait photography on weekends.