Holiday 'ICE!' Returns to National Harbor

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Just across the Potomac River, you'll find more fun for the whole family if you're looking to get out and about as the holiday season gets underway. New this year: Christmas on the Potomac at Gaylord National Hotel, presented by FUJIFILM INSTAX. It took more than 30 days to transform the nearly 2,000 room hotel into a magical winter wonderland, and guests will discover thousands of twinkling lights, extravagant Christmas trees, indoor snowfall, colorful ice sculptures and the hotel's very own Christmas Village.

Within its new Christmas Village, visitors will enter Gaylord National’s most famous frozen attraction, ICE! presented by Pepsi, featuring a new theme of Christmas Around the World. More than two million pounds of colorful ice is hand-carved by artisans from Harbin, China to illustrate scenes celebrating the world’s diverse cultural traditions. Be sure to bundle up: The 9 degrees walk-through exhibit will showcase holiday traditions from Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico and more.

Adults and kids alike can enjoy two-story ice slides, a Parade of Toys, live ice carving by master artisans and interactive photo opportunities including sitting in Santa’s sleigh – all experienced with a provided blue parka.

ICE! featuring Christmas Around the World is open daily through Jan. 1, 2017, excluding December 5, 6 and 7. Tickets start at $29 for adults ages 12 and older and $21 for children ages 4 to 11 on value days; and $36 for adults and $29 for children during general admission. Kids 3 and younger are admitted free of charge. Military and group ticket pricing are available.

Hours vary and can be found at www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com. Following a visit to ICE!, visitors can return to the hotel’s Christmas Village to grab a cup of cocoa, shop at the holiday store or experience a variety of seasonal attractions for an additional fee including:

• Cookies with Mrs. Claus: Experience where kids can enjoy a delicious treat and Christmas story with Santa’s favorite lady (Guests also receive an autographed keepsake book)
• Build-A-Bear Workshop that lets guests build their very own furry winter friend
• Holiday rides including classic family favorites, the Carousel and Teacups
• Gingerbread Decorating Corner presented by Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas, where families can decorate a gingerbread house, sleigh or ugly sweater with special visits from the Gingerbread Man
• The Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt booklet to find scout elves throughout the hotel

To experience unlimited Christmas fun, visitors can purchase a Play All Day Pass that includes one admission to ICE! featuring Christmas Around the World, the Gingerbread Decorating Corner experience, admission to three holiday rides – including the Potomac Express Train, The Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt and a cup of hot cocoa. The package costs $59.45 for adults ages 12 and older and $59.44 for children ages 4 to 11. Kids ages 3 and younger are free.

The Washington, D.C. area hotel offers additional Christmas events and activities all season long with nightly holiday laser light shows, dining events and more.

PHOTO courtesy of Gaylord National Resort National Harbor