11/14/2025
NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND (Nov. 14, 2025) - Christmas at Gaylord National is officially underway, and this year's celebration is more magical than ever. In partnership with Warner Bros. Global Experiences, ICE! will feature The Polar Express™, where guests will be transported into a frozen world of wonder, carved from over two million pounds of ice by master artisans from Harbin, China.
Visitors will journey through nine iconic scenes from the classic Warner Bros. holiday film, including the train's arrival at Hero Boy's house, passengers enjoying hot chocolate aboard the train, an exhilarating decent through Glacier Gulch and the enchanting arrival at the North Pole. Towering sculptures, interactive tunnels, and two-story ice slides make this a must-see attraction. The journey concludes with a captivating Carver's Showcase, where guests witness the master artisans of ICE! sculpting live, followed by a serene and awe-inspiring finale: the Nativity scene, delicately carved in crystal-clear ice—a tribute to the season's true meaning.
In addition to ICE!, guests can enjoy a wide array of holiday attractions:
• An immersive walkthrough Christmas Village where guests will be transported to the North Pole for family fun, holiday shopping and delicious hot chocolate.
• Photos with Santa, where the entire family can meet the big man himself, make sure everyone is on the nice list and capture the moment with a keepsake photo.
• Mrs. Claus' Christmas Traditions featuring a retelling of the Christmas classic ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and Santa's favorite holiday snack, Christmas cookies.
• The Snow Factory's Snowball Build and Blast attraction allows guests to build and toss real snowballs to boost the power of the snowmaking machines.
• Snow Flow Mountain's indoor snow tubing offers a thrilling ride down real frozen ice lanes.
• Cirque: Spirit of Christmas live stage show features dazzling acrobatics, feats of flexibility and high-flying stunts in a Broadway-style spectacle that fills the Atrium with energetic, dreamlike chapters each night.
• Here We Glow A Caroling laser light snow celebrates and highlights the tradition of caroling door-to-door. Through thousands of glowing lights and a custom score, the audience is taken on a musical time warp.
• The Mistletoe Mile Scavenger Hunt gives families the chance to help the big man in red look across the resort for the blueprints to some of his favorite toys.
• Naughty & Nice Holiday Pop-Up Lounge is back — and it's serving up gourmet hot chocolate with a twist. Go Nice with rich, velvety cocoa or get Naughty by adding a boozy boost. Playful cocktails, festive vibes, and a cheeky holiday mood await.
• Celebrate the season sky-high at Pose's festive rooftop pop-up: The Yuletide Hideaway at Pose. With stunning city views, holiday vibes, and cozy charm, it's the perfect escape. Sip on signature cocktails like the Mistletoe Martini and Spiced Sleigh Ride while soaking in twinkling lights and chill beats.
• Specialty holiday sweets hand crafted by the resort's pastry team in the newly opened Capital Confectionery.
• Whiskey-based cocktails at the newly opened Whiskey Revolution whiskey tasting room.
• All Mixed Up is the latest pop-up eatery for build-your-own bowls, wraps, and salads — made fresh, just the way you like. Choose your base, pile on proteins, load up the toppings, and finish with your favorite sauces.
• In the lower Atrium, Elves Eatery is the go-to holiday pop-up for crave-worthy comfort food. Whether you're fueling up between holiday adventures or grabbing a quick bite with the crew, Elves Eatery brings the flavor magic all season long.
• More holiday drink specials in the resort's various restaurants, as well as special Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners at Old Hickory Steakhouse.
• Deck the Halls with Relaxation and Hydration spa offerings at award winning Relâche Spa throughout the Christmas season including massages, facials and manicures/pedicures for seasonal relaxation.
The best way to experience the magic is with an overnight stay. Guests can book themed Christmas Dreams Suites or choose from packages like:
The Polar Express™ ICE! Package
• Starting at $309 for two night stay
• Overnight accommodations
• Two to four single-entry tickets to ICE!.
Available on select dates only.
Presidential ICE! Package
• Starting at $959
• Overnight accommodations in Presidential Riverview Suite
• Valet parking for one car
• VIP celebrity service check-in
• Guided tour of ICE!
• Hands-on private carving experience
• Photo op with ice carving
So Much Christmas Package
• Starting at $
• Overnight accommodations
• Validated self-parking for one vehicle
• Two to four tickets to ICE! featuring The Polar Express™
• Two to four tickets for Snowflow Mountain
• Two to four scavenger Hunts
• Two to four tickets to Snowball Build and Blast
• Two to four tickets to Mrs. Clause Traditions
• One gingerbread Kit
• Complimentary 'Chill Pass' privileges to ICE! (must book in advance)
All overnight guests enjoy Chill Pass privileges such as front-of-the line access and shorter wait times to ICE!, as well as priority dining reservations. Located steps from National Harbor, hotel guests can explore holiday activities, shopping, and entertainment.
To learn more and book your holiday stay, visit ChristmasatGaylordNational.com or call 301-965-4000.
###
About ICE!
The annual ICE! events bring to life beloved Christmas stories hand-carved by master artisans from Harbin, China at resorts around the United States. Created and designed by Gaylord Hotels, ICE! debuted at Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee in 2001. ICE! has been visited by tens of millions of visitors who travel to each resort to see more than 2 million pounds carved into beloved scenes and characters, two-story ice slides, photo-worthy tunnels and archways, and more. ICE! takes place at each Gaylord Hotels resort across the United States, including Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Md., Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn., Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Fla., Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora, Colo. and Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, in 2024, ICE! makes its debut at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas. More information can be found at ICE.marriott.com.
About Gaylord National
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center is the largest, non-gaming hotel and convention center on the east coast, located along the banks of the Potomac River in National Harbor, Maryland, and part of Marriott International, Inc. Opened in April 2008, Gaylord National is an AAA-Four Diamond resort that is only eight miles from Washington, D.C. The resort offers nearly 2,000 rooms including 110 suites; a 19-story Atrium; 600,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space; acclaimed restaurants including Old Hickory Steakhouse; and Pose Rooftop Lounge.
About Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences (WBDGE) is a worldwide leader in the creation, development, licensing and operating of location-based entertainment based on the biggest franchises, stories, and characters from Warner Bros.' world-renowned film, television, animation, and games studios, HBO, Discovery, Cartoon Network and more. WBDGE is home to the groundbreaking locations of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal theme parks around the world, award-winning Warner Bros. Studio Tour locations in London, Hollywood, and Tokyo, the iconic Harry Potter New York flagship store, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, The WB Abu Dhabi, The FRIENDS Experience, The Game of Thrones Studio Tour and countless other experiences inspired by Harry Potter, DC, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Game of Thrones, FRIENDS and more. WBDGE is part of Warner Bros. Discovery's Revenue & Strategy division.
Warner Bros.' The Polar Express™: THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
