Christmas on the Potomac at the Gaylord National

Gaylord National Resort Presents 2012 Christmas on the Potomac


Are you looking for something different to do with your family this holiday season?  The Gaylord National has you taken care of this  holiday season with their Christmas on the Potomac. Where can you meet the world-famous DreamWorks characters …. see a 60-foot-tall glass Christmas tree … experience an indoor snowfall…. gaze at two million dazzling lights ….or walk through an icy wonderland? It’s all part of the fifth-annual Christmas on the Potomac celebration, taking place Nov. 16, 2012 to Jan. 6, 2013, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, just south of Washington, D.C.  



Hand-carved from TWO-MILLION pounds of colorful ice (all kept at a frigid 9 degrees), this indoor frozen attraction returns with an all-new hilarious theme: ICE! featuring DreamWorks Shrek the Halls. As they walk through ICE!, guests will experience the heartwarming story of the “Shrek The Halls” animated, holiday TV special featuring Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and Gingy, as they celebrate Christmas in their own special way. The story follows Shrek as he tries to plan the "perfect Christmas" for Fiona and the kids, only to have plans disrupted by chaos and commotion. But, in the end, Shrek learns the true meaning of the holiday. Guests will walk through jaw-dropping scenes carved entirely of ice, and can even slide down incredible two-story-tall ice slides.


Got an ogre-sized appetite? Join Shrek, Princess Fiona and Puss in Boots for a fairy tale feast including Shrek-shaped waffles and a Magic Fountain bubbling over with chocolate potions. Solve riddles and puzzles to become an honorary Ogre or Ogress. 

Enjoy up-close-and-personal time with your favorite DreamWorks characters. Get a big ogre hug from Shrek; show Po your best Kung Fu moves; let Puss in Boots purr his way into your heart, and take silly pictures with Alex the Lion in Madagascar! Then, the whole family will have fun exploring our spectacular indoor atrium on an interactive scavenger hunt inspired by the new DreamWorks’ movie: The Rise of the Guardians.


This fun, sticky, decorating tradition is now a whole lot sweeter! Hosted by Gingy (from the Shrek movies), this fun activity lets guests choose from four unique gingerbread shapes: a delectable Gingerbread Family, Tree, Train or Gingerbread House. After they've decorated their creation – don’t forget the gum drop buttons! – guests will meet Gingy himself for a heart-warming hug and photo.



The Gaylord National  also has packages for overnight stays.