Each year the Capital Region USA, comprising Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C., sparkles with Christmas lights and festive spirit Here’s what’s on this Christmas holiday season across the region.   Light Up The Holidays: The National Christmas Tree is a holiday highlight in Washington DC. This conifer resides in President’s Park on the White House Ellipse. It’s surrounded by trees adorned with handmade ornaments from all 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, seasonal treats and plenty of holiday shopping. It’s a magical experience for the whole family and a must-see. Maryland boasts the Winter City Lights in Olney which features over one million twinkling lights spread across 18 acres creating a magical winter wonderland including a 52 foot high programmable Christmas tree. 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.   Christmas Rinks: There are plenty of ice skating rinks across the Capital Region USA. In Virginia, Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion makes 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. 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 favorite. Step inside a holiday showplace like no other as you wind your way through the larger-than-life sculptures, zoom down thrilling frozen slides. Escape to Gaylord National to enjoy the splendor of the holiday season.   Christmas markets Christmas Village in Maryland returns to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor from 29 November to 24 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 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 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. Christmas shopping 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 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.  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. 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 savoring culinary delights. Downtown Annapolis, historic Ellicott City, and St. Michaels on Maryland’s Eastern Shore each host magical events.   Timeless Tidings - Celebrating Christmas Traditions: 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 - a magical train ride for adults and children of all ages. Each year, George Washington’s Mount Vernon features Aladdin the Christmas Camel. 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.   Dreaming of a White Christmas: For those seeking snowy playgrounds, Maryland and Virginia offer the perfect ski escape. Whether skiing, snowboarding or cosying up in a ski lodge 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. At Wintergreen Resort in Nellysford, Virginia, dash through the snowy 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.   Capital Region USA this Christmas with American Sky   For UK travelers, enjoy seven nights from £1379 per person, departing 4 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 is provided throughout. Based on two people sharing.  www.americansky.co.uk For further information on Capital Region USA, visit www.capitalregionusa.org. 

  Elliott Ferguson, President and CEO of Washington.org, outlines a compelling vision for Washington DC's future during an interview at IPW 24 in Los Angeles. Ferguson discusses upcoming milestones, such as the 250th anniversary of America's independence and the FIFA World Cup, emphasizing DC's inclusivity and diverse offerings. He highlights the city's abundance of free attractions, from museums to festivals, while also showcasing its burgeoning food scene, recognized by Michelin. Ferguson's strategy focuses on engaging international visitors to stay longer and spend more, positioning Washington DC as a premier global destination for years to come.