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The Lodge

Saturday, December 7
1 – 7 p.m.
Metropolitan Park
1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA

Join us at The Lodge, a ski-inspired winter festival at Metropolitan Park, complete with holiday cheer, seasonal treats, and activities for all ages—including kids and pets. From cozy nooks to lively gatherings, it’s the ultimate holiday destination for everyone. Wrap yourself in the warmth of Nordic hygge and the festive spirit of Quebecois joie de vivre at The Lodge in National Landing!

  • Free Admission
  • Registration Suggested

Secure Your Spot

Holiday Market

Discover a delightful array of local artisans offering everything from handcrafted gifts to seasonal must-haves. Plus, you can find the perfect tree at The Lodge Christmas Tree Lot!

Featured Local Vendors

Please note schedule and vendors are subject to change. 

Stage Entertainment

The Lodge tent, located in the Central Green, will feature a captivating lineup of Nordic fiddling, French music, and winter-themed activities – all designed to fill the air with holiday cheer.

Featured Performers

  • Dime a Dozen – An a cappella group from American University singing popular favorites and a few holiday tunes.
  • Vaughn Ambrose Sextet – A dynamic jazz experience, blending timeless standards with fresh, innovative sounds under the direction of acclaimed saxophonist and educator, Vaughn Ambrose.
  • Mari Carlson – A Rockville native, Mari Carlson has been playing violin since she was only three years old. After 25 years living in the Minneapolis area, Mari plays and teached at School ofMusical Traditions. She plays for folk dances and in jazz and classical ensembles and teaches traditional American, Swedish, and Irish folk fiddle as well as classical violin techniques and repertoire.
  • Les Zazous – An ensemble that weaves together the elegance of French chanson, the charm of gypsy jazz, and the allure of vintage swing, treating audiences to a musical experience with a dash of Parisian and Quebecois flair. 
  • DJ Kay B Hart – Local DJmixing tunes to keep the vibe festive and fun.

Performance Schedule

1:00 – 2:00 pm: Vaughn Ambrose Sextet

2:00–3:00 pm: DJ Kay B Hart

The Peppermint Mocha Latte Competition will take place from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. The winner will be announced at approximately 2:45 p.m.

3:00–4:00 pm: Mari Carlson

4:00–4:30 pm: Ski Vacation Bingo

4:30–5:00 pm: Dime a Dozen

5:00–5:30 pm: Dog Sweater Contest

5:30–6:00 pm: DJ Kay B Hart

6:00–7:00 pm: Les Zazous

Festive Fun

  • Ski Vacation Bingo: A fun, interactive game where participants can win festive prizes.
  • Dog Sweater Contest: From 5 – 5:30 p.m. bring your furry friends dressed in their holiday best to the main stage for a chance to win prizes.

Activities

From snow-inspired games to wintery attractions, explore Met Park as it transforms into a frosty wonderland filled with seasonal fun and holiday cheer for all to enjoy.

  • Holiday train rides (Children must be accompanied by an adult).
  • Winter games, including iceless curling, bubble hockey, and the Snow Throw. 
  • Selfies with Santa
  • Design silk screen cards led by the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington (MoCA)
  • Dog caricatures
  • Dog treat bar by District Dogs
  • Yappy Holidays Donation Tree
  • Letters to Santa and coloring pages
  • Face painting
  • Glitter tattoos
  • Festive swag station and more!

Peppermint Mocha Latte Competition

Warm up this winter at the annual Peppermint Mocha Latte Competition, where local coffee shops in National Landing compete for the title of best seasonal drink from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Can't wait to try the beverages? Purchase a drink from the participating retailers starting November 30 through December 7.

*Guests are encouraged to arrive by 1:30 p.m. on December 7 to secure Peppermint Mocha Latte samples while supplies last.

  Featured Businesses

Food & Drink

Food and beverage is available for purchase at the event site or from area restaurants.

Summit Bar

  • Enjoy a spiked hot chocolate, beer, wine and non-alcoholic offerings.

Amazon Banana Stand

A signature feature of Amazon's HQ2 is its famous banana stand, offering a simple yet generous gesture of well-being. The first stand was introduced outside the company’s original Seattle headquarters in 2015, conceived by Amazon founder and former CEO Jeff Bezos. His vision was to provide a healthy, free snack to the community, and the initiative has since become a cherished part of Amazon's culture.

Met Park

Discover the thoughtfully designed Metropolitan Park, featuring lush landscapes, walking paths, and inviting spaces for all ages. This vibrant community park offers a variety of amenities, including a dog run, children's playground, and a community garden. Stroll through the park to enjoy its impressive art installations, such as Queen City by Nekisha Durrett, Shhh by Aurora Robson, and Untitled Perched Objects by Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle.

Metropolitan Park was developed as part of Amazon's HQ2 project in collaboration with Arlington County, transforming the area into a welcoming and sustainable public space for the community to enjoy.

The Lodge Site Map

About Met Park

FAQs

There's a few things you should know about this year's event.

While registration is not required, it is recommended. Registered attendees will receive event updates and assist event organizers in anticipating crowd size.

Yes, we will have several activities for your canine companions! Plus, pop over to Metropolitan Park’s dog run located at 14th Street S and S Elm Street.

The event will feature live music and may have significant attendance, so please consider your dog’s comfort level in an event setting before bringing your pet. All dogs must be on a leash. The Central Green will not be available for dog walking on the day of the event.

Please check this webpage for updates on the status of the event. Seating will be available under The Lodge tent and some activities will be under tents. In the event of extreme weather, registered attendees will receive notification of any change in plans.

We encourage all guests to be prepared for cashless payments.

Portable toilets will be on-site and Metropolitan Park has several restrooms including and ADA one located next to Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream.

The Central Green grass area will be used for the event. No outside alcoholic beverages are permitted on the event site. All dogs must be on a leash and please pick-up after your pet.

The event will be held at Metropolitan Park located between Elm Street and Fair Street between 13th Street S and 14th Street S. The address is 1330 S Fair Street in Arlington, VA 22202.

Photographers and videographers may be present to photograph/film the event for future promotional use. By attending, you grant your permission to be captured in event photography or videography.

Head over to the pergola on the Central Green to take a Selfie with Santa from approximately 1-3:30 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.

At 5 p.m. participants gather should gather by the stage in The Lodge tent and be prepared to take the "runway" from approximately 5:05-5:25 p.m. The participants will be judged by representatives from District Dogs and a winner will be announced. All participating dogs should be fully vaccinated and comfortable with music and crowds.

Businesses in National Landing will vie for the title of best Peppermint Mocha Latte. Before the event, purchase a full drink at the participating businesses November 30 - December 7 and cast your vote early. If you plan to attend The Lodge, small samples will be given out from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. along S Elm Street on the day of the event. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 1:30 p.m. on December 7 to secure Peppermint Mocha Latte samples while supplies last. There will be an announcement of the winner from The Lodge stage at approximately 2:45 pm.

A special ski and winter themed round of bingo will be played in The Lodge tent. Cards will be available for approximately 50 people.

Getting Here

Metropolitan Park is easily accessible by rail and approximately a 7-minute walk from Pentagon City Metro, or a 10-minute walk from the Crystal City Metro Station.

Capital Bikeshare stations within a short walk of Metropolitan Park are also plentiful and limited bike parking is also available in the area.

Check out other car-free transportation options here.

If you’re driving to the event, block closures will be in effect around Metropolitan Park. Take advantage of parking garages located at 525 14th Street South, Arlington, VA 22202 and 510 14th Street South, Arlington, VA 22202. Garage parking is free for the first three hours on Saturdays, and then regular rates apply. Regular rates are $6 for 1 hour, $11 for 2 hours, and $21 daily rates.

Thank You To Our Partners

The Lodge is produced by National Landing Business Improvement District in partnership with Amazon and Metropolitan Park.