‘Tis the season for family and holiday fun in the nation’s capital, and the Washington Nationals are celebrating with the first-ever Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park.
Presented by Events DC, the spirited destination— open select dates through Dec. 30— blends the joy of the holidays with the best of Washington, immersing residents and visitors in a winter frosted land designed for all ages.
“When you think about going downtown on these clear, beautiful nights, and the way the monuments are lit, it’s incredibly special— it’s our nation’s capital,” said Jonathan Stahl, vice president of Nationals Park Events. “And Winter Wonder Fest combined with all of those elements…makes Washington this incredible destination for the winter.”
From racing down a six-lane snow tubing slide, to scenic train rides, illuminated LED seesaws, and local business exposure, the Washington Nationals’ Southeast headquarters has turned into a holiday hub reflecting the heart of the city.
Creativity and collaboration meet in the midst of art installations, hands-on building, and a Northern-lights inspired light show, tailored to the kids – and kids-at-heart – who can also flaunt their best moves on the LED dance floor.
Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts can go head-to-head with winterized-thrills such as curling, snowball speedthrow, and a 9-course putt-putt mini-golf challenge, decked in white turf to resemble snow.
“We brought two little ones with us and they had a great time,” commented one user on TikTok, who posted a recap video after attending the festival Nov. 28. “The perfect family friendly activity in D.C. this winter!”
An additional feature serving at the pleasure of the people is an exclusive “Après-ski” experience for the 21+ crowd, hosting fire pits, roasted marshmallows, and a hidden speakeasy in the Nationals batting cages with crafted cocktails and seasonal treats.
For Stahl, the bottom line is striving beyond local tradition to immerse visitors in a multisensory experience that honors various aspects of the season right from home.
“You don’t have to go out west to enjoy fire pits and s’mores and raquelette–you can do that on the infield,” he explained. “We’ve geared the entire theme of the event, from the activations to the food, to really embody that winter spirit,” Stahl beamed. “You’re truly walking into a winter wonderland.”
More than that, the organization leader hopes people walk away with a taste of the economic engine that thrives in Southeast, D.C.
Coupled with an opportunity to increase foot-traffic and revenue for local eateries and businesses, he highlights the festival for showcasing the vibrance of “a true year-round community destination” boundless to one unique element.
“[It] really is an exciting opportunity to showcase Nationals Park outside of baseball–more people create more excitement and more energy,” Stahl said, “and you can’t see that anywhere else in the world, but you can see it here in Washington, D.C.”