As Montgomery County residents battle the first wintry conditions of the season Thursday, Federal Realty Investment Trust announced its “Holiday Hot Spots” activities to get in on the snowy action.
The faux winter destinations will pop up at Federal Realty properties including Pike & Rose, Rockville Town Center, Congressional Plaza, Bethesda Row and Wildwood Shopping Center and feature activities including ice skating, pet photos with Santa and man-made snowfalls on weekend evenings.
Participants are encouraged to post pictures from the Holiday Hot Spots on Instagram with the hashtag “OhWhatFun” for an opportunity to win a $500 gift bag from Federal Realty Property retail establishments.
“Togetherness is the ultimate gift this holiday season and we are inviting the community to come and enjoy new experiences throughout Montgomery County,” Federal Realty Marketing Director Jill McCarthy said in a press release. “Our Holiday Hot Spots offer an opportunity for people across the metro region to celebrate and make memories together.”
Federal Realty created a similarly seasonal venue in May with “The Beach” at Pike & Rose, parking 252 tons of sand on a block on Rose Avenue to enhance the summer experience at the North Bethesda development. The Rose Park area will now transform into a winter wonderland on Fridays and Saturdays running through Dec. 22, with “snow” falling on the hour from 6 to 8 p.m.
Other “Holiday Hot Spots” include an ice skating rink at Rockville Town Center that will operate through mid-March, face painting and balloon twisting at Congressional Plaza the first weekend of December, a Bethesda Row menorah lighting hosted by Chabad of Bethesda on Dec.2 and a Dec. 8 open house with live music and strolling entertainment at Wildwood Shopping Center in Bethesda.
“Part of what makes the holiday season so joyful is the impetus it gives us to spend a little more time together with the people we care about,” McCarthy said.
