It’s winter. Snow falls, lights twinkle and the long-awaited Christmas tree in Rockville Town Center is finally lit. RM students rush to the ice rink after school, grabbing their hot cocoa as they go. 

Winter is known for its holiday traditions, family gatherings and fun sports. During this time, many areas around RM open up winter-themed activities for people to participate in. One of the most popular activities is ice skating. “I usually skate either at the Wheaton Ice Rink or the one in Rockville Town Center,” freshman Zoila Zhou-Castro said. With the rink so close to RM, it’s the perfect after-school winter activity.

Visiting holiday markets is another popular activity in the DMV area. These markets are filled with seasonal treats, handmade crafts and decorations, making them the perfect place to find gifts for friends and family. One of the most popular spots is the Downtown Holiday Market in D.C., which features local vendors, crafts and warm drinks. “I really love visiting craft stores in Rockville! It’s probably one of my favorite parts of winter other than snow,” sophomore Rithika Arun Venkatesh said. 

After a day of shopping at holiday markets, nothing is better than warming up with a hot drink. Winter beverages are a must-have, whether it’s a cup of hot cocoa or a festive drink from Starbucks. “I love all the winter activities, hot cocoa and all the Starbucks winter drinks,” freshman Shreya Shete shared. Starbucks’ holiday menu is a favorite for many, with drinks like the Peppermint Mocha and Chestnut Praline Latte. In D.C., S’mores N’more at the Chinatown holiday market serves a fun mix of hot chocolate, marshmallows and s’mores, making for the perfect treat after a busy day of shopping and enjoying the festive atmosphere.

The DMV area also shines during the winter months with its many light displays. The Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park, which started on Nov. 29, is one of the biggest events, with over one million sparkling lights. In addition to this, the Wharf in D.C. hosts its annual holiday boat parade, with decorated boats sailing along the Washington Channel. Visitors enjoy live holiday music and karaoke, ornament decorating and fireworks, with a festive atmosphere all around. 

While winter in the DMV offers plenty of outdoor activities, it’s also a time to gather at home. With the cold weather outside, many choose to bundle up by the fireplace, enjoying the warmth and coziness of home. “I love decorating the house while blasting Christmas music. Also, I love grabbing a blanket and watching those cheesy holiday movies where you know exactly how it’ll end, but it’s still adorable,” freshman Sarah Bouamri said.

As winter settles, students wait for the snow. “My favorite winter activity is having a  neighborhood-wide snowball fight whenever there’s a snow day,” freshman Gabriella Schwartz says. 

From neighborhood snowball fights to students excited for snow days, winter is a season with loved memories from all. Freshman Karmaan Saxena shared some of his favorite memories. “On my birthday when I was really young, we had a huge blizzard, and had to shelter in place. But the days after were incredible because that was when I first experienced snow,” Saxena said.

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