Christmas in downtown Bethesda (Video+photos)

Triangle Towers and the Palisades are generating their share of Christmas spirit in the Woodmont Triangle neighborhood of downtown Bethesda. The usual light displays are back in front of the Palisades, and animated snowflakes are projected onto the wall of neighbor Triangle Towers.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Here is a photo tour of Christmas decorations on Cordell and St. Elmo Avenues, in the Woodmont Triangle neighborhood of downtown Bethesda:

The Palisades apartments
on Cordell Avenue

The Palisades

The Palisades

Flanagan's Harp & Fiddle
on Cordell Avenue 

The Palisades

Big Planet Comics on
Cordell Avenue

Bethesda Florist on
St. Elmo Avenue

Bone Jour on
St. Elmo Avenue

LANCE LIMITED-EDITION PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE COOKIES REVIEW (VIDEO) - CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

The Christmas Countdown is underway on the Robert Dyer Channel! Today through January 6, 2015, enjoy new Christmas videos each day. Today's video features a new limited-edition Christmas cookie from Lance - Pumpkin Cheesecake. I found these cookies at Safeway in Bethesda.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN VETERANS PARK (PHOTOS)

The holiday lights are up in Veterans Park in downtown Bethesda. Pick up a holiday coffee from Starbucks across the street, and check them out at the corner of Woodmont and Norfolk Avenues in the Woodmont Triangle.

THE HOLIDAYS COME TO PIKE & ROSE (PHOTOS)

Given the big holiday displays every year at Bethesda Row, I've been wondering what Federal Realty would do for the season at its newest development, Pike & Rose. Those questions were answered this weekend, and I present the festive results here for your pleasure. The tree was not yet lit at this point, but there is plenty of Christmas and Chanakuh spirit in the air even so. Obviously, the scene will be more impressive once Phase 2 of the development has been built out, as the Christmas cheer is limited in distance. But if enough of the new retail stores can open in time, this could be a real sleeper spot for holiday shopping in Montgomery County - particularly for those purchasing apparel.

THE NEWT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

The holiday decorations continue to go up at Bethesda Row, and it was only a matter of time before the activity attracted celebrity attention. Last year, TV infomercial legend Matthew Lesko took in the bustling work of the Bethesda Row elves on Bethesda Lane. Last night, it was former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who was celebrating the previous evening's Republican victories in downtown Bethesda, and signing books at Barnes and Noble.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

While many Bethesda residents were voting Tuesday, elves were scampering about at Bethesda Row, getting the Federal Realty property ready for the holiday shopping season. Too early? Given that some retailers held their first Black Friday deals before Halloween(!), early is a relative term. Watch the transformation in these photos (and they're just getting started):

BETHESDA RESTAURANTS OPEN CHRISTMAS 2013 - CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER

What restaurants are open for Christmas dinner in Bethesda? The closure this coming weekend of Du-par's Hamburger Hamlet eliminates one Christmas Day dining option in Bethesda. Not to worry, I'm here with a guide to Bethesda restaurants open on Christmas this year. You have a surprisingly wide range of cuisines to choose from, with the only traditional turkey available from a Mexican restaurant, ironically:

Brasserie Monte Carlo

Open 11:30 AM - 8:30 PM

3-course $33 menu

Choose from Sea Bass, Duck, Korubata Pork, Beef Medallions, or Vegetarian for main course.

Positano Ristorante

Open 12:00 - 9:00 PM
Italian.

Rosa Mexicano (Chevy Chase/NW DC)

Includes Roast Turkey and Sticky Pumpkin Cake.
Mexican.

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Open 2:00 PM - 8:30 PM

A filet or ribeye will come with 2 cold water North American lobster tails. 

$47.95/57.95 per person

Sushi-ko (Friendship Heights/Chevy Chase)

Japanese/sushi.

Yuzu Bethesda

Japanese/sushi.

MORE CHRISTMAS SCENES AROUND DOWNTOWN BETHESDA

Blush Med Institute med spa, Caddies on Cordell, and Bone Jour are all decorated for the holidays in downtown Bethesda!