Dazzling holiday lights, festivals with seasonal drinks and fireworks are lighting up the long winter nights.
Here’s where to discover charming stroll-through trails and cozy drive-through displays across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia this winter.
Holiday lights in D.C.
ZooLights
National Zoo
Details
See lantern versions of your favorite zoo animals, enjoy live music, ride a festive train or the conservation carousel and shop for treats and gifts after-hours at the National Zoo.
ZooLights costs $9 per guest over the age of 2. It will be open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights through Jan. 3, plus Monday, Dec. 22, Tuesday, Dec. 23, Monday, Dec. 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 30.
Remember, animals are deep in their cozy hibernation huts: ZooLights is all about the glows. Indoor exhibits will stay closed.
Parking costs $30 per vehicle. The National Zoo is easily accessible by Metro’s Cleveland Park or Woodley Park-Zoo stops.
National Christmas Tree
The Ellipse at President’s Park, 15th St NW & E St NW
Details
The National Christmas Tree, adorned with thousands of lights and unique decorations, was lit earlier this month and is now open to the public.
The Ellipse is also adorned with 58 smaller trees representing U.S. states, plus federally-operated schools, each filled with ornaments created by schoolchildren.
The grounds are set to open to the public 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The trees will be lit about sunset each night.
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
Capitol Building West Lawn
Details
Tree and holiday enthusiasts can be dazzled by Silver Belle, a stunning 53-foot red fir tree that hails from Nevada’s Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The lighting ceremony for the People’s Tree was on Dec. 2. Now, you can visit as it’s lit from dusk until 11 p.m. nightly into early January.
National Menorah Lighting
1600 Constitution Ave. NW
Details
Thousands of people are expected to flock to the White House’s Ellipse on the first night of Hanukkah for the lighting of the National Menorah. Musical performances and special guests will help set the celebratory mood.
The menorah lighting will take place on Sunday, Dec. 14.
Grab a free ticket if you want to attend.
CityCenterDC
Details
Enjoy the dazzling 75-foot holiday tree and two 25-foot reindeer flanking the shopping center and the Palmet Alley. Stop by the plaza on weekends to see the plaza in its full snowy sparkle.
Holiday lights in Maryland
Festival of Lights
Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Details
Stay cozy in your car while rolling through light displays in a screen-free holiday tradition that’s been around for 40 years.
The Festival of Lights will be open 5-9:30 p.m. nightly through Jan. 1. It’s free to visit on Christmas (Dec. 25).
It costs $15 per car if you purchase tickets online in advance; online sales end at 4 p.m. daily. You can get tickets for $20 at the gate.
Want to spruce up the experience? Book a hay ride through the lights on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It costs $10 per person. Make sure to buy your tickets online before 4 p.m. – and dress in lots of layers!
You’re invited to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to families in need.
LuminoCity Winter Light Festival
Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg
Details
Discover a wonderland spanning more than 12 acres featuring six unique themed areas and dozens of larger-than-life light constructions, including a 50-foot tree!
It is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., and will remain open daily through Jan. 1, except on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and Christmas Day (Dec. 25). Tickets cost $36.85, including taxes.
Plan for about 1 to 2 hours of festive fun! Wander through the lights with a hot chocolate in hand or grab a treat from the food trucks as you soak in the seasonal cheer. Families can pause for playtime in the designated kids’ areas, too.
River Hill Chanukah Lights
Columbia, Maryland
Details
For the last 10 years, two River Hill properties have transformed into a dazzling wonderland of festive lights, colorful inflatables and joyful displays celebrating Hanukkah.
During the eight nights of Hanukkah from Dec. 14 – 21, visitors can look forward to special giveaways, treats, and surprises to celebrate the holiday spirit.
River Hill Chanukah promises fun, inspiration and festive cheer for all ages from 5 to 9:30 p.m. until Dec. 31.
In honor of its 10th anniversary, River Hill Chanukah set a fundraising goal of $10,000 to support the Torah Repair Project at Howard County’s Chabad Lubavitch Center for Jewish Life. Admission to the light display is free, but visitors are encouraged to donate.
National Harbor holiday tree and fireworks show
National Harbor’s Spirit Park
Details
Head to National Harbor’s Spirit Park every night to see a 60-foot RGB tree come alive with dancing lights. The show happens every 30 minutes from sunset until 9 p.m.
Come for a magical fireworks show at 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
The tree will be lighting up nightly through Dec. 27, and it’s free to visit.
And if you want some indoor winter fun, head to the Gaylord National hotel for ICE!, which features beloved scenes from The Polar Express™.
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
Wheaton Regional Park
Details
Stroll through the half-mile path filled with lights and displays within the display garden at Wheaton Regional Park.
The Garden of Lights will be open daily from 5 to 8:30 p.m. through Jan. 4, except for certain holidays. It will be closed Dec. 24 – 25 and Jan. 1.
Tickets, starting at $14 per person, are required for all visitors aged 5 and up and must be purchased in advance.
Winter Lights Festival
Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg
Details
Drive past hundreds of illuminated displays and trees on this 3.5-mile path in Seneca Creek State Park.
You only need one ticket per vehicle. It costs $15 to go Monday through Thursday and $25 on weekends. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
The festival is closed on Christmas Day (Dec. 25).
Holiday lights in Virginia
Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park
Woodbridge, Virginia
Details
The whole family, including leashed pets, is invited to this free light display.
Here you will find photo opportunities, food and beverages, holiday characters, a holiday market, and holiday carols, depending on the day you visit. Find more information here.
The stroller and wheelchair-friendly path is dotted with characters, a holiday market, hot cocoa stops and other cheerful surprises.
Visitors can park at nearby schools and take a free shuttle to the lights (unless they’re bringing a pet).
General parking is available at the Rippon Station VRE Lot, located at 15511 Farm Creek Dr. in Woodbridge. Visit the website for information on shuttle buses.
Enjoy the sensory-friendly night on Tuesday, December 9.
Mount Vernon
The former estate of George Washington will host several nights to enjoy holiday lights around the historic mansion.
- Mount Vernon by Candlelight: Take a candlelit tour and discover 18th-century Virginia Christmas traditions. Explore the first and second floors of George Washington’s mansion. (Dec.12-13, and Dec. 19, 22, 23).
- Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon: On Dec. 20 and 21, find festive lights, Aladdin the Camel and fireworks over the Potomac River. Nonmember prices start at $36 for kids and $58 for adults.
Ice & Lights -The Winter Village at Cameron Run
Alexandria, Virginia
Details
The Winter Village is packed with light displays perfect for photos. Don’t miss the 100-foot tunnel arch! Take some family selfies, gather around a fire pit, get treats and shop at retailers.
Ice skating is now open for the season. All tickets must be purchased online.
Ice & Lights is open through Feb. 28. Tickets start at $9.
Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Vienna, Virginia
Details and tickets
Follow a festive, 0.6-mile trail filled with sparkling trees, glittering nature and holiday scenes. Then, warm up by sipping hot cocoa or roasting s’mores.
Every visitor over the age of 2 needs a ticket.
Winter Walk of Lights will be open on holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. It’s open through Jan. 4 and costs $19-$23 per person.
Winter Lantern Festival
Tysons, Virginia
Details
More than 1,000 handmade Chinese lanterns and lights exploring Chinese myths, legends and zodiacs make up the Winter Lantern Festival in Tysons.
After you take plenty of pictures, watch the Zigong Acrobatic Troupe and take a spin on the bounce house, light swings and more.
The Winter Lantern Festival is open from Thursdays to Sundays from 5 to 9 p.m., through Jan. 18.
Bull Run Festival of Lights
Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville
Details
Open through Jan. 4, charges $30 per vehicle when tickets are purchased online.
Stay cozy in your car while you drive through 2.5 miles of festive light displays. Then, stop by the holiday village, carnival, a petting zoo and more festive fun.
You only need one ticket per vehicle. Check out the “promotional nights” section for discount codes on select dates.
The Bull Run Festival of Lights will be open on holidays, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. It runs through Jan. 4 and costs $30 per vehicle.
Here are more details on dates, hours, and carnival prices.
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