Virginia
Bull Run Festival of Lights Through January 5th. North Virginia’s largest holiday lights display spans over 2.5 miles, featuring animated displays and vignettes depicting holiday and fairytale scenes. Alexandria, Va.
Holiday on the Farm December 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st. Celebrate the holidays at Frying Pan Farm Park with an evening of wagon rides, indoor activities, food, animal interactions, campfires and visits with Santa. Bring the whole family and see the farm in a festive way. Herndon, Va.
Ice and Lights Through February 23rd (only on holidays and weekends after January 5th). Enjoy ice skating at Cameron Run Regional Park (Alexandria, Va.). A fun, outdoor family experience to see unique light displays, take family pictures or selfies with a variety of light displays, enjoy a hot beverage and snack and take a spin on the ice rink under the stars. Alexandria, Va.
Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights Through January 5th. A half-mile walk through the enchanting Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, full of nature themed animated light displays. Path is paved and is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. Keep warm with hot beverages and bonfires! Pets allowed on select dates. Vienna, Va.
Winter Lantern Festival Through January 12th. Walk through a dazzling display of Chinese lanterns and enjoy the other available activities including food and drink, a gift shop and live entertainment. Tysons, Va.
D.C.
Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting December 3rd. The 2024 tree is an 80-foot Sitka spruce from the Wrangell District Region in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. The lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a time-honored tradition celebrating 60 years in 2024, will take place during a ceremony on the West Front Lawn beginning at 5 p.m. The tree will then be lit from dusk until 11 p.m. each evening through January 1st, 2025.
Light Yards November 25th–January 1st. Light A family-friendly art installation at The Yards Park. This year’s holiday light installation, Swinging Bells, invites guests to become part of the artwork by prompting animated light displays and amplify the cheerful sound of holiday bells through swinging.
National Menorah Lighting Ceremony on the Ellipse December 25th. Military Bands of the Military District of Washington perform at the lighting ceremony, often accompanied by a celebrity Jewish artist. Food and entertainment.
Seasons Greenings November 28th–January 5th. features model trains in the gated outdoor gardens, festive lights throughout the Garden, and the poinsettias, holiday decor, and D.C. landmarks made from plants inside the Conservatory. On the lawn in the gated outdoor gardens, G-gauge model trains daily through displays of pollinators made from plant parts.
Zoolights Through January 5th. Now in its 16th year, this annual holiday light spectacular welcomes visitors to walk down festive pathways and explore immersive displays throughout the zoo. Marvel at glowing lantern animals in their dazzling habitats, watch live nightly musical performances, take a ride on the train or the Conservation Carousel, sample sweet and savory seasonal treats and check gifts off your holiday shopping lists at the Asia Trail, Panda Plaza and Great Cats stores.
Maryland
Brookside Gardens Garden of Lights Through January 5th. Brookside Gardens has transformed into a magical winter wonderland for Garden of Lights. Walk through the outdoor twinkling lights and glimmering displays that dot the paths and flowerbeds throughout 50 acres. Wheaton, Md.
Festival of Lights December 5th–January 1st. The Festival of Lights at the Mormon Temple features over 500,000 Christmas lights, Nativity créches and Christmas tree decorations from around the world, and daily holiday performances. No tickets will be issued; attendance is free. Kensington, Md.
Seneca Creek State Park Winter Lights Festival November 29th–December 31st. Drive through the City of Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival, featuring 3.5 miles of enchanted woodland with more than 450 illuminated displays and spectacularly lit trees that brighten the evening sky. Celebrating its 26th season, the display in Seneca Creek State Park features seasonal scenes like Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Toyland, Victorian Village and the North Pole. Gaithersburg, Md.
Winter City Lights Olney Through December 29th. A unique and magical holiday experience of over 1 million twinkling lights spread across 18 acres of winter wonderland where it is guaranteed to “snow” every night. Complete with 33 bonfires, Winter City Lights includes an enchanted 1.5-mile-long trail of Christmas lights and displays through the woods, a 52-foot tall programmable Christmas lights tree with light shows, a 200-foot diameter canopy of Christmas lights, an eight-lane Snow Tubing Ride, tasty concessions and more. Olney, Md.
