40 Holiday & Christmas Lights Near Me DC, Virginia MD 2025

Visiting Holiday and Christmas Lights near me in the DC Area is our family's favorite tradition! I've updated the list below for 2025, adding 10 new ones (bye-bye Enchant DC) and organized by DC, Virginia, and Maryland. I've also added Stroller, Accessibility, Parking, and Metro information for each location. I'm so excited that 22 of the 40 are free!

NEW: 10 Christmas Drive Thru Lights List

Table of Contents:

DC (13)
Virginia (16)
Maryland (11)
What I Bring to Holiday Lights
More DMV Holiday Activities
Google Map and Full List

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Photo by S Pakhrin under Creative Commons 2.0 license.

Holiday Light Displays in DC & Christmas Lights near me in Washington DC

ZooLights at the National Zoo - Now $6 admission

The National Zoo will be alight in lights and holiday cheer starting around November 21 until first week of January 2026. They will have thousands of lights, live music, and winter treats.

Last year, a Zoo employee told me they are releasing tickets 2 weeks before, 1 week before, 1 day before, and day of as they are available so keep checking if you don't see any for your dates!

ZooLights Dates and Times:

Times:
- Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays - 5 - 9 PM
- Sundays - 5 - 8 PM.
- Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
WEEK 1 | Nov. 22, 23, 24 | Friday to Sunday
WEEK 2 | Nov. 29, 30, and Dec. 1 | Friday to Sunday
WEEK 3 | Dec. 6, 7, 8 | Friday to Sunday
WEEK 4 | Dec. 13, 14, 15 | Friday to Sunday
WEEK 5 | Dec. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 | Thursday to Monday
WEEK 6 | Dec. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 | Thursday to Monday
WEEK 7 | Jan. 3, 4 | Friday and Saturday
MEMBER NIGHTS | Dec. 5, 12, and Jan. 2 | Thursdays

Cost: Like last year, they are requiring a $6 admission per person.

ZooLight Notes:

Animals: Indoor animal exhibits are closed to allow animals to get a full night's sleep :)
Parking: Parking fee of $30 to park at the Zoo. I highly recommend booking ahead as this sells out before admission.
Metro: The Zoo is an equal distance from the Cleveland Park and Woodley Park Metro stops. I recommend Cleveland Park because you have to walk uphill from the Woodley Park Station.
Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? The Zoo is fully accessible however, note that it is a large hill that can get steep at times.

US Botanic Garden Holiday Display (Our favorite Christmas Lights near me)

christmas lights Washington DC Botanic Garden

Photo by DC Gardens under Creative Commons 2.0 license.

A highlight each year for our family, the US Botanic Garden will once again have its popular train and landmark display up between November 27, 2025, to January 4, 2026. There are 2 parts of the Gardens to explore with your family:

Outdoor Model Trains:

The model trains will be outside in the gated outdoor gardens and run between 10 AM and 5 PM daily. Please note the train may not run during bad weather. Here's a post with pictures from our visit last year.

Indoor Conservatory with DC Landmark made of Plants:

We've visited the Conservatory for years since I was pregnant with my eldest! It's incredible how artists and gardeners created DC landmarks from plants and trees.

Dates:

The Trains and Conservatory will be open daily from 10 to 5 PM on November 27, 2025 and Jan. 4, 2026, but closed on December 25, Christmas Day.
Cost: Free and no passes are required.

Gift Shop and Zeke's Coffee: Check out Rewild in the Conservatory's West Gallery for botanical gifts and Zeke’s Coffee will have coffee and hot chocolate for sale just inside the gated outdoor garden near the trains. Please note, Zeke's Coffee may have different hours.

Parking: Parking can be tricky since the Garden is on the US Capitol's grounds but I have had luck with street parking closer to the American Indian Museum or on 2nd St. SW. Also, SpotHero has been helpful in the past for parking downtown (not sponsored!)

Metro: Almost equidistant from Federal Center SW and Capitol South Metro Stations.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes! The US Botanic Garden is fully accessible inside the Conservatory and the paths around the trains outside.

Mom Tip: You can also go on a little "Christmas Tre Hunt" and walk 1 block to the US Capitol Tree and then 2.5 blocks north to the Canadian Embassy with a stunning tree and Christmas music!

The National Christmas Tree - The most famous Christmas Lights in Washington, DC!

Full review and tips from our visit here! Photo by Jennifer at FamilyTripGuides.com.

The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be on Thursday, December 5, 2024 and airing a little while later on CBS.

Dates for the 2024 Free National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Lottery

Lottery Opens: October 23 (10am EST) on the Recreation.gov website here.
Lottery Closes: October 30 (3pm EST)
Lottery Results Announced: November 8, 2024
Event Date: December 5, 2024

Full review of our December Visit to the Tree here!

Even if you don't go to the Christmas Tree Lighting, you can still visit the National Christmas Tree every day between December 6th through January 1st on the Ellipse.

My favorite part is actually not the tree itself but the 58 trees that surround it from US states, territories, and schools managed by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education and the Department of Defense Education Activity. (I'm an alumnus of the last one!)

Dates: December 2nd through January 1st. The lights will turn on at sunset each evening and turn off at 10 pm on Sunday - Thursday and 11 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Cost: FREE

Parking: I like to use the SpotHero App to find parking downtown (not sponsored!)

Metro: Federal Triangle Metro Station is closest to the National Christmas Tree and Ellipse

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? There is rubber flooring (see the 3rd photo on the NPS.gov website from 2019) and I saw strollers but it is not even enough for wheelchairs I believe.

National Menorah - Lighting and Viewing on the White House Grounds in DC

Photo by Ted Eytan under Creative Commons 2.0 license.

Chanukah begins this year on the evening of Wednesday, December 25, 2024 until Thursday, January 2, 2025. The National Menorah hosts the lighting ceremony for "the most prominent public Chanukah event in the world.” The National Chanukah Menorah is located on the Ellipse and will also be broadcast live online.

Dates: Lighting will be on December 25, 2024. Tickets will be available for request after November 1, 2024 on on their website. The Menorah will be lit each day of Chanukah.

Cost: Free!

Parking: I like to use the SpotHero App to find parking downtown (not sponsored!)

Metro: Federal Triangle Metro Station is closest to the Ellipse.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? I need to double check but there was rubber flooring around the National Christmas Tree which is in the same area, so I believe that extends to the Menorah as well.

Tudor Place in Georgetown - Tours by candle light and disco balls!

Tudor Place will host many historic light tours in December! Their Candlelight Tour is described on their website: "Get an evening tour of Tudor Place under the light of the disco ball this holiday season. The historic house will be decked out in 1970s finery, while the collection offers a look at the history of disco in DC. You’re in store for some sparkling fun. Seasonal refreshments will be served."

Dates: December 6, 11, and 13, 2024. On each date, they have 2 time slots either 6 - 7 PM or 7 - 8 PM.

Cost: $25 for non-members and $15 for members. Recommended for children ages 10 and up.

Parking: Neighborhood street parking.

Metro: Unfortunately there are no metro stations in Georgetown.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? When we visited, I would say not fully accessible for a wheelchair as it is a historic home and the garden is not paved. From their website:

"The garden is accessible from the city sidewalk (without steps). Its surfaces consist of grassy areas and paths laid with pea gravel, flagstone, bricks and stones set in grass.

The first floor of the Historic House can be made accessible for wheelchairs and other needs. Call 202-965-0400 if you have questions or would like assistance in making arrangements, including accessible parking and having ramps in place upon your arrival."

DC Holiday Hunt

DC Holiday Hunt is an interactive experience for DC residents and visitors. Race throughout DC to accomplish as many missions as possible for a chance to win incredible prizes. You will have the opportunity to try out new foods, meet new businesses, and experience DC like never before.

Includes 9 Main Streets lit up with Holiday Lights!

Dates: November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025.

Cost: Free!

Parking: Depends on the neighborhood

Metro: Depends on the neighborhood

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes in that these are streets in DC that hopefully have correct curbs etc.

Light Yards at The Yards DC

The Bells are coming back to Yards Park! Free and open to the public are 5, 13-foot tall bells that jingle when you swing on them.

Dates: November 25, 2024 to January 1, 2025. 5 - 10 PM every evening

Cost: Free!

Parking: We've parked at the parking lot at the end of 4th St. SE. I believe $2 per hour.

Metro: Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro Station

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes!

Photo courtesy of Sara from @LongWalksDC. Thanks so much!

DC Holiday Market - Joy Holiday Lights Sign and more!

There is a wonderful but small light display with stars and JOY lit up right by the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. Our family loved taking pictures inside the stars because the twinkly lights really light up your face! The rest of the market really reminds me of German Kriskindlemarkts when I was growing up!

You can read all about the market and the fun food under #4 in my Top 10 Best DC Spots for Winter/Christmas.

Dates: Friday, November 22 to Monday December 23, 2024.

Time: 12 PM to 8 PM Daily!

Cost: Free!

Parking: Little tricky in this busy area near the Capitol One Center and Chinatown so we use SpotHero for a parking garage spot.

Metro: Chinatown Galleria is only a block away.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes!

Note for 2024: There will also be a new Holiday Market in DuPont Circle this year from Friday November 22 to Sunday, December 15 with over 30 vendors. The location mentioned is 1500 19th St NW but I believe it will be in the actual DuPont Circle. More here from local news.

Georgetown Jingle (Georgetown Glow is paused for 2024)

The beloved Georgetown Glow is paused for 2024 but the neighborhood will have a new event, the Georgetown Jingle on December 7, 2024! "Georgetown Jingle – our first-ever holiday music event – featuring 10 live music performances at 10 outdoor locations throughout Georgetown. Artists include HumTunes, featuring soulful renditions of contemporary pop and alternative hits; holiday acapella music from Capital Blend; jazz and pop by Gracie Jay; and jazz vocalist James Zimmerman and Friends."

Dates: December 7, 2024

Time: 1 - 4 PM

Cost: Free and see website for discounts at restaurants and boutiques.

Parking: The easiest parking is at Georgetown Park parking garage. Entrances are located on Potomac Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Click here for more info.

Metro: The Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station, located on the blue and orange lines, is a 15-minute walk from Georgetown. Metro riders can also access Georgetown via the DC Circulator bus from the Rosslyn and Dupont Circle Metro stations. For more information, including a map and trip planning feature, visit www.wmata.com.

Bus: The DC Circulator offers 2 lines in Georgetown. east-west from Georgetown to Union Station via downtown; and from Rosslyn, VA through Georgetown to the Dupont Circle metro. The fare is $1. For more information and a map, visit www.dccirculator.com.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes!

City Center's Holiday Tree

CityCenterDC's is DC’s largest Christmas tree! Enjoy the dazzling 75-foot Christmas tree and the Tiffany ornament. Stretching for three city blocks, check out the Palmer Alley holiday decor. My kids absolutely loved this!

Dates: Saturday, November 30th to the end of December.

Time: Nightly. Tree Lighting will be on Saturday, November 30th with Jordin Sparks!

Cost: Free!

Parking: Parking garage underneath and valet at 920 I Street NW, Washington DC 20001.

Metro: Metro Center on the Red, Blue and Orange lines.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes, very accessible.

Embassy of Canada's Holiday Tree

Beautiful natural tree in the Rotunda of the Embassy of Canada right on Pennsylvania Ave. My daughter and I loved seeing it late one night. There is security around but you don't have to enter the embassy to view it and take pictures!

Dates: Usually every night in December. I will update with Lighting ceremony info for 2024.

Location: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA

Cost: Free!

Stroller/Wheelchair Friendly: Yes

The District’s Holiday Boat Parade

"Celebrate the holidays with this iconic DC event that features over 60 beautifully decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel.

Get into the spirit with ornament decorating and face painting by Recreation Pier. Roast s'mores at the Camp Wharf fire pit and visit our lighted 45ft Christmas Tree. Skate at The Wharf Ice Rink on Transit Pier and sample winter drinks at our Corona Beer Garden. And bring your camera for pictures with Santa!"

Dates: December 7, 2024

Time: 6 - 9 PM

Cost: Free!

Parking: The Wharf has a parking garage under a couple of its blocks but get there early as it fills up on a weekend!

Metro:

1 block to the Waterfront Metro Station on the Green Line.
8-minute walk to the L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station Blue, Orange, Silver, Green, Yellow lines. You can also ride between The Wharf and L'Enfant Plaza Metro station on our free SW Shuttle. The SW Shuttle picks up passengers on 7th St SW at Maryland Ave SW.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes!

Northern Virginia Holiday & Christmas Light Displays

light displays near me Virginia Meadowlark

Meadowlark Holiday Light Display. Photo by FamilyTripGuides.

Meadowlark Botanical Garden’s Winter Walk of Lights

Located in Vienna, Meadowlark exceeded my expectations! The number of lights and variety was truly amazing! They give kids a scavenger hunt with a pencil and they can get a sticker at the end. There is also an adorable greenhouse to purchase hot chocolate and desserts like a s’more’s bar. The highlight for our family was the timed lights with music by the lake. My kids loved dancing along and we loved watching them from the many benches spread out. I appreciated the social distancing measures, especially the one-way walk path.

My favorite part is that the paved path is stroller and wheelchair accessible! You can see a reel of our visit here.

Meadowlark Holiday Lights Dates & Times:

November 8 - December 7, 2024 - 5:30-10:00 PM.
December 8 - December 29, 2024 - 5:00 - 10:00 PM. (Online tickets are only available during this period. No on-site tickets will be sold.)
December 30 - January 5, 2025 - 5:00 - 10:00 PM

Cost for Meadowlark Holiday Lights:

Off-Peak Dates: November 8 – December 7 - $18 online, $23 at the door.
Prime Nights: December 8 - December 29 - $22 online, no at-the-door sales.
Off-Peak Dates: December 30 - January 5 - $18 online, $23 at the door.

Parking: Free parking lot.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes! We have gone with a wagon and wheelchair and it is 100% accessible!

Bull Run Festival of Lights Drive Thru

The only Drive-Thru on our list is perfect for staying warm and socially distancing! Located in Centreville, VA which is about 30 miles from downtown DC. The drive-through is 2.5 miles of festive light displays. I love this line on their website, "turn off your headlights and just follow the magical glow."

Dates:

November 15, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Tickets are available every night 5:30-7:30pm or 7:30-9:30pm.

Bull Run Holiday Drive Thru Lights Cost and Promo Codes:

$30 per vehicle online, $40 per vehicle at the door.
Check website for the promo codes for $10 off November 15 - 21, 2024
Check website for the promo codes for $5 off November 22 - 27, 2024
Check website for the promo codes for $10 off January 2 - 5, 2025.

Parking: Drive-thru!

Ice and Lights Winter Village at Cameron Run

Holiday lights and an outdoor ice rink at this Alexandria water park! Includes fire pits, photo ops, light displays, and more! All tickets must be purchased online ahead of time. We really liked our time here last year!

Dates: November 15, 2024 - January 5, 2025 - 5:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving and Closed for Daytime Skating on Christmas Day)

Cost: $8.55 for Village Admission. $21.01 for Village Admission with Ice Skating and Daytime Ice Skating for $13.03.

Parking: Large parking lot.

Ice Skating! Daytime Ice Skating is available a lot of dates November 29 to February 23, 2024. Check the website because they are on different dates like weekends and holidays during certain times of the year.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes! Located in a water park.

holiday-light-displays-virginia ice lights

Mount Vernon Winter Glow and Christmas Illuminations

If you would like a more historical take on the holidays, check out George Washington’s home in Mount Vernon, VA. The estate will be “illuminated with soft lights and holiday patterns” as well as by candlelight this year for 2 different events.

Dates:

Winter Glow: November 29-30, DEC. 15-19, & 23 Join us for an enchanted evening of festive lights and an 18th-century holiday experience at Mount Vernon. See the estate illuminated with brilliant lights and patterns set to holiday music. Visit an 18th-century winter encampment, and meet holiday guest, Aladdin the Camel. You can also roast s’mores, play an “I Spy” game to search for General Washington hidden among the lights, and chat with people from Washington’s world to learn about 18th-century holiday traditions.
Christmas Illuminations: December 20, 21 and 22, 2024. "Kick off the holiday season with wintry lights and sparkling fireworks overlooking the Potomac River."

Cost:

Mount Vernon by Candlelight - Adult Member: $44, Youth Member: $25, Adult Non-Member: $54, Youth Non-Member: $35
Christmas Illuminations - Members: Adult: $48, Youth: $26 and General Public: Adult: $58, Youth: $36

Parking: Large free parking lots.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? I have not been to Mount Vernon at Christmas so I am not sure about the accessibility personally. They have a website with a lot of information.

Frying Pan Holiday Lights on the Farm

Holiday Lights on the Farm is back at our favorite Virginian farm, Frying Pan Farm! Frying Pan Farm Park will celebrate the holidays "with an evening of wagon rides, indoor activities, food, animal interactions, campfires, and more!" Reserving ahead of time will make sure you get a spot (they tell you how many left per time slot) and save you $5 per person!

Ticket price includes:

1 wagon ride along the light show route
1 trackless train ride
1 carousel ride for children 12 and under

Dates: December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2024

Cost: $15 per person pass presale ends one day before event date; $20 per person day of at the gate.

Parking: Large free parking lot.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Frying Pan Farm is mostly hard-packed dirt paths which if there is no rain, would be accessible for wheelchairs, wagons, and strollers. I am not sure if all the activities for the Lights on the Farm are accessible.

Leesburg Christmas Lights

Leesburg Christmas Holiday light displays Virginia

Photo by FamilyTripGuides.

We had the best holiday afternoon in Leesburg, Virginia, so I wanted to share our day! It includes 3 kid-friendly spots (Luckett's Store!) and 1 great restaurant. All recommendations are free including the parking at Leesburg City’s parking garage. The Leesburg Christmas lights are beautiful and unique at the historic courthouse and downtown. Check out the itinerary here.

Dates: Nightly in December. (Also their Christmas & Holiday Parade is on Saturday, December 14, 2024, 6:00 pm. Rain date is December 15, 2024 at 6 PM.)

Cost: Free

Parking: Free during the holidays at the City's garage.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Lucketts Store may not have accessible restrooms (I believe they are inside the historic house) but I will reach out and ask! Narrower paths though.

3 Fun & Free Neighborhood Lights in Burke and Springfield

Check out this blog post for 3 unique and fun neighborhood lights including The Elf House, Cul-de-Sac Santa's Village, and a Gas Station with musical lights show!

The Elf House Holiday Light Display in Burke, Virginia

Claude Moore Park's Lighted Nights

Claude Moore Park has created a self-guided stroll through this Loudoun park with holiday lights and historic buildings. On Friday and Saturday evenings, you can also get hot chocolate and roast marshmallows. They even have halal available!

Dates: December 9 - 23, 2024 from 5 PM-7 PM. Please note the park closes promptly at 7 PM.

Cost: Free! No tickets needed.

Parking: Free parking lot.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes it looks paved and this reel from @Jules_in_Virignia says it is stroller-friendly!

Old Town Alexandria's Market Square

Old Town Alexandria is always a great idea and especially for the Holidays! Oprah Daily named it one of the "Most Magical Christmas Towns in the World" in 2019, 2020 and 2021!

Dates: Tree Lighting Ceremony Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 6 PM and then lit nightly with 40,000 lights!

Cost: Free!

Parking: Find $5 garage parking in Old Town on Saturdays and Sundays, and after 5 p.m. on weekdays, at the Courthouse Square Garage, 111 S. Pitt Street, and the Market Square Garage, 108 N. Fairfax Street.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes!

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights 2024

Dates: December 7, 2024. Parade starts at 5:30 PM but Dockside activities are from 1 - 8 PM. You have to check out the website for the winning boats from last year! Including Best in Show "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" which is exactly what you would expect!!

Cost: Free!

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes!

One Loudoun Virginia Tree Lighting and Menorah Lighting

Cost: Free!

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes!

Winter Lantern Festival - Celebrating Chinese New Year Holidays in Tysons!

The Winter Lantern Festival returns with its incredible immersive lantern festival! Includes over 1,000 Chinese lanterns made by artisans, and interactive experiences such as the Bounce House and Sugar Paintings (may have an extra fee). Also includes interactive light swings, see-saws, tunnels, and many majestic creatures composed of artisan lanterns.

Dates: Fridays to Sundays from November 2, 2024 to Janaury 12, 2025.

Cost:

$16.99 to $26.99 per person.

Parking: Paid parking garage across the street and Metro station 1 block away.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? The venue is ADA-accessible! (located in the parking lot where Cirque du Soleil performs.)

Holiday Walk of Lights Neabsco Regional Park - Woodbridge, VA

Our family loves the boardwalk at Neabsco Regional Park and now the Prince William Parks Department has added unique, hand-crafted light displays all along the path!

2024 Dates:

December 6-8, Friday-Sunday, 5:30- 9 PM
December 10 (Tuesday, Sensory Friendly Event only*), 5:30-8 PM
December 13-15, Friday-Saturday, 5:30- 9 PM
December 18-22, Wednesday-Sunday, 5:30-9 PM

Cost: Free!

Parking: Check out their website for all the parking information including a free parking shuttle from local schools.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes! We have taken family members in a wheelchair and stroller on the boardwalk! The website says "Parking at Neabsco Regional Park is reserved for those with disabled license plates or placards ONLY. Shuttle buses will pickup and drop off at the Neabsco Regional Park parking lot."

Maryland Holiday Light Displays (near DC)

Brookside Gardens Light Displays Near Me Maryland

Brookside Gardens Holiday Lights. Photo by FamilyTripGuides.

Brookside Gardens - Garden of Lights - Affordable Holiday Light Display in Maryland

We loved our visit to Brookside Gardens! Thousands of lights are all around the 50 acres of the garden in Wheaton, Maryland. My kids' favorite part was the Fubbles, fog bubbles that you can hold and pop! (Located right after the caterpillar light tunnel.) You can see a reel of our family's visit here.

Brookside Garden of Lights Dates:

November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025.
Closed November 25-28 and December 24-25, and January 1.

Cost: $10 per person age 5 and older, online only.

Parking: Free parking lot!

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Brookside is not a 100% wheelchair-friendly holiday light display as there are some areas that have a gravel/leaf path and at least two small gardens that have stairs. But you can see all the lights from the main paths. There were lots of strollers but just note some areas have a few stairs to access.

Christmas at Gaylord National Hotel - ICE! Featuring "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

ICE Christmas Holiday DC Maryland Family

The Gaylord National Hotel at National Harbor is the place to be for holiday cheer. There's a free atrium show each evening with 3 million lights plus tons of holiday events including ICE! featuring "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

More Holiday activities: Ice Tubing, Reindeer Games Scavenger Hunt, Gingerbread Decorating Corner, Ice Skating, Mrs. Claus' Christmas Traditions, Snowball Build & Blast.

Hours of Operation: November 15 – December 28, 2024

Free Atrium Show: Free in the atrium. Late November to 2024 - December 31, 2024 Daily: 7:30 pm, 8:45 pm, 9:15 pm.

Parking: Paid parking garage.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes!

Gaylord is listed in the Winter section of my post on 10 Best Family Resorts on the East Coast!

Holiday Tree Light Show at National Harbor - Free Christmas Lights near me in Maryland

Every evening from November 12 to January 3rd, there will be a short light show on the 60-foot tree with over 2 million lights! The tree is located outside by the Ferris Wheel on Waterfront Street. The light show will take place every half hour from sundown to 9 pm. We went a couple of years ago and it was so much fun! (but no pictures, sorry!)

Also, on Saturday nights from November 11 – December 30 at 5:30 p.m. they will also have a free spectacular fireworks display following the tree lighting show.

Cost: Free

Parking: Lots of parking garages and some street parking at National Harbor.

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes!

Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek

Drive through 3.5 miles of more than 450 illuminated displays and lit trees in Gaithersburg! Their tagline made me laugh, “socially distancing since 1995!” Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Dates: November 29, 2024 - December 31, 2024 (closed Christmas Day)

Cost: Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Monday - Thursday: $15 per vehicle
Friday - Sunday: $25 per vehicle
15+ Passenger Vehicles: $30

Parking: Drive-thru!

Watkins Regional Park Festival of Lights

Fun Drive Through Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park! Make sure to download the I Spy PDF game on their website for your kids to use as you drive through the festival.

Dates: November 29, 2024 - January 1, 2025. Nightly from 5 to 10 pm. Online ticket sales end daily at 4 p.m.

Cost:

Fees: Cars: $10 online/ $15 at the gate
Van/Limo: $20
Bus: $30

Parking: Drive thru!

Frederick, Maryland Sailing Through The Winter Solstice

Our only boat light show on the list! "Every year Carroll Creek Park is filled with individually designed lighted sailboats. This floating light installation sets sail in November and is on display through March."

Dates: November 23, 2024 - March 2025. "You can view the boats anytime day or night. In fact, you may want to take a look while it's light out and again after it gets dark and the lights come on. Lights typically turn on at sunset, so this is a great time to see them both ways."

Cost: Free!

Parking: Parking garage at Carroll Creek Garage(sometimes free I think!)

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Yes!

Honorable Mention: Holly Days at the Maryland Zoo

A little further afield in Baltimore, the Maryland Zoo announced their Holly Days Weekends! This is not a light display per se as in past years but I wanted to include it because such a fun holiday activity.

Lots of events in 2024 including a Kick Off on November 29, 2024, Santa Days, Hannukah and Kwanza days.

Cost: Included with Zoo Admission or Membership

Parking: Free parking!

Wheelchair/Stroller/Wagon Friendly? Their website on accessibility says yes!

holiday Christmas lights Frederick maryland

Credit: Jeffrey Socha

What I Bring to Holiday Light Displays

Hand warmers that I always keep in my trunk ($6 for 10 pairs)
Glowsticks for fun and to find my kids in the dark! (100 pack for $10)
We took our Wagon to Meadowlark when my son was little and it was great to contain him! (We got ours at Costco years ago but this one has 9k reviews and 5 stars.
Protein in the car for the sugar crash (Snack Mates Mini Meat Sticks are my kids' favs)

DC & Virginia Themed Holiday Gifts

Twas the Night Before Christmas in Washington, D.C: A Twist on a Classic Christmas Tale and Fun Stocking Stuffer for Boys and Girls 4-8
Washington D.C. Alphabet Tote Bag: Illustrated with examples, B for Ben's Chilli Bowl, E for Embassy Row, and Q for Quadrants
The Twelve Days of Christmas in Washington, D.C: Kindergarten to 2nd Grade
Christmas at The Capitol by Carol Dyer 300-Piece Puzzle

Photo by FamilyTripGuides.

More Holiday Family Fun in the DMV!

And check out 10 Nutcracker Performances in the DC Area with unique options including Sugar Plum Tea, Hip Hop Nutcracker, & George Washington as the Nutcracker.