If you’re looking for winter/holiday light displays, the DMV is certainly the place for you. In addition to extravagant light displays in neighborhoods across the region, we have put a list of twelve great places for individuals and families to enjoy winter/holiday light displays:
Bull Run Festival of Lights
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- Location: Centreville, VA
- Dates: Through January 7, Monday-Thursday 5:30-9:30 p.m., Friday-Sunday and holidays 5:30-10 p.m.
- Highlights: Drive along a 2.5-mile festive trail, visit the Holiday Village for bonfires, s’mores, and gifts.
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Enchant Christmas
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- Location: Washington, DC
- Dates: Nov 24-Dec 31
- Highlights: The world’s largest Christmas lights display at Nationals Park, featuring a light maze, ice skating rink, and a festive village.
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Festival of Lights at The DC Temple
- Location: Kensington, MD
- Dates: November 30-January 1
- Highlights: Beautiful Créche displays featuring nativities from around the world and hosts many holiday performances that are free and open to the public
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Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
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- Location: Wheaton, MD
- Dates: Through December 31 (closed Nov 20-23, Dec 24-25), 5:30-9:30 p.m.
- Highlights: A 1-mile walk-through exhibit with colorful displays, hot chocolate, and seasonal mementos at the gift shop.
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Ice & Lights – The Winter Village at Cameron Run
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- Location: Alexandria, VA
- Dates: Through January 1, 5-10 p.m.
- Highlights: Cameron Run Regional Park transforms into a winter village with a light-up arch, walk-through tree, and ice skating rink.
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Light Yards
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- Location: Washington, DC
- Dates: Nov 20-Jan 7, 5-10 p.m.
- Highlights: Interactive light installation at The Yards, with sparkling jingle bell swings, a holiday-themed train, and a cocktail competition.
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Luminocity Festival
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- Location: Gaithersburg, MD
- Dates: Nov 24-Jan 15
- Highlights: An immersive lantern festival at Montgomery County Fairgrounds with magical themes like radiant unicorns and pandas.
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Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights
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- Location: Vienna, VA
- Dates: Through January 7, 5:30-10 p.m.
- Highlights: Transforming Meadowlark Botanical Gardens into a holiday wonderland, enjoy nature and holiday-themed displays.
Sailing Through The Winter Solstice
- Location: Frederick, MD
- Dates: November 2023-March 2024
- Highlights: Every year Carroll Creek Park is filled with individually designed lighted sailboats.
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Winter City Lights
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- Location: Olney, MD
- Dates: Through December 30, times vary
- Highlights: A 1.5-mile trail featuring over 1 million lights, bonfires, and a 52-foot tall programmable Christmas tree.
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Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park
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- Location: Gaithersburg, MD
- Dates: Nov 24-Dec 31 (closed Dec 25), 6-9 p.m. (Sun-Thu), 6-10 p.m. (Fri-Sat)
- Highlights: A 3.5-mile drive-thru lights experience with 450 displays, tuned into 97.1 WASH-FM for holiday music.
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ZooLights
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- Location: Washington, DC
- Dates: Nov 24-26, Dec 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 21-23, 26-30, 5-9 p.m. (Thu-Sat), 5-8 p.m. (Sun)
- Highlights: Smithsonian’s National Zoo adorned with over half a million LED lights, live music, and seasonal treats.
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