WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks announces programming and operating hours for the 2023 winter holiday break with a variety of events for the whole family.
Open Parkways schedule: The Open Parkways will be extended during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. During this time, parkways are open to pedestrians and bicyclists and closed to motor vehicles.
- Beach Drive between Connecticut and Knowles Avenue (2.9 miles)
- Saturday, December 23, at 7 a.m. until Monday, December 25, at 4 p.m.
- Saturday, December 30, at 7 a.m. until Monday, January 1, at 4 p.m.
- Sligo Creek Parkway between Old Carroll Avenue and Piney Branch Road and between Forest Glen Road and University Boulevard West
- Friday, December 22, at 9 a.m. until Monday, December 25, at 4 p.m.
- Friday, December 29, at 9 a.m. until Monday, January 1, at 4 p.m.
- Little Falls Parkway between Arlington Road and Dorset Avenue (0.4 miles)
- Open 24/7 for recreation and exercise
*Please note: Gate closures are intended to be completed by the times listed above. The re-opening of the parkways begins at the times listed above. However, this process may take up to thirty minutes to complete.
Here are some activity ideas for the holiday period:
- Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens seasonal display (open through December 31; closed December 24-25)
- The Garden Railway Exhibit at Brookside Gardensanother holiday favorite (open through December 31; closed December 25)
- Wheaton Winter Ice Show at Wheaton Ice Arena(December 28)
- Smokey the Bear New Year’s Eve Countdown at Maydale Nature Classroom (December 31)
- Parks, trails, gardens, nature centers, playgrounds, dog parks, skate parks, outdoor exercise stations, and outdoor tennis/pickleball and basketball courts* are open daily, sunrise to sunset. (*Select outdoor courts are available for rental.)
- The inline hockey rink at Ridge Road Recreational Park and street hockey/futsal rink at Dewey Local Park may be permitted, or are available first come, first served, if not reserved.
- Campfire rings are available for rental at several locations.
- Ice Skating at Cabin John Ice Rink or Wheaton Ice Arena
- Little Bennett Campground
- Brookside Gardens grounds open daily sunrise–4 p.m., Visitor Center open daily 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Conservatory open daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Buildings and gardens close at 4 p.m. daily and reopen at 5:30 p.m. for Garden of Lights ticket holders.
- Josiah Henson Museum & Park, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m. (Special Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, December 27-28, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.)
Holiday Week Operating Hours by Facility:
*All Montgomery Parks offices and buildings closed on December 25.
Montgomery Parks Headquarters and Permit Offices
December 25: Closed
January 1: Closed
Black Hill Nature Programs and Visitor Center
December 23: Closed
December 24: Closed
December 31: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Brookside Gardens Visitor Center and Conservatory
December 24-25: Closed (Garden of Lights closed December 24-25; Garden Railway Exhibit closed December 24-25)
December 31-January 1: Visitor Center, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Conservatory, 10 a.m.-to 4 p.m.; Garden of Lights, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Garden Railway Exhibit, 10 a.m.-3:45 p.m.
December 24-26: Closed
December 31-January 2: Closed
December 24: Closes at 3 p.m.
December 25: Closed
December 31: Closes at 3 p.m.
January 1: Opens 12 p.m.
December 24: Open 12-4 p.m.
December 31: Open 12-4 p.m.
December 24: Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
December 31: Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pauline Betz Addie Tennis
December 24: Open 6 a.m.-3 p.m.
December 25: Closed
December 31: Open 6 a.m.-3 p.m.
January 1: Open 12-6 p.m.
South Germantown Driving Range
December 24: Open 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
December 25: Closed
December 31: Open 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
January 1: Closed
Wheaton Ice Arena
December 24: Closes at 3 p.m.
December 25: Closed
December 31: Closes at 3 p.m.
January 1: Opens 12 p.m.
Wheaton Indoor Tennis
December 24: Open 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
December 25: Closed
December 31: Open 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
January 1: Open 12-6 p.m.