Montgomery Parks has announced programming and operating hours for the 2025 winter holiday break with a variety of events for the entire family:
Open Parkways schedule
A portion of the Open Parkways on Sligo Creek Parkway will be extended on Thursdays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. This is a change from the normal Friday openings.
- Sligo Creek Parkway between Forest Glen Road and University Boulevard West
- Thursday, Dec. 25 at 9 a.m. through Sunday, Dec. 28 at 4 p.m.*
- Thursday, Jan. 1 at 9 a.m. through Sunday, Jan. 4 at 4 p.m.*
- Beach Drive between Knowles Avenue and Cedar Lane (2.2 miles) and
Sligo Creek Parkway between Old Carroll Avenue and Piney Branch Road will be on the normal schedule
- Saturdays at 7 a.m. through Sundays at 4 p.m.*
*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 30 minutes to complete.
Here are a few activity ideas for the holiday period:
- Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens, seasonal display (open through Jan. 4; closed Dec. 24–25, and Jan. 1)
- The Garden Railway Exhibit at Brookside Gardens, another holiday favorite (open through Jan.4; closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1)
- Celebration Station: New Year’s at Noon, Black Hill Discovery Center (Dec. 31)
Additional facilities open during the holiday period include:
- 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
- Josiah Henson Museum & Park, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday 12–4 p.m.
Holiday week operating hours by facility:
- *ALL Montgomery Parks offices, facilities, and buildings are CLOSED on Dec. 25
- Montgomery Parks Headquarters, Permits and Customer Service Offices are CLOSED on Jan. 1
Brookside Gardens Visitor Center and Conservatory
Dec. 25: Closed (Garden of Lights and Garden Railway Exhibit also CLOSED)
Jan. 1: Closed (Garden of Lights and Garden Railway Exhibit also CLOSED)
Dec. 24: CLOSED
Dec. 31: CLOSED
Jan. 1: CLOSED
Dec. 24: Closes at 3 p.m.
Dec. 31: Closes at 3 p.m.
Jan. 1: Opens at 12 p.m.
Pauline Betz Addie Tennis
Dec. 24: Closes at 3 p.m.Dec.31: Closes at 3 p.m.
Jan. 1: Open 12–7 p.m.
South Germantown Driving Range
Dec. 24: Closes at 3 p.m.*
Dec. 25: CLOSED
Dec. 31: Closes at 3 p.m.*
Jan.1: CLOSED
(*Weather permitting)
Wheaton Ice Arena
Dec. 24: Closes at 3 p.m.Dec. 31: Closes at 3 p.m.
Jan. 1: Opens at 12 p.m.
Wheaton Indoor Tennis
Dec. 24: Closes at 3 p.m.Dec. 31: Closes at 3 p.m.
Jan. 1: Open 12–7 p.m.
