Light Up the Lakefront will return to rio in Gaithersburg on Saturday, December 5, bringing an evening of holiday entertainment, family-friendly activities, and an eight-minute professional fireworks show over the lake. The free event will take place from 4pm to 7pm, with fireworks scheduled to begin at 7pm.
This year’s celebration will also feature a pajama party benefiting Comfort Cases, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and teens entering foster care. Attendees are encouraged to wear their pajamas and bring brand-new, non-holiday-themed children’s pajamas to donate. In exchange for a qualifying donation, guests will receive a free s’mores kit to roast onsite. Monetary donations will also be accepted.
Comfort Cases provides backpacks filled with personal care items and other essentials, including pajamas, to help bring comfort and dignity to children entering the foster care system.
Throughout the evening, visitors can enjoy holiday music on the Boardwalk Stage, strolling entertainment, festive photo opportunities, and family-friendly activities. The rio Carousel will offer evening rides until 6:30pm, while Sportrock will host its Glow Climb experience, with walk-ins and advance reservations available. The celebration will conclude with an eight-minute fireworks display over the lake beginning at 7pm.
Light Up the Lakefront is free to attend, and all of rio’s parking garages will be open with free parking available. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the activities and consider staying afterward for dinner, shopping, or entertainment to avoid traffic immediately following the fireworks. For safety reasons, the Lake Path and Playground will be closed during the afternoon and evening as preparations take place for the fireworks display.
