Montgomery Parks Announces Operating Hours and Programs for the Period of December 22 Through New Year’s Day

MCS Staff December 18, 2023 at 4:04pm

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.

Brookside Nature Center

December 24-26: Closed

December 31-January 2: Closed

Cabin John Ice Rink

December 24: Closes at 3 p.m.

December 25: Closed

December 31: Closes at 3 p.m.

January 1: Opens 12 p.m.

Josiah Henson Museum and Park

December 24: Open 12-4 p.m.

December 31: Open 12-4 p.m.

Locust Grove Nature Center