The City of Gaithersburg’s Winter Lights Festival is getting ready to welcome visitors for another spectacular season. The wondrous display of lights at Seneca Creek State Park will be open nightly November 24 through December 31. The festival is closed on December 25. The 3.5 mile drive through the enchanted setting of Seneca Creek State Park takes you past more than 450 illuminated displays and beautifully lit trees that light up the night. The park is located at 11950 Clopper Road, conveniently accessible from I-270. Tickets now available (link below).

To ensure a positive and safe experience for all attendees, staff and event-site neighbors the following policies are in place:


People of all abilities are invited to participate in the popular hobby, October 15-22, 2023 

 Montgomery Parks is calling all experienced and novice birders to participate in its Birdability Week events October 15-21. This is the fourth annual Birdability Week, a national event designed to celebrate the beauty of birds and promote the accessibility of the hobby for everyone, including those with disabilities and or health concerns.


The curtain is rising on fall theater productions throughout the school system, at middle and high schools. Plan now to see these great performances, which run into early 2023. From “Shrek” and “Mamma Mia” to “Radium Girls” and “Lavender,” an original work by a 2023 Albert Einstein High School graduate, there’s something for everyone. Full list below, courtesy of MCPS:

Middle Schools


On Sunday, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich released a statement following the Hamas attacks on Israel that left over 1,000 Israelis dead. The area’s Jewish communities are coming together to show support for Israel. The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) is hosting a vigil of Jewish Unity & Solidarity with Israel that is being held on Thursday, October 12 at 7:30pm at the Congregation Har Shalom (11510 Falls Rd) in Potomac.

The vigil is being held in partnership with Montgomery County and DC area Synagogues, as well as CESJDS, Jewish Studio Project, Ramah DC Day Camp, Americans for Ben-Gurion University, Haberman Institute, ADL, AJC, FIDF, JCRC and JFGW. Babysitting will be available to children 5- 11 years old beginning at 7:15PM – registration is required on the event page.


Tickets go on sale today for The Garden of Lights display that transforms Brookside Gardens into a magical winter wonderland. The display allows for guests to stroll through the one-half mile, outdoor, walk-through exhibit and enjoy the twinkling lights and glimmering one-of-a-kind displays adorning the flowerbeds and grounds throughout the 50-acre horticultural gem in Wheaton.

Garden of Lights runs from Friday, November 17, 2023, to Sunday, December 31, 2023. It will be open daily, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  Garden of Lights will be closed November 20 to 23 and December 24 to 25. Event information:


Who’s ready to savor, sip and celebrate 🎉🍔 Join us THIS Sunday, October 15 for Rio’s first annual Taste of rio, a foodie extravaganza from 2 – 6 pm, with The MoCoShow’s own Mr. MoCo emceeing part of the event. “Indulge in yummy bites from your favorite rio restaurants, groove to live music, and sip on craft cocktails by the lakeside—it’s a feast you won’t want to miss!” Participating merchants:

SOLD OUT: Taste of Rio VIP Exclusive Experience – limited availability!


Washington, D.C.’s beloved Smithsonian’s National Zoo holiday tradition is back and brighter than ever as Zoo Lights returns this holiday season. A change this year will be that ZooLights will have a ticket price of $6 per individual. Each attendee, including children over the age of 2, will need a ticket. Parking is available for pre-purchase online at $30 per vehicle.

Paid tickets are a change from past years when this special event was free to attend. Per the Smithsonian, the ticket fee will offset the significant increase in costs associated with running this event. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit animal care and conservation science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.


The Kensington Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting its family-friendly open house on Sunday, October 8th at 10620 Connecticut Ave from 11am-3pm. The event will offer experiences for the entire family, including firefighter and EMS demonstrations, a DJ with music, clowns, temporary tattoos, balloon animals, gift basket raffle, blood pressure checks, fire prevention, fire hose station, fire safety bounce house, station tours, apparatus showcase, and more. Additional information in the flyer below.

Brief History of the KVFD: On October 26, 1899 a large fire was discovered around 6:00 AM. The bell at St. Paul’s M. E. Church was vigorously rung to alert the town citizens to the disaster. There was little that could be done however, and the fire destroyed the Montgomery Press office and the Town Hall. Realizing that the town needed protection from fire, the citizens met that night at the town library. Mr. Leslie W. Maxson was elected chief of the Kensington Fire Company and was instructed to organize a fire company immediately.


Sunday, October 8 is the City of Gaithersburg Government Annual Oktoberfest celebration. The festivities will be occurring by the Arts Barn, Kentlands Mansion, and Kentlands Village Green, along Main Street and Inspiration Lane. Starting at 6 a.m. the following streets will be closed and will re-open at approximately 9 p.m.:

More on Oktoberfest can be found here.


Join Montgomery Parks for some not-too-scary Halloween fun this October! From Halloween Eye Spy miniature train rides to Frankenskate roller skate Halloween party, we’re pumpkin spicing things up for Howl-oween. Halloween-themed events in Montgomery Parks include: 

Halloween Eye Spy Trains | Saturdays and Sundays during October, starting October 7 | 10 a.m.‒ 6 p.m.: Cabin John Miniature Train, 7410 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda &Wheaton Miniature Train and Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel, 2002 Shorefield Road, Wheaton. Tickets on sale now! Ride through “Trainsylvania” with your Eye Spy card to look for seasonal objects along the tracks during the ride. Purchase tickets for Cabin John train. Purchase tickets for Wheaton train. A small number of tickets will be available for purchase onsite, but ride times will not be guaranteed. $6.


Pike & Rose is hosting a Trick or Treat event that will allow children dressed in costumes to make their way around the shops and restaurants for treats from the businesses on Sunday, October 29th from 10am-12pm. Tickets are required per child (not adult), for $5 each, with all proceeds going directly to Manna Food Center. More per the event listing below:

“Explore the neighborhood shops and collect delightful surprises and treats. Encounter captivating costume characters that will leave you enchanted. Show off your best Halloween costume and join in the fun. Enjoy a variety of kids’ activities and entertainment. Pose for photos next to festive Halloween decorations.Your ticket benefits a great cause!”


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