Holiday Lights and Experiences
Zoo Lights– Through December 30
Now in its 15th year, ZooLights will take thousands of visitors into a winter wonderland lit by more than half a million environmentally-friendly LED lights and illuminations. Visitors can stroll through immersive lantern displays showing rainforest, grassland, desert, ocean and polar habitats and the animals that call them home. Live musical performances, delicious treat offerings and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping make this special event a dazzling and immersive experience for families and nature aficionados. ZooLights does not feature the Zoo’s animals. All indoor animal exhibits will be closed to allow animals to get a full night’s rest. Last admittance to ZooLights is at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays-Saturdays, and 7:30 p.m. on Sundays.
Enchant– Through December 31
Enchant is an immersive experience weaving magic into its every corner, perfect for joyful seasonal celebrations. Adventure through Enchant’s newest adventure Reindeer Games, a captivating, larger-than-life light maze that is the cornerstone to the Enchant experience.
Georgetown Glow– December 1- January 7
The 9th Edition of Georgetown GLOW invites visitors to experience a new season of light through outdoor public art. GLOW runs Friday, December 1 through Sunday, January 7, featuring the following five works and artists. Artworks are lit nightly from 5 to 10 p.m.
Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights– December 2
Old Town Alexandria’s historic waterfront will shine for the 23rd Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon as dozens of brightly lit boats cruise along one mile of the Potomac River shoreline. Enjoy dockside festivities in Waterfront Park including a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company, food, activities and more.
City Ridge Tree Lighting and URBN Market– December 2 & 3
City Ridge is celebrating the holiday season by hosting fun, seasonal activities all weekend long with URBNmarket. On Saturday, the celebration will culminate in a tree lighting ceremony featuring a performance and sing-along with Children’s Chorus of Washington.
Candlelight Tour at Tudor Place– December 8, 13 & 15
Take a candlelit tour of the Historic House and discover the stories behind the Christmas gifts in the collection!
Christmas Village at Leesburg Animal Park– December 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 20, 21, 22 & 23
Photos with Santa Claus from 6:00-8:00pm, Christmas arts & crafts room, live animal encounters, holiday photos with live animals, kid’s indoor play zone and more, bonfire & marshmallow roasting, thousands of outdoor holiday lights, nativity scene, animal petting & feeding, Christmas tree & wreath sales from local farms.
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon– December 15 & 16
Kick off the holiday season with sparkling fireworks overlooking the Potomac River. Event tickets without Mansion Tours are still available.
Holidays on the Harbor– Through December 31
Whether you prefer an extravagant holiday display or a cozy experience, there are seasonal activities for every moment. Nightly tree light show, festive fireworks and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Ice!, Sanat at the Wheel and Cirque Dreams Holidaze (Dec.15-17).
National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse– Through January 1
Anyone is welcome to visit the National Christmas Tree this season! The Pathway of Peace and the National Christmas Tree are free to visit and open to the public December 2through January 1, 2023. The National Christmas Tree and the 58 smaller trees that surround the tree turn on around sunset each evening and turn off promptly at 10 pm Sunday-Thursday and 11 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Light Yards– Through January 7
Yards Park will be merry and bright with the eighth-annual return of Light Yards, an interactive light installation free to the public every night, from November 20 through January 7! This year’s installation, Swinging Bells, is a community favorite allowing guests to become a part of the artwork. The five, 13-foot tall bells play a jingle as you swing and are the perfect stop for friends and family to play and take photos!
Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens– Through January 7
Bring the family to enjoy the magical Winter Walk of lights in Vienna, Virginia. The garden is transformed into a half-mile, animated walk of lights. Put on your walking shoes and bring the family to experience a Northern Virginia festive tradition. Purchase tickets online.
Outdoor holiday display at The U.S. Botanic Gardens– Through January 1 (Closed on December 25)
The popular annual holiday display “Season’s Greenings” will feature model trains in the gated outdoor gardens, festive lights throughout the Garden, and the Conservatory will feature poinsettias, holiday decor, and D.C. landmarks made from plants. On the lawn in the gated outdoor gardens, G-gauge model trains will circulate from 10:00-5:00 daily through displays of pollinators made from plant parts. These scenes will range from oversized models of native U.S. flowers, butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds to an orchid bee pollinating a vanilla orchid flower, a chocolate midge pollinating a cacao flower, a lemur pollinating a traveler’s tree flower, and more!
Holiday Festival of Trains at B&O Railroad Museum– Through December 31 (Closed on December 24, 25 & January 1)
The Museum has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland! Hop into our Holiday Festival of Trains, packed with festive fun and merry traditions, both new and old. There will be something to do for kids from 1 to 92! Greet the season this year and begin a family tradition for many more to come.
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens– Through December 31 (Closed December 24 & 25)
The Garden of Lights display transforms Brookside Gardens into a magical winter wonderland. 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.