25 Best Places To See Christmas Lights in Maryland, DC and the Region (2023)

Symphony of Lights

These are our top picks for family friendly Christmas lights in Maryland, DC, and the region!

One of the most iconic and magical ways you can celebrate Christmas with your kids is to take them to see Christmas lights. Christmas lights in Maryland and the DC region are truly festive and spectacular. Thousand (or hundreds of thousands) of twinkling lights in creative and playful displays. Some Christmas Lights are walking tours, some are drive through tours.

There are so many places to see festive Christmas lights in Maryland, DC and the area (within easy driving distance). These are our top picks that are sure to delight kids and parents both!

Maryland

1. Brookside Gardens Garden of Lights

garden in lights

One of the best outdoor holiday lights displays in the greater DC area is at Brookside Gardens. Not only are visitors delighted by the gorgeous lights that cover most of the grounds, but there is a great train garden in the conservatory, as well as seasonal music.

The train garden did not run for a number of years due to COVID, but it’s back for 2023!

Garden of Lights | November 17- December 31, 2023 except 20-23 November and 24-25 December

Address: 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton MD 20902

Find out about advanced ticket sales here

2. Symphony of Lights

symphony of lights

The Symphony of Lights is one of the oldest and most popular drive-through Christmas lights events in Maryland. The cost is $25 per vehicle and this event donates a portion of the proceeds to HoCo General Hospital.

We love the newly refreshed course which includes light displays inside Merriweather Post Pavilion. As in, you will actually drive through the concert venue.. which is pretty fun in and of itself.

Dates for 2023: November 23-January 1, 2024.

There are also three specialty walk-through nights.

  • November 26th is Festive Families Night from 530-8pm. For $14/person (ages 3 and under are FREE).
  • December 5th is Tail Lights from 530-8pm. The cost is $12/person (no charge for the puppies!) and everyone is encouraged to dress up in costumes!
  • Lit at the Lights is December 7 and 12 from 6-10pm. Kids are welcome and you can walk through this night for $12/person. But there will also be beer and cocktail samples for adults ($45/ticket).
  • December 31st is Midnight at 7 from 530-8pm. This event is $15/person or $50 for a family 4-pack (kids 3 and under FREE). This awesome family event will have food trucks and fireworks at 7pm!

Tip: Symphony of Lights is a great location that’s centrally located, but on weekend nights and closer to Christmas, the line to get in will be VERY long. If you know you want to see these lights, I highly recommend going on a weeknight early in December.

Address: 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Maryland 21044

3. Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park

The City of Gaithersburg and Seneca Creek State Park put on a spectacular drive-through lights display every year. Winter Lights Festival is will run from November 24-December 31st. Closed on December 25th.

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.

All tickets must be purchased in advance and the price is variable based on when you go as follows:

  • Cars, SUV’s, Mini-Vans, Limos  Monday – Thursday: $15
  • Cars, SUV’s, Mini-Vans, Limos  Friday – Sunday: $25
  • 15 to 30 Passenger Vehicles: $30

4. Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park

SPCA of Anne Arundel County hosts a super fun drive-through Christmas lights display at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. The Lights On The Bay 2-mile route features over 70 displays including Annapolis-themed favorites, as well as special themed characters and scenes.

One of the things that makes this lights display unique is you can bring or purchase 3-D glasses to make the displays really come alive!

The 2023 dates are November 19-January 1, 2024.

Cost for the drive-through lights:

  • Per car $20
  • Large passenger vans, mini buses and trolleys are $30
  • Buses are $50

Lights and Leashes also returns this year on November 17th and 18th from 5-10pm each night for $20 per car. Lights and Leashes tickets can only be purchased at the gate.

Address: 1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409

5. 34th Street in Baltimore

34th street lights display

Yes, there really is a Miracle on 34th Street.. and it is that this block in Baltimore puts on a dazzling lights display every holiday season. For 2023, they will light the lights on November 24th and run though New Year. They will be on from around 530 to 10 every week night and midnight on the weekends… except Dec 24th and Dec 31st when they stay on all night.

This event is FREE! But you will have to find street parking in Hampden.

Address: 700 block of West 34th Street between Chestnut & Keswick. If you want to enter a place for your GPS, you can use Falkenhan’s Hardware.

6. Watkins Regional Park Festival of Lights

Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro doesn’t just shine with the famous Wizard of Oz Playground. Every holiday season, the Winter Festival of Lights puts on a spectacular drive-through lights display!

The Winter Festival of Lights features over one million twinkling lights, wonderful themed displays, and one of the tallest tree displays in the state. Don’t forget to make a difference this season! Please bring canned goods/non-perishable items for donation to local food banks.

The 2023 dates are November 24th to January 1st, 2024.

Cost for the Winter Festival of Lights:

  • Cars are $10 if you purchase online or $15/car at the gate
  • Vans/Sprinter vehicles up to 15 passengers $20 at the gate
  • Limos and buses are not permitted

Important note! On Christmas Day this drive-through lights experience is FREE!

Address: 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

7. Annmarie Garden in Lights

The Annmarie Sculpture Garden in Solomons, MD is one of our favorite places to visit in Maryland. So, of coure their holiday walk-through lights event is also fabulous!

The Garden in Lights is an outdoor and indoor event with the walk-through lights trail and food vendors outside, and a holiday craft market inside the main building. The light sculptures that Annmarie Sculpture Garden creates are incredibly unique and will definitely raise your level of holiday spirit!

Lights displays include wild animals, wintery wonderlands, musical holiday scenes, deep sea treasures, magical creatures, glowing trees, and so much more!  

Dates for 2023: November 24 to January 1, 2024 (closed Nov 27, 28 and Dec 4, 5, 24, 25)

Time(s): 5:00-9:00pm nightly

Admission: Advance timed-entry tickets required:

  • Non-Members:  $15 /person online; $17/person at the gate; kids 2 & under free
  • Members:  $5/person online; $7/person at the date

Address: 13470 Dowell Rd, Solomons, MD 20688

8. Jeff’s Christmas Light Show Spectacular

I LOVE this show and the fact that it is totally FREE! Jeff really just puts this show on every year to spread Christmas cheer. How awesome is that?

In 2023, the theme of Jeff’s Christmas Light Show Spectacular will be ‘Believe In Magic.’

Jeff’s Christmas Light Show is open every Friday and Saturday in December until Christmas Eve! There are special events though. December 1st and 2nd is opening night weekend with shows running every 15 minutes from 7-9pm.

On December 8th and 9th there will also be pictures with Santa. December 15th and 16th there will be pictures with the Grinch! The final weekend of the show is December 22nd and 23rd.

Address: 206 S Camp Meade Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090

9. Sailing Through the Winter Solstice by Color on the Creek

Frederick Lighted Boat

Annually, Sailing Through The Winter Solstice begins in November, when a number of boats, transformed through the creative minds of many Frederick friends, set sail on the Creek. The fleet has grown from one boat the first year to about 25 boats in 2020. 

2023-24 dates are November 18th- early March 2024.

The fleet includes gaff-rigged ketches, yawls, three-masted schooners and pirate ships, moored with their sail outlines, rigging and decks lit up from dusk till dawn. If you can’t imagine it make sure to come by and take a look at the amazing flotilla!

This is a FREE event but guests are encouraged to make a donation for a Frederick-area charity by voting on their favorite boat! These aren’t just Christmas lights in Maryland, but definitely spread holiday cheer during December and beyond!

Address: Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick, MD 21701

10. 43nd Annual Festival of Lights at the Washington DC Mormon Temple

The Festival of Lights is one of the D.C. area’s great community traditions. Beginning November 30th and running through January 1st, 2024, the Festival features free performances nightly in the comfortable, state-of-the-art theater located in the Visitors’ Center.

A different performing artist or group is showcased each night, including bell ensembles, choirs, orchestras, and more! Each performance is presented twice nightly.

The Visitors’ Center of the Washington D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m and the Festival of Lights itself runs from dusk to 9pm nightly.

Everything about this festival is FREE, including parking!

Address: 9900 Stoneybrook Dr, Kensington, MD 20895

11. Ellicott City Lights

ellicott city lights

This residence in Ellicott City, MD is amazing. Bryan Bartlett decks out his home and synchronizes the lights to an amazing soundtrack. You will oooh. You will ahhh.. you will want to dance. And you can because a lighted dance floor in part of the lights extravaganza! 

This is one of our favorite places to see Christmas lights in Maryland because it’s centrally located, FREE, and just a ton of fun!

Check the official Facebook page for updates about dates and times. However, EC Lights typically runs throughout December.

Address: 4802 Red Hill Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043

12. Winter City Lights

Winter City Lights burst onto the DMV Holiday fun scene in 2022 and it immediately became one of the best holiday lights experiences in the region. It features over 1 million lights spread over 200,000 acres.

One of their signature attractions is an incredible lights canopy show. There is a 1.5 mile lights trail with fantastic lights displays, including a 52 ft. tall Christmas tree! And, it snows every 1/2 hour!

You can add on snow tubing or axe throwing to your experience, and of course there is food available to purchase!

Winter City Lights opens November 18th and then is open most days from November 24th-December 30th. (check the calendar for specific days they are not open).

The cost is $39 for adults, $34 for ages 65+, and $31 for ages 4-12. The snowtubing pass is $25/person for unlimited snow tubing.

Address: 4501 Olney Laytonsville Rd, Olney, MD 20832

13. Christmas in the Corn at Local Homestead Products

christmas in the corn

Local Homesteads corn maze has been transformed into a winter wonderland of lights and holiday decor for Christmas in the Corn!

This year they’ve added a Christmas Village with a Candy Store, Toys from the Farm (both stuffed animals and other fun toys) AND pictures with The Grinch and Santa!! If you are looking for a more low key place to see Christmas lights in Maryland, this would be a great bet!

The Christmas in the Corn maze is a half mile through the corn led by holiday horses while riding on a musically and light filled wagon! See some of the most amazing light shows and fun farm vehicles all lit up for the holidays!

The 2023 dates are: December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30.

Cost is $10 ages 13+, $7 ages 3-12, and under 3 is FREE!

Address: 2425 Marston Rd, New Windsor, MD 21776

14. Coppermine Cascade Lights

Cascade Lights

Cascade Lights is a 1/2 mile of beautiful lights that include many tunnels, trees, and a choreographed light show. There are many Maryland features throughout the light trail.

In addition to the lights there are areas for the kids to climb, write letters to Santa, walk through a snowy winter wonderland and enjoy delicious treats! The Bus Stop has both hot chocolate and milk shakes available!

2023 Dates are every Friday-Sunday from November 24th to December 23rd plus December 20th and 21st.

Cost: Tickets are $10 online and $15 at the door. Kids 2 and under are FREE!

Address: 2844 Snydersburg Rd, Hampstead, MD 21074

15. North Harford Lights

North Harford County Lights

North Harford Lighted Walk-Through lights display is FREE and great for kids! There are great lights displays plus movies and more!

Typically the lights are open every night in December and Santa visits on Saturdays before Christmas!

Address: 4220 Federal Hill Rd, Street, MD 21154

16. Ocean City Winterfest of Lights

The 2023 Winterfest of Lights walking event will bring back the Winterfest Express tram ride with multiple “trolley” stops to assist in making your way around the 58-acre Northside Park. 

In 2023, there will also be growth in new displays, configurations, and the Winterfest Entrance Pavilion. Take a walking tour through thousands of sparkling holiday lights and many animated light displays located along paved park paths.

Sip hot chocolate, take a photo with Santa, try a family craft, and visit our gift shop. Watch for photo opportunities, including several interactive displays. Come see the 50-foot Christmas tree put on a show for you and soak up all of the holiday spirit at Winterfest of Lights.

When: November 16th to December 24th- Wednesday though Sunday. December 25th-31st everyday.
Hours: 530-930pm
Admission: $6 for ages 12 and older. FREE for kids age 11 and under

17. Lights on the Lake- Flintstone, MD

The Western Maryland Jaycees are delighted to announce the return of the Lights on the Lake fundraiser event, set to illuminate the holiday season with a dazzling display of lights and community spirit. This beloved tradition promises an even more enchanting experience this year, with expanded light displays and community offerings.

Event Highlights:

  • Spectacular holiday light displays
  • Fundraising for local scholarships and non-profit groups
  • Winter Treats & Warm Drinks at the Hawk’s Nest  (every night except Christmas Eve)
  • Affordable admission: $5 per car

Join us at Rocky Gap State Park to share in the magic of the holiday season and make a meaningful difference in the lives of local students and non-profit organizations!

When: December 1st-24th Fridays-Sundays
Hours: 6-9pm
Admission: $5 per car

18. National Harbor Nightly Tree Light Show

Watch our 56-foot tree come to life each night with a breathtaking light show in the heart of the Waterfront District. And then stick around for fireworks! The tree light show happens every night. Fireworks are Saturday nights at 530pm- November 11- December 16.

FREE HOLIDAY HOT CHOCOLATE

While you’re strolling the streets in the Waterfront District, enjoy free hot chocolate in select stores on Saturdays and Sundays from Noon – 6pm 

150 National Plaza Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Here are all the details about the holidays at National Harbor.

19. Hagerstown City Park Lighting and Drive Through Christmas Lights!

Join us for the official lighting of holiday lights and music on City Park lake from 5-8pm. Enjoy free family friendly activities and watch the lights turn on at 7pm on Friday, December 1. 

Drive through City Park and enjoy the synchronized lights and music show each evening from 5pm-11pm through December 31. Tune to 90.3 FM. 

Follow the event on Facebook for more details!

20. North Pole Lights Walk at the Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm

Take a self guided walk to the North Pole! Let the North Pole Fairy send you on your way through the garden flowers and arctic animals to the North Pole Palace. Visit Santa in the Garden Cabin. New scenes are added every year!

November 24th – December 30th
Select dates only 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Admission: $10.00/adults, $5.00/child

Washington DC

21. ZooLights DC Zoo

DC Zoolights is a fantastic event that creates light displays to illustrate the different animal habitats. A change from years past– ZooLights will cost $6/person over age 2, in addition to a flat fee of $30 to park at the zoo.

For 2023, ZooLights dates are November 24th to December 31st mostly on the weekends. Join the thousands of visitors who make ZooLights a part of their annual holiday tradition.

There will be live musical performances and other immersive attractions during ZooLights.

Address: 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

22. Enchant Christmas

Enchant DC

If there was ever a maze you would want to get lost in, this is that maze. Oh. My. Goodness. Enchant Christmas is so much fun and so magical. You will absolutely want to get lost in the world’s largest Christmas lights maze. Why? Because there are so many fun photo opportunities, ways to play, and the lights are just so gorgeous.

A visit to Enchant Christmas DC is definitely a fantastic way to get into the holiday spirit this Christmas. 

The 2023 Enchant Christmas DC theme is Reindeer Games and you will be challenged to find all the reindeer as you make your way through the lights maze. Tickets are on sale from November 24th to December 31st.

The cost of Enchant Christmas DC varies based on when you visit, but ticket prices start at $36 for adults and $27 for kids ages 3-17. Kids 2 and under are free.

Address: 1500 South Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003 (Nationals Park)

Enchant Christmas

23. White House Christmas Tree and the Pathway of Peace

The tradition of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse began with President Calvin Coolidge over 90 years ago. A 48 foot Balsam Fir from Vermont decorated with 2,500 electric bulbs in red, white, and green served as the first National Christmas Tree which was lit by President Coolidge on Christmas Eve 1923. Today the tradition continues and is one of the most beloved holiday events in Washington DC.

What to Expect The walkway surrounding the National Christmas Tree features 56 state and territory trees decorated with hand made ornaments that are unique to each tree.

The National Christmas Tree lights turn on at approximately 4:30 pm and turn off promptly at 10:00 pm.

Get all the details here!

24. Georgetown Glow

Georgetown Glow is a free Light Art Experience that runs from December 1st through January 7th in Georgetown. These lights are not so much holiday lights as a really cool lights art installation outdoors.

But it’s in December, so it counts!

This is a FREE event. Click on the link above for details about how to get there and where to park.

Northern Virginia

25. Bull Run Festival of Lights

Every year from Thanksgiving until the week after New Year’s Day, you can experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights, 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. This is a fantastic drive through lights display that takes about 20 minutes to complete.

And after the spectacular drive through lights you can stop by the Carnival and make some s’mores, ride some rides, or do some holiday shopping.

Bull Run Festival of Lights is open seven nights weekly, from November 10, 2023 to January 7, 2024.

Cost: between $30-$40/car depending on when you go.

Address: 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121

26. Meadowlark Gardens Winter Walk of Lights

meadowlark gardens

Bring your family and friends to be dazzled by the magical Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia. Every year from mid-November until just after New Year’s Day, the garden is transformed into a half-mile, walk of lights.

Every year that we go to this fantastic walk through lights display I am blown away. Fish jump out of a river, bears get honey from the beehive, and more. There are some very unique lights displays here we haven’t seen anywhere else.

After your walk through the lights, purchase a s’mores kit and enjoy a snack by the bonfire!

The 2023 Winter Walk of Lights is held every evening beginning November 10, 2023, through January 7, 2024, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s too!

Cost: $18 on line and $22 at the door.

Address: 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 22182

27. Winter Lantern Festival

lantern festival

The Winter Lantern Festival at Tysons Corner Mall features over 1000 Chinese Lanterns that are handmade by artisans. There are also interactive light installations like light swings, see-saws, tunnels, and more!

This unique holiday lights festival will run Friday-Sunday from November 24th through February 18th.

The cost is $25.99 per adult, $17.99 ages 4-13, $20.99 for either military or 65+, and you can get family passes for less cost per ticket.

Address: 8025 Galleria Dr, Tysons, VA 22102, United States, 22102-4101

Pennsylvania (worth the Drive from Maryland!)

28. Longwood Gardens, A Longwood Christmas

longwood christmas

A Longwood Christmas is one of the most beautiful and elaborate Christmas experiences in the United States. 

Everything in the gardens is decorated for Christmas. There are multiple Christmas lights tunnels. The trees are decorated, and the empty Italian Water Garden Fountains have special lights shows.

The Fountain Theatre plays special Christmas music and there is a Christmas train inside the Peirce de Pont House. But the best reason to visit during a Longwood Christmas are the exquisite decorations inside the Conservatory. Every year, the theme changes but in the 5+ years we have been the Conservatory has always been spectacular!

The 2023 theme is A Very Retro Christmas. It will run from November 17th-January 7th 2024.

Timed Admission Tickets Required (purchase early!) and costs $30 Adult, $27 for 62+ and college students, $23 for military or veterans, $16 for age 5-17, and free for kids under 4 years old.

Address: 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348

Related: A Kid Friendly Guide to Longwood Gardens!

longwood gardens

29. Koziar’s Christmas Village

Koziars Christmas Village

Last year we finally visited Koziar’s Christmas Village in Pennsylvania and I can’t begin to tell you how impressed we were! This place is straight up magical!

Here are my best tips to maximize your fun:

  • Arrive early. Like before sunset early. We arrived at about 5pm which was perfect (as the nights get longer, you could even arrive closer to 430pm). Why? Koziar’s will get super super busy. The line to get in will be very long. You will park a hike away.. but not as bad if you arrive early.
  • Not gonna lie— loads of festive merry makers. You will see a long line for something and just get in it, only to realize the line was just a gaggle. Have an adult or kid investigate if you want to be in that line. Also, the further down the path you go, the more the crowd thins out.

There is soooo much to see! Koziar’s has been doing this for over 70 years! So, they have lots of classic decorations like meticulously painted story boards of favorite holiday books and movies, window displays (like the store windows in NYC) and more! Take your time and just soak it all in!

In 2023 Koziar’s is open the first Saturday in November through Thanksgiving every Friday-Sunday. Starting Thanksgiving Day, they are open every night until January 1st, 2024.

Cost. There are standard nights and premium nights. Check the calendar to see what type of pricing you will pay.

  • Standard Pricing: 3 and under is FREE, 4-10 is $11, 65+ is $12, 11-64 is $13.
  • Prime Night Pricing: add $4 to each ticket. Ages 3 and under are still FREE.

Address: 782 Christmas Village Rd. Bernville, PA 19506

Koziar's Christmas Village

30. Christmas Magic- A Festival of Lights (York, PA)

Christmas Magic is a 0.5 mile long walking trail (accessible to anyone) that winds through 600,000 Christmas lights, holiday scenes and five enclosed heated pavilions. There are animated displays, food, a Christmas train display and more. Santa Claus is even available for visits with the kids!

In 2023, the York, PA Festival of Lights will run from November 24th to December 30th, every day except December 24th and 25th.

Timed admission tickets are only available online starting November 14th. Cost is $10 for adults, ages 6-14 $5, and 5 and under are FREE.

Timed tickets will be able to be purchased in person at John Rudy- Monday-Friday from 8:30-4:30 pm or over the phone at 717-840-7440.

Click here for more info!

31. Hersheypark Sweet Lights and Hersheypark

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Herhseypark actually has two holiday lights displays to wow you!

When the sun goes down, the real festive fun starts at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane! Starting at 5pm, every 1/2 hour over Hersheypark puts on NOEL– 4 different choreographed light shows featuring over 200,000 holiday lights. It is really fun and festive.. and a can’t miss part of the event!

The best way to end your Hersheypark Christmas Candylane experience is with a drive through Hershey’s Christmas lights display. Sweet Lights features 600 animated lights displays over a 2 mile wooded trail. 

And the drive is quite magical!

If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can actually pay to ride the Sweet Lights Trolley. This ride is pretty cute with fun sing-a-longs and free chocolate (of course). 

Likely from 11 November through 1 January

Admission Fee: $24-$36/car depending on the time you drive through

Christmas traditions are some of the most powerful bonding opportunities for your family. I know the memories I made as a kid at Christmas-time are a strong anchor for me as an adult. 

There are so many ideas though. It’s hard to keep track, isn’t it? Well, these Christmas family traditions are fantastic. Hope you like these ideas!

sweet lights

Pin for Later- The Best Christmas Lights in Maryland

christmas lights in maryland

Christmas Lights in Maryland is just the begining. Check out these Fun family Christmas Activities too!

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