Rock Creek Park. Washington, DC. December 4, 2009 - January 2, 2010, 6 to 8:30 p.m.(Closed December 24, 25 and 31). The National Zoo presents a seasonal display of thousands of sparkling animated lights, winter-themed crafts, ice sculpting demonstrations, choral groups, and storytellers. See Photos of ZooLights
Old Town Alexandria Marina and Washington Harbour. December 5, 2009. See dozens of festively decorated pleasure boats light up the sky along the Potomac River. The parade begins at Alexandria's waterfront and culminates at Washington Channel at Water St. off of Maine Avenue, Washington, DC. See Photos of the Alexandria Boat Parade
9900 Stoneybrook Dr., Kensington, Maryland. (301) 587-0144. December 4, 2009 - January 1, 2010. Dusk to 10 p.m. nightly. View more than 450,000 lights and a live outdoor Nativity scene each evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Live musical performances begin at 7 and 8 p.m. See Photos of the Mormon Temple Festival of Lights
11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland. December 4, 2009 – January 2, 2010. Closed Christmas and New Year's Day. Sunday - Thursday 6 – 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday 6 – 10 p.m. Winter Lights is a magical Christmas light display including more than 350 illuminated displays and along a 3.5-mile drive through the park. See Photos of Winter Lights at Seneca Creek
301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. November 27, 2009 - January 3, 2010. HOURS: 5-9:30 p.m. daily. $5 per car; $15 for mini-buses and limos; $25 for buses; $10 for multi-visit passes for cars and vans (good for three visits). The festival is FREE on December 25. You may bring canned food items to donate to local food banks for the holidays. Winter Festival of Lights is Prince George’s County, Maryland’s spectacular drive-through Christmas light display featuring more than a million twinkling lights. See Photos of Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park
1800 Glenallen Avenue, Wheaton, Maryland. November 27, 2009 through January 3, 2010. (Closed December 24 and 25) HOURS: 5:30 to 9:00 p.m., last car admitted 8:30 p.m. $20 per car Fri-Sun, $15 Mon-Thurs. Pedestrians cannot be admitted due to safety regulations. (Visitors must drive to the entrance gate, paying at the gate, drive into the parking lot, park their car and walk through the light show display. Garden of Lights Hotline: (301) 962-1453. This illuminated outdoor winter garden walk includes a whimsical monster, an enchanting persimmon tree, a walk through kaleidoscope caterpillar, an animated flying cardinal, and swimming geese over sparkling water. See Photos of Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville, Virginia. (703) 359-4633. November 25, 2009 to January 10, 2010. Hours: Monday - Thursday & Sunday: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays & holidays: 5:30 to 10 p.m. This festive display of lights features penguins, snowmen, deer, candy canes and Santa. $15 per car. After viewing the lights you can visit the new Winter Wonderland Holiday Village that includes amusement rides, an ice skating rink, entertainment, shopping, contests, food, and more.
Symphony Woods, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Maryland. (410) 740-7570. November 23, 2009 through January 3, 2010. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 6-10 p.m., Friday, Saturday and holidays 6-11 p.m. $20 per car. Symphony of Lights is a spectacular drive-through display of more than 75 animated and stationary holiday lights. All proceeds from the Symphony of Lights benefit the services of Howard County General Hospital. See Photos of the Columbia Symphony of Lights
Annapolis Christmas Lights Boat Parade, Annapolis City Harbor (410) 267-9549. December 12, 2009, 6-8 p.m. Enjoy a parade of lights when more than 70 power and sailboats show off their holiday decorations. Free event. See Photos of the Parade of Lights
Route 50, Annapolis, Maryland. (410) 481-3161. November 21, 2009 to January 3, 2010, 5-10 p.m. An annual scenic drive through holiday lights show sponsored by the Anne Arundel Medical Center. Drive along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay and see more than 60 animated and stationary displays illuminating the roadway. $12 per car. See Photos of Lights on the Bay
