Tis the season for holiday parties, hot chocolate, gift giving and beautiful holiday displays! Washington DC is home to some of the most beautiful Christmas light displays in the country and it’s not far from many other spectacular shows in Maryland and Virginia. Keep a few nights open in your holiday calendar this year and be sure to see one of these 14 best Christmas lights near Washington DC!

1. ZooLights at the National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Flickr/Victoria Pickering
ZooLights is a holiday tradition in the district. There are more than 500,000 environmentally friendly LED light displays transforming the gorgeous zoo into a winter wonderland. ZooLights is open from November 25 to December 30 and is closed December 24th and 25th.

3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
2. Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
105 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
Facebook/Alexandria DC Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Dozens of lighted boats light up the Potomac River every year. Every year the displays get bigger and brighter as the participants try to impress the panel of judges for a coveted prize. This year’s parade will take place December 3rd at 5:30pm and is free to the public.

105 N. Union Street Alexandria VA
3. Festival of Lights at the Mormon Temple
Flickr/Victoria Pickering
Festival of Lights features 650,000 lights, lighting up the beautiful Temple and surrounding grounds. There are nightly performances from various bell ensembles, choirs, orchestras and more, along with a life-sized outdoor nativity scene. The Festival runs from December 1 until January 2.

9900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington MD 20895
4. Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park
11950 Clopper Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
gaithersburgmd.gov
Winter Lights is a 3.5 mile drive through Seneca Creek Park. You will drive past 380 displays including the North Pole, Teddy Bear Land, and a Victorian Village. Winter Lights is open November 25 through December 31st. Prices range from $15-$25 for cars, SUVs and vans but increase for limos, buses and mini-buses.

11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg MD 20878
5. Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park
301 Watkins Park Dr, Kettering, MD 20774, USA
Facebook/Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation
Celebrating for over 30 years, the Festival of Lights is a drive through spectacular. Visitors will enjoy lighted displays made of more than one million twinkling lights and one of the tallest trees in the state. Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park is open November 25th to January 1st. It’s $10 online, $15 at the gate for a car or van.

301 Watkins Park Dr, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
6. Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
1800 Glenallan Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902, USA
Flickr/bettinche
Stroll through beautiful Brookside Gardens this winter and enjoy dazzling light displays featuring flowers, animals, snowflakes, and much more. You can warm up in the Visitors Center with hot cocoa while listening to the evening’s musical performances. The Garden of Lights is open November 18-January 1 and is $10 per person.

1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton MD 20902
7. Symphony of Lights in Columbia
10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
Merriweather Symphony of Lights/Facebook
This family oriented event in Maryland benefits Howard County General Hospital. It features over 100 animated light displays including a laser light show and 3-D holiday video projected 50 feet high at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Symphony of Lights is open November 24-January 1st and costs $20 per vehicle.

10475 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, Maryland
8. Eastport Yacht Club Parade of Lights
317 First St, Annapolis, MD 21403, USA
Facebook/Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade
Nominated as one of USA Today’s Best Holiday Parades, the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade is an Annapolis tradition. On December 10th, a parade of lighted boats lights up the waterfront in this fun community event.

317 First St Annapolis, MD 21403
9. Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park
1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409, USA
Facebook/Lights on the Bay
This two mile scenic drive along the Chesapeake Bay is a favorite tradition in Maryland. There are 70 lighted displays including a Colonial village inspired by historic Annapolis, North Pole Village, and Enchanted Fairy Tales. Lights on the Bay is open November 20 until January 1 from 5pm-10pm. Admission is $20 per vehicle.

1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409
10. Bull Run Festival of Lights
7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121, USA
Facebook/Bull Run Festival of Lights
Enjoy 2.5 miles of holiday light displays from the comfort of your car. Once your ride is over, you can enjoy the charm of the holiday village where there are rides, refreshments, and photos with Santa. The Bull Run Festival of Lights is open from November 11-January 8th from 5:30-9:30 during the week and 5:30-10:0pm on the weekend. The cost of admission is between $30-$40 for cars or vans but prices increase for mini-buses and buses.

7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121
11. Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Gardens
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 22182, USA
Facebook/Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens transforms into a magical Winter Walk of Lights every year. Featuring a Holiday Nature Walk, the Fountain of Lights, and much more, it is one of the most gorgeous displays in the area. You can end your evening by roasting marshmallows and sipping hot chocolate. The Winter Walk of Lights is from November 11-January 8 from 5:30-10:00pm.

9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 22182
12. The National Christmas Tree
17th Street Northwest, 17th St NW, Washington, DC, USA
Flickr/Kevin Harber
Every year since 1923, a large evergreen located near the White House has been decorated as a beautiful Christmas tree. The tree is often surrounded by smaller state trees and visitors can visit Santa Claus during their visit. The tree lighting will take place December 11 and visitors can visit the tree through Christmas.

15 and 17 Street NW, Washington, DC 20500
13. Annmarie Garden in Lights
13480 Dowell Rd, Dowell, MD 20629, USA
Facebook/Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center
Stroll through the glittering woods at Annmarie Garden in Lights. Visitors are delighted by lighted mythical creatures, dinosaurs, pirates, princesses, and other one-of-a-kind displays. The garden is open November 25-January 1st from 5pm-9pm. Admission is $15.00/per person.

13480 Dowell Rd, Dowell, MD 20629
14. Miracle on 34th Street in Hampden
720 W 34th St, Baltimore, MD 21211, USA
Flickr/Beau Considine
While Baltimore is a bit farther outside of DC, Miracle on 34th Street is not to be missed. Known as "Christmas Street", this one block of homes in Hamden becomes a lighted display of holiday magic every year. The miracle begins November 26th.

720 West 34th Street, Baltimore MD 21211

The holiday spirit in Washington DC is truly contagious and it’s just one of the many reasons the district is an amazing place to call home.

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What are the best holiday markets in Washington DC?

There are quite a few holiday markets to choose from! Any time there's a Christkindlmarkt, you know you're in for a holiday treat, and this one is no different. It takes place each year at the Heurich House Museum and is full of wonderful crafts. The Swedish Christmas bazaar brings some Netherlands Christmas cheer with Swedish Christmas carols, artisan crafts, and a lovely Santa Lucia Procession. For some German culture, check out the Kris Kringle Christmas Market where you’ll find crafts, food, and drink to delight the whole family.

What are the best holiday attractions in Washington DC?

Washington DC has a lot to offer for festive holiday cheer.  The Gaylord Hotel hosts its Gaylord National Harbor ICE event with multicolored ice sculptures, ice slides, and everything else that is Christmas done up in ice. The North Pole Lights Walk is a magical experience where you can walk through an enchanted garden illuminated with Christmas lights and North Pole scenes that will delight all ages. Of course, the National Christmas Tree is a must see! President’s Park contains this majestic tree that is itself surrounded by other trees that represent various States, all lit up gorgeously.

What are the best holiday events in Washington DC?

You’ll find no shortage of festive fun here! There are Christmas concerts like the annual Joy of Christmas show by National Cathedral and the Washington Chorus which sings at the Kennedy Center. Union Station has its Holiday Train Display with electric trains cruising through intricately detailed holiday landscapes. Join in with locals and go ice skating at the Washington Harbor Rink or the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. There’s something in Washington DC for everyone during the holiday season. Come visit today!

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