Must-See Holiday Lights and Things to Do in DC, Maryland, Virginia

Bask in the holiday spirit right into the New Year. Below are all the festive light displays and holiday events you’ll need this season in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

Washington, D.C.

Light Yards
Through Jan. 1, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
301 Water St. SE, Washington, D.C.

This free light installation in Navy Yard features 22-foot-tall light trees and a field filled with interactive circles of light that react as you step on them.  

Pathway of Peace at the White House
Through Jan. 1, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
White House Ellipse

The Pathway of Peace will once again open on the White House Ellipse with over “50 state and territory trees decorated with ornaments designed by students that are unique to each tree.” The pathway leads to the National Christmas Tree, where the lights turn on each night at sunset. 

Maxwell Park Navy Yard
Through Jan. 1 
1346 4th St. SE, Washington, D.C.

Popular wine bar Maxwell Park is featuring going all out on the Christmas theme this year, complete with ornaments, wreaths and candy cane huts. Seats at the pop-up, designed by the woman behind Baltimore's Miracle on Seventh Street, are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Reservations are required for the candy cane greenhouses outside. 

Holidays at the U.S. Botanic Garden
Through Jan. 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
100 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, D.C.

Get your fill of holiday greenery with colorful poinsettias, winterberries and an outdoor train display that runs through a variety of agricultural scenes from around the world. The garden is free to visit, but note that indoor spaces and restrooms are currently closed.

Enchant Christmas at Nationals Park
Through Jan. 2 
1500 South Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C.

For the first time since 2019, massive light maze and village Enchant Christmas will return to Nationals Park. Say "hi" to Santa or don some ice skates to tour the unique light display. Tickets start at $29. 

The Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
Through March 6
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday to Saturday
7th St and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

Spend a few hours ice skating by the National Portrait Gallery. Prices vary by age and rental options.

Maryland

I Love Christmas Movies™ 
Through Dec. 31, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Maryland

Walk through recreations of scenes from iconic Christmas movies at Gaylord National. Tickets start at $33. Other holiday festivities at the hotel include ice skating, ice tubing and ice bumper cars. 

Miracle on 34th Street in Baltimore
Through Dec. 31
726 West 34th St., Baltimore, Maryland 

Marvel at the neighborhood that works together every year to cover the area in unrivaled holiday decorations to pay homage to the classic holiday film.

Zoo Lights at the Maryland Zoo
Through Jan. 2, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
One Safari Place, Baltimore, Maryland

Since the District’s National Zoo canceled holiday lights this year, head to Baltimore to experience over 100,000 lights arranged in festive displays. Ticket prices vary by activity. 

Winter Festival of Lights
Through Jan. 2
Watkins Regional Park (enter along Route 202/Largo Road), Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Cruise through three miles of dazzling lights at the Winter Festival of Lights in Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro. Admission is $8 per car if bought online or $10 at the gate. Face coverings are required you're interacting with personnel.

Symphony of Lights
Through Jan. 2; times vary
10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Maryland

Drive through a classic light display synced to music on your radio, or walk through the display on special occasions. Tickets are $20 for drive-through nights and vary for walk-through nights.

Holidays at The Waterfront National Harbor
Dates and times vary
National Harbor, Maryland

Stop by a pop-up gingerbread bar, enjoy Saturday fireworks and watch the National Harbor’s 54-foot tree light display. 

Virginia

Winter Walk of Lights
Through Jan. 2, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, Virginia

Take a short stroll through this half-mile trail of festive lights in the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. 

Bull Run Festival of Lights
Through Jan. 2, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
5400 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, Virginia

Drive through 2.5 miles of holiday light displays at Bull Run, then spend some time walking through their Christmas village and carnival. Tickets are $30 per car when bought online. Holiday night hours occur on Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

Holiday Road Leesburg
Through Jan. 2, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
17195 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg, Virginia

Grab some food and hot drinks before strolling through a half-mile trail of lights and holiday displays — tickets start at $29.99. 

WinterFest at Kings Dominion
Through Jan. 9, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, Virginia

Just in time for the holidays, this theme park transforms itself into a holiday experience for everyone, complete with a 300-foot tree, ice skating rink and lights galore. Tickets to Winterfest start at $32, but you can ice skate for just $15.

Holidays at Mount Vernon Estate
December
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia

Check out a variety of holiday events at George Washington’s estate, including holiday displays and fireworks, candlelit tours, musical performances and much more. Tickets vary by activity. 

Miracle on Exchange St.
Opened Nov. 29, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
20413 Exchange St., Ashburn, Virginia

This holiday pop-up bar features festive decorations and themed drinks like the Snowball Old Fashioned and the Christmaspolitan. A similar pop-up bar is open in D.C. at Death Punch Bar. 

Sippin’ Santa at Tiki Thai
Opened Nov. 29, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
12100 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 107 Reston, Virginia

Buy a round of Yule Log Grog or Kris Kringle Kolada at this tropical holiday pop-up bar. Sippin’ Santa can also be found at the Archipelago in D.C.