WASHINGTON — It's time to get in the holiday spirit.
Across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, there are dozens of shimmering lights on display now through the new year.
WUSA9 has compiled a list of need-to-see holiday light displays below so no need to get your tinsle in a tangle.
By visiting one of the attractions on our list, you'll have the whole family saying you sleighed it.
DC:
- In lieu of another big gust of wind knocking the tree over, the lighting ceremony is set to take place Thursday, Nov. 30. It will air on CBS Thursday, Dec. 15.
- It will remain on display from Dec. 2 through Jan. 1, 2024 on the Ellipse for guests all over the world to see.
- Lights will turn on at sunset each evening and off at 10 p.m. Sunday - Thursday and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
- Free to see.
Enchant DC at the Nationals Stadium
- Get ready to see the Nats Stadium transformed into a winter wonderland featuring an illuminated ice skating trail, play place for the little ones, Santa, magical maze, and more.
- Enchant DC is open Nov. 24 until Dec. 31.
- Tickets start at $34 per adult and $24 per child (military ticket $32.40).
- GEICO Garage has parking next to it, you can add on parking during checkout.
- The Metro Station closest is Navy Yard-Ballpark.
- It is wheelchair and stroller friendly.
Experience The District's Dazzle on 14 Main Streets in DC
- Eat, drink and shop local as DC Holiday Lights returns, stretching all the way from U Street to Logan Circle to Mount Pleasant and Columbia Heights, from Nov. 17 until Jan. 7, 2024.
- Don't forget to cast your vote for the best decorated corridor.
- Free to attend.
ZooLights at the National Zoo
- The lights will stay on from now until Dec. 30.
- Guests can expect live music, thousands of twinkling lights, holiday treats, and more.
- Reminder there is now a $6 admission per person.
- Parking costs $30 per car, and often sells out, so book ahead if you don't plan on traveling by Metro.
- Although fully accessible by wheelchair and stroller, the zoo can get steep as there is a large hill.
US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display
- The beloved train and landmark display is up now until Jan. 1, 2024.
- From the gated outdoor gardens, with model trains running from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. (weather permitting), to the indoor Conservatory, open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., there is something for everyone.
- For the night owls, the Trains and Conservatory will stay open until 8 p.m. on three select Thursdays through December: 14, 21, 28.
- Free and no passes required.
- Pro tip: Parking can be difficult since the garden is on U.S. Capitol Grounds but nearby street parking is possible closer to the American Indian Museum.
- The closest Metro stop is either Federal Center SW and Capitol South.
- The gardens are wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly.
- Get ready to celebrate Chanukah (It begins 11 days earlier this year on Dec. 7).
- The National Menorah to host the lighting ceremony, with the Menorah to be lit each day of the holiday until Dec. 15.
- It will be broadcast live online from where the National Chanukah Menorah sits on the Ellipse.
- Free to attend.
- Federal Triangle Metro Station is the closet stop.
- While this is not a full lights display, the market is full of holiday cheer and there are stars and JOY lit up right outside the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery you can take photos next too.
- Open Nov. 17 through Dec. 23 (Monday, Dec. 4).
- Chinatown Galleria is the closet Metro (one block away).
- Free to attend.
- It is wheelchair and stroller friendly.
- The 9th edition of the Georgetown Glow will be held from Dec. 1 through Jan. 1, 2024, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly.
- The free outdoor light art experience draws visitors from all over.
- From our experience, the best place to park is at Georgetown Park parking garage. Entrances are located at Potomac Street and Wisconsin Avenue.
- Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station is the closet.
- The largest Christmas tree in D.C. will be on display from Nov. 25 until the end of December.
- Each night the tree will be lit.
- Free to check out.
- There is a parking garage underneath CityCenterDC at 920 I Street, NW.
- Metro Center is the closest station.
- The whimsical walk-through display features over 1,000 Chinese lanterns.
- Open Nov. 24 through Feb. 18, 2024, Fridays-Sundays at various timed sessions from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
- All ages welcome.
- Tickets are $26 per adult and $18 for ages 4 -13.
Virginia:
- Take a stroll through the botanical gardens decorated with lighted trees and displays featuring nature and holiday themes from Nov. 10 until Jan. 7, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.
- There is a greenhouse on-site to buy hot chocolate and s'mores materials from.
- Wheelchair and stroller accessible, with a paved path,.
- On off-peak nights (Nov. 10-Dec. 7, tickets are $18 online, $22 per person at the door.
- On prime nights (Dec. 8-Jan.7, 2024), tickets prices remain the same with one exception, no tickets will be sold at the door.
- Free parking lot.
- George Washington's home in Mount Vernon is lighting up for the holidays.
- Mount Vernon By Candlelight: Take a candlelit tour of the historic estate Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 17.
- Christmas Illuminations: On Dec. 15-16, enjoy winter lights and fireworks over the Potomac River.
- Tickets range from $28 to $60 per person.
- Free parking lots.
- Not only will holiday lights be on display, but there is an outdoor ice rink to skate on at this Alexandria water park from Nov. 17 until Jan. 1, 2024.
- Tickets may be purchased online or at the door, starting at $8 for general admission and $20 with ice skating included.
- Open 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.
- Parking lot on-site.
- Wheelchair and stroller friendly.
- The town will be lit up nightly through the holidays.
- There is $5 garage parking in Old Town on Saturdays and Sundays, and after 5 p.m. on weekdays at the Courthouse Square Garage, 111 S. Pitt Street, and the Market Square Garage, 108 N. Fairfax Street.
- This drive-thru lights display is 30 miles from downtown D.C.
- Located in Centreville, the drive-thru is total of 2.5 miles in distance.
- Guests are asked to just "turn off your headlights and just follow the magical glow."
- Open Nov. 10 through Jan. 7, 2024, Monday through Thursday nights from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.
- Costs are $30 per car online, $40 at the door.
- Use promo code lights23 to save $5 on November 20-22, 27-30, 2023 and December 4-7, 11-14, 2023.
Maryland:
- The garden of lights covering 50 acres in Wheaton will be on display from Nov. 17 though Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 24-25).
- Tickets are $10 per person ages 5 and older, online only.
- Free parking lot.
- Not entirely wheelchair and or stroller friendly. Some parts inaccessible.
ICE! at the Gaylord National Hotel (Ft. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer)
- Carved from over two million pounds of ice, Rudolph sits as a center piece to this holiday lights display.
- There is a free atrium show nightly plus more holiday events including ICE! Featuring Rudolph.
- Ice tubing, reindeer games scavenger hunt, gingerbread decorating corner, ice skating, and snowball build and blast are just some of the activities available.
- Open Nov. 19 through Dec. 31
- Paid garage parking on-site.
- Wheelchair accessible.
- Stroll the waterfront shops while taking in the magic of Christmas with a short light show featuring a 60-foot tree with over two million lights.
- The tree is located by the Ferris Wheel on Waterfront Street.
- On Saturday nights, from Nov. 11 until Dec. 30 at 5:30 p.m., there will be a free fireworks show followed by the tree lighting show.
- Free.
- Wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly.
- Check out uniquely designed lighted sailboats on display in Frederick from Nov. 18 through the end of March.
- Carroll Creek Garage is closet parking and is free sometimes.
- Free.
- Wheelchair accessible.
- The drive-thru light display in Gaithersburg features more than 450 illuminated displays and lit trees.
- Tickets much be purchased in advance.
- Costs are $15 per car Monday-Thursday, $25 per car Friday-Saturday, and $30 per 15+ passenger vehicles.
- Open Nov. 24 through Dec. 31 (closed on Christmas Day).
