Are you ready to sip on some soul-warming hot chocolate and stroll through a winter wonderland? If so, mark your calendars because Winter City Lights is kicking off the festive season with a sparkling start on Friday, November 28!
Recently named the #2 Best Holiday Light Show in the country by the Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, Winter City Lights continues to delight visitors with more than one million twinkling lights, a breathtaking 52-foot Christmas tree draped with 128 cascading light strands, snow tubing, cozy fire pits, an outdoor pub area, and some of the most technologically advanced displays in the nation.
“We are thrilled to receive this honor among an outstanding field of 15 nominees from across the country,” said John Dixon, Director of Operations. “Winter City Lights is a beloved community tradition in the DMV. We thank our loyal guests, the community, and the industry experts who helped make this achievement possible.”
The festival has also been named “One of the Best Holiday Lights Displays in the DC Area” by The Washington Post and is nationally ranked by Parade and Country Living magazines.
This year, Winter City Lights is pulling out all the stops with new holiday displays that will capture your heart and ignite your holiday spirit. Can you picture a 30-foot-tall Snowman? Or a Gold Ribbon tree that lights up to guide you through an enchanted path? It’s all there, waiting to make your holidays unforgettable.
Watch a snippet of what you can expect at Winter City Lights
Thrill-seekers, rejoice! The Penguin Plunge snow tubing ride is longer and more thrilling than ever. It’s no wonder it’s the crowd’s favorite attraction at Winter City Lights.
But hey, walking through a wonderland can work up an appetite, right? Don’t worry, they’ve got us covered with mouth-watering treats. From made-to-order pizza and BBQ sandwiches to the famous Blizzard – a tower of funnel cakes, fried Oreos, and Twinkies, all topped with Cool Whip, powdered sugar, chocolate sauce, and sprinkles – your taste buds are in for a holiday party!
And the best part? This event is as kind to the environment as it is to our holiday spirits, featuring high-quality, low-energy lighting and displays crafted from recycled materials.
Ready to dive into the festive fun? Head over to www.wintercitylights.com for tickets. Located at 4501 Olney-Laytonsville Rd., Olney, MD, it’s a stone’s throw from the Capital Beltway and a short drive from Northern Virginia and Baltimore. The lights are on from November 28 to December 29, 2025. Tickets start at $20. Little ones under 3 get in for free! And don’t forget, parking is always free.
So, are you in for a magical holiday experience? Let’s make this season the brightest one yet at Winter City Lights!
