Holiday lights are even more spectacular in Montgomery County. From the glowing pathways of Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens to the Winter Lights drive-through displays in Gaithersburg, to the sparkle of Rio’s Lakefront, and the Festival of Lights from around the world in Kensington. Attend a tree-lighting steeped in tradition set to lively music in Kentland, or join the annual tree-lighting celebration in the heart of Clarksburg. Pick your favorite or start a new holiday tradition as you explore dazzling light displays and festive experiences you won’t want to miss this season.
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens: Wheaton
With a hot chocolate in hand, make your way past the lit up worm tunnel as you take in more than one million dazzling, colorful lights shaped into hand-crafted flowers, animals, and snowflakes at the Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens. Bundle up and wander through a winter wonderland of whimsical light displays. Snap an Instagram-worthy photo in front of the illuminated Loch Ness monster, then let the kids create their own colorful light show at the interactive tap-light display near the Children’s Garden.
The walk outdoors is about 1.5 miles in length. We recommend wearing comfortable close toes shoes and dress for cooler temperatures in the evening. The wide, accessible path is good for shoes, wheelchairs, and families with strollers. After walking through the displays, stop by the Brookside Gardens Gift Shop to browse leaf-inspired necklaces, botanical-inspired stationery, and books for garden lovers that make thoughtful presents. Grab a hot chocolate, warm cider, or light hot dog bites from the food vendor.
Beginning on November 20, the Garden of Lights is open every night through January 3, 2027 (except November 25-28, December 24 & 25, and January 1) at Brookside Gardens. Tickets range from $13.99 on Sundays through Thursdays to $16.99 on Fridays and Saturdays per person. They are only available for purchase in advance; no tickets will be sold at the door. Visitors under four are free (No Ticket Required).
Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park: Gaithersburg
Hop in the car, tune into the holiday station, and take a 3.5-mile memorable drive through Gaithersburg’s Winter Lights Festival, where more than 450 illuminated displays and beautiful lit trees light up the sky at Seneca Creek State Park. Along the route, discover scenes in an enchanted woodland ranging from the fairytale and Winter Woods to Victorian Village, Mermaid Lagoon, fantasy, and the North Pole.
For an added experience, come during one of the Enchanted Evenings, themed events held before Winter Lights opens to vehicles. Roast marshmallows in the woodland during S’mores Lights, and run or walk to the Run Under The Lights 5K on November 21. Sample local beer and wine aboard an open-air trolley during the 21+ Sip & Sparkle event on November 22, or bring your furry friends for a one- to three-mile stroll beneath the lights at Walk & Wag. Afterward, snap a selfie with Santa and grab a bite from an on-site food truck.
The City of Gaithersburg’s 31st Winter Lights Festival is open every night from November 27 through December 31 (except December 25) at Seneca Creek State Park. Tickets must be purchased in advance and won’t be available at the gate or on-site during Enchanted Evenings. The price is $15 per car/van (Monday-Thursday) and $25 per car/van (Friday-Sunday), or $35 for a 15+ passenger van. Tickets are date-specific and valid only for the selected purchase date.
Light up the Lakefront at rio
Celebrate the wonderful moments of joy that are sprinkled throughout Rio in Gaithersburg during Light Up the Lakefront. Stroll along the boardwalk beneath beautiful light displays, snap photos in front of oversized ornaments, enjoy holiday tunes from the boardwalk stage, and take a nostalgic nighttime ride on the carousel. Donate children’s pajamas to charity to receive a s’mores kit to roast over the fire pit before enjoying more waterfront entertainment.
After working up an appetite walking through this winter wonderland, stop by one of rio’s many restaurants, including Copper Canyon Grill, where you can savor a scrumptious short-smoked Atlantic salmon or hickory-grilled filet paired with a specialty holiday cocktail, or grab a meal to go. New for this year, add a Sportsrock Glow Climb to your festive evening before gathering around the lakefront for the fireworks show at 7:00 PM.
Light up the Lakefront takes place on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 4:00-7:00 PM. All of Rio’s free parking garages will be open and available for the event. The carousel will be running until 6:30 PM. The event is free to attend, but we recommend getting there early to enjoy the programming that begins at 4:00 PM. You can also wait out the traffic after the fireworks by enjoying a meal along the waterfront to keep the action going at AMC or Dave & Buster’s.
Festival of Lights
Step into a glowing holiday display at Kensington’s Washington D.C. Temple Festival of Lights, where more than 500,000 lights illuminate the temple’s 52-acre grounds. Stroll beneath the twinkling trees, pause for a family photo with the sparkling temple as your backdrop, then step inside the visitors’ center to discover an international creche display featuring nativity scenes from around the world. Each evening, enjoy live performances by local musicians and talented performers, adding even more seasonal festivity to your visit.
The lights turn on each evening from 4:45 pm to 9:00 pm, and all performances are held inside at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors Center. Enjoy holiday concerts, featuring the temple choir, bell ensembles, and live orchestras held in the visitor center auditorium. While inside, check out the themed decorated Christmas trees decorated with spiritual writings and global ornaments.
Entrance and parking are free; doors open 45 minutes prior to performances. We recommend getting there early to avoid crowds.
Tree Lightings
Clarksburg Premium Outlets will host a Holiday Tree Lighting on November 21, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Make sure to take pictures at their selfie stations, get some face paint, and listen to festive music with live performances, and the tree lighting starts at 7:00 pm sharp.
Celebrate the holiday spirit by listening to live music in Gaithersburg Concert Pavilion at the 100th annual Jingle Jubilee & Tree Lighting. On December 4, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, enjoy festivities, food, and more during this free event.
Gather with family, friends, and neighbors for the Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Celebration at Westfield Montgomery, a community gathering honoring the Festival of Lights. On December 5, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, get into the spirit of the holidays with festive music, holiday traditions, and family-friendly activities.
