Holly's Tacky Christmas Lights Commercial Light Shows

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Holly's Top Five Favorites

 

Winter Lights Festival, Seneca State Park
11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, Md.

November 29, 2024 - December 31, 2024; Closed Dec. 25
Mon-Thurs: 6-9 pm - $15
Fri-Sun: 6-10pm - $25
ADVANCE TIMED-ENTRY TICKETS REQUIRED

The 3.5 mile drive through the enchanted setting of Seneca Creek State Park takes you past more than 450 illuminated displays and beautifully lit trees that light up the night. Themed areas include Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Victorian Village, the North Pole, and much more. Tune in to 97.1 WASH FM for holiday music
Check the website for special event nights.
Hotline: (301) 258-6300

 

Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, Va.

November 8, 2024 - January 5, 2025 (Incl. Holidays)
5:00-10pm
ADVANCE TIMED-ENTRY TICKETS REQUIRED $18-$23

Experience over 500,000 LED lights and displays that bring Meadowlark Botanical Gardens to life! Imagine the beauty of Meadowlark's renowned gardens transformed into a winter wonderland, including a flowing stream of softly glowing lights. Marvel at the two story animated fountain, stroll past the Gingerbread Village, and explore the beauty of nature like you've never seen it
Hungry?  Looking to Warm Up?  Stop by for LIGHT Refreshments by the Fire Pit.

I am most proud of a group of this list's display owners (#14 Collingwood, and former displays at #23 Orr and #28 Rocky Run), coming together to create a new walk-thru commercial Christmas light display in Vienna Virginia.
Collingwood Bill continues to create pieces each year since it's opening.

 

The Garden of Lights - Brookside Gardens, 
1800 Glenallan Ave,Wheaton, Maryland

November 22, 2024 - January 5, 2025 (Closed Nov 25-28, Dec 24-25. Jan 1)
Sun-Thurs 5:30 to 9:00pm; Fri-Sat 5:30 to 10pm
Timed Entry Tickets available online - $10/person (3yo and up)
No entry for pedestrian

An Illuminated Outdoor Winter Garden Walk - Bringing the four seasons to life with more than 700,000 colorful lights shaped in imaginative displays of giant summer sunflowers, falling autumn leaves, winter snowflakes, spring flowers, rain showers, and more Train Exhibit in Conservatory; Nightly musical performances.
Winter Display Hotline: (301) 962-1400

 

Winterfest of Lights - Ocean City, Md.
Northside Park 125th Street Bayside

November 21, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Wednesday to Sunday to 5:30-9:30pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
$6 for 12+ years old; Free under 11

A half Mile Walk around a Decorated, Paved Path with Surprises along the way.
Visit the NSP Community Room to visit Santa and the Gift Shop and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.
Subject to closure for inclement weather.
Info: 410-250-0125

Winter Festival of Lights - Watkins Regional Park
301Watkins Park Dr, Upper Marlboro, Md.

November 2024 - January 2025 (organizers are yet to announce the specific dates)
5:00-10:00pm, Free Dec 25
$15 per car (Advanced online ticketing $10)
Please bring canned goods/non-perishable items for donation to local food banks.

Winter Festival of Lights is Prince George's County, Maryland's spectacular drive-through Christmas light display featuring more than a million twinkling lights. Info: 301-699-2255

 

More Large Light Shows

 

ZooLights at the National Zoo
Rock Creek Park, Washington D.C.

3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.
November 22, 2024 - January 4, 2025 (Limited days - Check website)
Th/F/Sa/M 5:00-9:00pm; Su 5:00-8:00pm
Zoolights is $6 per person and Parking is $30

Best to use METRO (Closest: Red Line - Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan and Cleveland Park)

More than 500,000 environmentally friendly LED lights transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland! ZooLights includes live music performances, tasty winter treats and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping.
ZooLights does not feature the Zoo's animals. All indoor animal exhibits will be closed to allow animals to get a full nigh's rest.
Some ZooLights attractions are weather permitting and may not be open when temperatures are 35 degrees or below.
Contact: 202-633-3045

Bull Run Festival of Lights - Bull Run Regional Park
7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, Va.

November 15, 2024 - January 5, 2025
$40 per car, Purchase Online $30 ($5-10 off with promo code based on date)
5:30-9:30 pm

2.5-mile drive-through holiday light show with more than 40,000 animated lights set to music at Bull Run Regional Park
featuring penguins, snowmen, candy canes,  jumping deer, Santa's workshop, Frosty the Snowman, tin soldiers, elves and Santa.
Afterwards, visit the Winter Wonderland Holiday Village that includes amusement rides, an ice skating rink, entertainment, shopping, contests, food, and more.
Contact: 703-631-0550
Santa's Enchanted Lights (next to Holiday Village) were created by former display owner #23 Orr.

Symphony of Lights - Merriweather Post Pavilion
10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD

November 28, 2024 - January 4, 2025
(Closed Dec 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 12, 31)
6-10pm Weekdays, 5-10pm Weekends.
$25 per car

The drive through entrance is at the intersection of Broken Land Pkwy and Hickory Ridge Rd.
Experience the display of light creations, illuminated by a fantasy of color, design and animation.
Since 2016, drive through visitors will enjoy a new laser light show and 3-D holiday video!
All proceeds from the Symphony of Lights benefit the services of Howard County General Hospital.
Also features 5 Walk Thru evenings. (check their website for dates/prices)

Festival of Lights at the Mormon Temple
9900 Stoneybrook Dr , Kensington, Md.

December 5, 2024 - January 1, 2025
4:45 to 9pm nightly
FREE...

The Festival of Lights features over 400,000 Christmas lights, Nativity créches and Christmas tree decorations from around the world, and daily holiday performances. Tickets will NOT be issued this year. Entrance and parking are free.
For info: (301) 587-0144 or Visit their Facebook Page

Lights on the Bay, Sandy Point State Park
1100 East College Parkway, Annapolis, Md.
Exit 32 off U.S. Route 50 near the Bay Bridge

November 24, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Hours: 5-10 pm daily
$20 per car
Several area businesses and publications offer discount coupons, valid Mon-Thurs, except holidays. Crowded on Weekends.

Drive along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay and see more more than 60 illuminated and animated displays with an Eastern shore flavor, illuminating the roadway. Sponsored by SPCA of Anne Arundel County.
Hotline: (410) 268-4388

Christmas Pageant of Peace on the Ellipse
(south of the White House), Washington, DC.

December 5, 2024 - January 1, 2025 (2024 dates not confirmed)
Sun-Thurs: Dusk-10pm; Fri-Sat: Dusk-11pm
FREE...

The National Christmas Tree and the Pathway of Peace is illuminated each evening
The walkway surrounding the National Christmas Tree features 58 state and territory trees decorated
with hand made ornaments that are unique to each tree.
Seasonal displays include Santa's workshop, a Yule log, a large-scale model train and a Christmas manger.
President's Park Hotline - (202) 208-1631

The Miracle on 34th Street, Hampden neighborhood, Baltimore, Md.

720 West 34th Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21211
November 30, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Hours: 6-10:00pm  (Lit all night Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve!)
FREE...

Lights up yearly at 6pm on the Saturday after Thankgiving through New Years day.
You stroll down Chestnut Avenue, and take a left on 34th Street, and suddenly evening turns to almost day.
The houses are lit, and the street is bustling with people. Maybe it's tacky, but you have to admire the spirit of the folks on 34th Street, who have been doing this for years.
Everyone should see this at least once. Favorites include the Christmas tree made of hubcaps, and the sleigh pulled by eight crabs, all carrying tins of Old Bay.
Oh, did I mention, all the homes are townhomes?...

Winter Festival of Lights At Oglebays
465 Lodge Dr, Wheeling, W.V.

November 7, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Dusk - Midnight (Best days/hours: Mon-Web 5-6pm)
$30 per car

Since 1985 The Oglebay Resort and Wheeling Park Commission
put on one of the largest holiday light displays in the country in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Show covers more than 300 acres over a 6 mile self-guided drive throughout the Oglebay resort.

Annmarie Garden In Lights at Solomons
13480 Dowell Road, Dowell, MD 20629

November 29,  2024 - January 1, 2025
5pm - 8pm (or 9 pm)
ADVANCE TIMED-ENTRY TICKETS REQUIRED $15
$17 at gate, when Not sold out - Under 2 and Annmarie Members Free

Annmarie Garden In Lights is a magical tour that takes visitors on a beautiful trip through the glittering woods.  As you stroll the protected path, you will be transported to a fantastical place of spectacular lights and amazing "light sculptures."  Guests will be surrounded by mythical beasts, wild animals, airplanes, pirates, princesses, circus performers, dinosaurs, and more.  Because all the "light sculptures" are made at Annmarie, the designs are one-of-a-kind; nothing in this show is commercially available.  It is all made just for visitors to Annmarie Garden In Lights! Enjoy the "Holiday I Spy Game," nightly entertainment, special discount nights, sweet treats, and other fun activities.
Hotline -410-326-4640 or info@annmariegarden.org

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