From Mount Vernon to Nationals Park, it’s a season of illuminated thrills around the nation’s capital.
Gaylord National's LIT Holiday Light Show
Bull Run Festival of Lights
Rev up the engine and drive through more than two miles of light displays. Visitors can enjoy a holiday village and carnival with rides, bonfires, hot cocoa, s’mores and holiday merchandise. Nov. 15–Jan. 5, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, Va., novaparks.com
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
The keepers of George Washington’s home know how to do it right for the holidays, including fireworks from General Washington, music and more. As far as lights, think of ambient displays throughout the grounds and mansion. Don’t miss the greenhouse and the upper garden, aglow in hues of blue and lavender. After exploring the grounds, warm up with holiday bites and beverages from the Mount Vernon Inn Food Truck. Dec. 20–22, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, mountvernon.org
Festival of Lights and Carols
The City of Fairfax does the holidays in a big way, and it all begins with its festival on Dec. 7. The day’s events include a tree lighting ceremony, caroling, hot cider, live music and smores—and don’t forget your visit with Santa. Dec. 7, 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Old Town Square, Fairfax, Va., fairfaxva.gov
Festival of Lights at DC Temple Visitors’ Center
DC Temple knows how to capture the heart of the season with 400,000 sparkling lights illuminating the temple grounds. Visitors can enjoy their crèche displays, vibrant Christmas tree decorations from around the globe and joyous holiday performances. Dec. 5–Jan. 1, 9900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, Md., dctemplevisitorscenter.org
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
If we’re keeping count (and we are), this stat is impressive: more than one million colorful LED lights are part of this display depicting animals, flowers and other natural wonders. Adventure through the outdoor, half-mile display that brings the flower beds and greeneries to life. Nov. 22–Jan. 5, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, Md., montgomeryparks.org
Gaylord National Christmas on the Potomac
This hotel’s soaring atrium brims with holiday cheer, complete with massive trees and the dazzling LIT Holiday Light Show. This year’s signature holiday attraction unveils hand-carved sculptures carved from over two million pounds of ice in “ ICE! Featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas.” From live performances to tubing down ice lanes, these holiday-themed creations are not to be missed. Nov. 15–Dec. 28, Fort Washington, Md., christmasatgaylordnational.com
Holiday Tree at The Darcy
The Darcy is getting in the holiday spirit with a custom tree designed by Instagram sensation and holiday decorator Light the Lights, with Jesse Cooper. Cooper and his team will transform The Darcy’s Park Hill holiday tree into a shiny delight with jeweled-toned ornaments by Kenzies Of London, pulling inspiration from the well-appointed guest rooms and public spaces throughout the hotel. The tree is up from Nov.18-Jan. 2, thedarcyhotel.com
Meadowlark Garden Winter Walk of Lights
This incredible garden in Vienna (not far from Wolf Trap) is offering a dazzling light display for the 13th year in a row. Visitors can sip hot holiday beverages as they walk through illuminated flowers, trees, animal sculptures and holiday scenes. Nov. 8–Jan. 5, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, novaparks.com
National Menorah Lighting at the White House Ellipse
Don’t miss the world’s largest menorah and its lighting, along with performances by military bands accompanied by Jewish celebrity artists. Attendees can enjoy latkes and doughnuts while hearing from prominent guests before celebrating the momentous lighting. Dec. 25, National Ellipse, President’s Park, nationalmenorah.org
Tree Lighting Celebration at CityCenterDC
This year’s CityCenterDC tree lighting will be one for the ages. Look forward to a 75-foot Christmas tree decked out in thousands of ornaments and lights, a live performance by award-winning artist Jordin Sparks with the American Pops Orchestra and more festive surprises. Nov. 30, New York Ave. NW & 11th St. NW, citycenterdc.com
Winter City Lights
Experience the holidays in a big way at one of the largest winter wonderlands in the country: think with 1 million twinkling lights throughout the 18 acres of land, a 52-foot Christmas tree that dances to light shows and a guaranteed snowfall every night. Visitors can also enjoy some holiday thrill at the Lumberjack Axe Toss and the eight-lane Snow Tubing Ride before indulging in holiday treats around one of the 33 bonfires. Nov. 23–Dec. 29, 4501 Olney Laytonsville Road, Olney, Md., wintercitylights.com/
ZooLights
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is turning into a winter wonderland for the 16th year in a row! Stroll along festive pathways with glowing lantern animals in immersive displays, enjoy nightly musical performances, take a spin around on the Conservation Carousel and savor delicious holiday treats. Nov. 22–Jan. 4, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, nationalzoo.si.edu
Photography by: Courtesy of Gaylord National; Albert Ting
