The tune “It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas,” is playing in my mind as I write this years annual holiday Guide.  I can’t believe that Thanksgiving is next week. It’s that time of year when families start to get out and enjoy winter festivities. Every year the holiday season sneaks up on our family fast! I wanted to make sure this guide gets out in good timing this year so it can local families find winter festivities, holiday happenings, and lights displays. Here is my gift to the community…Happy Holidays from The Playful Parent!

SPECTACULAR HOLIDAY DISPLAYS

ANNMARIE GARDENS IN LIGHTS
Date: November 24, 2023 – January 1, 2024 (Closed Nov. 27, 28 & Dec. 4, 5, 24, 25) 5PM-9PM
Place: Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center- Solomon, MD
Price: Members must reserve tickets in advance; $5/person online, $7 at the gate/ NON-MEMBER TICKETS: reserve tickets in advance – $15 online, $17 at the gate, if not sold out
Information: Walk through the wooded path and enjoy lighted vignettes of famous people, places and works of art. Look for hidden treasures in the trees and green shamrocks in each vignette. Be sure to check out their special events calendar for train display nights, local hero free admission days and Santa Sundays.

B&O RAILROAD- HOLIDAY RIDES
Date: November 19, 2023 – December 31, 2023 (Select Dates)
Place: B&O Railroad in Baltimore, MD
Price: $ Price Depends on train excursion
Information: Nothing is more magical than a holiday train ride. Weather you take an adventure on the Polar Express or visit during the Holiday train display you are sure have a memorable time.

BOTANICAL GARDENS HOLIDAY DISPLAY
Date: November 23, 2023– January 1, 2024 *Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas*
Place: US Botanical Garden- Washington, DC
Price: FREE
Information: The United States Botanic Garden will feature an outdoor holiday display in 2021. Festive adornments, winterberries, lighted trees and shrubs, and conifers and greenery on display. Don’t miss the popular train display!

BROOKESIDE GARDENS GARDEN OF LIGHTS
Date: Garden of Lights will open on November 17, 2023. The exhibit is open every night through December 31, 2023, except November 20-23 and December 24-25, 2023.
Place: Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, Maryland
Price: $10 per person/ Ages 3 and under FREE
Information: Walk thru this beautiful display of holiday lights that features more than a million colorful lights. Following your walk among the lights, warm up inside the Conservatory and enjoy a colorful display of holiday poinsettias, flowering plants and evergreens.

BULL RUN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Date: November 10, 2023 to January 7, 2024 *Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas*
Place: 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121
Price: $30-$40 Depending on what night you go. Take advantage of the discount for purchasing online.  Use promo code early23 to save $10 on November 10-19, 2023.
Use promo code lights23 to save $5 on November 20-22, 27-30, 2023 and  December 4-7, 11-14, 2023.
Information: Every year from November until just after New Year’s Day, you can experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights, 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car; turn off your headlights and just follow the magical glow.

BUSCH GARDENS CHRISTMAS TOWN
Date: November 10, 2023 -January 7, 2024
Place: Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA
Price: Cost of Admission to park/ FREE to Season Pass Holders
Information: Christmas shines brightest at Busch Gardens Christmas Town in Williamsburg, Virginia. The world’s most beautiful theme park is aglow with over 8 million Christmas lights, making it the largest Christmas light display in North America. Enjoy kid-friendly, thrill rides, merry entertainment and dining options. Stay warm with a mug of the park’s signature peppermint fudge hot chocolate, meet Santa Claus in the North Pole and capture an unforgettable memory with a Christmas photo. Most of all, enjoy this most wonderful time of year with friends and family. CHRISTMAS TOWN PLAYFUL PARENT GUIDE

CHRISTMAS AT THE GAYLORD HOTEL & ICE!
Date: November 19, 2023 – December 31, 2024
Place: National Harbor
Price: $ Pricing depends on package
Information: Discover an incredible holiday getaway with ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™, fan-favorite activities, and live shows for all ages. Click HERE to learn more about our activities. Make unforgettable memories and enjoy exclusive privileges as an overnight resort guest. Or spend a delightful day experiencing dazzling displays, delicious treats, and festive activities.

DAKOTA’S EQUINE (FLAT IRON FARM) CHRISTMAS
Date: November 23-25/ December 1-2/December 8-9/December 15-16/ December 22-23, 2023 *Closed Christmas* 5PM-8PM
Place: 45850 Flat Iron Farm, Great Mills, MD
Price: FREE admission
Information: Lights display will be partial this year; both horse barns will be open and the local tack shop. Additional fee for photos with Santa, crafts and pony rides.

ENCHANT DC
Date: November 24, 2023 – December 31, 2023 (5PM – 9PM) *Closed Christmas*
Place: National Park – Washington, DC
Price: Admission $32 General/$24 Youth
Information: Unwrap new traditions and make memories big and small as you wind your way through a luminescent land of beautiful arches, larger-than-life sculptures and decadent delights. Welcome to Enchant. Where magical memories are made.

KINGS DOMINION- WINTER FEST
Date: November  17, 2023- December 31, 2023
Place: 16000 Theme Park Way Doswell, VA
Price: Park Admission
Information: Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Virginia’s premier holiday celebration, WinterFest! Kings Dominion transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of shimmering lights, breathtaking décor, and lavish displays. The Eiffel Tower will become a 300-foot-tall Christmas tree, and the iconic fountain on International Street will become one of the most beautiful and largest ice-skating rinks around. WinterFest is the perfect place to create holiday memories with your family with so many exclusive experiences. Sit back and enjoy one of our live shows while dining on delicious holiday treats and drinks. Take part in a selection of fun Christmas activities to get you in the holiday spirit, and be sure to check out our festive shops and artisan locations to find the perfect Christmas gift.

KRIS KRINGLE MARKET
Date: December 8-10, 2023
Place: Charles County Fair Grounds- La Plata, MD
Price: $5 Admission (Ages 10 & Under FREE)
Information: Modeled after the famous markets in Germany, this annual event at the fairgrounds offers light displays, holiday food, handmade crafts from local artists/crafters, children activities, shopping, music, and much more. Fireworks Saturday 6PM

LIGHTS ON THE BAY
Date: Opens November 19, 2023 – January 1, 2024 -Monday-Thursday 6pm – 10pm and Friday-Sunday 5pm – 10pm (nightly, including holidays)
Place: Sandy Point State Park
Price: $20 Per Car
Information: Head to Sandy Point State Park from November 24th to January 1st. Not only will you see Christmas lights, but 3D glasses are available for purchase to make your experience even more amazing.

SOMD HOLLY JOLLY LIGHTS TRAIL
Date: December 7, 2023
Place: All over Southern Maryland
Price: FREE
Information: ENJOY CHRISTMAS lights this holiday season. Register your home if you have a lights display up. Registration is Nov. 19- Dec 4, 2023. Routes for the trail will be available starting Dec. 7. The community will be able to vote for their favorite light display. You will find a map of the residential home lights displays by visiting their site  www.somdxmaslights.com

ST CLEMENETS CHRISTMAS DOLLS AND TRAINS EXHIBIT
Date: December 1, 2023– January 1, 2024 (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM) *Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas*
Place: St. Clements Island Museum, 38370 Point Breeze Road, Coltons Point, MD
Price:  $3 Adults/ $1.50 Children 6 – 18, FREE Children 5 and under.
Information: Enjoy a holiday exhibit of antique and collectible dolls, trains and toys in this festive holiday display inside the museum. This event is a fun visitor experience where you can see a very unique Christmas Exhibit in the museum setting.

SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS 
Date: November 23, 2023- January 1, 2024
Place: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD
Price: The price is $25 per vehicle, except for walk-thru nights
Information: The Symphony of Lights has been a time-honored Howard County holiday tradition enjoyed by many for over 25 years. Set in historic Merriweather Post Pavilion and made up of more than 300,000 bulbs, this family-oriented spectacular is a dazzling display of larger-than-life animated and stationary holiday light creations. With the addition of new lights (and a 150 foot screen!), your time through our refreshed course guarantees a night to remember.

WINTER FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT WATKINS REGIONAL PARK
Date: November  24, 2023- January 1, 2024
Place: Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Price: $10 Per Car Advanced Purchase/$15 Per Car On-site (Free admission November 29 & December 25 in appreciation to the residents of Prince George’s County for their year-round support of the Department of Parks and Recreation programs! Make a difference this season! Please bring canned goods for donation to local Food Banks.)
Information: Join in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Watkins Park’s Winter Festival of Lights by driving thru a spectacular holiday display of more than one million lights and one of the tallest tree displays in Maryland. Participants are encouraged to bring a canned or nonperishable good to be donated to a local food bank.

SHOWS AND SHOW CASES

Check out these spectacular shows coming to the stage this holiday season! Be sure to make reservations as tickets to some shows will sell out fast.

WINTER EVENTS

This is a list of all the holiday festivals and events I have found in our area. I will continue to add to this list and keep it updated. Some of these events are weather contingent or require advanced ticketing, so always check event sites before attending. The best way to stay up to date with planning your family fun is by using the calendar for detailed information and event links.

Thank you for following The Playful Parent. All Information in this article is my own non-biased opinion. The Playful Parent is not paid to endorses organizations. All content is property of The Playful Parent. I hope that the resources continue to help and bless your family.  From our family to yours… Happy Holidays!