SPECTACULAR HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS, SHOWS & EVENTS: 2025 PLAYFUL PARENT GUIDE

With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, it’s time to start planning for the holiday. I can’t believe I’m already posting one of the most important guides of the year. It seems like just yesterday, I was writing the fall guide and posting about pumpkin patches. It is an honor, and a great joy, to provide this article during a time of year when family time is a priority. I hope that families find these resources on winter festivities, holiday happenings, and lights displays helpful. Here is my gift to the community… Happy Holidays from The Playful Parent!

SPECTULAR LIGHT AND DISPLAYS

ANNMARIE GARDENS IN LIGHTS
Date: November 28, 2025 – January 1, 2026 (Closed Dec. 24 & 25/Closed some additional evenings) Hours: 5PM-9PM/5PM-8PM Depending on the evening
Place: Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center- 13470 Dowell Rd. Solomons, MD
Price: Members must reserve tickets in advance; $5/person online, $10 at the gate/ NON-MEMBER TICKETS: Reserve tickets in advance – $18 online, $23 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.

BOTANICAL GARDENS HOLIDAY DISPLAY
Date: The Botanical Gardens are usually open November 28, 2025– January 5, 2026 (Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas) However, due to a lapse in appropriations, the U.S. Botanic Garden is currently closed and the website will not be actively managed until after funding is enacted. Be sure to check in on their page for re-opening and schedule.
Place: US Botanical Garden- Washington, DC
Price: FREE
Information: The United States Botanic Garden features an outdoor holiday display. 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 21, 2025. The exhibit is open every night through January 5, 2025 (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas)
Place: Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallen Ave. Wheaton, MD
Price: Per Person: $13.99 Sunday- Thursday/ $16.99 Friday & Saturday (Price includes $1.99 service fee)/ Ages 5 and under FREE (No ticket required)
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: The Bull Run Festival of Lights will be open November 14, 2025-January 5, 2026 (Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas)
Place: 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121
Price: Price Per Car: Tickets are $30 online or $40 at the gate (November 14-26, 2025- Save $10 off admission with promo code EARLY25. November 28- December 4, 2025- Save $5 off admission with promo code LIGHTS25.)
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 14, 2025 -January 4, 2026
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 ON THE FARM 
Date: Opens December 5- December 22, 2025 (Friday’s/Saturday’s/Sunday’s)
Place: Pop Pop’s Farm- 13340 Rock Point Rd. Newburg, MD
Price: Price Per Person $12/ Kids 3 and under FREE
Information: Pop Pop’s Farm is open this week on the following days: Monday 5-8, Tuesday 5-8, Wednesday 5-8m, Friday 3-9, Saturday 11-9, Sunday 11-8. Activities include: They have… Lighted Christmas Trail Walk,  Photo Opportunities,  Kids Arts and Crafts, Certified Letters to Santa, 150’ Lighted Slide, Christmas Store, White Pine Garland, Fraser Fir Mix Wreaths, Holly Wreaths, playground, Feed the Goats. Friday Nights Movie is the Polar Express starting at 5:30 pm. Please bring your own seating.

CHRISTMAS AT THE GAYLORD HOTEL & ICE!
Date: November 14, 2025 – January 6, 2025
Place: National Harbor
Price: $ Pricing depends on package
Information: Discover an incredible holiday getaway with ICE! featuring The Polar Express, 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.

DARNALL’S CHANCE ANNUAL GINGERBREAD DISPLAY
Date: November 28, 2025 – December 14, 2025 (Friday’s & Sunday’s 12:00PM-5:00PM)
Place: Darnall’s Chance – 14800 Governor Oden Bowie Dr. Upper Marlboro, MD
Price: $2 Per Person/ 4 and Under Free
Information: Join us at Darnall’s Chance House Museum for the 26th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Show! Marvel at the stunning gingerbread creations and cast your vote in the Viewer’s Choice Competition.

HOLIDAY TRAINS & PLANES AT COLLEGE PARK
Date: December 12-14, 2025
Location: College Park Aviation Museum in College Park, MD
Cost: $2 Children/ $5 Adults/ $4 Seniors
Information: Visit the museum during the holiday season. Kiddos are sure to enjoy train displays and fun holiday crafts.

JAMES E RICHMOND SCIENCE CENTER: SEASONAL SHOWS
Date: December 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 16, 17 & 20, 2025
Place: James E Richmond Science Center (St. Charles HS)- Piney Church Rd. Waldorf, MD
Price: Admission $8 Per Person/FREE ages 4 and under
Information: Enjoy festive film on the giant dome screen. Films include: Let It Snow, Season of Lights and The Light Before Christmas.

KRIS KRINGLE MARKET
Date: December 12-14, 2025
Place: Charles County Fair Grounds- La Plata, MD
Price: $5 Admission /Ages 10 & Under FREE (Donations benefit the SOMD Food Bank)
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 23, 2025 – January 1, 2026 -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.

MT. CHANCE CASUAL CHRISTMAS
Date: Weekends November 28, 2025- December 21, 2025
Location: 23713 Mount Chance Farm Lane Clements, MD
Cost: $20 Per Car
Information: A Casual Christmas is an event with lots of activities for the entire family! come out and enjoy UNLIMITED pony rides, Grinchmas hay rides and reindeer rides!!! Hot cocoa, s’mores, axe throwing, inflatables, Dan D’s Catering, family photos (until 2:30) and more! Christmas shop at our vendor market and see Santa!

MT. VERNON CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS
Date: December 20-21
Location: Mount Vernon Estate | Mount Vernon, VA
Cost: $29-36 Youth/ $48-57 Adult
Information: Celebrate the holiday season with an evening of festive lights and spectacular fireworks over the Potomac River. Talk to soldiers at an 18th-century winter encampment, and meet holiday guest, Aladdin the Camel.

ROLLING ACRES CHRISTMAS WEEKEND SPACTACULAR 
Date: November 28-November 30, 2025
Place: Rolling Acres Farms- 3305 St. Leonard Road Port Republic, MD
Price: Admission $5 Online/$7 Gate- Ticket Link
Information: Come enjoy the holidays lights and music. Plus snap a couple of great pictures while you’re here. Fun activities and crafts for the littles.

SOMD HOLLY JOLLY LIGHTS TRAIL
Date: Map of decorated homes posted annually
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 usually Thanksgiving weekend thru the first week of December. Be on the lookout for the website to be updated. Routes for the trail will be available starting Dec. 11th. 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 CLEMENTS CHRISTMAS DOLLS AND TRAINS EXHIBIT
Museum closed this year for renovations.

SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS 
Date: November 28, 2025- January 3, 2026
Place: Meriweather Pavilion- 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD
Price: The price is $15 per person and 3 and under Free on Walk-Thru Nights/$25 per vehicle drive-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 28, 2025- January 1, 2026
Place: Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Price: $15 Per Car Advanced Purchase/$20 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.

HOLIDAY EVENTS

This next section 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.

SPECTACULAR SHOWS & CONCERTS

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.

***Be sure to check out the Santa Sightings Article for even more holiday happenings!***

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!

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