Visit www.OutdoorLights.com to find out more information on Northern Virginia’s premier landscape and architectural lighting company, which offers elegant custom lighting solutions that extend leisure time outdoors, showcase your home’s appearance, and add security and practical visibility.
Looking for all the best Christmas and holiday light displays in the Northern Virginia and DC Metropolitan Area this winter 2009? Below is a compilation of some of our favorite light shows and displays in the area.
- IN VIRGINIA:
If you’re looking to drive around and see residential holiday lighting displays, then check out Holly’s Tacky Christmas Lights which has a list, photos, maps, and even suggested driving routes to over-the-top Christmas lighting in Fairfax County, VA.
- Bull Run Festival of Lights
LOCATION: Bull Run Regional Park
7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA 20121.
DATES/HOURS: Open 7 days a week, from Wednesday, November 25, 2009 – Sunday, January 10, 2010.
Monday – Thursday: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Friday – Sunday & holidays*: 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. * (Holidays include Christmas Eve and New Years Even)
FEES: Monday – Thursday: $15 Cars or vans (1-14 people); $30 Van (15-34 people); $50 Bus (35 or more people).
Friday – Sunday & holidays: $20 Cars or vans (1-14 people); $30 Van (15-34 people); $55 Bus (35 or more people).
CARNIVAL FEES: Ride all you want wristbands for $15 per person; Single tickets $1; Sheet of 30 tickets for $27; Sheet of 50 tickets for $40 (Rides require 2, 3 and 4 tickets).
DESCRIPTION: Everyone’s favorite Northern Virginia holiday tradition returns with its biggest and best light show ever! For more than 11 years the Bull Run Festival of Lights at Bull Run Regional Park has drawn thousands of visitors from hundreds of miles away to Centreville, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. The Bull Run Festival of Lights and Winter Wonderland Holiday Village will be lighting up the night with its Holiday Extravaganza including a 2.5-mile drive-through light show including 80,000 LED lights, culminating at the holiday village that includes food, musical entertainment, carnival rides, vendors, ice skating, a walk through light show, Animated Christmas tree, Santa and much more!. Contact Details: Bull Run Regional Park 703-631-0550. Holiday hotline: 703-359-4633.
- Burke & Herbert Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
LOCATION: The Alexandria, VA Marina
At the foot of Cameron Street, Behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA 22314.
DATES/HOURS: Saturday, December 5, 2009, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Entertainment, refreshments & Santa at Alexandria Marina & Torpedo Factory Art Center
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Festivities on the docks at the Alexandria Waterfront (music and entertainment)
4:15 p.m. – Santa arrives by boat – pictures with Santa for Kids and Canines
5:00 p.m. – Parade starts at the Washington Channel, Water St. off of Maine Avenue, Washington, DC
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Parade at Alexandria Waterfront
FEES: Free
DESCRIPTION: Alexandria’s harbor lights up when more than 50 brightly lit sailing and powered leisure boats cruise along the Potomac River at the City’s historic waterfront. Festivities on the docks of the Alexandria Marina to include Santa arriving by the Fireboat Vigilant with pictures for kids and canines and more. For more information on related events, call (703) 746-3301 or see their list of the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights weekend events here.
IN WASHINGTON, DC:
ZooLights
LOCATION: The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008.
DATES/HOURS: December 4, 2009 – December 13, 2009 (Friday through Sunday nights): 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
December 18, 2009 – January 2, 2010 (Every night except December 24, 25, & 31): 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
FEES: FONZ members: $5; Nonmembers: $8. Kids under two are FREE.
Tickets fwill be available in late fall at the Zoo’s Visitor Center every day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Tickets purchased at the Zoo have no service fees) or by Ticketmaster.
DESCRIPTION: Don’t miss your chance to meander through the Zoo when it is covered with thousands of sparkling lights, attend special keeper talks, and enjoy live entertainment.
Not only do you get to enjoy the lights, you can also visit the animals in the following exhibits: Small Mammal House, Great Ape House, Reptile Discovery Center, Think Tank, and Kids’ Farm will be open every night.
86th Annual Lighting of the National Christmas Tree
LOCATION: Tree is located on the Ellipse, south of the White House, Washington, DC.
DATES/HOURS: Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.
DESCRIPTION: The opening ceremony for the 86th Annual Lighting of the National Christmas Tree will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. If you didn’t get tickets (there was a new online lottery to win them) you will be able to watch from home via a live webcast or on local WETA tv channel and other local channels on Friday, December 4. Presented by the National Park Service and National Park Foundation, and produced by Alex Coletti Productions, an all–star lineup of stars will perform at the 86th Anniversary of the National Christmas Tree Lighting on December 3rd. The performers will be announced here in the coming weeks.
For a history of the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree click here.
In addition to visiting the National Christmas Tree along the Christmas Pathway of Peace, be sure to check out additional attractions including Santa’s Workshop, the National Christmas Tree Railroad, Nativity Scene and Yule Log. You can visit this for free from December 4 – 31.
IN MARYLAND:
Symphony of Lights in Columbia Symphony Woods
LOCATION: In downtown Columbia’s Symphony Woods at Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044.
DATES/HOURS: Monday, November 23, 2009 – Sunday, January 3, 2010
Hours: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
FEES: Vehicles holding up to 6 passengers: $20 per car;
holding 7-24 passengers: $35 per vehicle;
holding 25 or more passengers: $125 per bus.
DESCRIPTION: An outing to the Symphony of Lights, now in its 16th year, is a long-standing tradition for Howard and neighboring county residents. A spectacular display of more than 70 larger-than-life, animated and stationary light creations, it is a “must-see” during the holiday season. All proceeds from the Christmas light display benefit the services of Howard County General Hospital.
Walk thrus are now available for groups of 25 or more. Take in the lights on foot, for a special holiday evening. $5.00 per person. “Walk thrus” are available from 4:30 – 5:45 p.m. each day that Symphony of Lights is in operation. Two special walk though events are taking place: “Blinkin’ Binkies” on Dec. 8 from 4 – 6 p.m. for parents and small children; “Tail Lights” on Dec. 15 from 4 – 6 p.m. for dog lovers and their dogs (dogs get in free). Reservations are required. For more information or to make a reservation, please call 410-740-7840 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.).
14th Annual Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park
LOCATION: Seneca Creek State Park, 11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.
DATES/HOURS: Preview on Saturday, November 28 – Sunday, November 29, 2009 and open Friday, December 4, 2009 – Saturday, January 2, 2010. Sunday-Thursday 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Closed December 25 & January 1.
FEES: Monday-Thursday: $12 per car; Friday – Sunday: $14 per car. CASH ONLY.
$2 off coupons are available at the Guest Services Desk at Lakeforest Shopping Center, 701 Russell Avenue (Exit 11 – East off of I-270) in Gaithersburg. Coupon is only valid for Monday through Thursday admission.
DESCRIPTION: Winter Lights features more than 380 illuminated vignettes and 65 animated displays in a 3.5 mile drive through beautiful Seneca Creek State Park. Theme areas include Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Victorian Village, North Pole, Toyland, and Penguin Cove. Proceeds benefit local charities listed here. For more information call City of Gaithersburg Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture 301-258-6350 x120.
23rd Annual Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park
LOCATION: Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774.
DATES/HOURS: Friday, November 27, 2009 – Sunday, January 3, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
FEES: $5 per car; $15 for mini-buses and limos; $25 for buses; $10 for multi-visit passes for cars and vans. Each multi visit pass is good for three visits and is transferable.
The festival is FREE on December 25.
DESCRIPTION: Winter Festival of Lights is Prince George’s County, Maryland’s spectacular drive-through Christmas light display featuring more than a million twinkling lights.
Canned goods donations for local food banks are greatly appreciated.
For more information please call 301-699-2456 or TTY 301-699-2544.
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
LOCATION: Brookside Gardens, Wheaton Regional Park, 1800 Glenallen Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.
DATES/HOURS: Friday, November 27, 2009 – Sunday, January 3, 2010. Closed December 24 & 25.
HOURS: 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., last car admitted 8:30 p.m.
FEES: Cars/Vans (Monday – Thursday weeknight discount rate): $15 (cash only);
Car/Vans (Friday – Sunday): $20 (cash only).
DESCRIPTION: This illuminated outdoor winter garden walk includes a whimsical monster, an enchanting persimmon tree, a walk through kaleidoscope caterpillar, an animated flying cardinal, and swimming geese over sparkling water.
Vivaldi may have composed the music called the “Four Seasons”, but Brookside Garden brings the four seasons to life with 940,000 colorful lights shaped in imaginative displays including a flock of landing geese, an 11 foot giraffe, a mythical sea monster, and the four seasons. As you walk along the easily accessible paths you’ll see what sets this light show apart from others, it’s the hundreds of wrapped trees and shrubs, beautifully lighted gazebos, cascading fountains, and the individually formed displays in the shapes of blooming flowers, and wild animals. This festive, secular light show now in its 13th season is a popular family tradition in the Washington, DC area drawing close to 40,000 visitors each winter to the sights and sounds of the interactive displays. Event contact number: 301-962-1455.
Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park
LOCATION: Sandy Point State Park (along Route 50), 1100 East College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21401.
DATES/HOURS: Saturday, November 21, 2009 – Sunday, January 3, 2010, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
FEES: $14 per vehicle.
COUPONS: Per their website “There will be $4.00 discount coupons, for weekday admission, available in local publications.” DC.About.com suggests you check the Baltimore Sun, Pennysaver, The Capital newspaper, Anne Arundel County public libraries, Graul’s Markets, Annapolis Subaru, and Red Hot & Blue Restaurant for coupons.
DESCRIPTION: An annual scenic drive through holiday lights show sponsored by the Anne Arundel Medical Center.
This light show features more than 70 illuminated and animated displays along the shores of the scenic Chesapeake Bay.
Proceeds benefit the Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation and tickets can be purchased at the park gate. For more information, contact Anne Arundel Medical Center at (443) 481-3161.
27th Annual Eastport Yacht Club Parade of Lights
Annapolis Christmas Lights Boat Parade.
LOCATION: The Annapolis City Harbor and Spa Creek (above Spa Creek Bridge), Annapolis, MD.
DATES/HOURS: December 12, 2009, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
FEES: Free
DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a parade of lights when more than 70 power and sailboats show off their holiday decorations.
Here are some tips from the Eastport Yacht Club from last year’s event:
Wherever you go, be there before 6:00 p.m., when the darkened harbor suddenly bursts into light. It’s an impressive moment!
Dress warmly – comfort over style. It’s amazing how cold it can get when you stand in one spot for a couple of hours.
Remember, there will be two fleets changing positions every hour or so. Don’t leave just because the boats seem to.
Radio: WNAV Radio 1430 will be providing live coverage of the parade with roving reporters from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will report the winners at 10:00 pm. Winners also will be announced over marine radio, Channel 72, at 10:00 p.m.
Where to Watch the Parade:
Eastport Bridge: If it’s a warm or still night, this is the best vantage point. You can see the fleets both above and below the bridge and get a close-up look as they pass through the bridge. Note: The bridge will be closed to vehicles but will open before the parade, at 6:45 p.m., and again at 7:45 p.m.
Naval Academy: The length of seawall bordering Spa Creek offers a long, unobstructed viewing area. Check ahead for Naval Academy security regulations that will be in effect.
City Dock: This perennial favorite spot for viewers was closed last year for renovations. No update on whether it will be open this year. See “Other Spots” below.
Other Spots: If you have friends with offices, homes, or boats along the harbor this might be a nice time to renew acquaintances. Otherwise, the walkway in front of Annapolis City Marina Building in Eastport, or any of the streets that dead-end at the harbor or Spa Creek, are good spots to view the parade.
Parking will be restricted and limited in many places near the Annapolis Harbor. Parking will be available at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium off Rowe Boulevard. A Free Shuttle will run between Stadium and downtown between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. After the Parade of Lights, the main loading area for the shuttle buses will be at Lawyer’s Mall on College Avenue in front of the State Capitol Building. Call (410) 267-9549 for more information.
For more information on architectural and landscape lighting for residential and commercial properties visit our website Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Northern Virginia.
.JPG "Halloween Exterior Night")
