The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. But let’s be honest, the best part is the decorations! If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit this year, why not check out some of the amazing light displays in your area? We’ve put together a list of 15 of our favorite DMV light displays – so grab your friends and family and get ready to see some spectacular sights!

 

1. National Harbor Holiday Tree Lighting

If you’re in the DC area, you won’t want to miss the National Harbor Holiday Tree Lighting. This annual event features a beautiful 56-foot Christmas tree, live music, and plenty of festive fun for the whole family. The tree lighting ceremony will take place on November 25th at 5:30pm, so be sure to mark your calendars!

 

2. Winter Wonderland at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

For a truly magical holiday experience, head to the Winter Wonderland at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. This annual event features more than half a million lights, as well as holiday-themed displays and performances. Meadowlark’s Winter Wonderland is open from November 17th – January 7th, so be sure to add it to your list! 

 

3. Fairfax Festival of Lights

 

If you’re in the Fairfax area, you won’t want to miss the Fairfax Festival of Lights! This annual event features more than two million lights, as well as holiday-themed displays and performances. The Fairfax Festival of Lights will be open from November 24th – December 31st, so be sure to add it to your list!

 

4. Ticonderoga Farms’ Holiday Light Show

Looking for a truly unique holiday light experience? Then you’ll want to check out Ticonderoga Farms’ Holiday Light Show! This annual event features two miles of lights, as well as hayrides, bonfires, and much more. The Holiday Light Show will be open from November 24th – December 31st, so be sure to add it to your list!

 

5. Leesburg Animal Park’s Christmas Lights Safari

Looking for a holiday light display with a twist? Then you’ll want to check out Leesburg Animal Park’s Christmas Lights Safari! This annual event features more than two million lights, as well as animal encounters, holiday-themed displays, and much more. The Christmas Lights Safari will be open from November 24th – December 31st, so be sure to add it to your list!

 

6. Hershey Sweet Lights

Looking for a holiday light display that’s truly unique? Then you’ll want to check out Hershey Sweet Lights! This annual event features more than four million lights, as well as holiday-themed displays and performances. The Hershey Sweet Lights will be open from November 10th – January 1st, so be sure to add it to your list!

 

7. Winter City Lights

The first Winter City Lights festival in Maryland offers 18 acres of festive pleasure. A 1.5-mile light trail with dazzling lights, enormous holiday displays, and holiday classics playing all along is part of the winter paradise. As if that weren't enough, the venue's centerpiece is a 52-foot-tall Christmas light tree, a 32,000-square-foot canopy of lights, and there will be snow. Olney, 4501 Olney Laytonsville Road. November 19-December 31

 

8. Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights

Even if they are created by lights, the lovely garden blooms can still be appreciated even though it is winter. More than 500,000 lights will be used to illuminate the garden walks and trees beneath the night sky in keeping with this year's theme, Seeds of Light. Richmond, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, November 21-January 8, 2023.

 

9. Merriweather Symphony of Lights

The Maryland concert venue is once more embracing the season. Over 300,000 bulbs, made up of moving and still artwork, have been strung by Merriweather for more than 25 years across its drive-through experience. On some dates, walk-through tickets are accessible. Columbia, Maryland's Merriweather Post Pavilion is located at 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. November 24-January 1, 2023

 

10. Lighting of the Vines

 

Don't miss the first evening when the lights are turned on at the Bluemont Vineyard, November 25,2022 The vineyard lights up its 10,000 vines over the holiday season, providing a breathtaking vista from both the top and bottom of the mountain. Bluemont Vineyard is located at 18755 Foggy Bottom Road.

 

11. Enchant

The Nationals Park in Washington, DC, will be converted into an enchanted winter paradise for the third time. The greatest Christmas light maze in the world, with over 4 million lights, will astound visitors as they explore the holiday scenes, ice skate around the village, and visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. 1500 S. Nationals Park DC's Capitol Street Southeast. November 25-January 1, 2023.

 

12. Rocking Around the Boardwalk

Just wait until you see the boardwalk at Neabsco Regional Park lit up at night if you think it looks beautiful during the day. Just in time for the Christmas season, the park is converting its scenic path into a holiday trail with hand-crafted light displays. Neabsco Regional Park: Woodbridge, 15125 Blackburn Road. November 26-December 31, 5:30-9 p.m.

 

13. The District’s Holiday Boat Parade

While viewing light shows on land is lovely, seeing them from the sea is much more spectacular. Over 60 festive boats will participate in the 30th anniversary of the famous DC boat parade as they sail along the Washington Channel. A fireworks salute, live music, and ornament decorating will also be included in the parade. 101 District Square: District Pier Washington, DC, SW. December 3, 6-9 p.m.

 

14. DC Winter Lantern Festival

The first comprehensive DC Winter Lantern Festival is from New York. Visitors can explore light creations that portray Chinese stories, legends, and zodiacs as well as shows depicting an ice world thanks to more than 1,000 handcrafted Chinese lanterns. At Tysons II, Lerner Town Square is located at 8025 Galleria Drive. December 16-February 12, 2023, 5-10 p.m.

 

15. Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon

There's nothing like enjoying the holiday season from the grounds of an 18th-century house, and Mount Vernon is ready to welcome visitors to the historic grounds with its annual evening of Christmas Illuminations. It will instantly put you in the festive spirit with a combination of lantern-lit and blue and lavender winter patterns lighting up various buildings on the grounds. Not to mention the fireworks display to end the evening. Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, is located at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. December 16 & 17, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

We hope you enjoyed our list of 10 unique DMV light displays! Be sure to check out some (or all!) of these amazing light shows this holiday season!

JACOBS & CO. REAL ESTATE, LLC.

12923 Fitzwater Dr. Nokesville, VA 20155 

(703) 594-3800 | jacobsandco.com