There’s nothing like colorful, twinkling lights to set the holiday mood. These 12 bright and beautiful displays offer festive ambience, family-friendly activities, sips, snacks, and plenty of cheer.
Bull Run Festival of Lights
Through January 4
This drive-thru show features 2.5 miles of elaborate light displays. When you’ve finished the show, visit the Holiday Village for a petting zoo, shopping, carnival rides, and more. Bull Run Regional Park: 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville, $30–$40
Winter Walk of Lights
Through January 4
The half-mile paved trail in Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is full of decorated trees and light-up displays of flowers and woodland creatures. Stay warm with a hot beverage or cocktail while roasting s’mores at the fire pit. Leashed dogs are welcome on select pet-friendly dates. 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna, starting at $20
Ice and Lights
November 15–February 28
Lace up your skates and practice your moves on the ice at this Alexandria event. This winter wonderland experience features a 100-foot rainbow light arch, several light displays, photo ops, food vendors, mini golf, and an interactive orb field. Cameron Run Regional Park: 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, $9–$24
Winter Lantern Festival
November 20–January 20
Explore hundreds of handcrafted, life-sized lanterns at this outdoor Tysons experience. Celebrate Chinese culture and traditions with local food and drink vendors and live acrobat performances. Lerner Town Square: 8025 Galleria Dr., Tysons, $25.99
ZooLights
November 21–January 3
Walk through magical animal lanterns and light displays at the National Zoo to ring in the holidays. Enjoy hot cocoa and festive treats, watch live musical performances, ride the National Zoo Choo Choo, explore the new adventure maze, and take in over a million LED lights and displays across the zoo. National Zoo: 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC, $9, $30 parking
Frosted at Franklin Park
November 21–January 7
Wander through thousands of bright lights and stop by festive photo ops from 4:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. at this DC park. Make a stop at the glittery icicle walkway, a giant illuminating snowflake, baby and momma bear displays, and a giant star. On December 12 and 20, the park is hosting special events with Santa and holiday characters, carolers, free hot chocolate and apple cider, and a live ice sculpture demonstration. Franklin Park: 1332 I St. NW, Washington, DC, free
Light Yards
November 25–January 2
This family-friendly art installation is interactive and holiday themed. Step inside the Swinging Bells where you can swing inside a holiday bell light display, or take a ride on the Light Yards Express. The Yards Park: 355 Water St. SE, Washington, DC, free
Winter Wonderfest
November 28–December 30
Nationals Park is transforming into a holiday wonderland with light shows, winter train rides, tubing slides, a snowball throwing challenge, and more family-friendly fun. Stop by on one of the special theme nights like College Night on December 4 and Local Heroes’ Night on December 19. Nationals Park: 1500 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC, $29.50
Maple Tree Christmas Light Trail
November 29–December 27
This family farm offers a trail spanning three-quarters of a mile that’s decorated with light displays, string lights, and a light tunnel. Stop by one of many holiday photo ops, enjoy a drink and snack by the fire pits, and ride on one of two trains throughout the property. On select Sundays, Santa stops by for family pictures. Maple Tree Farm: 8275 Maple Tree Ln., Warrenton, $16
Reston Winterfest
December 4–6
Walk through a half-mile light trail with several decorative displays at this annual winter wonderland event in Reston. Roast marshmallows while warming up by the firepit, browse over 30 vendors in the artisan vendor village, grab a bite from a food truck, and take a picture with Santa or the Grinch. The event also features an Enchanted Forest with 60 decorated trees by local businesses, community groups, and families that will later be donated to families in need in the Reston area. Brown’s Chapel Park: 1575 Brown’s Chapel Rd., Reston, $20, free admission for Reston Association members
Holiday Walk of Lights
December 4–28
More than a half mile of the Neabsco Park Boardwalk will be adorned with thousands of twinkling lights at this annual holiday event. Enjoy carolers and holiday-themed characters as you browse through the holiday market. Guests are asked to donate nonperishable items for the park’s annual food drive that benefits the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry. Neabsco Regional Park: 15125 Blackburn Rd., Warrenton, free
Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
December 6
Dozens of intricately decorated, brightly lit boats will travel 1 mile along the Potomac River shoreline, and visitors can enjoy a pop-up beer garden hosted by Port City Brewing Company and festive activities by the water. Waterfront Park: 1A Prince St., Alexandria, free
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
December 20–21. 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Explore George Washington’s historic home decorated by festive lights and displays before an evening firework show choreographed to music over the Potomac River. The estate will have food, drinks, s’mores kits, and fresh-baked gingerbread by the resident bread-baker. 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, $36 for kids, $58 for adults
Feature image of ZooLights courtesy Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
This story originally ran in our December issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
