Best Holiday Lights In The DC Metro Area

From National Tree Celebrations to Missions to Help Santa, the Light Displays in the DC Metro Area Are Truly a Seasonal Spectacle! 

No matter what you celebrate, the holiday displays are a yearly reminder to take some time and celebrate the magic and beauty of our community. That’s why our local experts compiled a list of our absolute favorite holiday light displays in the DC Metro Area below. 

Best Drive-Through Light Show: Bull Run Festival of Lights - Centreville, VA

Looking for the best way to enjoy the lights from the warmth of your car? Pack the cocoa in a canteen, bring extra blankets, and drive through this two-and-a-half-mile trail of lights for the ultimate holiday fun! Be sure to stop by and say hello to Santa at the end of your drive!

Best Music Experience: Brookside Gardens - Wheaton, MD

Nightly music and hot cocoa are just the beginning of the holiday fun at Brookside Gardens! Watch model trains glide through seasonal designs or simply stroll through more than one million lights displayed as nature-inspired elements like flowers, butterflies, and snowflakes. This local favorite takes the best of the 50 acres of Wheaton’s treasure and illuminates it for guaranteed holiday memories.

Must Fun For All Ages: Enchant Christmas - Nationals Park, Washington, DC

The biggest light maze in the whole world! Yes, really! Your mission is to help Eddie the Elf find Santa’s reindeer on your adventures at Enchant. This nationally renowned holiday experience will be the event of the season. From ice skating to five light mazes, play space for little ones, and more, Nationals Park has been fully transformed into a true winter wonderland.

Most Unique Holiday Experience - Holly Trolley Christmas - Silver Spring, MD

The National Capital Trolley Museum is a spectacle of its own with working trolleys ready for patrons to ride all year round, but during the Holiday season, this museum takes the visiting experience to the next level. See the Winter Garden Railway, ride some trolleys that would make the Polar Express envious, and say hello to Santa right here in Silver Spring!

Best Date Night: Winter Walk of Lights - Vienna, VA

What could be better than a lovely stroll along the water with some hot cocoa? This local favorite is sure to put you in the holiday mood. When the lights end, the fun doesn’t stop! Enjoy a s’mores kit by the fire for the perfect conclusion to a December evening.

Most Instagrammable Spot: The Ivy Wall in Bethesda Row - Bethesda, MD

Looking for the perfect place to capture your holiday card photo? Look no further than Bethesda’s own Bethesda Row. With opportunities for pet photos with Santa, carollers, menorah lighting, and holiday shopping, what more can you ask for in a holiday experience?

Best Boat Show: Sailing Through The Winter Solstice - Frederick, MD

Come see the hard work of local friends of Frederick on full display in Carroll Creek! This display of all sorts of lit-up boats--including pirate ships--continues through February, making it the longest-running seasonal display on our list. While this event is free, participants are welcome to vote for their favorite ship for $1 and support Color On The Creek in the process.

Most DC Display: The National Trees - Washington, DC

Whether you’re a lifetime DC metro area resident or a new neighbor, the trees in our nation’s capital are a must-see experience. Visit the tree in front of the Capitol to see which state created the ornaments for this year’s decorations. Then, stop by the National Tree in front of the White House and see a tree representing each of our Nation’s states. You’ll never forget this truly American experience. Don’t forget to enjoy the garland and wreaths around the monuments!

Looking for some home displays in our region? This list from Washingtonian features some of the most decorated homes from 2020 in the DC metro area!

If you’re ready to move to the DC metro area and experience all this region has to offer, we would love to help. Contact us today so we can get started.