8 Best Washington DC area Christmas Light Displays 2016

1. Nov 16, 2016 thru Jan 15th, 2017 – Chinese Lantern Festival
   1228 Hunter Mill Road, Vienna, VA
   The authentic Chinese lanterns light up the night and create an enchanting evening.  There are lanters in the form of animals from around the world.  You will also experience authentic Chinese entertainment and multicultural shows.  Kung Fu performances nightly at 6 and 7pm.  Closed when raining or high winds occur.  Adults $22, Children 5-12 $12.50, Under 4 free.

2. Nov 18, 2016 thru Jan 8, 2017 – Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights
9750 Meadow Lark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA
Stroll at your own pace through gardens aglow with over 500,000 lights with displays of flowers, animals, fountains, a stream, and more! Santa and children’s activities on special nights. Souveniers and light refreshments available for purchase.
The walk of lights runs daily from 5:30 to 10 p.m. (last tickets sold at 9:30 p.m.) Adults $13 and children $8 (under 2 free)

3. Nov 23, 2016 thru Jan 8, 2017 – Bull Run Festival of Lights
7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA
Stay warm and dry while you drive through this popular annual display which depicts favorite holiday and winter themes. Turn out your headlights and follow the glow of 40,000 lights on the2.5 mile route through the festival of lights. You will also enjoy the holiday village with rides, refreshments, and photos with Santa! Admission is per carload: Monday through Thursday $15 per car; Fridays and Sundays $20 per car, and Saturdays and holidays (11/24, 12/24, 12/25,12/31,and 1/1) $25 per car. Carnival fees are extra. Here’s a link to a coupon: https://www.novaparks.com/sites/default/files/pdf/Festival%20of%20Lights%20Online%20Coupon.pdf

4. Nov 25, 2016 thru Jan 1, 2017 – Zoo Lights at the National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC
Thousands of people enjoy this annual event. Walk through the zoo at night when it is illuminated by over 500,000 environmentally friendly LED lights. Enjoy a light show set to music, visit some nocturnal animals, ride the carousel and train, and enjoy “snowless snow tubing”. FREE ADMISSION. Ride Tickets are available for purchase at the Zoo for $3 each; 1 ride per ticket. Family Packs are available for purchase online or at the Zoo for $20 for 8 tickets; 1 ride per ticket. Zoo lights is closed 12/24 and 12/25.

5. Nov 19, 2016 thru Jan 1, 2017 – Gaylord National Fountain Lights and Music
201 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD

The “Christmas on the Potomac” at the Gaylord National Hotel has a 55 foot tall twinkling tree suspended over the atrium. Enjoy a nightly laser and strobe light show in the 19 story atrium with modern and classic Christmas music synchronized to the water fountain with 60 feet high water jets! You’ll be mesmerized when it snows indoors!! Free and open to all. Shows at 7 and 9pm nightly. The Gaylord also features the extravagant ICE! ice sculpture exhibit at sub zero temperatures, Christmas Village, train rides, and more for a fee.

6. Nov 26, 2016 thru Dec 31, 2016 – Baltimore’s Miracle on 34^th Street
720 West 34^th Street, Baltimore

If you are in the Baltimore area, you will want to check this out.  This annual light display in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood has been featured on Nightline, Travel Channel, Maryland Lottery, Home and Garden and more.  The lights are on every day from 5:15 pm to 11:00 pm.  FREE

7. Dec 1, 2016 thru Jan 1, 2016 – Festival of Lights at the Mormon Temple
9900 Stoneybrook Dr, Kensington, MD

The Washington, DC Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints hosts a spectacular display each year when the grounds are covered with 650,000 lights!  There is also a life-sized nativity scene on display.  Enjoy nightly performances of solo artists, choir groups, bell choirs, and orchestras.  Free tickets are available at the visitor’s center and hour before each performance.

8. Dec 10, 2016 – Manassas Park Lights Parade
Begins at General’s Ridge Golf Course and ends at Manassas Park Community Center
Watch this unique 11th annual night parade. All participating floats and cars are covered in lights! New this year is a tree lighting immediately following the parade at the Manassas Park Community Center. You can also enjoy refreshments, caroling, photos with Santa, and more! Event runs from 5:45 to 7:45 and will be held in any weather.