Annmarie Garden Holiday Lights
Hilary Dailey

Holiday Light Displays

Dazzling lights on winter nights will put you in the mood for the holiday season.

Annmarie Garden Holiday Lights
Hilary Dailey

There’s no place like Maryland for the holidays! Get into the spirit of the season at Holiday Celebrations, great holiday Train Events, memorable Performances and spectacular New Year's Eve Celebrations.
Make this year's holiday season extra special by taking advantage of our "Welcome Home for the Holidays" Deals and Hotel Packages.

1
Winterfest of Lights
Ocean City
Winterfest of Lights
Ocean City Tourism

Walk through thousands of sparkling holiday lights and many animated light displays located along a paved path in Northside Park. Sip hot chocolate, take a photo with Santa, visit our gift shop and walk through the array of holiday exhibits – including many surprises. Come see the 50-foot Christmas tree put on a show for you and soak up all of the holiday spirit.

2
Winter City Lights Holiday Festival
Winter City Lights Holiday Festival
Winter City Lights Holiday Festival

This new, spectacular holiday lights event spans 18 acres and includes 1 million eco-friendly lights, guaranteed "snow," magical displays, a 52-foot tree, snow tubing, concessions, and bonfire areas for s'mores.

3
Lights on the Lake at Rocky Gap State Park
Western Maryland Lights on the Lake
Western Maryland Jaycees Lights on the Lake

Join us at Rocky Gap State Park to share in the magic of the holiday season and make a meaningful difference in the lives of local students and non-profit organizations! The annual fundraiser promises to be an even better experience this year, with expanded light displays and community offerings.

4
Sailing Through Winter Solstice
Frederick
Boats decorated with holiday lights in creek
DwntwnFrederick - Instagram

See boats, transformed through the creative minds of many Frederick friends, set sail on the Creek. Learn more at coloronthecreek.com. The fleet includes gaff-rigged ketches, yawls, three-masted schooners and pirate ships, moored with their sail outlines, rigging and decks lit up from dusk till dawn. Come by and take a look at the amazing flotilla! The event runs from launch week in November through the first weekend in February, when Downtown Frederick celebrates February First Saturday: Fire in Ice.

5
City Park Lighting in Hagerstown
Hagerstown City Park
Hagerstown City Park Lighting
City of Hagerstown

Enjoy the synchronized lights and music show each evening. In fact, the best way to view the lights is to enter at Key St from Park Circle. Tune in to 90.3 FM as you drive through the park.  You will experience a synchronized lights and music show.  You may also park and explore the light displays on foot.

6
Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival
Seneca Creek State Park
Holiday lights
Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival

Enjoy an enchanted woodland setting with 450 illuminated displays and lighted park trees on 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.  The festival is closed  December 25.  The park is located at 11950 Clopper Road, accessible from I-270.

Rates vary for cars, SUV's, Mini-vans, large vans, mini-buses, buses.

7
Garden in Lights
Solomons
Annmarie Garden Holiday Lights
Hilary Dailey

A magical tour that takes visitors on a beautiful trip through the glittering woods and light sculptures at Annmarie Garden and Sculptural Arts Center.
Discover wild animals, wintery wonderlands, musical holiday scenes, deep sea treasures, magical creatures, glowing trees, and so much more!  NEW THIS YEAR!  Bundle up to enjoy our outdoor Holiday Market with shopping, music, fun holiday photo opps, and food and drink. Hardesty Haven Holiday Cafe will be open nightly! Advance timed-entry tickets required for all guests. Bundle up!  Admissions & light show activities are outside!

8
Maryland Holiday Light Spectacular
Holiday festival at Maryland State Fairgrounds
Kennedy Krieger Institute

Light up the Season with an all new outdoor Holiday Light Spectacular featuring over a million lights & dozens of displays on a half-mile walking trail! Share the magic of the holidays with family & friends!

9
Merriweather Symphony of Lights
Columbia
Have a Healthy Holiday from Merriweather Symphony of Lights
Merriweather Symphony of Lights

Set in historic Merriweather Post Pavilion, this long held family tradition delights with more than 300,000 bulbs, larger-than-life animated and stationary holiday light creations. New lights (and a 150 foot screen!) means a new experience this year. 

 

10
Crab Basket Holiday Tree
Fisherman's Inn, Grasonville
 Christmas Holidays in Cambridge
Jill Jasuta/Dorchester Tourism

Individuals, families, businesses and organizations purchased and painted each basket in a nautical or holiday theme.  202 baskets were used to create the tree. 

Every basket is a story of remembrance, honor, celebration, history or holiday spirit.  The Basket Tree was constructed by the Queen Anne's County Watermen's Association, its members and the community.  Painted baskets depict workboats, lighthouses, snowmen, waterfowl, crabs, fish, scenes from the Grinch and Charlie Brown and more.  The Tree is located at Wells Cove Rd and Rt. 18 on the Fisherman's Inn Property. 

11
Christmas Light Show
Oakland, A Great Small Town
Oakland Christmas Light Show
oaklandmd.gov

This popular Christmas light show begins at dusk when approximately 30,000 lights are choreographed to music at the Oakland Community Center.  The program runs on a one hour loop.  You can easily park and watch from the car, or take in the show from the sidewalk.

12
'Light Up The Night' Drive-by House Tour & Lighted Boat Parade
St. Michaels
A house decorated for the Christmas hollidays

A special Lighted Boat Parade at 6pm sails through the harbor (weather permitting of course).  Christmas in St. Michaels elves will light up the harbor area,  so be sure to check that out!

Visit the website for a list of neighborhoods where the best light displays can be found.  Load up your car with the family on a cool crisp night and check them out for yourselves!

13
Salisbury Holiday Lights Celebration
Salisbury Plaza in the Winter
Amy Blevins

This festive event is free and open to the public, promising an evening of entertainment, seasonal shopping, and community spirit. Attendees can expect to arrive at a winter wonderland full of holiday ambiance. The event will feature special dance performances by beloved local groups, including Heart & Sole Step Team, Footsteps Dance Academy, and Feet of Fire Dance Academy, at Unity Square throughout the evening. Guests will also enjoy the melodic sounds of the Delmarva Bay Brass ensemble performing holiday classics, as well as the Salisbury School Children's Choir presenting a selection of holiday carols. 

14
Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park
Annapolis
Lights on the Bay - Sandy Point State Park
LightsontheBay.org

Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park has become a tradition for many families for the past decade. Enjoy a scenic drive along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay with more than 60 spectacular animated and stationary displays illuminating the roadway.
$20/car, $30/large van and mini-bus, $50/bus.

15
Garden of Lights Show
holiday lights

The Garden of Lights display transforms Brookside Gardens into a magical winter wonderland. Stroll through the one-half mile, outdoor, walk-through exhibit and enjoy the twinkling lights and glimmering one-of-a-kind displays adorning the flowerbeds and grounds throughout the 50-acre horticultural gem in Wheaton.

Shop for unique seasonal items at the Gift Shop

Hot chocolate and light snacks will be available for purchase

16
North Pole Lights Walk
Severn
Holiday lights display

Willow Oak Flower & Herb Farm
Take a self guided walk to the North Pole! Walk through many different light displays as you make your way to see Santa! Bring the family for a walk to the North Pole! See the garden flower lights, forest animals and many more displays as you journey to the North Pole. Santa is outside to visit with children as he packs his sleigh.

We highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance this year.

Time: 4:30-8pm
Admission: $10 adults, $5 children

17
Festival of Lights, Watkins Regional Park
Upper Marlboro
Festival of Lights
Prince George's Co. Dept. of Parks & Rec

Bring a little twinkle to your holidays at this spectacular drive-through event featuring dazzling displays with more than 2.5 million lights throughout the park! You won’t want to miss our giant, 54-foot LED musical tree!  Open 5-9:30pm.  Fee per vehicle.

18
Yuletide Village
Upperco
Christmas lights

Yuletide Village presented by the Upperco Vol. Fire Co. features a huge drive-through light display, bigger than in years past.  While the Village will be a bit different this year,  it will be just as much fun! The Village will be open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5-9pm.  Admission is $25 for any vehicles carrying up to 8 passengers. Seniors, First Responders, and Military receive a $2 discount. 

More info...