Christmas Lights around Maryland 2024-2025

Maryland transforms into a vast Christmas wonderland during the holiday season. Be sure to experience the spectacular light displays along the Chesapeake Bay and throughout residential Baltimore. Additionally, Annapolis, Gaithersburg, and Ocean City each present their festive attractions, making them well worth a visit this holiday season.

Winterfest of Lights at Northside Park, Ocean City (November 21–December 31, 2024)

Winterfest of Lights is an annual Christmas extravaganza that takes place in Northside Park in Ocean City, MD. More than one million sparkling holiday lights and hundreds of animated light displays can be seen throughout the festive Northside Park. Visitors can warm up and drink a cup of hot chocolate in the heated Winterfest Village pavilion. Kids can take a photo with Santa and ride the Winterfest Express. The one-mile tour through fairytale-themed exhibits includes fifty-eight acres of illuminated lights and a 15-m (50-ft) Christmas tree. In 2024, there will also be growth in new displays, configurations, and the Winterfest Entrance Pavilion.

Winterfest of Lights runs from November 21 to December 25, operating Wednesday through Sunday. From December 25 to 31, the event is open every night. Enjoy the displays from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm each evening. Admission is $6 for visitors aged twelve and older, while children aged eleven and under can enter for free.

Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis (November 19, 2024–January 1, 2025)

A festive drive along the Chesapeake Bay is one of the iconic holiday traditions in Annapolis. "Lights on the Bay" at Sandy Point State Park features more than seventy beautiful animated displays. There is also a cozy colonial village showcasing historic Annapolis heritage and the US Navy. Kids can enjoy the North Pole Village and Enchanted Fairy Tales. Animal enthusiasts can attend Lights and Leashes night when owners bring their pets and walk through the light show on foot.

The event is open Monday through Thursday from 6 pm to 10 pm and Friday through Sunday from 5 pm to 10 pm. Admission fees are as follows: $20 per car, $5 for 3D glasses, $30 for large passenger vans, mini buses, and trolleys, and $50 for buses.

Sailing Into the Winter Solstice at Carroll Creek Park, Frederick (November 23, 2024–March 2025)

Sailing Into the Winter Solstice is the annual light display at the beautiful Carroll Creek Park in Frederick, Maryland, which takes place from late November through March. Every day, seven amazing lighted boats sail across Carroll Creek Linear Park. It is a joyous and magical light parade that will get you into the holiday spirit. All the proceeds from the display go to local charities.

The fleet features a diverse array of gaff-rigged ketches, yawls, three-masted schooners, and pirate ships, all beautifully illuminated with their sails, rigging, and decks lit up from dusk until dawn.

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens, Wheaton (November 22, 2024–January 5, 2025; closed on November 25-28, December 24-25, and January 1)

Garden of Lights is a beautiful seasonal holiday light display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD. A magical winter wonderland features more than one million colorful lights. Displays are shaped into flowers, animals, and other elements of nature. They are all hand-made and skillfully crafted. Visitors can stroll from garden to garden, enjoying illuminated trees, sparkling fountains, and whimsical Christmas scenes. Inside the Conservatory, visitors can see how G-Scale model trains make a trip through a seasonal landscape. You can enjoy a holiday performance and sip hot cocoa at the Visitor's Center.

Note that everyone aged five and older requires a ticket for entry. Tickets are priced at $10 each and must be purchased online. Each ticket specifies a particular date and entry time for arrival.

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival, Seneca Creek State Park (November 29–December 31, 2024; closed on December 25)

Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg offers a spectacularly colorful display, a favorite of Maryland families for over twenty years. From late November through December 31 (December 25 excluded), the park turns into a winter wonderland every night. Enjoy three and a half-mile (5 km) drive through the magical forest featuring more than 450 illuminated displays and beautifully lit trees.

Visitors should note that tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be available for purchase at the admission booth. Tickets will go on sale on October 15 at 10 am. A single ticket is required per vehicle. The cost is $15 for vehicles visiting Monday through Thursday and $25 for those arriving Friday through Sunday. For vehicles with 15 or more passengers, the ticket price is $30.

Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro (November 29, 2024–January 1, 2025)

Every winter, Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, MD, invites visitors to see the magical drive-through holiday light show with over two and a half million twinkling lights. Winter Festival of Lights features many new displays, such as a huge 54-ft (16-m) LED musical tree. The Department of Parks and Recreation sponsors dazzling holiday extravaganza and is one of the most affordable light festivals in the area. Other attractions in the park include the Chesapeake Carousel, Old Maryland Farm, the miniature train, and Watkins Nature Trail.

The event typically runs from 5 pm to 9:30 pm. It is open to visitors of all ages. The cost is $15 per car if purchased in advance or $20 at the gate; for minibusses and limos, the price is $25.

Miracle on 34th Street, Hampden, Baltimore (November 30, 2024–January 1, 2025)

In the charming Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore City, one street has become a celebrated Christmas destination, drawing visitors from across Maryland. Every holiday season, the 700 block of 34th Street transforms into a dazzling display of festive decorations. The street is adorned with an array of unique sculptures and vibrant displays, creating a spectacle of light and color that captivates the imagination. This beloved tradition began in 1947, started by residents Bob Hosier and Darlene Hughes, who had a deep passion for Christmas. Over the years, the abundance of decorations has turned the street into a renowned attraction, now known as the Miracle on 34th Street. This event has become a must-see, with visitors frequently spotting Santa Claus amidst the festive displays and taking photos with him. The decorations vary from Disney-themed setups and traditional Christmas characters to displays celebrating Baltimore's unique symbols, featuring inflatable snowglobes, musical trains, and numerous blinking angels.

The Miracle on 34th Street is held annually from the first Saturday after Thanksgiving until New Year's Day. The event operates from 5 pm to 11 pm Sunday through Thursday and from 5 pm to midnight on Friday and Saturday.