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<p>The holiday season transforms the DMV into a sparkling maze of Christmas markets, winter villages, artisan fairs, and magical light displays. Whether you're hunting for handcrafted gifts, craving hot cocoa under the stars, or looking for a cozy evening wrapped in twinkling lights, this guide rounds up the absolute best Christmas markets and winter light festivals across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.</p><p>Below you’ll find every must-visit stop this year, including cost, dates, and what makes each destination special. </p><h2>Maryland's Magical Markets</h2><h3>Festival of Lights – Washington DC Temple (Kensington, MD)<br></h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: Free (+ parking pass)<br>Dates: Dec 4–Jan 1<br>Dazzling grounds covered in lights with nightly multilingual performances.</p><p>📍 9900 Stoneybrook Dr</p><figure id="figure-mxq8ggvbrnmiorli3e"><img id="mxq8ggvbrnmiorli3e" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1191543489/photo/festival-of-lights-in-kensington-maryland-at-the-mormon-temple.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=LsZbtElmOEAnsWOdoKX8_yiYo-mOk9K3oNZW7Py1OCA=" alt="Festival of Lights in Kensington, Maryland at the Mormon Temple" title="Festival of Lights in Kensington, Maryland at the Mormon Temple" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1191543489/photo/festival-of-lights-in-kensington-maryland-at-the-mormon-temple.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=LsZbtElmOEAnsWOdoKX8_yiYo-mOk9K3oNZW7Py1OCA=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Garden of Lights – Brookside Gardens (Wheaton, MD)<br></h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: ~$14–17<br>Dates: Late Nov–Jan 4<br>Over a million lights arranged in garden-inspired designs.</p><p>📍 1800 Glenallan Ave</p><h3>Winter Lights Festival – Seneca Creek (Gaithersburg, MD)<br></h3><p>Type: Drive • Cost: ~$15–20 per car<br>Dates: Nov 28–Dec 31<br>One of Maryland’s BEST drive-through shows with 450+ displays.</p><p>📍 11950 Clopper Rd</p><h3>Winter City Lights – Olney, MD<br></h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: ~$20+<br>Dates: Late Nov–Late Dec<br>Maryland’s largest walk-through holiday light trail with 2.5 miles of displays, bonfires &amp; Santa.</p><p>📍 4501 Olney-Laytonsville Rd</p><h3>Lights on the Bay – Annapolis, MD<br></h3><p>Type: Drive • Cost: ~$20 per car<br>Dates: Late Nov–Jan 1<br>A waterfront, car-friendly tour of holiday scenes and local landmarks.</p><p>📍 1100 E College Pkwy</p><h3>Watkins Park Festival of Lights – Upper Marlboro, MD<br></h3><p>Type: Drive • Cost: ~$15 per car<br>Dates: Late Nov–Jan 1<br>Long-standing Prince George's Co. favorite featuring huge themed displays.</p><p>📍 301 Watkins Park Dr</p><h3>Merriweather Symphony of Lights – Columbia, MD<br></h3><p>Type: Drive/Walk • Cost: ~$25 per car<br>Dates: Now–Early Jan<br>A music-synced light experience set around the Merriweather Post Pavilion grounds.</p><p>📍 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy</p><h3>Pike &amp; Rose Holiday Lights – North Bethesda, MD<br></h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: Free<br>Dates: Late Nov–Dec<br>Boutique shopping meets giant light sculptures and festive programming.</p><p>📍 Grand Park Ave</p><h3>Southern MD Holly Jolly Light Trail – SoMD Counties<br></h3><p>Type: Self-guided drive • Cost: Free<br>Dates: Dec 10–30<br>Explore various homes across southern Maryland using an interactive map.</p><p>📍 Online map</p><h3>La Plata Light Up / Holiday House Route – La Plata, MD<br></h3><p>Type: Self-guided drive • Cost: Free<br>Dates: Early–Late Dec<br>A small-town charm tour featuring registered homes and the town tree.</p><p>📍 Town Hall + participating homes</p><h2>DC's Festive Finds</h2><h3>The Light Yards – The Yards Park (DC)</h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: Free<br>Dates: Late Nov–Early Jan<br>If you’re dreaming of a riverfront glow-up, The Yards delivers oversized holiday art installations, immersive light sculptures, and festive waterfront shopping. Great for couples and families.</p><p>📍 355 Water St SE, Washington, DC</p><figure id="figure-bl8cc473r9miorlose"><img id="bl8cc473r9miorlose" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1438873542/photo/united-states-capitol-with-the-christmas-tree-in-front-of-it-surrounded-by-people-during-the.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=_k7gne4fBEnXjVsJGikEby5cQbSrNbdQYqTpsyMYu9c=" alt="United States Capitol with the Christmas tree in front of it surrounded by people during the night" title="United States Capitol with the Christmas tree in front of it surrounded by people during the night" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1438873542/photo/united-states-capitol-with-the-christmas-tree-in-front-of-it-surrounded-by-people-during-the.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=_k7gne4fBEnXjVsJGikEby5cQbSrNbdQYqTpsyMYu9c=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>ZooLights – Smithsonian National Zoo (DC)</h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: ~$9<br>Dates: Nov 21–Jan 3 (select nights)<br>DC’s most iconic holiday light tradition—complete with wildlife-themed displays, music, and seasonal food and drinks. Fun for all ages.</p><p>📍 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC</p><h3>National Christmas Tree &amp; Pathway of Peace (DC)<br></h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: Free<br>Dates: Dec 4–Jan 1<br>Stroll through state-themed trees, live performances, and breathtaking views of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse.</p><p>📍 15th &amp; E St NW</p><h3>CityCenterDC Holiday Tree &amp; Lights (DC)</h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: Free<br>Dates: Late Nov–Dec<br>Luxury shopping meets holiday magic. CityCenter’s 70-foot tree and glowing archways turn downtown DC into a magazine-worthy holiday stroll.</p><p>📍 1098 New York Ave NW</p><h3>Frosted at Franklin Park (DC)<br></h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: Free<br>Dates: Nov 21–Jan 7<br>A new favorite—twinkling lights, installations, and festive programming right in the heart of DC.</p><p>📍 1332 I Street NW</p><p><br></p><p><span style="font-family: var(--head-fontFamily); font-size: calc(48px * var(--head-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--head-fontStyle, normal);" data-mce-style="font-family: var(--head-fontFamily); font-size: calc(48px * var(--head-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--head-fontStyle, normal);">Northern Virginia's Holiday Havens</span></p><figure id="figure-899v25vt4qmiorlu65"><img id="899v25vt4qmiorlu65" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1839448582/photo/christmas-trees-with-decorations-at-downtown-chicago-illinois-usa.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Q73gqQc1ATAtO8xwD9GhxUh0pwOYxYBSTT0jXatt6tg=" alt="Christmas trees with decorations at Downtown Chicago, Illinois, USA" title="Christmas trees with decorations at Downtown Chicago, Illinois, USA" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1839448582/photo/christmas-trees-with-decorations-at-downtown-chicago-illinois-usa.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Q73gqQc1ATAtO8xwD9GhxUh0pwOYxYBSTT0jXatt6tg=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Ice &amp; Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run – Alexandria, VA<br></h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: ~$10–$21.50<br>Dates: Nov 15–Dec 30<br>A charming winter village with ice skating, photo ops, and dazzling displays.</p><p>📍 4001 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria</p><h3>Bull Run Festival of Lights – Centreville, VA<br></h3><p>Type: Drive • Cost: ~$30 per car<br>Dates: Nov 14–Jan 4<br>A beloved NoVa tradition with miles of animated light displays. Perfect for cozy car nights.</p><p>📍 7700 Bull Run Dr</p><h3>Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights – Vienna, VA<br></h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: ~$18–25<br>Dates: Nov–Jan<br>A botanical garden transformed into a glittering wonderland with lanterns and themed displays.</p><p>📍 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct</p><h3>Christmas Village – Leesburg Animal Park (Leesburg, VA)<br></h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: ~$17–25<br>Dates: Dec 5–22 (select nights)<br>Petting zoo + lights + holiday market = family favorite.</p><p>📍 19246 James Monroe Hwy</p><h3>Leesburg Rose Garden Light Show – Leesburg, VA<br></h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: Free<br>Dates: Dec 7–Jan 1<br>A neighborhood tradition with elaborate displays and local charm.</p><p>📍 14 Loudoun St SW</p><h3>Leesburg Holiday Tree Lighting – Leesburg, VA<br></h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: Free<br>Dates: Dec 6<br>Kick off the season with the town tree lighting and live entertainment.</p><p>📍 Town Green, 25 W Market St</p><h3>Mount Vernon Candlelight Tours – Mount Vernon, VA<br></h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: ~$40–50<br>Dates: Select evenings in Dec<br>A colonial Christmas experience with lantern-lit paths, carols, and character interpreters.</p><p>📍 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy</p><h3>DMV Winter Lantern Festival – Tysons, VA<br></h3><p>Type: Walk • Cost: ~$14.99–$20.99<br>Dates: Nov 20–Jan 20<br>Hundreds of glowing lantern sculptures bring Asian artistry and winter magic to Tysons.</p><p>📍 8025 Galleria Drive</p><h2>Tips for Visiting</h2><p>When planning your visit to these Christmas markets, consider the following tips:</p><ul><li>Check the market's schedule for special events and performances.</li><li>Dress warmly, as many markets are outdoors.</li><li>Bring cash, as some vendors may not accept credit cards.</li></ul><figure id="figure-24tvdayvb8miorlzin"><img id="24tvdayvb8miorlzin" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1181875723/photo/christmas-decorations-at-christmas-market-stall-in-berlin-germany.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=HiFeXxIPDeqejZEdhxPl5ilTueFM9YskV9tCLGtI2kg=" alt="Christmas decorations at Christmas market stall in Berlin Germany" title="Christmas decorations at Christmas market stall in Berlin Germany" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1181875723/photo/christmas-decorations-at-christmas-market-stall-in-berlin-germany.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=HiFeXxIPDeqejZEdhxPl5ilTueFM9YskV9tCLGtI2kg=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><p>Exploring Christmas markets in Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia is a delightful way to celebrate the season. With a variety of markets offering unique gifts, festive foods, and holiday entertainment, you're sure to find the perfect way to embrace the holiday spirit.</p>

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