29th Annual Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park Returns with 450 Illuminated Displays

The City of Gaithersburg’s 29th Annual Winter Lights Festival will feature 3.5 miles of enchanted woodland with more than 450 illuminated displays and spectacularly lit trees that brighten the evening sky starting Friday, Nov. 29. The display in Seneca Creek State Park will have seasonal scenes like Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Toyland, Victorian Village and the North Pole.

Seneca Creek State Park is located at 11950 Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, easily accessible from I-270.

For an added experience, come during one of the Enchanted Evenings. These are special themed events available before Winter Lights opens to vehicles.

Sip and Sparkle, from 6-9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24, will be a 21-and-over tasting event where guests can try beer and wine from local tastemakers like Saints Row Brewing, Clear Skies Meadery and Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard. Ride around on an open-air trolley under the dazzling lights.

Take your furry friends to the Walk and Wag Enchanted Evening from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, where you can take a one or three-mile stroll under the lights. Afterward, get a selfie with Santa and food from Maria’s Kitchen food truck that offers Mexican and Puerto Rican food for purchase. The last entry for the event is at 8 p.m. it is a walking event only (trolley rides through the lights will not be available). Admission is $10 per person, free for children 3 and under. Dogs enter free.

The Winter Lights Festival will be open every night from Nov. 29 through Dec. 31 (except Dec. 25) at Seneca Creek State Park. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be available at the gate. The price is $15 per car/van (Monday-Thursday) and $25 per car/van (Friday-Sunday) or $30 for a 15+ passenger van.