WHEATON, Md.—Days are growing shorter, and winter is around the corner but Montgomery Parks has an exciting lineup of events and activities to brighten the day. Garden of Lights opens at Brookside Gardens, there’s the return of the popular Acoustics and Ales, the annual Urban Wood Sale, and celebrations for the 160th Maryland Emancipation Day.
Montgomery Parks’ November events highlights include:
Maryland Emancipation Day | November 2 and 3 | Various times
Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda
Thomas Harper Cabin, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park, 3610 Brookville Road, Olney
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring
Celebrate Maryland Emancipation Day (November 4) at four of our cultural sites. At Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park there will be special offerings of the Underground Railroad Experience Trail Guided Hike (at extra cost) and free admission to the Woodlawn Museum. Josiah Henson Museum and Park will feature hands-on activities, lawn games, and self-guided tours of the museum (with admission). Free guided tours of Oakley and Harper Cabins. All ages. Free. (Admission to Josiah Henson Museum and Park: $5, adults; $4, seniors and children (6-17); free, children ages 6 and under).
Acoustics and Ales | November 2 | 11 a.m. –2 p.m.
Black Hill Regional Park, 20930 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Kick back and relax to the sounds of Irish Latin band La Unica while enjoying tasty drinks from Liquidity Aleworks and Clear Skies Meadery and eats from Catalyst Hot Dogs and Churros, Inc. All ages. Free.
School’s Outside for Teens | November 4 and 5 | 9 a.m. –3:30 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Spend the day outdoors in the sun having gardening fun. Each session will include games, hands-on botany activities, arts and crafts, and gardening walks. Ages 11–14. Registration required. $45 per person.
Garden After Dark: Wild at Home with Hilton Carter | November 6 | 7 –8:30 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Discover ways to liven up your décor with tropical plants from author, plant stylist, designer, and social influencer, Hilton Carter, while sipping botanical mocktails. Ages 12 and older. Registration required. $30 per person.
Urban Wood Sale | November 9‒10 | 8 a.m. –12 p.m. (while supplies last)
Green Farm Maintenance Facility, 8301 Turkey Thicket Drive, Gaithersburg
The annual Urban Wood Sale returns! Featuring kiln-dried, planed, and air-dried cedar, pine, poplar, ash, beech, cherry, oak and more. Slabs available in different sizes, thicknesses, and prices. Credit card only. No advance sales. All sales benefit Montgomery Parks’ recycling programs. Free.
Wheaton Ice Kid’s Club | November 14 | 9:30 –11 a.m.
Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton
Club meets the second Thursday of each month. Children will have supervised skating instruction for an hour followed by story, crafts and games. No skating experience necessary. Ages 3–6. Registration required. $15 per child (includes skate rental).
Junior Gardeners | November 15 and 22 | 1:30 –2:30 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
It’s ok to play in the mud at this seasonal gardening program. Activities include stories, crafts, and garden walks. Ages 3–5. Registration required. $7 per person.
Brookside Gardens Vendor Showcase | November 17 | 11 a.m. –2 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Planning a wedding? Join us at the Brookside Gardens Fall Wedding Vendor Showcase to taste food samples, speak with caterers, photographers, planners, musicians and other wedding professionals, get a tour of the Gardens, and preview our We Speak Weddings Workshop. Don’t forget to enter the door prize raffle including a free rental at Brookside Gardens. Registration required. Free.
Garden of Lights | November 22‒January 5, 2025 (closed November 25-28, December 24-25, and January 1) | 5‒9 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Brookside Gardens’ perennial favorite seasonal light display is back! The dazzling one-half mile, walk-through, outdoor exhibit features more than a million twinkling lights formed into tunnels, flowers, animals and other natural elements. This year’s exhibit includes a new lighted archway choregraphed to music, as well as lighted jumping pads. Hot chocolate and light snacks will be sold at the event, in addition to unique seasonal items in the gift shop. Tickets required for ages 5 and older; children under 5 are free but must register. $10 per person.
Programs for 55+:
- Socials for 55+: Eco-Friendly Holiday Hacks | November 6 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1613 Maydale Drive, Colesville.
Registration required. $6 per person.
- 55+ Nature Book Club – Book Review | November 19 | 6–7:30 p.m.
Sligo-Dennis Avenue Local Park, 10200 Sligo Creek Parkway, Silver Spring
Registration required. Free.
Montgomery Parks is a co-sponsor of the following events taking place in parks during the month of November:
The Adrenaline Rush 5K (November 2) @ Wheaton Regional Park
H20 Summit (November 9) @ Agricultural History Farm Park
Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Visit the Fall 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 419 parks. Montgomery Parks is focused on promoting physical activity, social connectivity, and environmental stewardship, especially in diverse and urbanizing areas, with an emphasis on teens, working-age adults, and seniors. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems.
Accessibility at Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Program Access for more information.
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