WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks announces programming and operating hours for the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend, Thursday, November 28, through Sunday, December 1, 2024. Celebrate Thanksgiving with family, friends, and Montgomery Parks!
Visit these holiday favorites
- Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens, November 22 through January 5, 2025 (closed November 25–28, December 24–25, and January 1)
- Garden Railway Exhibit at Brookside Gardens, November 30, 2024–January 4, 2025 (closed December 24–25 and January 1)
More family-friendly activity ideas at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
- Woodlawn Manor House: Special guided tours on November 30, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and December 1, 1 p.m.
- Underground Railroad Experience Trail: Public guided hike on November 30, 10 a.m. (Registration required).
Open Parkways schedule
The Open Parkways will be extended for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. During this time, parkways are open to pedestrians and bicyclists and closed to motor vehicles.
- Beach Drive between Knowles Avenue and Cedar Lane (2.2 miles)
- Thursday, November 28, at 9 a.m. until Sunday, December 1, at 4 p.m.
- Sligo Creek Parkway between Old Carroll Avenue and Piney Branch Road and between Forest Glen Road and University Boulevard West
- Thursday, November 28, at 9 a.m. until Sunday, December 1, at 4 p.m.
*Please note: Gate closures are intended to be completed by the times listed above. The re-opening of the parkways begins at the times listed above. However, this process may take up to 30 minutes to complete.
Additional facilities open during the holiday weekend include
- Parks, trails, gardens, nature center trails and outdoor nature play areas playgrounds, dog parks, skate parks, outdoor exercise stations, and outdoor tennis/pickleball and basketball courts* are open daily, sunrise to sunset. (*Select outdoor courts are available for rental.)
- The inline hockey rink at Ridge Road Recreational Park and street hockey/futsal rink at Dewey Local Park may be permitted, or are available first come, first served, if not reserved.
- Picnic shelters are available for rental at several locations.
- Little Bennett Campground
- Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena
- South Germantown Driving Range
- Josiah Henson Museum and Park, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday 12–4 p.m.
- Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, Museum & Visitor Center, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m., Sunday, 12– 4 p.m.
The following facilities will be CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2024
- All Montgomery Parks facilities and buildings (parks and trails are always open daily, sunrise–sunset).
- Montgomery Parks Headquarters and Permits Offices
- Montgomery Parks Customer Service Office
- Brookside Gardens Visitor Center and Conservatory (also closed Friday, November 29, except for Garden of Lights)
Need a jump-start on your weekend planning? Visit the Ways to Discover Your Happy Place newsletter for a weekly list of fun things to do or see in Montgomery Parks.
Register on Active Montgomery
ActiveMontgomery is a program and facility reservation system that allows users to register online for classes, camps, programs and lessons offered by Montgomery Parks. Users must go to ActiveMontgomery and create an account before registering.
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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