WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks is celebrating Independence Day and the country’s semiquincentennial with festivities starting Friday, July 3, 2026.
Celebrate Independence Day at one (or both) of these co-sponsored events
- Friday, July 3, Montgomery County 250th: Shine Together, 7 to 11 p.m., Newport Mill Local Park
- Saturday, July 4, Germantown Glory, 7 to 9:30 p.m., at South Germantown Recreational Park
Open Parkways schedule
The Open Parkways will be extended for the Independence Day 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) and
Sligo Creek Parkway between Old Carroll Avenue and Piney Branch Road; and - Sligo Creek Parkway between Forest Glen Road and University Boulevard West
- Friday, July 3, 9 a.m. until Sunday, July 5, at 6 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 and may take up to 30 minutes to complete.
What’s open during the holiday weekend
Open Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5:
- Parks, trails, gardens, 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.)
- Explore the new disc golf course at Northwest Branch Recreational Park (permit required for tournaments).
- The in-line hockey rink at Ridge Road Recreational Park and street hockey/futsal rink at Dewey Local Park may be reserved by permit or used on a first-come, first-served when not reserved.
- Picnic shelters and campfire rings are available for rental at several locations.
- Little Bennett Campground
- Black Hill Discovery Center, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Black Hill Boats
- Cabin John Miniature Train, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Wheaton Miniature Train and Carousel Friday, 12 to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- South Germantown SplashPark & Mini-Golf, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- South Germantown Driving Range, Saturday* and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (*Closes at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 4; open 9 a.m. on Friday)
- Brookside Gardens Grounds open daily sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Conservatory is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Butterfly Experience is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Timed tickets required.)
Open Friday, July 3 and Sunday, July 5:
- Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena (check website for hours)
- Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park Museum and Visitor Center: Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m.; Manor House guided tours: Sunday at 1 p.m. (Park grounds and trails open sunrise to sunset)
- Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center, Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wheaton Indoor Tennis, Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Josiah Henson Museum and Park, Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. (Park grounds open sunrise to sunset)
Open Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5:
The following facilities will be closed in observance of Independence Day, Friday, July 3, 2026:
- Montgomery Parks Headquarters and Permits Offices
- Montgomery Parks Customer Service Office
- Brookside Nature Center
- Locust Grove Nature Center
The following facility will be closed on Independence Day, Saturday, July 4, 2026:
- Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena
- Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center
- Wheaton Indoor Tennis
- Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
- Josiah Henson Museum and Park
- BMX Pump Track at South Germantown Recreational Park
- Kingsley Schoolhouse is closed on Sunday, July 5.
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.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages 416 parks and more than 37,000 acres of parkland. Our parks, programs, and facilities promote physical activity, social connection, and environmental stewardship. As part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery Parks is committed to creating equitable, inclusive, and accessible park experiences. M-NCPPC has been stewarding public lands since 1927 and has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services.
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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