WHEATON, Md.— Montgomery Parks is rolling out a fabulous lineup of holiday-inspired seasonal joy. Whether you’re sipping mulled wine while admiring your art, catching a dazzling ice show, strolling through millions of twinkling lights, or enjoying a ye olde-fashioned Yuletide celebration, December is crackling with festive fun at Montgomery Parks!
Don’t miss these holiday favorites, open through Jan. 4, 2026
- Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens (closed Dec. 24 to 25, and Jan. 1)
- Garden Railway Exhibit at Brookside Gardens, opens Nov. 29, 2025 to Jan. 4, 2025 (closed Dec. 24 to 25 and Jan. 1)
December events include:
Deck the Halls | Dec. 6 | 1:30 to 4 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, Boyds
Kick off the season with a community decorating party. Bring an ornament to donate or help hang our nature-themed décor. Free.
Wood and Wine at Oakley Cabin | Dec. 6 | 5 to 8 p.m.
Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park
Craft, sip, and savor by the fire. Celebrated local artist Anna Fogg will guide you through creating a stunning, one-of-a-kind wooden art piece while you enjoy a glass of aromatic mulled wine and a rustic spread of smoked meats, cheeses, roasted vegetables and bread around the fire. Includes an exclusive, handmade artisan mug. $50. (21+)
Winter Watch Party | Dec. 12 | 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, Rockville
Put on your coziest pjs for a night of hot cocoa, hands-on crafts, and a winter movie inside the nature center. $10.
Taste and Test the Skies Trivia | Dec. 6 | 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, Rockville
Test your knowledge–from astronomy to pop culture–while enjoying a topical tasting of meads from Rockville’s Clear Skies Brewing. After trivia, bundle up for a dark-sky night hike with telescope and binoculars for sky viewing (weather permitting). $25.
Cabin John Winter Ice Show | Dec. 13 | 6:15 to 9 p.m.
Cabin John Ice Rink, Rockville
Wheaton Winter Ice Show | Dec. 21 | 1:15 to 3:45 p.m.
Wheaton Ice Arena, Wheaton
Our annual winter ice shows return! Watch our talented figure skaters light up the ice with dazzling spirals, spins, and jumps. Free.
Musical Puppet Show | Dec. 13 | 4 to 5 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, Rockville
Shadow puppeteer Philip McKnight and friends bring a magical nature-themed “cranky” journey to life with narration and play original ukelele tunes. $10.
Woodlawn Manor Yuletide Celebration | Dec. 13 | 5 to 7 p.m.
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, Sandy Spring
Celebrate the Yuletide 19th-century style in one of two hour-long sessions. Explore the first floor of the Manor House decked out with period-inspired decorations. Try your hand at 19th-century dancing, enjoy a tasting menu inspired by an 1840s holiday feast, and listen to readings of popular holiday poems of the period. Create your own Victorian greeting card and play games of the era. $15 children (6-17), $20 adults. (Online tickets available through 12/3/25; limited walk-in tickets available day of program).
Celebration Station: Bring Nature’s Treasures to Your Table | Dec. 16 | 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, Boyds
Design a holiday centerpiece using fresh greenery and natural elements provided onsite. $30 (Free, Friends of Black Hill).
Garden After Dark: Holly Daze | Dec. 17 | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, Wheaton
Take a leisurely stroll through the beloved Garden of Lights display, then warm up inside with wine, cheese and dessert as you create your own festive holiday arrangement to commemorate your visit. $55.
Celebration Station: New Year’s at Noon Family Celebration | Dec. 31 | 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, Boyds
Ring in the New Year a little early. Enjoy festive arts and crafts activities, a campfire with s’mores, and of course, a noon countdown to ring in the New Year! $10 ($9, Friends of Black Hill).
More ways to explore and enjoy
- Check out Park Academy Series for fitness, wellness, and learning classes.
- See our special programs for 55+.
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 Winter 2026 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 415 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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