WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks announces programming and operating hours for the 2025 winter holiday break with a variety of events for the entire family.
Open Parkways schedule
A portion of the Open Parkways on Sligo Creek Parkway will be extended on Thursdays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. This is a change from the normal Friday openings.
- Sligo Creek Parkway between Forest Glen Road and University Boulevard West
- Thursday, Dec. 25 at 9 a.m. through Sunday, Dec. 28 at 4 p.m.*
- Thursday, Jan. 1 at 9 a.m. through Sunday, Jan. 4 at 4 p.m.*
- Beach Drive between Knowles Avenue and Cedar Lane (2.2 miles) and
Sligo Creek Parkway between Old Carroll Avenue and Piney Branch Road will be on the normal schedule- Saturdays at 7 a.m. through Sundays 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.
Here are a few activity ideas for the holiday period:
- Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens, seasonal display (open through Jan. 4; closed Dec. 24–25, and Jan. 1)
- The Garden Railway Exhibit at Brookside Gardens, another holiday favorite (open through Jan.4; closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1)
- Celebration Station: New Year’s at Noon, Black Hill Discovery Center (Dec. 31)
Additional facilities open during the holiday period include:
- Parks, trails, gardens, nature centers, 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.
- Campfire rings are available for rental at several locations.
- Ice Skating at Cabin John Ice Rink or Wheaton Ice Arena
- Little Bennett Campground
- Josiah Henson Museum & Park, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday 12–4 p.m.
Holiday week operating hours by facility:
- *ALL Montgomery Parks offices, facilities, and buildings are CLOSED on Dec. 25
- Montgomery Parks Headquarters, Permits and Customer Service Offices are CLOSED on Jan. 1
Brookside Gardens Visitor Center and Conservatory
Dec. 25: Closed (Garden of Lights and Garden Railway Exhibit also CLOSED)
Jan. 1: Closed (Garden of Lights and Garden Railway Exhibit also CLOSED)
Dec. 24: CLOSED
Dec. 31: CLOSED
Jan. 1: CLOSED
Dec. 24: Closes at 3 p.m.
Dec. 31: Closes at 3 p.m.
Jan. 1: Opens at 12 p.m.
Pauline Betz Addie Tennis
Dec. 24: Closes at 3 p.m.
Dec.31: Closes at 3 p.m.
Jan. 1: Open 12–7 p.m.
South Germantown Driving Range
Dec. 24: Closes at 3 p.m.*
Dec. 25: CLOSED
Dec. 31: Closes at 3 p.m.*
Jan.1: CLOSED
(*Weather permitting)
Wheaton Ice Arena
Dec. 24: Closes at 3 p.m.
Dec. 31: Closes at 3 p.m.
Jan. 1: Opens at 12 p.m.
Wheaton Indoor Tennis
Dec. 24: Closes at 3 p.m.
Dec. 31: Closes at 3 p.m.
Jan. 1: Open 12–7 p.m.
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/TTY), 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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