WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks announces programming and operating hours for the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend, Thursday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. Give thanks by spending time with family and friends at Montgomery Parks!
Visit these holiday favorites
- Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens, Nov. 21, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026 (closed Nov. 24–27, Dec. 24–25, and Jan. 1)
- Garden Railway Exhibit at Brookside Gardens, Nov. 30, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026 (closed Dec. 24–25 and Jan. 1)
More family-friendly activity ideas for Saturday, Nov. 29:
Open Parkways schedule
The Open Parkways will be on its normal fall/winter schedule for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
- Beach Drive between Knowles Avenue and Cedar Lane (2.2 miles) and
Sligo Creek Parkway between Old Carroll Avenue and Piney Branch Road- Saturdays at 7 a.m. through Sundays at 4 p.m.*
- Sligo Creek Parkway between Forest Glen Road and University Boulevard West
- Fridays at 9 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.
Additional facilities open during the holiday weekend include–
Open Friday, Nov. 28 – Sunday, Nov. 30:
Parks, trails, gardens, nature center trails and outdoor nature play areas (Locust Grove Nature Center’s Nature Exploration area only open during facility hours on Saturday and Sunday), 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.
Open Saturday, Nov. 29 – Sunday, Nov. 30:
- Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, Museum & Visitor Center, 11 a.m.– 3 p.m.
- Black Hill Discovery Center, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Brookside Nature Center, Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday, 12 – 4 p.m.
- Locust Grove Nature Center, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The following facilities will be CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025:
- 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, including Garden of Lights (Grounds open daily, sunrise – sunset)
The following facilities will also be CLOSED on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025:
- Black Hill Discovery Center, Brookside Nature Center, Locust Grove Nature Center
- Brookside Gardens Visitor Center and Conservatory, except Garden of Lights (Grounds open daily, sunrise – sunset)
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 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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