WHEATON, Md. –The winter holidays are here and Montgomery Parks has a sleigh full of festive activities. From decorating Black Hill Discovery Center to crafting holiday ornaments and ringing in the New Year, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss out on fun and festivities!
December nature center programs include:
Deck the Halls | December 7 | 1:30– 4 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Help decorate Black Hill Discovery Center for the holiday season. Bring an ornament or help hang our nature-themed decorations. All ages. Register for Deck the Halls. Free.
Craft a Hiking Stick | December 12 | 7 – 8 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
Create a unique walking stick for yourself or to give as a thoughtful gift. Ages 18 and older. Register for Craft a Hiking Stick. $10 per person.
Paint and Sip: Holiday Ornaments | December 13 | 5 – 6 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
Sip on wine while crafting a personalized nature-themed holiday ornament. Ages 21 and older. Register for Paint and Sip: Holiday Ornaments. $20 per person.
Make It and Take It: Nature Ornaments | December 14 | 1:30– 3 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Drop by to make a holiday ornament from natural materials. All ages. Register for Make It and Take It: Nature Ornaments. $2 per person (only register those making craft).
Winter Solstice Lantern Making | December 14 | 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville
Celebrate the winter solstice by making a beautiful lantern. Ages 6–12. Register for Winter Solstice Lantern Making. $7 per person.
Christmas Bird Count | December 14 | 7:30–9 a.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, RockvilleMeadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
Join Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count to help assess bird populations and guide conservation efforts. Ages 6 and older. Register for Christmas Bird Count. Free.
Holiday Gift Wrapping Workshop | December 20 | 7–8 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
Learn fun, creative, eco-friendly ways to make your gifts stand out and finish last-minute wrapping. All ages. Register for Holiday Gift Wrapping Workshop. Free.
Nature Ornaments | December 21 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville
Create ornaments from pinecones, seeds, and other natural materials. Ages 3–8. Register for Nature Ornaments. $7 per person.
Winter Solstice Campfire | December 21 | 4– 5:30 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton
Honor the shortest day of the year and start of winter around a cozy campfire with s’mores after making luminaries to take home. Ages 3 and older. Register for Winter Solstice Campfire. $7 per person.
Winter Solstice Lantern-led Hike and Campfire | December 21 | 4:30–6 p.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville
Make paper lanterns and light the way for a magical hike through the woods, followed by a warm, toasty fire with hot chocolate and marshmallows. Ages 6 and older. Register for Winter Solstice Lantern-led Hike and Campfire. $8 per person.
Happy Noon Year | December 28 |11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
For those who prefer an early celebration, bring your favorite juice drink to toast the New Year. Fun-filled activities and small snack provided. All ages. Register for Happy Noon Year. $7 per person.
Celebration Station: New Year’s Edition | December 29 | 1–4 p.m.| December 29 | 1–4 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Black Hill with coloring pages, gratitude stations, binoculars for viewing waterfowl, and hot chocolate and cider. All ages. Register for Celebration Station: New Year’s Edition. Free.
Smokey Bear New Year’s Eve Countdown | December 31 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville
Ring in the New Year with Smokey Bear, enjoy various activities, a campfire with s’mores, and a noon countdown! All ages. Register for Smokey Bear New Year’s Eve Countdown. $8 per person.
Programs for 55+:
- Tea, Snacks, & Crafts Series | December 10–January 21, 2025 | 7–8:30 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton
Register for Tea, Snacks, & Crafts Series. $50 per person.
Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of nature center programs. Visit the Winter 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.
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 Nature Centers
Montgomery Parks operates five nature program sites, Black Hill Discovery Center, Brookside Nature Center, Locust Grove Nature Center, Maydale Nature Classroom and Meadowside Nature Center. The nature centers provide learning opportunities for youths and adults in a variety of ways including school, scout, and public programs for all ages; special events, summer camps, birthday parties, volunteer opportunities, internships, engaging interpretive exhibits, live animal exhibits, native plant gardens, trails and nature play areas. For more information, visit Montgomery Parks Nature Centers website.
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.
###