WHEATON, Md.— Leap into the magic of the season at Montgomery Parks! This December, the enchanting Garden of Lights will dazzle with its sparkling displays, while the Garden Railway Exhibit brings miniature trains and a festive Montgomery County landscape to life. Cheer on our resident figure skaters as they glide across the ice; and discover the secrets of hunting for rare plants. Embrace the holiday spirit and create lasting memories with family and friends.
Don’t miss these holiday favorites!
Garden of Lights | through January 5, 2025 (closed November 25‒28, December 24‒25, and January 1) | 5‒9 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Brookside Gardens’ perennial favorite seasonal light display is back! The dazzling one-half mile, walk-through, outdoor exhibit features more than a million twinkling lights formed into tunnels, flowers, animals, and other natural elements. This year’s exhibit includes a new lighted archway choreographed to music and lighted jumping pads. Hot chocolate and light snacks will be sold at the event, in addition to unique seasonal items in the gift shop. Tickets required for ages 5 and older; children under 5 are free but must register. $10 per person. Purchase tickets for Garden of Lights.
Garden Railway Exhibit | through January 4, 2025 (closed December 24‒25, and January 1) | 10 a.m.‒3:45 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
All aboard model train fans! Tiny trains travel around the iconic buildings, bridges, and miniature landscapes of Montgomery County. Exhibit courtesy of partnership with the Washington Virginia Maryland Garden Railway Society. Free.
Montgomery Parks’ December events highlights include:
The Plant Messiah: Adventures in Search of the World’s Rarest Species | December 7 | 10:30 a.m. –12 p.m.
Brookside Gardens virtual
Carlos Magdalena, tropical senior botanical horticulturist at the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, shares tales of adventure from the Amazon to the Outback in search of rare and vulnerable plants. Discover groundbreaking lab techniques for saving species and encouraging them to propagate and thrive. Ages 18 and older. Register for the Plant Messiah: Adventures in Search of the World’s Rarest Species. Free.
Garden After Dark: Holly Daze | December 11 | 6:30 –8:30 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Enjoy Garden of Lights and afterward come inside for cheese, wine, and dessert. Also, make a holiday ornament to commemorate the evening. Ages 21 and older. Register for Garden After Dark: Holly Daze. $55 per person.
Wheaton Ice Kid’s Club | December 12 | 9:30 –11 a.m.
Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton
Kid’s Club meets the second Thursday of each month. Children will have supervised skating instruction for an hour followed by story, crafts, and games. No skating experience necessary. Ages 3–6. Register for Wheaton Ice Kid’s Club. $15 per child (includes skate rental).
Cabin John Winter Ice Show | December 14 | 6:30–9 p.m.
Cabin John Ice Rink, 10610 Westlake Drive, Rockville
Wheaton Winter Ice Show | December 29 | 1:15 –2:45 p.m.
Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton
Celebrate the holidays with a free figure-skating performance by our ice skaters as they twirl, leap, and dance their way around the ice rink. All ages. Free.
Park Academy fitness classes:
- Yoga for Strength and Vitality | December 3–February 18 | 10–11 a.m.
Tilden Woods Local Park, 6800 Tilden Lane, Potomac
Ages 55 and older. Register for Yoga for Strength and Vitality. 10 sessions: $90 per person - Toddler and You Yoga | December 5–February 13 | 10:30–11:15 a.m.
Tilden Woods Local Park, 6800 Tilden Lane, Potomac
Ages 2–5 (plus one adult). Register for Toddler and You Yoga. 10 sessions: $120 per child.
Programs for 55+:
- Socials for 55+: Making Nature Jewelry | December 8 | 12–1:30 p.m.
Indian Spring Terrace Local Park, 9717 Lawndale Drive, Silver Spring
Register for Socials for 55+: Making Nature Jewelry. $25 per person.
- 55+ Nature Book Club – Holiday Book Swap | December 17 | 6–7:30 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
Register for 55+ Nature Book Club – Holiday Book Swap. Free.
Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming. 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
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.
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