WHEATON, Md.— Welcome 2025 with good times at Montgomery Parks! Connect with our past by learning how to volunteer at one of our historical sites, explore behind-the-scenes at Brookside Gardens, plan a special event at The Lodge at Little Seneca Lake, or honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and learn about the life and legacy of another great American, Rev. Josiah Henson.
Last chance to catch these holiday favorites!
Garden of Lights | through January 5 | 5‒9 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Brookside Gardens’ perennial favorite seasonal light display. Tickets required for ages 5 and older; children under 5 are free. $10 per person. Purchase Garden of Lights tickets.
Garden Railway Exhibit | through January 4 | 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’ January events highlights include
History in the Parks Volunteer Recruitment Fair | January 11 | 10:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m.
Olney Library, 3500 Olney Laytonsville Road, Olney
Stop by the Montgomery Parks Volunteer Fair to learn more about our historic sites and the opportunities available. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, love community events, or simply want to make an impact, there’s a role for you.
Special Opening: MLK Holiday | January 20 | 10 a.m. –4 p.m.
Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda (Parking is located at 5900 Executive Boulevard, North Bethesda)
After volunteering, come visit the museum during special holiday hours in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. All ages. Admission: $5 adults, $4 children/seniors.
Brookside Gardens Winter Tour | January 23 and 24 | 1‒2:30 p.m. (1/23); 10:30 a.m.‒12 p.m. (1/24)
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Winter brings a different dimension to the gardens that is sometimes overlooked by visitors. Walk and talk with Brookside Gardens expert, Kristin Davey, to uncover the “bones of the garden” without the distraction of leaves or flowers. Explore the architectural elements that shape the gardens including woody plants, hardscape, and other components of design. Ages 18 and older. $12 per person. Register for Brookside Gardens WInter Tour.
History Hour: Josiah Henson: The Man, The Myth, and The Museum | January 23 | 6–7 p.m.
Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda (Parking is located at 5900 Executive Boulevard, North Bethesda)
Ginger Moodie-Woodward, museum educator at Josiah Henson Museum and Park, will speak about the life of the Rev. Josiah Henson, who was enslaved in North Bethesda on the Riley Plantation in the early 1800s and later self-emancipated to Canada. The talk will focus on his early life in Maryland and his later work as an abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad. Ages 12 and older. $5 per person. Buy tickets for History Hour: Josiah Henson: The Man, The Myth, and The Museum.
The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek Open House | January 26 | 11 a.m. –2 p.m.
14500-A Clopper Road, Boyds
Start planning your dream event and make lasting memories at this intimate open house. Explore the historic manor, meet with select special events vendors and discover how The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek can be the enchanting backdrop for your next special occasion.
No School? No Problem
School’s Out Skate Days | January 20 and 29 | 9 a.m. –5 p.m.
Cabin John Ice Rink, 10610 Westlake Drive, Rockville
Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton
On many of the days Montgomery County Public Schools are off School’s Out Skate Days are on! Bring your kids for a skate day full of supervised activities. The day includes a group skating lesson, practice skating time, arts & crafts, and fun games. Skaters will need to pack a lunch and will be emailed camp forms prior to the skate day. Ages 6–12. $75 per person. Register for School’s Out Skate Days.
Park Academy Series classes
- Breath and Movement Flow Yoga | Saturdays, January 4–25 | 10 a.m.–11 a.m.
Quince Orchard Valley Neighborhood Park, 6800 Tilden Lane, Potomac
Ages 16 and older. Register for Breath and Movement Flow Yoga. 4 sessions: $40 per person.
- Toddler and You Yoga | Saturdays, January 4–March 1 | 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Quince Orchard Valley Neighborhood Park, 6800 Tilden Lane, Potomac
Ages 2–5 (plus one adult). Register for Toddler and You Yoga. 8 sessions: $96 per child.
- POUND Fitness | Wednesdays, January 8–February 12 | 5–5:45 p.m.
Green Farm Maintenance Facility, 8301 Turkey Thicket Drive, Montgomery Village
Ages 18 and older. Register for POUND Fitness. 6 sessions: $54 per person.
- Balance and Mobility | Thursdays, January 9–January 30 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Clarksburg Neighborhood Park, 22501 Wims Road, Clarksburg
Ages 18 and older. Register for Balance and Mobility. 6 sessions: $40 per person.
- Senior Fitness Test | January 18 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Clarksburg Neighborhood Park, 22501 Wims Road, Clarksburg
Ages 55 and older. Register for Senior Fitness Test. Free.
- Introduction to Robotics and Coding | January 25 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Meadowbrook Local Park, 7901 Meadowbrook Lane, Chevy Chase
Ages 11-13. Register for Introduction to Robotics and Coding. $75 per person.
Programs for 55+:
- Socials for 55+: Green Dreams Vision Board | January 17 | 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Meadowbrook Local Park, 7901 Meadowbrook Lane, Chevy Chase
Register for Socials for 55+: Green Dreams Vision Board. $4 per person.
- 55+ Nature Book Club | January 21 | 6–7:30 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
Register for 55+ Nature Book Club. 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.
###