11 Enjoyable Vacation Mild Shows and Points of interest Across the DC Space

Brighten up the vacation season with these enchanting gentle shows and points of interest:

Meadowlark’s Winter Stroll of Lights

Spectators of all ages will love this Northern Virginia botanical backyard, which transforms right into a a half-mile-plus animated gentle present for the vacations. Cease into the gazebo for beautiful views mirrored on the lake, or cozy up with roasted s’mores and scorching cocoa close to the fireplace ($18).

Bull Run Pageant of Lights

Discover two-and-a-half miles of fairytale vignettes from the consolation of your automotive, driving previous leaping reindeer, LED archways, glimmering sweet canes, and glowing stars. There are additionally loads of vivid lights to see on foot by means of the Vacation Village and Carnival. This yr, reside camel rides and a lined petting zoo are points of interest on the Vacation Village ($30+). 

Ice and Lights Winter Village

Have a holly jolly outing with the complete household at Cameron Run Regional Park. The seasonal Winter Village bursts with colourful gentle shows and large stars on choose nights by means of January 5. If you wish to add ice-skating to the expertise, you’ll be able to glide on the outside ice rink by means of January 6 ($8+).

Tingle Bells

Artechouse—an interactive tech-art museum—opens the vacation season with a brand new sensory exhibit. “Tingle Bells: An ASMR Impressed Vacation Particular” is a digital expertise created to assist spectators unwind and calm down. Guests can watch a 20-minute cinematic presentation of unraveling reward wrap and digital dollhouses whereas listening to delicate sounds. You’ll be able to sip an exhibit-inspired mocktail or cocktail on the bar, after which enterprise by means of the indoor imaginative world ($25+ for adults,  free for ages 4 and underneath).

“Season’s Greenings”

Right here’s an opportunity to see a few of your favourite DC landmarks in floral kind. Greater than 20 plant-created landmarks and monuments will fill the US Botanic Backyard Conservatory, whereas mannequin trains chug by means of the vacation show within the gated outside gardens. There are festive lights weaved all through the backyard exhibit for visitors to find, and reside vacation music on a choose nights in December (free).

Winter Lantern Pageant

Take a nighttime stroll by means of greater than 1,000 Chinese language lanterns, and catch a reside efficiency by the Zigong Acrobatic Troupe at this season’s whimsical Winter Lantern Pageant in Tysons ($27 for adults, $17 for youngsters, free for toddlers ages 3 and underneath).

ZooLights

The Smithsonian’s Nationwide Zoo glittering gentle present, ZooLights, is again. You’ll be able to stroll by means of lantern illumination shows of rainforest, desert, ocean, and different animal habitats, and watch nightly reside musical performances. Additionally, guests can trip the Conservation Carousel and purchase candy and savory treats ( $6).

Winter Lights Pageant

Seneca Creek State Park’s 3.5-mile loop is lit up in themes resembling Toyland, Winter Woods, and the Enchanted Forest. Automobiles can trip previous greater than 450 illuminated shows and glowing bushes ($15+, closed on Christmas).

Winter Glow

George Washington’s Mount Vernon is a beloved vacation spot to have fun holidays all year long. This month, the historic property brings a brand new winter expertise to Virginia. Company can sightsee eye-catching illuminations at Winter Glow, and meet Aladdin the camel. Main as much as Christmas, there’s a three-day fireworks occasion occurring on the 18th-century landmark December 20-22 ($54 for adults, $35 for ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and underneath, Christmas Illuminations: $55+ for adults, $33+ for ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and underneath).

Wharf’s Vacation Boat Parade & Social gathering

Watch greater than 60 decked-out boats parade throughout the Washington Channel. Along with the shimmering fleet, there can be decoration adorning, letters to Santa, vacation karaoke, meet-and-greets with Santa, reside music by Yani the Band, and a fireworks finale (free).

Alexandria Vacation Boat Parade of Lights

This vivid waterfront parade has been working for almost 25 years. View the embellished sailboats and powerboats from any spot on the Previous City waterfront, or head to Waterfront Park for crafts and a Port Metropolis Brewing Firm pop-up beer backyard (free).

Briana A. Thomas is an area journalist, historian, and tour information who specializes within the analysis of D.C. historical past and tradition. She is the writer of the Black historical past ebook, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a narrative that was first revealed in Washingtonian in 2016.