Ongoing

Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights is an elegant garden trail aglow with countless sparkling lights. Take an evening stroll through the enchanting Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, adorned with lighted trees and displays featuring nature, winter, and holiday themes. The half-mile paved trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Sip on a cozy, hot beverage (with or without spirits), or ...

$20

Bull Run Festival of Lights

Bull Run Regional Park 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Every year from November until just after New Year’s Day, you can experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights, 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car. This year, don't miss the carnival at the end of your drive for holiday shopping, a petting zoo, and more festive ...

$32 – $80

Zoo Lights

Smithsonian's National Zoo 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington

(DC) (Smithsonian National Zoo) Celebrate the holidays at ZooLights! Enjoy twinkling lights and a festive atmosphere as this beloved winter classic returns to the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Journey through magical displays of glowing animal lanterns, watch live musical performances, sip hot cocoa and other festive treats, and explore the Zoo under the dazzling glow of one million environmentally-friendly LED lights. ZooLights ...

Free – $9

Garden of Lights at Brookside

Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Let the magic begin! Tickets are now on sale for Brookside Gardens’ dazzling Garden of Lights — where winter nights sparkle with more than a million twinkling lights. The Garden of Lights display transforms Brookside Gardens into a magical winter wonderland. Stroll through the one-half mile, outdoor, walk-through exhibit and enjoy the twinkling lights and glimmering one-of-a-kind ...

$16 – $19

Season’s Greenings: Dino-Mite!

US Botanic Garden 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Celebrate the holiday season in our annual holiday display “Season’s Greenings” with the Conservatory full of poinsettias, holiday decor, and D.C. landmarks made from plants. In the outdoor gardens, find festive lights and decor throughout plus our model train show. This year, G-gauge model trains will chug through displays of dinosaurs made from plant parts, including ...

Bird Walk at Hains Point

(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Let's explore the world of birds at Hains Point - bring your binoculars and curiosity for a morning adventure! This is one of DC's most peaceful birding gems -- wide open views, sweeping water, and the chance to spot winter visitors who only grace our area this time of year. As we stroll along the shoreline, ...

On the Prowl for Water Fowl – Field Trip

Gunners Lake Wisteria Drive & Sky Blue Drive, Germantown

(MD) (Nature Forward) Early winter is the best time to search for and learn to ID overwintering waterfowl in our area. If you’re ready to refresh your skills or learn for the first time, our leader Mike Bowen will offer a lecture at Woodend prior to the in-person field trip at Gunner’s Lake in Germantown, MD, where a paved trail ...

$24 – $32

Family Walk at Woodend

Woodend Nature Sanctuary 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase

(MD) (Nature Forward) Join expert naturalists on a leisurely walk through the habitats at Woodend. Explore the wonders of trees, meadows, streams, insects, birds, and everything Woodend has to offer! Limited to 10 families.

$12 – $20

Invasive Plant Removal at Haley Park

James W. Haley Park 2400 S Meade St

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Join us at Haley Park to Improve habitat, meet fellow do-gooders, get exercise, and learn about native plants and wildlife all while making a difference in the great outdoors! Adults, teens, and families ages 8 and up.

NextGen Visit to the Bird House

Smithsonian's National Zoo 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington

(DC) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Join NextGen as we take a trip to our National Zoo and visit the Bird House. We will congregate at the Bird House inside the Zoo at 9AM. We will take our time in the Bird House, observing as much as we can while discussing what we see and taking photos. Feel free to bring ...

Yoga at Brookside

Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Designed to increase flexibility and physical strength and to cultivate mental focus, these classes are a beautiful and relaxing way to begin your weekend. Mats are not included. No walk-ins will be accepted. Ages 18+. Instructor: Tanory Ateek

$14

Community Tree Care and Training at Catholic U

Catholic Univeristy 620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington

(DC) (Casey Trees) Spend the day with Casey Trees as we care for young trees around Catholic University, sponsored by MedStar Health! We will start the day with a training on young tree care, where we will learn all about proper mulching, watering, planting techniques, and more. We will then apply this learning in real time as we mulch and ...

Invasive Plant Removal at the Nature Center

Rock Creek Nature Center 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy and the National Park Service for this invasive plant removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Invasive plants are a major threat to our fragile forests, and stopping their spread helps allow native plants to thrive in the understory. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the event leader 48 ...

Holiday Wreath Workshop

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Holiday crafters are invited to create their own evergreen wreath to spruce up your home or give as special gifts. We’ll provide music, refreshments, basic instruction and enough materials for each participant to make a wreath and we'll have extra for arrangements or swags. Participants should bring hand pruners or wire cutters (if you have them) and ...

$50

Winter Festival at the National Arboretum

US National Arboretum 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington DC

(DC) (Friends of the National Arboretum) Get in the holiday spirit at the National Arboretum! FONA’s Winter Festival returns this year. Buy your Christmas tree and shop from 30+ local artisans in the gift vendor village, take a holiday train ride around the Capitol Columns, and enjoy free family-friendly activities! There will also be plenty of hot chocolate and caroling ...

Suitland Parkway Volunteer Day

Suitland Parkway 2401 Alabama Ave SE, Washington

(DC) (Ward 8 Woods) Join Ward 8 Woods every first Saturday of the month to restore Suitland Parkway by removing trash and invasive vines that are smothering the trees. Since 2018, Ward 8 Woods Park Stewards and volunteers have removed more than 300 tons of trash from the woods of Suitland Parkway and cut vines from more than 1,000 trees. On ...

Free

Search for Santa’s Critters

Potomac Overlook Regional Park 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Santa’s animal friends are lost in the park and need rescuing! Join this festive scavenger hunt to locate the critters so they can help Santa deliver candy and treats in time for the holidays! This event is appropriate for families and children of all ages.

$5

Holiday Wreath Workshop

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Get into the holiday spirit by creating your own stunning wreath using natural materials like holly, pine, spruce, and cedar — all gathered from the gardens by the horticulture team. Led by Meadowlark’s Horticulture Specialist, Charles Bruce, this hands-on workshop begins with an introduction to the materials and a brief demonstration, guiding you through each step as ...

$80

Nature’s Hidden Heroes

Lake Accotink Park 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Join us for up-close encounter with some of nature's most fascinating but misunderstood creatures. Meet native crawlies, friendly giant millipedes and hissing cockroaches as you discover the important roles these "creepy crawlies" play in keeping our ecosystems healthy. This hands-on family program reveals why these incredible invertebrates are actually the unsung heroes of the natural world. ...

$9