(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 ...
(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 ...
(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 ...
(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 ...
(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 ...
(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 ...
(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) If you are a beginning birder or you have never participated in a Christmas Bird Count, then this is the walk for you. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy to look for birds at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, and learn everything you need to know about participating in a count. Bring binoculars and meet at the Visitor Center.
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Join us at Gulf Branch 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.
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy and Weed Warrior leader Liz Crafford or 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 ...
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Join us to find out how you can capture, edit, manage, and submit wildlife photos in a manner that will be useful for science! Wildlife is everywhere in DC—and no one sees it more closely than our partners at City Wildlife, whose teams care for thousands of injured and orphaned animals each year. Local photographers also ...
(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join AWS and National Links Trust for a workday that will help us with our invasive plant control and revegetation efforts along the riverside area of Kingman Island at Langston Golf Course. By participating in this project you will not only have the opportunity to learn about invasive plants and the ecology of the Anacostia River, ...
(DC) (Ward 8 Woods) Join Ward 8 Woods every second Saturday of the month to restore Shepherd Parkway by removing trash and invasive vines that are smothering the trees. Since 2011, over 2,000 volunteers have removed over 200 tons of trash from the woods and cut invasive vines from over 500 trees, but much work remains to be done. Give back ...
(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.
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) All aboard the Holiday Express! Climb on for a train ride, spin around the Carolers Carousel, play a round of Gingerbread Man Golf or cozy up by the fire to make s’mores. Celebrate the season with family fun, a visit with Santa, hot chocolate and candy canes.
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Are you intrigued by observing wildlife in your own yard? Do you want to contribute to the environmental health of our planet? If so come learn about the Wildlife Sanctuary program and how you can transform your yard to create habitat, attract beneficial wildlife, and get your yard certified as a Wildlife Sanctuary. You’ll learn ...
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Winter is the time when our evergreens shine! Maybe you know that every evergreen tree isn’t a pine, but is it a cypress? A juniper? A cedar? Join us on a hike through Wheaton Regional Park to take a closer look at evergreens.
(MD) (Nature Forward) Join us for an afternoon of holiday fun at Woodend Sanctuary! This family-friendly event will feature holiday music by acapella group Nerds in Harmony alongside a bonfire where participants can make their own holiday goodies and interact with Woodend Sanctuary’s Nature Playspace.
