It's the season of lights in the Washington DC metro area. Many parks and botanical gardens are hosting beautiful light displays through the new year: Brookside Garden of Lights - Montgomery County MD hosts its annual display at Brookside Gardens through January 5th. Walk among the outdoor twinkling lights and glimmering displays that dot the paths and flowerbeds in 50 acres ...
(DC) (National Gallery of Art) Enjoy a winter skate at the NGA's iconic ice rink surrounded by sculptures and the National Mall. Purchase skating passes in person. Fees cover two back-to-back, 45-minute skating sessions that each begin on the hour. Enjoy a hot cocoa and food at the adjoining Pavilion Cafe. The skating rink will be open through March 2nd ...
(DC) (United States Botanic Garden) The annual holiday display “Season’s Greenings” features model trains in the gated outdoor gardens, festive lights throughout the Garden, and the poinsettias, holiday decor, and D.C. landmarks made from plants inside the Conservatory. On the lawn in the gated outdoor gardens, G-gauge model trains circulate from 10:00-5:00 daily through displays of pollinators made from plant ...
(MD) (VA) (DC) Each year from December 14 through January 5, tens of thousands of volunteers brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC) Each count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle, and is organized by a count compiler. Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile (24-km) diameter circle, counting every bird ...
(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Join FODM for a bird walk every Sunday at 8 a.m. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is a freshwater, tidal marsh on the Virginia side of the Potomac River in Fairfax County. It is a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, U.S. National Park Service.
(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) Join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy team covering Sweet Run State Park in northwestern Loudoun County for the Charles Town, WV Christmas Bird Count. Begun in 1899, these annual surveys are held all over North America, with the results used to better understand bird populations and dynamics. Everyone is welcome; amateurs are assisted by experienced birders, and ...
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Join DC Bird Alliance for a Mindful Bird Walk & Forest Bathing With Camp Fire & S'Mores in RockC reek park.
(DC) (National Park Service) Come check out this seasonal pop-up exhibit in the Rock Creek Nature Center to learn about the plants of the winter solstice. Craft your own winter solstice-plant inspired decoration to help us decorate the exhibit hall for the holiday season. Ongoing through Dec. 29th.
(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) What do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? Through over 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why dark nights matter, rekindle your connection with the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide? Open ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) All aboard for a train ride on the Holiday Express. Take a spin on the Carolers Carousel, play Gingerbread Man Golf or warm yourself by the fire and cook s'mores as you usher in your holidays. Families will enjoy a visit with Santa, hot chocolate and candy canes. Passes can be picked up at ice cream parlor ...
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us for an afternoon of beautiful harp music and the natural beauty of Black Hill all around you. No need to register; just come to the Discovery Center and enjoy.
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join James, Weed Warrior Supervisor, for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday in Long Branch Stream Valley Unit 1 (between Piney Branch Rd and Carroll Ave), in Takoma Park. We will focus on non-native, invasive vines, especially porcelainberry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata). Native Virginia creeper and poison ivy are also present and beneficial, so we will avoid ...
