All Day

2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights

Bull Run Regional Park 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy a 2.5 mile drive-through of festive light displays, walk-through a Christmas Village and Carnival. The show is open nightly from November 11, 2022 through January 8, 2023. Times vary on weekday and weekends. PLEASE NOTE: YOU ONLY NEED TO BUY ONE TICKET PER VEHICLE.

$30 – $75

2023 Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy even more lights this year as Meadowlark Botanical Gardens sparkles with displays of flowers, animals, trees, and holiday scenes along the Winter Walk of Lights .6-mile trail. Times and prices vary by weekday or weekend. See website for all details.

$18 – $22

2023 Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run

Cameron Run Regional Park 4001 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Ice & Lights offers a fun, outdoor family experience to see unique light displays, take family pictures or selfies with a variety of displays, and take a spin on the outdoor ice rink.  Tickets are available for the Village or Village and Ice Skating daily through January 1st.  Prices and times vary from weekdays to weekends.

$8 – $20

National Audubon Christmas Bird Count

(DMV) The Christmas Bird Count occurs December 14 to January 5 every season.  Sign up to receive information and results about all of Audubon's community science programs through American Birds, our newsletter by email. Click here for a map view of the circles expected to be included in the 124th CBC. You can use ESRI's free mobile app to view updated public ...

Free

National Audubon Christmas Bird Count

(DMV) The Christmas Bird Count occurs December 14 to January 5 every season.  Sign up to receive information and results about all of Audubon’s community science programs through American Birds, our newsletter by email. Click here for a map view of the circles expected to be included in the 124th CBC. You can use ESRI’s free mobile app to view updated public ...

Free
Ongoing

Garden of Lights at Brookside

Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) 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 displays adorning the flowerbeds and grounds throughout the 50-acre horticultural gem in Wheaton. Shop for unique seasonal items at the Gift Shop. Hot chocolate and light snacks will ...

$10

US Botanic Garden Holiday and Trains

U.S. Botanic Garden 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) The annual holiday display “Season’s Greenings” will feature model trains in the gated outdoor gardens, festive lights throughout the Garden, and the Conservatory will feature poinsettias, holiday decor, and D.C. landmarks made from plants. G-gauge model trains will circulate through displays of pollinators made from plant parts in the outdoor gardens. These scenes will range from ...

Free

US Botanic Garden Holiday and Trains

U.S. Botanic Garden 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) The annual holiday display “Season’s Greenings” will feature model trains in the gated outdoor gardens, festive lights throughout the Garden, and the Conservatory will feature poinsettias, holiday decor, and D.C. landmarks made from plants. G-gauge model trains will circulate through displays of pollinators made from plant parts in the outdoor gardens. These scenes will range from ...

Free

Zoo Lights at the National Zoo

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

(DC) (Smithsonian) Washington, D.C.’s beloved Smithsonian’s National Zoo holiday tradition is back and brighter than ever! Dozens of dazzling displays and half a million environmentally-friendly LED lights illuminate the Zoo's pathways. Visitors can stroll through immersive lantern displays showing rainforest, grassland, desert, ocean and polar habitats and the animals that call them home. Live musical performances, delicious treat offerings and ...

Zoo Lights at the National Zoo

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

(DC) (Smithsonian) Washington, D.C.’s beloved Smithsonian’s National Zoo holiday tradition is back and brighter than ever! Dozens of dazzling displays and half a million environmentally-friendly LED lights illuminate the Zoo’s pathways. Visitors can stroll through immersive lantern displays showing rainforest, grassland, desert, ocean and polar habitats and the animals that call them home. Live musical performances, delicious treat offerings and ...

Christmas Bird Count at Meadowside

Meadowside Nature Center 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Take part Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count at Meadowside. Join our effort to collect data in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action. Meeting location and details will be emailed before December 14th to all registered participants. The Audubon Christmas Bird Count runs through January 5th.

Free

Christmas Bird Count at Meadowside

Meadowside Nature Center 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Take part Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count at Meadowside. Join our effort to collect data in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action. Meeting location and details will be emailed before December 14th to all registered participants. The Audubon Christmas Bird Count runs through January 5th.

Free

Winter Solstice Lantern Making

Maydale Nature Classroom 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us as we celebrate the Winter Solstice by making lanterns, the holiday season by making nature ornaments, a Groundhog Day celebration, and Valentine’s Day by making nature valentines. Register for one or all of these family fun activities. Ages 6 to 12.

$7

Winter Solstice Lantern Making

Maydale Nature Classroom 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us as we celebrate the Winter Solstice by making lanterns, the holiday season by making nature ornaments, a Groundhog Day celebration, and Valentine’s Day by making nature valentines. Register for one or all of these family fun activities. Ages 6 to 12.

$7

Orchid Origami for Teens

Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park 3608 Military Rd, Arlington

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Teens ages 12 to 17. Come learn about the bizarre orchid family, focusing on orchids found in northern Virginia. There are more than 50 species of orchid found in Virginia! Then join us in folding our very own paper sculptures of Virginia native orchids to take home.

$7

Orchid Origami for Teens

Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park 3608 Military Rd, Arlington

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Teens ages 12 to 17. Come learn about the bizarre orchid family, focusing on orchids found in northern Virginia. There are more than 50 species of orchid found in Virginia! Then join us in folding our very own paper sculptures of Virginia native orchids to take home.

$7

Habitat Restoration Workday at Bladensburg

Bladensburg Waterfront Park 4601 Annapolis Rd, Blaidensburg

(MD) (DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join the Anacostia Watershed Society for a Habitat Restoration Workday along the riverside area of the Anacostia River in Bladensburg! We will focus on tree maintenance, which could include repairing tree shelters and fencing, and removing weeds/invasive plant species to allow the native trees to continue to flourish.

Free

Community Conservation at Hellbender Hill

Hellbender Brewing 5788 2nd St NE, Washington

(DC) (Casey Trees) Join Casey Trees as we remove invasive species at one of our protected easement sites – Hellbender Hill! Join us on Hellbender Hill, one of our protected conservation easements, to take down some invasive species! Over the past few years we have been working towards restoring the greenspace on this protected conservation easement site by pulling and ...

Free

Habitat Restoration Workday at Bladensburg

Bladensburg Waterfront Park 4601 Annapolis Rd, Blaidensburg

(MD) (DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join the Anacostia Watershed Society for a Habitat Restoration Workday along the riverside area of the Anacostia River in Bladensburg! We will focus on tree maintenance, which could include repairing tree shelters and fencing, and removing weeds/invasive plant species to allow the native trees to continue to flourish.

Free

Community Conservation at Hellbender Hill

Hellbender Brewing 5788 2nd St NE, Washington

(DC) (Casey Trees) Join Casey Trees as we remove invasive species at one of our protected easement sites – Hellbender Hill! Join us on Hellbender Hill, one of our protected conservation easements, to take down some invasive species! Over the past few years we have been working towards restoring the greenspace on this protected conservation easement site by pulling and ...

Free

Search for Santa’s Critters

Potomac Overlook Regional Park3 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington

(VA) (NOVA Parks)   Santa’s animal friends are lost in our park and need rescuing! Go on a scavenger hunt to locate the critters so they can help Santa deliver candy and treats for the holidays! $5 per child.  Appropriate for families and children of all ages.  Children must be accompanied by an adult. Check in at the nature center ...

$5

Search for Santa’s Critters

Potomac Overlook Regional Park3 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington

(VA) (NOVA Parks)   Santa’s animal friends are lost in our park and need rescuing! Go on a scavenger hunt to locate the critters so they can help Santa deliver candy and treats for the holidays! $5 per child.  Appropriate for families and children of all ages.  Children must be accompanied by an adult. Check in at the nature center ...

$5

Tree ID-Bark & Buds

Lake Fairfax Park 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (14-Adult) Learn how to identify tree species even after the leaves and fruit are gone. Join us as we get to know a different side of local trees.

$8

Tree ID-Bark & Buds

Lake Fairfax Park 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (14-Adult) Learn how to identify tree species even after the leaves and fruit are gone. Join us as we get to know a different side of local trees.

$8

Mini-Oasis Restoration at Normanstone

Normanstone 2965 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Weed Warrior Leader Ella Engstrom 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 for a thriving native understory. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the ...

Free

Mini-Oasis Restoration at Normanstone

Normanstone 2965 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Weed Warrior Leader Ella Engstrom 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 for a thriving native understory. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the ...

Free

Wintertime Animal Hike

Long Branch Nature Center & Park 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Ages 6 to 10. Join us for a live animal presentation and a nature hike to discover how local animals survive in wintertime. We'll learn about hibernation, migration and overwintering and how animals survive in the cold.

Free

Wintertime Animal Hike

Long Branch Nature Center & Park 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Ages 6 to 10. Join us for a live animal presentation and a nature hike to discover how local animals survive in wintertime. We’ll learn about hibernation, migration and overwintering and how animals survive in the cold.

Free

Caroling Wagon Ride & Campfire

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park 5040 Walney Rd, Chantilly

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Join us in song and exploration on a wagon ride. Warm up with refreshments at the campfire. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Ages 4 to Adult.

$9

Caroling Wagon Ride & Campfire

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park 5040 Walney Rd, Chantilly

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Join us in song and exploration on a wagon ride. Warm up with refreshments at the campfire. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Ages 4 to Adult.

$9

Night Hike and Cocoa at Huntley Meadows

Huntley Meadows 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria

(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) Sip hot cocoa and join a naturalist for a special winter wonder wetland tour after dark. We will look for signs and listen for sounds of beavers, owls, deer and other nocturnal winter animals. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mug to help us reduce waste.  Ages 4 to Adult.  

$10

Night Hike and Cocoa at Huntley Meadows

Huntley Meadows 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria

(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) Sip hot cocoa and join a naturalist for a special winter wonder wetland tour after dark. We will look for signs and listen for sounds of beavers, owls, deer and other nocturnal winter animals. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mug to help us reduce waste.  Ages 4 to Adult.  

$10

Winter Solstice Lantern Walk and Campfire

Maydale Nature Classroom 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Winter is full of celebrations. Join us as we celebrate the Winter Solstice by making lanterns, the holiday season by making nature ornaments, a Groundhog Day celebration, and Valentine’s Day by making nature valentines. Register for one or all of these family fun activities. All ages.

$8

Winter Solstice Lantern Walk and Campfire

Maydale Nature Classroom 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Winter is full of celebrations. Join us as we celebrate the Winter Solstice by making lanterns, the holiday season by making nature ornaments, a Groundhog Day celebration, and Valentine’s Day by making nature valentines. Register for one or all of these family fun activities. All ages.

$8
Capital Nature