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

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows

Huntley Meadows 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria

(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) The Monday Morning Bird Walk is sponsored by the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park and takes place every Monday at 8 a.m. Following the walk, members of the group gather at the nearby Denny’s for breakfast and to compile the morning’s bird list. All are welcome.  

Free

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows

Huntley Meadows 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria

(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) The Monday Morning Bird Walk is sponsored by the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park and takes place every Monday at 8 a.m. Following the walk, members of the group gather at the nearby Denny’s for breakfast and to compile the morning’s bird list. All are welcome.  

Free

Liking Lichens!

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

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Did you know that the map lichen found in Virginia can live to be 8,600 years old? Though easy to miss, lichens are fascinating partnerships between algae and fungi that come in a beautiful range of colors and shapes. In winter when animals and plants are resting, it is a great time to observe lichens. First, we'll ...

$5

Liking Lichens!

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

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Did you know that the map lichen found in Virginia can live to be 8,600 years old? Though easy to miss, lichens are fascinating partnerships between algae and fungi that come in a beautiful range of colors and shapes. In winter when animals and plants are resting, it is a great time to observe lichens. First, we’ll ...

$5

Owl Prowl

Algonkian Regional Park 47001 Fairway Drive, Sterling

(VA) (NOVA Parks) "Whooooo cooks for youuuu? Whoooo cooks for youuuu allllll?" No, this is not a chef looking for a job! This is the call of a Barred Owl, perhaps Northern Virginia's most frequently observed owl. Join the roving naturalist on a quest to find these feathered friends. Learn more about owl adaptations, behavior, and role in the ecosystem ...

$8

Owl Prowl

Algonkian Regional Park 47001 Fairway Drive, Sterling

(VA) (NOVA Parks) “Whooooo cooks for youuuu? Whoooo cooks for youuuu allllll?” No, this is not a chef looking for a job! This is the call of a Barred Owl, perhaps Northern Virginia’s most frequently observed owl. Join the roving naturalist on a quest to find these feathered friends. Learn more about owl adaptations, behavior, and role in the ecosystem ...

$8
Capital Nature