Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park

A 3.5-Mile Drive Through 450 Displays

Gaithersburg's Winter Lights Festival is a 3.5-mile drive through Seneca Creek State Park with more than 450 light displays. It's the 31st season, and it runs every night from November 27 to December 31, except Christmas Day. Like any drive-through, it's great with babies and toddlers, since everyone stays warm in the car.

Tickets are per vehicle and sold online only, in advance, for a specific date. Nothing is sold at the park. Weeknights are $15, weekends are $25, and vehicles that hold 15 or more people are $35. The city lists opening time as 6pm with last entry at 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 10pm on Friday and Saturday.

Before the drive-through season starts, the city runs a few walk or trolley nights. S'more Lights on November 20 is already sold out, and Walk and Wag on November 23 is for families who want to bring the dog. If you missed those, the regular drive-through is still the easiest way to see it.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Buy before you go. Tickets are online only. You can't pay at the gate.
• ✓Pick a weeknight. It saves $10 per car.
• ✓Pack snacks and a playlist. It is 3.5 miles at a slow crawl.
• ✓Use the bathroom first. There's no stopping once you're in the line of cars.
• ✓Go early in the season. The weeks right before Christmas are the busiest for light shows.

Questions Parents Ask

When is the Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival 2026?

Nightly from November 27 to December 31, 2026, except December 25, at Seneca Creek State Park.

How much is Winter Lights in Gaithersburg?

$15 per car on weeknights, $25 on weekends, and $35 for vehicles with 15 or more passengers. Tickets are sold online only.

Can I buy Winter Lights tickets at the park?

No. One ticket per vehicle, bought online in advance for a specific date.

What time does Winter Lights open?

6pm, with last entry at 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 10pm Friday and Saturday.