Holiday Events in Montgomery County, MD (2026): Lights, Tree Lightings and Markets
Photo: DC Gardens, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Montgomery County packs a lot into one season: two big light shows, outdoor skating in Rockville and a holiday market almost every weekend. Here's our 2026 list for Rockville, Wheaton, Gaithersburg, Bethesda and Takoma Park, with the dates, times, costs and addresses we checked in early November. Tap any photo to go straight to the event's page.
Before you go: holiday hours and weather can change plans, so check the event's website the day you head out.
Montgomery County holiday events, in date order
Ice Skating at Rockville Town Square
Photo: Visit Montgomery. Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Open now through Feb. 28. Most days 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; extended hours on holidays
Cost: Online: $12 ages 13+, $11 ages 12 and under and seniors. Walk-up is $1 more. Skate rental $6
Good to know: Book online to save a little and skip the line.
Where:131 Gibbs St., Rockville, MD 20850
Event page:rockvilleiceskating.com
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
Photo: Montgomery Parks. Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Nov. 20 through Jan. 3, evenings. Closed Nov. 23 to 26, Dec. 24 and 25, and Jan. 1
Cost: Timed tickets per person, bought online; kids 4 and under free
Good to know: A walk-through show, rain or shine. Dress warm.
Where:1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902
Event page:montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/special-events/garden-of-lights
Holiday Tree Lighting at Clarksburg Premium Outlets
Photo: Clarksburg Premium Outlets. Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 5 to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Good to know: The tree lights at 7 p.m., with music, live performances and early holiday deals at the shops.
Where:22705 Clarksburg Rd., Clarksburg, MD 20871
Event page:visitmontgomery.com/events/holiday-tree-lighting
Winter Lights Festival
Photo: Visit Montgomery. Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Nov. 27 through Dec. 31, 6 to 9 p.m.
Cost: One ticket per car. Last year: $15 Monday to Thursday, $25 Friday to Sunday. 2026 prices coming soon
Good to know: A drive-through light show. Some nights are walk-only, so check the calendar.
Where:Seneca Creek State Park, 11950 Clopper Rd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Event page:gaithersburgmd.gov/recreation/special-events/winter-lights-festival
A Christmas Carol at Olney Theatre Center
Photo: Olney Theatre Center. Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Dec. 2 through Jan. 2
Cost: Tickets required (last year $52 to $91)
Good to know: Olney's take on the Dickens classic is a holiday tradition.
Where:Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Rd., Olney, MD 20832
Event page:olneytheatre.org
Bethesda Winter Wonderland and Holiday Market
Photo: Bethesda Urban Partnership. Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Saturday, Dec. 5, noon to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend
Good to know: Last year had ice sculpting, Santa from 2 to 4 p.m., 40+ artisan vendors and a Toys for Tots drop-off.
Where:Norfolk and Cordell Avenues, Woodmont Triangle, Bethesda, MD 20814
Event page:bethesda.org/event/bethesdas-winter-wonderland
Pajamarama in Takoma Park
Photo: Main Street Takoma. Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Sunday, Dec. 6. Shop deals 8 to 11 a.m.; outdoor holiday market 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend
Good to know: Come in your pajamas for early-bird deals at local shops. One block from the Takoma Metro.
Where:Main Street Takoma (Carroll and Laurel Avenues), Takoma Park, MD 20912
Event page:mainstreettakoma.org/featured-events/pajamarama
Montgomery County holiday events: quick answers
When is Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens in 2026?
Nov. 20, 2026 through Jan. 3, 2027, in the evenings. It's closed Nov. 23 to 26, Dec. 24 and 25, and Jan. 1. Tickets are timed and sold online; kids 4 and under are free.
Which holiday events in Montgomery County are free?
The Clarksburg Premium Outlets tree lighting (Nov. 21), Bethesda Winter Wonderland (Dec. 5) and Pajamarama in Takoma Park (Dec. 6) are free to attend.
Where can I go ice skating outdoors in Montgomery County?
Rockville Town Square, open through Feb. 28. Online tickets are $12 for ages 13 and up and $11 for kids 12 and under and seniors, plus $6 for skate rental.
Is there a drive-through light show in Montgomery County?
Yes. The Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg runs Nov. 27 through Dec. 31, 6 to 9 p.m., with one ticket per car. Garden of Lights is a walk-through show.
Make it a holiday quest
How many can you check off before New Year's? A tree lighting, a lights show and a holiday market. One is Elf level, two is Reindeer, all three is Santa. Tag us on Instagram when you finish your quest.
More Maryland holiday guides
Visiting family in another county? Our Maryland holiday events guide links to every county we cover. Maryland holiday events by county
Thinking about home in Montgomery County?
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