10 Christmas Drive Thru Lights in Virginia & Maryland

Christmas Drive Thru Lights Table of Contents

Northern Virginia (1)
Virginia (3)
Maryland (6)
How to make your car Cozy!

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A wonderful family tradition is to a Christmas Drive Thru Lights display and I am sharing 10 in the DMV area below! There's something so wonderful about piling everyone into the car, wearing cozy pajamas, bundling up with blankets, and sipping on hot chocolate while munching on cookies. It’s easy and not weather-dependent!

Christmas Drive Thru Lights in Northern Virginia

Bull Run Festival of Lights (Fairfax County's only Christmas drive thru lights)

Location: 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121
Details: 2.5 miles of festive light displays with a holiday village for refreshments and activities.
Dates: Open nightly November 14, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
Price per Car: $30 online, $40 at the gate.
Details: Features synchronized lights and family-friendly holiday scenes.
Website

And check out these 3 neighborhoods in Burke and Springfield for some great neighborhood lights (one is a park and watch at a Gas Station and the other is ELF the Movie themed!)

Just a cute idea and reminder to bring a thermos of hot chocolate on your Christmas drive thru lights trip!

Virginia Christmas Drive Thru Lights

lluminate Light Show & Santa's Village (Virginia's largest Christmas drive thru light show!)

Location: Meadow Event Park, 13111 Dawn Blvd., Doswell, VA 23047
Details: Virginia's largest synchronized light show, plus Santa's Village for treats and fun.
Dates: November 20, 2026 – January 2, 2027.
Hours: Daily from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM Rain or shine.
Price per Car: $30 for family vehicles (up to 9 people).
Details: Includes nearly a million LED lights dancing to holiday music.
Website

Holiday Lights at the Beach (Virginia Beach City)

**Now a walk thru!

Location: Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Virginia Beach, VA
Details: Now a walkthru with nautical and holiday-themed displays.
Dates: November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
Price: Adult tickets are $19–$22 and children’s (ages 3–12) are $12–$15, plus fees.
Details: Includes iconic displays like a Surfing Santa and a 40-foot dancing Christmas tree.
Website

Celebration in Lights (Virginia's first holiday drive thru lights)

Location: Newport News Park, 13560 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, VA 23603
Details: Virginia’s first drive-through light show featuring over 350 animated displays.
Dates: November 26, 2026 - January 1, 2027.
Price per Car: $125weekdays, $20 weekends.
Details: A two-mile drive illuminated by over one million lights.
Website

Maryland Drive Thru Christmas Lights

Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park (Montgomery County)

Location: 11950 Clopper Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Details: 3.5 miles of light displays including snowmen, penguins, and more.
Dates: November 27 through December 31, 2026, closed December 25.
Price per Car: $15 weekdays, $25 weekends.
Details: Reservations are recommended on peak nights.
Website

Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park (Prince George's County)

Location: 301 Watkins Park Dr, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Details: Over a million lights and whimsical holiday scenes.
Dates: Friday, November 27, 2026 – Friday, January 1, 2027.
Hours: Daily from 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM (Free admission on Christmas Day)
Price per Car: $15 online, $20 at the gate.
Details: Donations are encouraged for local charities.

Merriweather Symphony of Lights (Howard County)

Location: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044
Details: Animated light creations set to holiday music. A tradition over 25 years old!
Dates: November 27, 2026 - January 2, 2027.
Price per Car: $25 per vehicle.
Details: Proceeds benefit Howard County General Hospital.
Website

Lights on the Bay (Anne Arundel County)

Location: 1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409
Details: Chesapeake Bay-inspired displays along a two-mile stretch.
Dates: Usually Thanksgiving to New Years.
Price per Car: $20 per vehicle.
Details: Includes themes like colonial villages and an enchanted fairy tale section.
Website

Yuletide Village (Baltimore County)

Location: Upperco Volunteer Fire Company, 10801 York Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030
Details: Expansive light display with family-friendly activities.
Dates:Usually Thanksgiving to New Years. Thursdays through Sundays.
Price per Car: $25 per vehicle.
Details: Discounts for seniors, first responders, and military personnel.
Website

Charm City Lights (Baltimore City)

Location: Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, MD
Details: Over 250,000 holiday lights and custom animated displays.
Dates: Usually Thanksgiving to New Years.
Price per Car: $10 per vehicle.
Details: Includes a massive Christmas tree and festive music.

What to Bring for a Cozy Christmas Drive Thru Lights Night

The best part of a drive thru light show is that the car becomes your own little holiday living room. Here’s what I pack to make it feel special:

Sherpa or fleece throw blankets: one per person, so nobody fights over the good one. Safety tip: buckle the kids in first, then tuck blankets over them. Bulky layers under a car seat harness aren’t safe.
Insulated thermos or beverage dispenser: for hot chocolate. Pack extra cups so you’re not passing one around.
Hot chocolate bombs or a cocoa kit: pre-measured packets are less messy in a car.
Glow sticks or light-up bracelets: kids love them. Keep them low-key so they don’t compete with the display.
Binoculars for kids: for spotting the details on far-off displays. These are the best ones my kids have used!