It's that time of the year when Brookside Gardens becomes a holiday lights wonderland.

Brookside Gardens is a 50-acre park located in Wheaton, Maryland. Featuring over 10 themed gardens, all connected by walking paths, the park is open year-round and is filled with hundreds of varieties of flowers, trees, and plants. During the winter holidays, the park transforms into the Garden of Lights, a winter wonderland boasting more than a million LED lights. The display dates back to 1997, and it is one of the most popular holiday attractions in the region. 

The Garden of Lights

Kids of all ages will enjoy this walking tour through Brookside Gardens. Each garden area is decorated with sprays of lights highlighting the trees and structures. The fountains of the Aquatic Garden sparkle with life-like colors while LED animals and flowers greet you throughout the park, and the playhouses of the Children’s Garden are decorated like gingerbread houses. Step inside the conservatory and view the model train displays starring miniatures of nearby landmarks like the Kensington MARC station and Glen Echo Park. Visitors can also warm up with hot chocolate and goodies at the visitor's center. Garden of Lights will also have live musical performances every night.

Courtesy Montgomery County Parks

Plan Your Visit

The Garden of Lights is open from November 22, 2019, through December 31, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays. The gardens are closed November 25 through Thanksgiving Day, and then again on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Entrance fees are $25 per car off-peak (Sunday through Thursday) and $30 per car on the weekends. Crowds can be fierce, so it’s best to visit during the week if you can. Visitors are advised to dress warmly and plan to spend about an hour walking through the park.

Now through December 12, you can enter to win a free pass to the Garden of Lights! Simply visit the Montgomery County Parks page for more information on how to win.