Portion of Winter Lights Festival Proceeds to Benefit Local Charities
Posted 8/2/2012

Nonprofit Organizations Invited to Apply

The City of Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival, now in its 17th year, features a magical 3½ mile drive through hundreds of dazzling animated and static light displays at Seneca Creek State Park, creating treasured memories and joyful holiday traditions for all visitors.  The event runs November 30 through December 31, 2012, with a sneak preview on Friday and Saturday, November 23 and 24.  The festival is closed on December 25. More than 1.2 million visitors throughout the metropolitan region have witnessed the magic of Winter Lights over the past 16 seasons.

Each year a portion of the ticket sales from the Festival benefits charities that help hundreds of people in our community.  In anticipation of the 2012 event, qualified nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for beneficiary status.  A limited number of opportunities are available.

Application forms are available below and online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/winterlights.  You may also contact Mark Winans or Dianne Coup with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture at 301-258-6350 or e-mail mwinans@gaithersburgmd.gov or dcoup@gaithersburgmd.gov.  The application deadline is 5 p.m. on August 24, and organizations selected to be beneficiaries of the 2012 Winter Lights Festival will be announced in early September.

The festival is open nightly from 6 to 9 p.m., and stays open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.  Admission is $12 per car Tuesday through Thursday, and $15 per car on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  There are special admission fees for 15+ passenger vehicles, mini buses and buses.  For complete details visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/winterlights.

• Winter Lights - Charity Application (PDF File)