Winter Lights Festival Features New Dog Walk and S’more Making
Posted 10/5/2012

Enjoy the Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival in a whole new way at two special feature nights. 

Take your favorite canine and the whole family out for an invigorating 3-mile stroll at Leashes n Lights on Sunday, November 18.  The walk takes place from 5 to 9 p.m., with the last entry admitted at 8 p.m. 

The following Sunday, November 25, the festival features S’more Lights.  You'll be whisked away to the magic of Toyland in an open air trolley.  Then you can stroll through the lights, stopping to toast a marshmallow and create a S'more.  This event also runs from 5 to 9 p.m., with the last trolley departing at 8 p.m.  No dogs are allowed at this event.  S’more Lights is sponsored in part by Whole Foods Market – Kentlands. 

Pre-registration is required for the feature nights.  The cost for each is $8 per resident and $10 per nonresident.  Children under four and dogs are free.  Register online using RecXpress at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/recxpress, or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/winterlights for more information. 

Want to be among the first to see the lights?  Get a sneak preview on Friday and Saturday, November 23 and 24.  During the two-day premiere the festival will be open from 6 to 10 p.m.  Admission is $15 per car. 

Winter Lights takes place at Seneca Creek State Park, 11950 Clopper Road, just a few miles west of the intersection with I-270.  Following the special feature nights and the sneak preview on November 23 and 24, the festival will be open nightly November 30 through December 31, Sunday through Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m.  Please note that the festival is closed on December 25. 

Cash-only admission at the gate is $12 per car Monday through Thursday and $15 per car Friday through Sunday.  Credit cards are only accepted for advance sales.  Visit the festival website for details. 

The 3.5 mile drive through the enchanted woodland setting takes you past more than 360 illuminated displays and 65 animated vignettes that light up the night.  Themed areas include Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Victorian Village, the North Pole, and much more. 

In the spirit of the holidays, proceeds from the 2012 festival will benefit local charities.  A complete list will be available on the festival website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/winterlights soon. 

Winter Lights is sponsored in part by 97.1 WASH FM, the Gazette Newspapers, Montgomery Magazine, Washington Parent Magazine, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 

For more information and group admission rates please call 301-258-6350 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/winterlights.