Special Events Sponsored by Montgomery Parks

Special Events Sponsored by Montgomery Parks

The annual exhibit of model trains at Brookside Gardens, an adventure searching for the world’s rarest species and winter skating shows at the Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena are among the special events and programs that will be sponsored by Montgomery Parks in December.

The list of special events programs will include:

• Garden of Lights. Through Jan. 5 (closed Nov. 27‒28, Dec. 24‒25 and Jan. 1). 5‒9 p.m. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. The perennial favorite seasonal light display is back. The dazzling one-half mile, walk-through, outdoor exhibit features more than a million twinkling lights formed into tunnels, flowers, animals and other natural elements. This year’s exhibit includes a new lighted archway choreographed to music and lighted jumping pads. Hot chocolate and light snacks will be sold at the event, in addition to unique seasonal items in the gift shop. Tickets required for ages 5 and older; children under 5 are free but must register. $10 per person. Purchase tickets.
• Garden Railway Exhibit. Through Jan. 4 (closed Dec. 24‒25, and Jan. 1). 10 a.m.‒3:45 p.m. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Tiny trains travel around the iconic buildings, bridges and miniature landscapes of Montgomery County. Exhibit courtesy of partnership with the Washington Virginia Maryland Garden Railway Society. Free.
• The Plant Messiah: Adventures in Search of the World’s Rarest Species. Saturday, Dec. 7. 10:30 a.m.–noon. Brookside Gardens. Virtual. Carlos Magdalena, tropical senior botanical horticulturist at the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, United Kingdom shares tales of adventure from the Amazon to the Outback in search of rare and vulnerable plants. Discover groundbreaking lab techniques for saving species and encouraging them to propagate and thrive. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. Free.
• Garden After Dark: Holly Daze. Wednesday, Dec. 11. 6:30 –8:30 p.m. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Enjoy the Garden of Lights and afterward come inside for cheese, wine and dessert. Make a holiday ornament to commemorate the evening. Ages 21 and older. Registration required. $55 per person.
• Wheaton Ice Kid’s Club. Thursday, Dec. 12. 9:30 –11 a.m. Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Ave., Wheaton. Kid’s Club meets the second Thursday of each month. Children will have supervised skating instruction for an hour followed by story, crafts and games. No skating experience necessary. Ages 3–6. Registration required. $15 per child (includes skate rental).
• Cabin John Winter Ice Show. Saturday, Dec. 14. 6:30–9 p.m. Cabin John Ice Rink, 10610 Westlake Drive, Rockville.
• Wheaton Winter Ice Show. Sunday, Dec. 29. 1:15 –2:45 p.m.Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Ave., Wheaton. Celebrate the holidays with a free figure-skating performance by our ice skaters as they twirl, leap and dance their way around the ice rink. All ages. Free.
• Park Academy fitness classes:
• Yoga for Strength and Vitality. Dec. 3-Feb. 18. 10–11 a.m. Tilden Woods Local Park, 6800 Tilden Lane, Potomac. Ages 55 and older. Registration required. 10 sessions: $90 per person.
• Toddler and You Yoga. Dec. 5-Feb. 13. 10:30–11:15 a.m. Tilden Woods Local Park, 6800 Tilden Lane, Potomac. Ages 2–5 (plus one adult). Registration required. 10 sessions: $120 per child.
• Socials for 55+: Making Nature Jewelry. Sunday, Dec. 8. Noon–1:30 p.m. Indian Spring Terrace Local Park, 9717 Lawndale Drive, Silver Spring. Registration required. $25 per person.
• 55+ Nature Book Club – Holiday Book Swap. Tuesday, Dec. 17. 6–7:30 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Registration required. Free.

Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Visit the Winter 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.

This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement.

Chrysanthemums, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6296
Canon PowerShot G11 Camera
Photograph by Roy Kelley
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs