Best Things to Do in Montgomery County, MD This Winter

The best things to do in Montgomery County, MD in winter include holiday light shows in Wheaton and Gaithersburg, outdoor and indoor ice skating, sledding at county-approved park hills, and crisp winter hikes along the Potomac. Most are a short drive from home, many are affordable, and outdoor skating runs through the end of February.

Whether you’ve lived in the county for years or just moved to Rockville, Silver Spring, or Germantown, there’s plenty to fill a winter weekend without going far. Here are the highlights, with dates, prices, and tips for this season.

Things to Do in Montgomery County, MD This Winter: Key Dates

• Now through February 28, 2027: Rockville Town Square ice skating
• November 20, 2026: Garden of Lights opens in Wheaton
• November 21, 2026: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! opens at Imagination Stage
• November 27, 2026: Winter Lights Festival opens in Gaithersburg
• November 28, 2026: Free Garden Railway exhibit opens at Brookside Gardens
• December 5, 2026: Leslie Odom, Jr.: The Christmas Tour at Strathmore
• December 18, 2026: Strathmore Jazz Orchestra Christmas
• December 31, 2026: Last night of Winter Lights
• January 3, 2027: Last night of Garden of Lights, last day of the Garden Railway, and final performance of the Grinch
• Any snow day: Montgomery Parks’ approved sledding hills

Holiday Light Shows in Montgomery County

Montgomery County’s two biggest holiday light displays are Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens and the Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park. Both require tickets purchased online in advance, so plan ahead, especially for weekends.

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens (Wheaton)

This walk-through display features more than a million lights shaped into flowers, animals, and other natural scenes. It’s an easy evening out and a favorite with families. Get Garden of Lights tickets from Montgomery Parks.

• Dates: November 20, 2026, through January 3, 2027 (closed November 23–26, December 24–25, and January 1)
• Tickets: $13.99 Sunday–Thursday and $16.99 Friday–Saturday, including the service fee; children under 5 are free
• Good to know: Timed entry begins at 5 p.m., no tickets are sold at the gate, and the event runs rain or shine
• Daytime bonus: The free Garden Railway exhibit runs in the Conservatory from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., November 28, 2026, through January 3, 2027

Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park (Gaithersburg)

Now in its 31st season, the City of Gaithersburg’s Winter Lights Festival is a 3.5-mile drive-through route with more than 450 illuminated displays. You stay warm in the car, which makes it a great pick for chilly nights.

• Dates: Nightly November 27 through December 31, 2026 (closed December 25)
• Hours: Gates open at 6 p.m., with last entry at 9 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday–Saturday
• Tickets: Priced per vehicle: $15 Monday–Thursday and $25 Friday-Sunday tickets are date-specific and limited each day.
• Good to know: Weeknights are the budget-friendly choice. The festival runs rain or shine, but check the City of Gaithersburg’s updates when snow or ice is in the forecast

Where to Go Ice Skating in Montgomery County

You can ice skate in Montgomery County at two seasonal outdoor rinks in Rockville and Silver Spring, or at two indoor rinks run by Montgomery Parks. Indoor rinks are the reliable choice when the weather turns mild or messy.

• Rockville Town Square (outdoor): Open through February 28, 2027. Online tickets are $12 for ages 13 and up and $11 for kids 12 and under and seniors, with $6 skate rental. Sessions last up to two hours, and reservations open two weeks ahead.
• Silver Spring Ice Rink at Veterans Plaza (outdoor): A downtown Silver Spring tradition that runs from fall into spring. Check the rink’s website for current session times and pricing before you go.
• Cabin John Ice Rink (indoor, Rockville) and Wheaton Ice Arena (indoor): Both offer public skating sessions, skate rentals, and lessons. In past years, both rinks have celebrated National Skating Month in January with discounted sessions.

Best Sledding Hills in Montgomery County

When snow does fall, Montgomery Parks publishes a list of approved sledding hills chosen because they’re generally free of hidden hazards. Snow isn’t guaranteed here, so it’s worth knowing your nearest hill before a storm arrives.

Hills that have appeared on the Montgomery Parks list include:

• Avenel Local Park (Potomac)
• Ayrlawn Local Park (Bethesda)
• South Germantown Recreational Park (Boyds), behind Field F and between the Mooseum and TennisPlex
• Pilgrim Hills Local Park (Colesville)
• Long Branch-Wayne Local Park (Silver Spring), off University Boulevard
• Damascus Recreational Park, near the tennis court parking lot

Parks close at sunset, and sledding after dark isn’t allowed. Check the slope for rocks and branches before your first run, and look for Montgomery Parks’ updated list when a storm is in the forecast.

Winter Hikes and Outdoor Days

Winter is one of the best times to hike in Montgomery County because the trails are quieter and bare trees open up views you can’t see in summer. Two easy options stand out.

• C&O Canal National Historical Park (Potomac): The towpath is flat and easy to walk, and the Great Falls area offers dramatic winter views of the Potomac. After a good snowfall, the canal area also draws sledders, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers.
• Seneca Creek State Park (Gaithersburg): Daytime trails through the woods and around Clopper Lake make a nice pairing with an evening at Winter Lights.

Indoor Things to Do on Cold Days

On the coldest or rainiest days, Montgomery County has plenty of indoor options for live performances, film, and family activities.

• Strathmore (North Bethesda): The Music Center’s December lineup is full of holiday concerts. Highlights include Leslie Odom, Jr.: The Christmas Tour (December 5, $28 – $145), the Strathmore Jazz Orchestra Christmas (December 18), and The Washington Chorus’s A Candlelight Christmas (December 21–22, $20 – $89). For its own Strathmore Presents concerts in the Music Center, Strathmore also offers tickets under $30.
• AFI Silver Theatre (Silver Spring): A restored historic theater showing classic and new films. Through December 3, the Aardman: 50 Years of Clay series shows family favorites like Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run. Check AFI Silver’s calendar for holiday screenings later in December.
• Imagination Stage (Bethesda): Professional theater for kids and families. This season’s holiday show, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, runs November 21, 2026, through January 3, 2027, and works for all ages.
• Montgomery County Public Libraries: Free programs, events, and a warm place to spend an afternoon, with branches across the county.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are free winter activities in Montgomery County, MD?

Free winter activities in Montgomery County include sledding at approved park hills, hiking the C&O Canal towpath, visiting the daytime Garden Railway exhibit at Brookside Gardens, and attending programs at county public libraries.

When do holiday lights start in Montgomery County?

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens opens November 20, 2026, and the Winter Lights Festival in Gaithersburg opens November 27, 2026.

Do I need tickets in advance for holiday light shows? 

Yes. Both Garden of Lights and Winter Lights require advance online tickets. Garden of Lights doesn’t sell tickets at the gate, and Winter Lights requires advance purchase for guaranteed entry. 

Where can I ice skate outdoors in Montgomery County?

Outdoor ice skating is available at Rockville Town Square and at Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring. Reserving ahead is recommended, especially on weekends and school holidays.

 What can I do indoors in Montgomery County when it’s cold?

Indoor winter options in Montgomery County include public skating at Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena, holiday concerts at Strathmore, films at AFI Silver Theatre, family shows at Imagination Stage, and free programs at Montgomery County Public Libraries.

Make Montgomery County Home This Winter

Whether you’re settling into a new neighborhood or getting to know your town better, winter is a great season to explore what’s close by. If you’re planning a move, or know someone who is, browse our current listings. Our leasing team has been helping renters find homes here for more than 40 years, and we’re happy to answer your questions.