Skip to main content

+2.5 million lights featured in Maryland holiday display

Enjoy three miles of holiday scenes made up of more than 2.5 million lights during Prince George’s County’s Festival of Lights in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, this holiday season.

It’s open everyday, from 5-9:30 p.m., through Jan. 1 at Watkins Regional Park.

“It’s a time-honored tradition here in Prince George’s County,” Angel Waldron, spokesperson for the county’s Department of Parks & Recreation told WTOP.

New this year is a hayride through the displays. It happens every Saturday at the top of the hour and preregistration is required.

Waldron says that the preparation to get those displays up every year starts in September.

“It’s a massive undertaking every year but we’re glad to do it,” she said. “It’s about a two-month process for our staff to set up the entire park.”

The displays include a 54-foot tree that shines with 300,000 lights of its own.

“The lights are synchronized to blink with the sound of the music that plays,” Waldron said of the tree.

Tickets are sold at the gate, but they’re cheaper on the county’s website.

And to make it even more festive, it will be free on Christmas Day.

“It’s completely free on Dec. 25, we just ask that folks bring a canned good that we can donate to families in need throughout the county,” Waldron said.

WTOP’s Scott Gelman contributed to this report. 

Parents of former Maryland football player killed in 2024 car crash start foundation in his honor

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — The parents of former Maryland football player Isaiah Hazel have launched a foundation in his memory after he was killed in a car crash two years ago. At a launch event on campus, the Isaiah Lee Hazel Foundation awarded its first Isaiah Lee Hazel Memorial Scholarship to walk-on defensive lineman Joshua Simmons to help cover meal expenses during the school year.
Read Next Story