Summary
Brookside Gardens hosts its annual Gardens of Lights each holiday season. Since 1997, this magical event has become a beloved tradition in the Baltimore/Washington DC area. Visitors can enjoy a beautifully illuminated outdoor winter garden walk, featuring whimsical creatures, enchanting trees, a kaleidoscope caterpillar, an animated flying cardinal, and swimming geese over sparkling water. Additionally, the Garden Railway Exhibit is open daily in the South Conservatory.
2019 Garden of Lights Schedule
- November 22 & 23
- 5:30–10:00 p.m.
- November 24 (Closed November 25–28)
- 5:30–9:00 p.m.
- November 29 – December 31 (Closed December 25 and 26)
- Sunday–Thursday: 5:30–9:00 p.m.
- Friday–Saturday: 5:30–10:00 p.m.
Location: Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallen Avenue, Wheaton, MD.
Falling Snow Lights
This delightful holiday event is perfect for families. It is advised to visit early in the season to avoid the crowds. Following your walk among the outdoor lights, visitors can warm up inside the Conservatory and admire a vibrant display of holiday poinsettias, flowering plants, and evergreens.
Giant Caterpillar
The Giant Caterpillar illuminated display captivates visitors during the holiday season at Brookside Gardens. Children especially love these oversized, sparkling creations set against the night sky.
Sundial in Lights
One of the stunning garden-themed installations is the Giant Sundial, beautifully surrounded by colorful blooms. This eye-catching feature adds a unique charm to the holiday scenery.
Dragon in Lights
This fantastical dragon display is strategically placed next to the Conservatory at Brookside Gardens. Resembling the notorious Loch Ness Monster, it creates an exciting visual spectacle for visitors.
Poinsettias and Railway Exhibit
The Garden Railway Exhibit, open daily in the South Conservatory, charms visitors with miniature trains and trolleys that travel through a captivating landscape of town and countryside. The highlight of this exhibit includes the red poinsettias, which add a festive touch.
Romantic Gazebo
The gazebo serves as a focal point at Brookside Gardens, providing a delightful gathering place for families. The vibrant decorations enhance the charm of the gardens during the festive season.
Reindeer
Santa’s reindeer create a magical ambiance as they shine bright amidst the gardens. The captivating display includes twinkling trees, lighted fountains, and picturesque winter scenes, enhancing the holiday spirit.
Spider Web
Guests marvel at the giant spider web, uniquely woven between the tree trunks and featuring a bright red spider. This enchanting seasonal display offers a whimsical touch to the overall experience at Brookside Gardens.
Wolves in Lights
The lighted wolves howling at the moon create an enchanting scene that reflects in the pond. This magical winter wonderland is adorned with more than a million colorful lights shaped into original art forms inspired by character stories, flowers, and wildlife.
After exploring the stunning light displays, visitors have the opportunity to warm up inside the Visitor’s Center with a cup of hot cocoa while enjoying the nightly musical performances.
