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November 2, 2011

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Winter Lights, Displays and Other Attractions

By: Lani Mark

Jim Smith

The City of Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival returns for its 16th season. Take a 3.5 mile drive through a light show at Seneca Creek State Park featuring more than 380 displays in an enchanted forest setting. There is a two-day sneak preview on November 25 & 26, 2011 from 6 to 10pm. The festival will be open nightly from December 2, 2011 to December 31, 2011. Open 6 to 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 6 to 10pm Friday, Saturday. Monday through Thursday $12/car, Friday, Saturday and Sunday $15/car. Cash only. Two dollar discount coupons valid Tuesday through Thursday only are available at nearby Washingtonian Center.

Festival of Lights: A nativity scene and over 500,000 lights sparkle around the Visitors Center at the Washington Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kensington, MD. Inside see decorated trees, live nativity and 126 international Creche displays. Please visit the website at Festival of Lights for days and times as the info is currently TBD.

The National Christmas Tree Lighting will take place December 1st at 5pm. Tickets to the Lighting will be available by lottery beginning on November 3rd, 2011. The National Christmas Tree and trees representing each state & territory will be on display from December 2nd, 2011 through January 1st, 2012. 11am to 11pm daily on the Ellipse in Washington, DC.

Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland Adventure Park USA in New Market is hosting a Christmas Wonderland musical light show from November 18, 2011 to January 8, 2012 from 6-10pm. It's a one-of-a-kind holiday experience where you simply drive up, tune in your car's radio and let the Christmas spirit capture your heart. Tickets are $25/carload.

The National Zoo will hold its biggest and brightest event ever - ZooLights. ZooLights runs Friday to Sunday, November 25th to December 11, 2011 and then nightly December 16, 2011 to January 1, 2012, except 12/24, 12/25 & 12/31. The event runs 5 to 9pm. The Zoo will shine with thousands of environmentally friendly lights and animated exhibits. These larger-than-life displays will feature many of the Zoo's most popular animals, all constructed of LED lights that use about 90 percent less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs. There will also be hands-on activities, entertainment, food and more. The crown jewels of ZooLights are the dozens of animal light displays. This year admission is free and no ticket is required, but the zoo will charge for parking. $9/members; $16/nonmembers.

Save yourself time and stress with a new option! You can now reserve a parking spot by calling FONZ Guest Services at (202)633-4486 Monday to Friday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Just give a minimum of 48 hours’ notice, and they’ll have a spot waiting for you. The rates are $30 for nonmembers and $20 for members.

Where to find Santa (beside those events listed in the calendar):

Lakeforest Mall - 11/5-12/24

White Flint Mall - 11/18-12/24

Montgomery Mall - 11/12-12/24