7 Jaw-Dropping Maryland Christmas Light Shows in 2025 You Can’t Afford to Miss!

Christmas in Maryland just brings people together. Towns and cities all over the state put up some pretty impressive holiday light displays. It’s one of those things that makes the season feel real.

I want to help you find the best Christmas light shows in Maryland for 2025 so you can make the most of your holiday experience. Whether you live nearby or you’re just passing through, these light shows let you see Maryland’s unique way of celebrating.

1) Ellicott City Lights

I stop by Ellicott City Lights every December to check out the creative light displays that local folks set up. The show sits in a quiet neighborhood, and the family-friendly vibe is hard to miss.

You can walk or drive through to enjoy the decorations. Music usually plays with the lights, and sometimes neighbors blast holiday songs from their porches.

I see families pausing to snap photos or just stand there in awe. The area’s easy to get to from main roads, and you’ll usually find parking pretty close by.

The light shows change a bit each year. Some houses go for big themes, while others stick to classic stuff like reindeer and colorful bulbs.

Cars and families keep coming, especially as Christmas gets closer. That steady buzz just adds to the fun.

Rating: 4.8 (112 reviews)
Location: 4802 Red Hill Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website Address
Late Nov–Dec 31	Dusk–10 pm	4802 Red Hill Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043	Free	Courtyard by Marriott Columbia	N/A

2) McCurley Magical Christmas Lights

I checked out McCurley Magical Christmas Lights in Manchester, Maryland, and wow, they go all out with their holiday lights. It’s a big display, spread across a residential street, and the family that runs it really puts their heart into it.

The lights line McCurley Drive, and people either park nearby to walk or slowly drive by to take it all in. The street gets busy in the evenings with families rolling through.

It’s free, but lots of folks drop off a donation. Most people show up at dusk or after dark, when everything’s lit up and you get the full effect.

The display usually runs from late November through December, but the exact dates can shift a bit each year. There aren’t any vendors or food trucks here—just lights and neighbors.

If you’re coming from out of town, I’ve found some good hotel options in Manchester or Westminster on Booking.com.

Rating: 4.9 (61 reviews)
Location: McCurley Dr, Manchester, MD 21102
Website: Visit Website

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website Address
Late Nov-Dec	Dusk-10:00 PM	McCurley Dr, Manchester, MD 21102	Free	Booking.com – Manchester Hotels	https://www.facebook.com/McCurleyMagicalChristmasLights/

3) Winter Lights Festival

Every year, I make time for the Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park. You drive 3.5 miles through more than 450 displays and trees glowing in every color you can imagine.

It’s a chill way to enjoy the lights from your car, especially if you’re not up for walking in the cold. The festival runs every night from late November to December 31, except on Christmas Day.

You have to buy tickets in advance—no sales at the gate. I learned the hard way that some nights sell out, so I grab my tickets early.

Prices change depending on the day and your vehicle size. Monday to Thursday is cheaper for cars, and bigger vehicles pay a bit more. If plans change, you can swap your ticket for another night, which is handy.

Seneca Creek State Park sits close to main highways, so it’s not hard to find. The city organizes the event and keeps things running smoothly.

If you want something different, they host special Enchanted Evenings before regular hours. Those nights have a little extra magic, honestly.

Rating: 4.1 (218 reviews)
Location: 11950 Clopper Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Contact: (301) 258-6350
Website: Visit Website

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nov 29 – Dec 31, 2024 (Closed Dec 25)	Nightly	11950 Clopper Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878	$15 Mon–Thu, $25 Fri–Sun per car; $30 for 15+ passengers	Nearby Hotels	Visit Website

4) Cedar Lane Holiday Light Show

I swung by the Cedar Lane Holiday Light Show in Bel Air to see how it stacks up. The show’s a drive-through, so you stay in your car and just cruise past all the lights.

It’s organized really well, which makes it an easy outing for families or big groups. The displays change along the route, and they keep cars moving at a good pace.

It’s not as massive as some city events, but you still get a good show and don’t have to fight crowds. Folks from Harford County and nearby towns come back year after year.

Most people drive through, though you can find parking if you want to stop nearby. If you’re hungry, there are restaurants just a short drive away.

Hotels in Bel Air and Abingdon are close if you’re coming from out of town. It’s a simple, low-stress way to enjoy some holiday lights.

Rating: 4.8 (36 reviews)
Location: 1111 Cedar Ln, Bel Air, MD 21015
Contact: (443) 619-9051

Dates	Times	Location	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Late Nov – Dec 31	5-10 PM	1111 Cedar Ln, Bel Air, MD 21015	Varies	Hotels in Bel Air	N/A

5) Winter City Lights

If you’re after a big outdoor Christmas event, I think Winter City Lights should be on your list. You walk through more than a million lights spread across 18 acres, and there’s fake snow falling every night, so it feels like winter even if the weather’s mild.

The 1.5-mile trail winds through the woods, with Christmas displays everywhere you look. That 52-foot programmable Christmas tree is impossible to miss.

A 200-foot wide canopy of lights lights up for shows, and it’s honestly a bit mesmerizing. If you’re into winter fun, there’s an eight-lane snow tubing hill.

About thirty bonfires are scattered around so you can warm up between stops. Food stands serve snacks, drinks, pizza, funnel cakes, and plenty of s’mores and hot chocolate.

Rating: 4.4 (545 reviews)
Location: Olney, MD on Google Maps
Contact: (888) 720-1112
Website: Visit Website

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nov–Dec* (TBA)	Evenings (TBA)	4501 Olney Laytonsville Rd, Olney, MD	Tickets required	Nearby hotels on Booking.com	wintercitylights.com

*Dates and times can change; check the official website for updates.

6) Mamulaville Christmas Light Display

I swung by the Mamulaville Christmas Light Display in Severn, a local spot that families around Maryland seem to love. Every year, the display lights up a private home and draws folks from all over Anne Arundel County.

Traditional light decorations mix with creative themes, and I noticed plenty of photo opportunities lining the street. The setup sits in a quiet residential neighborhood.

They cover the house, yard, and sometimes even the driveway with lights. You can just walk up or drive by—no tickets, no lines, no hassle.

When I visited, families with young kids strolled around and cars rolled by at a steady pace. Parking’s all street-side and, honestly, it fills up fast on weekends.

I’d recommend getting there early or maybe picking a weekday if you don’t love crowds. The official website posts updates, though sometimes it goes down for maintenance.

Usually, I double-check closer to December in case they tweak anything for the season.

Rating: 4.9 (63 reviews)
Location: 1545 Ringe Dr, Severn, MD 21144
Website: Visit Website

Dates	Times	Address	Cost	Where to stay nearby	Website
Check website	Check website	1545 Ringe Dr, Severn, MD 21144	Free	Hotels in Severn, MD	http://mamulaville.com/

7) Jakubowski Lights

Every holiday season, I make it a point to swing by Jakubowski Lights. It’s always a treat to see what new, computer-controlled Christmas displays the Jakubowski family has cooked up.

They handle everything themselves, programming the lights with a Raspberry Pi and a bunch of microcontrollers. It’s honestly impressive how much creativity they pour into each year’s show.

You’ll spot bright RGB LEDs lighting up the house and trees. These colors really pop from the street, especially on a cold December night.

The family uses their own software to design custom light shows that run throughout the season. If you can’t make it out in person, you can catch videos of the shows right on their website.

Jakubowski Lights sits in a regular neighborhood, and you don’t need a ticket—just show up and enjoy. Sometimes, they even add interactive features so you can control the lights or watch from your car. I’ve seen people following their updates and news on social media, which is handy if you want to catch any surprises.

Rating: 5 (25 reviews)
Location: Jakubowski Lights
Website: Visit Website

Dates (2025)	Times	Location address	Cost	Where to stay nearby (Booking.com)	Website
Not published yet	Not published	6719 1/2 Boston Ave, Baltimore, MD 21222	Free	Hotels near Baltimore	https://www.jakubowskilights.com/