Holiday Lights to Delight Your Kids in Washington DC

Our President sure knows how to throw a holiday party. Every year, President's Park next to the White House hosts a spectacular display of lights. From the National Christmas Tree, to the National Menorah, Santa's Workshop and the Pathway of Peace featuring train and light displays that nod to each of the 50 states. With the stately National Monument and White House in the background, this display is one every American would be proud to see with their own eyes. December 1, 2011 – January 1, 2012

It's no wonder that Gaylord National Resort has won several awards for being one of the best places to spend the Holidays. Their Christmas on the Potomac holiday extravaganza is a 15,000 square foot winter wonderland of lights and beautiful ice sculptures. Besides marveling at this indoor display of lights and a magical glass Christmas Tree, Holiday Market, mini Polar Express and meeting Santa himself, this year (2011), Christmas on the Potomac is sure to delight fans of movies like Madagascar and Shrek as the display takes on the Dreamworks theme with "Ice". Join a character meal where Fiona and Shrek invite your as a honorary Ogre to their holiday feast. Or go on a treasure hunt through the indoor gardens with Puss In Boots Quest for the Magic Beans. Stop in at Gingy's Gingerbread Decorating for some traditional holiday cheer. Special tickets on sale for the "Ice" festivities. November 18, 2011 - January 8, 2012

The National Zoo hosts the annual Zoolights display. This is DC tradition for many families. Best of all, it's free. LED lights will illuminate the Zoo’s beautiful trees, walkways, and buildings, and life-size animal silhouettes and festive holiday décor. You can also visit your favorite animals at night at the Small Mammal House, Great Ape House, Reptile Discovery Center, Think Tank, and Kids' Farm. Kids’ Farm-themed model train featuring an old-fashioned steam engine, Thomas the Train, and animal figurines. Want to get in some ice-skating? Check out the “iceless” ZooLights Skating Rink. The event is free, but parking isn't. Parking rates are: $9 FONZ members $16 Nonmembers 5-9 p.m. November 25-December 11 (Friday through Sunday nights) December 16-January 1 (Every night except December 24, 25, and 31) Event Website: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/Celebrations/ZooLights/default.cfm

Every year, Watkins Regional Park transforms into a Holiday Spectacular with the Festival of Lights - a wonderful drive through event of more than one million twinkling lights! See Santa flying a helicopter and driving a fire truck. $5/car November 25, 2011 – January 1, 2012 5-9:30 pm (nightly)

Brookside Gardens transforms magically into the Garden of Lights every November and December is a beautiful lights display. Close to one million twinkling colorful lights are shaped in imaginative displays throughout the gardens. Enjoy the four seasons illuminated as giant summer sunflowers, autumn leaves, winter snowflakes, spring flowers, rain showers, and more. Look for moving displays such as a flock of geese, or an 11 foot giraffe covered with 9,000 lights. Inside of the Conservatory, a winter display of holiday poinsettias, flowering plants and evergreens are combined in bright and bold combinations, providing a colorful landscape through which the garden railway trains travel. The South Conservatory & Train Exhibit is free and run from 10:00am - 5:00pm daily. Local musicians perform at the Visitors Center Auditorium each night of the show from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Event website: http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/garden_lights.shtm November 25, 2011– January 8, 2012 Weekdays: 5:30 to 9:00pm, with last car admitted at 8:30pm Weekends (Friday – Sunday) 5:30 to 10:00pm, with last car admitted at 9:30pm

Every year, charming Old Town Alexandria becomes even more enduring during the holidays. But one of the most treasured events is the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights where boat owners decorate their vessels in colorful and imaginative displays and parade up and down the Potomac River. Enjoy live entertainment. The best place to view the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is the from the docks of the Alexandria marina. Saturday, December 3, 2011 4:00 to 7:00 p.m (4:15pm - Santa arrives by boat) Event Website:http://visitalexandriava.com/calendar-of-events/index.cfm?show=eventDetail&eventID=2856&rtnURl=showmonth%3D1%26cdate%3D12%2D01%2D2011%26cal%5FcatID%3D0

Seneca Creek State Park hosts an annual Winter Lights Festival. The display features more than 380 illuminated vignettes and 65 animated displays in a 3.5 mile drive through beautiful Seneca Creek State Park. Theme areas include Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Victorian Village, North Pole, Toyland, and Penguin Cove. Opening Weekend: November 25 & 26, 2011 Nightly: December 2 - 31 Tuesday through Thursday: $12/car Friday and Saturday: $15/car Cash only

Old Town Alexandria is already full of old world charm but during the holidays, it's beautiful buildings are decked with holiday decorations that will warm the coldest of hearts. Old Town Alexandria’s historic buildings are decorated in Colonial and Victorian holiday style. At the centerpiece of main street is a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. It's picture perfect scene.