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Christmas Lights in Herndon, VA

The top places to see Christmas lights in Herndon this season are Bright Nights at Cameron Run Regional Park (Nov 14 – Jan 3), Bull Run Festival of Lights (Nov 14 – Jan 3) and Light Yards (Nov 23 – Jan 1). We've mapped 1 display in Herndon and 29 more nearby (10 walk-thrus, 6 tree lightings, 5 home displays). 22 are free. 10 are synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.

Updated Nov 11, 2026

Holiday Lights on the Farm

Event · Herndon, VA · $15 advance, $20 at door (2025)

Near Herndon (within 25 miles)

Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Walk-thru · Vienna, VA · About $21 (regional guide); age 2 and under free

On now

7.0 miNov 11 – Jan 3

National Harbor Nightly Tree Lighting

Tree lighting · National Harbor, MD · Free

On now Music

24 miNov 7 – Dec 31

Old Town Fairfax Festival of Lights & Carols

Event · Fairfax, VA · Free

Opens soon Music

8.5 miDec 5 – Dec 5

Bull Run Festival of Lights

Drive-thru · Centreville, VA · $30 per car or van online (buses $75)

Opens soon

10 miNov 14 – Jan 3

Mosaic District Holiday Tree Lighting

Tree lighting · Fairfax, VA · Free

Opens soon

11 miNov 27 – Nov 27

Winter Lights Festival

Drive-thru · Gaithersburg, MD · $15 per car Mon-Thu, $25 Fri-Sun

Opens soon

17 miNov 27 – Dec 31

Bright Nights at Cameron Run Regional Park

Walk-thru · Alexandria, VA · $9 online, $12 on-site (plus fees)

Opens soon

19 miNov 14 – Jan 3

ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Walk-thru · Washington, DC · $10 admission; parking $30 advance, $40 day-of

Opens soon

19 miNov 20 – Jan 3

Festival of Lights at the Washington DC Temple

Walk-thru · Kensington, MD · Free (free timed parking pass required after 4:30 pm)

Opens soon Music

19 miDec 2 – Jan 1

Deck the Alleys

Event · Washington, DC · Free

Opens soon

20 miDec 5 – Dec 12

CityCenterDC Holiday Tree Lighting

Tree lighting · Washington, DC · Free

Opens soon

20 miNov 14 – Nov 14

National Christmas Tree Lighting

Tree lighting · Washington, DC · Free to visit; ceremony tickets were by lottery (closed Nov. 4)

Opens soon Music

20 miDec 3 – Jan 1

District's Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Parade · Washington, DC · Free

Opens soon

21 miDec 5 – Dec 5

Frosted at Franklin Park

Walk-thru · Washington, DC · Free

Opens soon

21 miNov 13 – Jan 9

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens

Walk-thru · Wheaton, MD · $13.99 Sun-Thu, $16.99 Fri-Sat (fees included); age 4 and under free

Opens soon

22 miNov 20 – Jan 3

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Parade · Alexandria, VA · Free

Opens soon

22 miDec 5 – Dec 5

Enchant Christmas at Nationals Park

Walk-thru · Washington, DC · From $29 adult, $24 ages 14-17, $19 ages 3-13

Opens soon Music

22 miNov 20 – Dec 27

Light Yards

Walk-thru · Washington, DC · Free

Opens soon

22 miNov 23 – Jan 1

Capitol Hill Christmas Tree Lighting

Tree lighting · Washington, DC · Free

Opens soon

23 miNov 21 – Nov 21

Horn Family Lights

Home display · Ashburn, VA · Free

Music

7.1 mi

Paradise Family Lights

Home display · Vienna, VA · Free

Music

8.6 mi

Ni Family Lights

Home display · Vienna, VA · Free

Music

10 mi

DC Winter Lantern Festival

Walk-thru · Tysons, VA · $25.99 adult, $18.99 youth (2025)

10 mi

Marshall Pond Christmas Village

Home display · Burke, VA · Free

12 mi

Kentlands Christmas

Home display · Gaithersburg, MD · Free

Music

16 mi

Holiday Card Lane

Neighborhood · Alexandria, VA · Free

20 mi

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

Tree lighting · Washington, DC · Free

22 mi

Mount Vernon Christmas Candlelight Evenings

Event · Mount Vernon, VA · Ticketed (about $29-$58)

Music

23 mi

Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Creek Boardwalk

Walk-thru · Woodbridge, VA · Free

24 mi

Tap + Tour on a few displays to get one driving route you can send to your phone (how it works). Missing a house or show in Herndon? Add it free.

Christmas lights in Herndon: common questions

What are the best Christmas lights in Herndon?

Popular picks this season include Bright Nights at Cameron Run Regional Park (Nov 14 – Jan 3), Bull Run Festival of Lights (Nov 14 – Jan 3), Light Yards (Nov 23 – Jan 1) and Enchant Christmas at Nationals Park (Nov 20 – Dec 27). In all, 30 displays are mapped in and around Herndon, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.

Where can I see free Christmas lights in Herndon?

Free options include Light Yards, Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Frosted at Franklin Park and Festival of Lights at the Washington DC Temple. 22 of the 30 displays near Herndon are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.

Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Herndon?

Yes. Bull Run Festival of Lights ($30 per car or van online (buses $75)) and Winter Lights Festival ($15 per car Mon-Thu, $25 Fri-Sun). Drive-thru shows usually charge per car, and buying tickets online ahead of time is often faster.

Are there Christmas lights synced to music in Herndon?

Yes. Enchant Christmas at Nationals Park, Festival of Lights at the Washington DC Temple and Old Town Fairfax Festival of Lights & Carols. Synced displays broadcast their soundtrack on a low-power FM station so you can listen from your car.

When do Christmas lights start in Herndon?

The earliest Herndon-area displays turn on Nov 7, and most are running by the weekend after Thanksgiving. Many stay lit through New Year's; check each display's page for its exact dates and nightly hours.

Want your house to look like this?

Professional Christmas light installers in Herndon hang, maintain and take down your lights, or install permanent lights you control from your phone. Tell us about your house and get free quotes.

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