Holiday Fun in Northern VA – Christmas Light Displays

I love Christmas lights and wanted to let you know of some places in Northern VA and D.C. that you can take the whole family to see some spectacular lights!

THE MOST FRUGAL OPTIONS:

Over-the-top residential lights:
Check out Holly’s Tacky Christmas Lights which has a listing of over-the-top residential Christmas light displays in Fairfax County, VA. Her site cleverly has a “top 10” voted on by the public and over 40 homes listed, as well as photos, suggested driving routes, and descriptions of each display she has seen. Just jump in your car, this is a FREE activity!

National Christmas Tree & Pathway of Peace
You can go downtown to Washington, DC and see the National Christmas Tree and the Pathway of Peace which has a decorated tree for each state and US territory. This is a FREE activity!

ADMISSION REQUIRED:

Bull Run Festival of Lights
LOCATION: Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, VA.
DATES/HOURS: Open 7 days a week, from Nov. 25, 2009 – Jan. 10, 2010.
Monday – Thursday: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Fridays – Sunday & holidays*: 5:30 pm to 10 pm (holidays include Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day)
FEES: Admission fees are listed here.
MONEY SAVING TIPS: The entrance fee is per car, so if you can fit a big group in your car or ride with a group of friends, you can split the costs.
COUPON: Check on their website for a $5 off coupon good on weekday admission (Monday through Friday) excluding holidays (Dec. 24, 25, 31, and Jan. 1).

ZooLights
LOCATION: The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008.
DATES/HOURS: December 18, 2009 – January 2, 2010 (Every night except December 24, 25, & 31): 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
FEES: FONZ members: $5; Nonmembers: $8. Kids under two are FREE.
Tickets are available in the Zoo’s Visitor Center every day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Tickets purchased at the Zoo have no service fees) or on their website.
MILITARY DISCOUNTS: “Military Nights” are on select nights. Active members of the military and their spouses and children get into ZooLights free when they show a military ID on these nights.