Twinkle Twinkle Watkins Park

If you are looking for excellent, affordable family fun then look no further.  It's that time of year again when Watkins Park is transformed to a spectacular feast for the eyes.  

The annual Festival of Lights has become a holiday tradition for many families.  Driving through the park it seems hard to believe that mere weeks ago the park was nothing more than a family-friendly, regional space for children to play and friends to gather.  With more than one million sparkling lights, Watkins Regional Park is an illuminated, enchanted forest with so much on display. 

This year marks the 24th year that the lights festival has been in existence. Families come from miles around to take part in the excitement.  While there are other lights festivals in the greater Baltimore-Washington area, the Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Park is second to none. This year patrons can see Santa flying a helicopter, reindeers playing instruments as well as Santa going for the lay-up and slam dunking a basketball—nothing but net!  It is truly a remarkable experience and the animation of the lights alone can jumpstart the spirit of Christmas in even the coldest of hearts.

Admission is $5 for cars and $15 for minivans. There is no entry fee on Dec. 25. The Festival of Lights is open nightly from 5-9:30 p.m.until Jan. 2.