Festival of Lights Brightens Watkins Regional Park Through New Year

The Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro is underway, running from November 28, 2025 through January 1, 2026, with nightly hours from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Visitors drive a three mile route through a display of more than 2.5 million LED lights and animated holiday scenes, including a 54 foot LED musical tree and themed displays that reference the park s attractions. Options and extras vary by night and may include tractor pulled hayrides and special nights such as Bikes and Lights. Tickets are available in advance at a discount and at the gate, with admission details and the event schedule posted on the PG Parks site.

The event delivers a major seasonal attraction for Prince George s County residents and visitors. Presented in a format that allows viewers to remain in their vehicles, the display expands access for people who prefer or require car based viewing. The event also concentrates large numbers of vehicles at a single park that is a short drive from major residential areas, creating a need for coordinated traffic and public safety management by county agencies.

Policy and budget questions accompany the spectacle. The scale of the installation and the duration of the run raise issues about operating costs, staffing, vendor contracts, and revenue generation. County officials and park managers would increase public confidence by providing clear accounting of ticket revenue, operating expenses, and any public subsidies. Transparency about safety plans and traffic routing would help residents decide when to attend and how to plan for travel impacts.

The festival also has community significance beyond entertainment. It offers seasonal economic activity for nearby businesses and a focal point for family outings. At the same time, the county must balance the event s benefits with environmental and equity considerations, including accessibility for low income residents and stewardship of public land. Verify event times and ticketing information on the PG Parks site before traveling, and plan for possible congestion near Watkins Regional Park during peak nights.