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Neighborhoods With The Best Holiday Lights In The Baltimore Area

'Tis the season for egg nog, Christmas caroling, holiday parties and, of course, holiday light shows! The Baltimore area has a number of spectacular holiday light shows. The most famous of all is the Miracle on 34th Street. Residents in this Hampden neighborhood go all out with their holiday lights and lighted decorations each December. Farther afield but always entertaining are the drive-through light shows. Guests can drive through parks in Columbia, Gaithersburg and Marlboro, Maryland, to see thousands of lights and lighted displays depicting sledding elves, Santa on his sleigh and ice skaters galore.
Miracle on 34th Street in Hampden
720 W. 34th St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21211
www.christmasstreet.com

The Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore comes "alight" every Christmas season with holiday lights and displays in every color of the rainbow. For the last 67 years, 34th Street residents have gone all out decorating their homes. Walk or drive by the Miracle on 34th Street light show. Plug in the following address to your GPS: "720 West 34th Street, Baltimore, Maryland." Each night from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., residents put on their outside Christmas lights. On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, the Christmas lights are left on all night. The Miracle on 34th Street light display ends on January 2, 2015.

21st Annual Symphony of Lights
10475 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044
www.hopkinsmedicine.org

The Symphony of Lights benefits Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, Maryland. Each holiday season, guests can walk or drive by the 70-plus displays of "larger-than-life, animated and stationary light creations." Known as a "treasured community tradition," the 21st Annual Symphony of Lights is a must-see during the holiday season. Open through January 4, the 21st Annual Symphony of Lights is open six days a week.

Santa's Place Light Show at Harborplace Amphitheater
201 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 332-4191
www.itsawaterfrontlife.org

Harborplace is on the waterfront of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Known as a "premiere place for shopping, dining, and entertainment," Harborplace is the site of the Santa's Place Light Show every year. The Santa's Place Light Show takes place at the Harborplace Amphitheater through December 24. Families can also have their photos taken with Santa Monday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Stop by to see Santa and stay for the Santa's Place Lights Show.

Related: Best Places For Winter Outdoor Adventures In Baltimore

Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park
11950 Clopper Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
www.gaithersburgmd.gov

In its 19th season, the Winter Lights is a "wondrous display of lights at Seneca Creek State Park." The Winter Lights is open through December 31, but closed on Christmas Day. The show, open nightly, consists of a 3.5-mile drive through an "enchanting setting" of more than 365 illuminated displays. A hit with both young and old visitors are the 65 animated vignettes. The Winter Lights is divided into themed areas, including Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Victorian Village, the North Pole and more.

Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park
301 Watkins Park Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
(301) 699-2456
www.pgparks.com

Upper Marlboro's Watkins Regional Park is the location for a "spectacular holiday drive-through event." The Festival of Lights features more than 1 million lights. Guests can drive through Watkins Regional Park daily from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. through January 1, 2015. Admission fees are $5 per car/van, $10 for up to three visits, $15 for mini buses or limos and $25 for large buses. All admission fees must be paid in cash. Also, when you visit, don't forget to bring canned goods for local food banks.

Related: Ask A Baltimore Expert Ideas For Hostess Gifts

Jill Berry @MusingsfromMe is a writer who stays at home or a SAHM who writesit depends on the day and her mood. While playing a writer on the internet, Jill has the gray hair AND blogposts from raising a kid, a preteen, and a teen. When not blogging at Musings from Me, Jill seizes family time whenever she candinner as a family, movie night, marathon family game sessions, travelingyou name it she wants to do it.
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