One of my family’s traditions every holiday season is going to see the Washington D.C. Temple Festival of Lights, aka the Mormon Temple. Located in Kensington, Maryland, the Festival of Lights at the Washington D.C. Temple is open to the public and you can walk the grounds to see hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights!
2024 Washington D.C. Temple Festival of Lights
For 2024, the Festival of Lights at the Washington DC Temple and Visitors’ Center runs from December 5 – January 1. The DC Temple Christmas Light Hours are from 4:45 PM – 9:00 PM.
During the Washington DC Temple Lights, you can enjoy over 500,000 Christmas lights as well as Christmas trees and beautiful Nativity Créche displays featuring nativities from around the world. Each night there is also a holiday performance inside the auditorium in the Visitors’ Center.
This year there will be no tickets issued for the performances and parking and entrance are free!
D.C. Mormon Temple Christmas Lights Parking
Parking for the Washington D.C. Temple Festival of Lights is free. No tickets or reservations are needed this year, so parking is first come, first served.
If you are driving north on Stoneybrook, the first entrance on the left is the Visitors’ Center, the second is the Temple, and the third is the Stake Center.
Visitors’ Center – 9900 Stoneybrook Dr.
Temple – 9900 Stoneybrook Dr.
Stake Center (overflow) – 10000 Stoneybrook Dr.
Sometimes traffic can back up, so we like to go early when possible.
D.C. Temple Festival of Lights Performance Schedule 2024
This year no tickets will be given out for the musical performances at the Washington DC Visitors Center. All of the concerts are free and begin at 7 PM, with some groups having two performances at 5:30 and 7 PM. See the schedule below.
My family and I have always enjoyed these holiday performances; each group is so talented, and it really puts you in the holiday spirit.
The theater doors usually open about 30 minutes prior to performances, but the line to enter for large events will begin earlier than that. Some performers have quite the following, so if you have a favorite, make sure to get there early to get a seat.
December 5
7 PM – Polynesian Cousins
December 6
7 PM – Mr. Krueger’s Christmas
No performances will be held on December 6th, but they will show Mr. Kruger’s Christmas on the big screen in the auditorium.
December 7
7 PM – Three-Part Noel
December 8
5:30 PM and 7 PM – DC Temple Orchestra
December 9
7 PM – Greenbelt Concert Band
December 10
7 PM – Colesville Interfaith Choir
December 11
7 PM – Mutual Agreement Gospel Choir
December 12
7 PM – Glorystar Children’s Choir
December 13
5:30 PM and 7 PM – Capital Carillon Handbell Choir
December 14
5:30 PM and 7 PM – Washington DC Temple Choir
December 15
5:30 PM and 7 PM – Southern Virginia University Choir
December 16
7 PM – The Cook Kids
December 17
7 PM – Northern Lights Dance Orchestra
December 18
7 PM – White Oak Ringers
December 19
7 PM – Ward Family
December 20
5:30 PM and 7 PM – Randy Kartchner Family & Friends
December 21
5:30 PM and 7 PM – Melinda Baird and Shaundra Culotta
December 22
5: 30 PM and 7 PM – Olney Big Band
December 23
5:30 PM and 7 PM – Todd Family Harp and Strings
December 24
7 PM – Darrell & Becky Eyre – Sing-Along Program
December 25
7 PM – Missionary Christmas
December 26
7 PM – Gene Schaerr Organ Concert
December 27
5:30 PM and 7 PM – Seth & Carrie Castleton Strings
December 28
5:30 PM and 7 PM – Pickwick Singers
December 29
5:30 PM and 7 PM – Washington Dunhuang Guzheng Academy
December 30
5:30 PM and 7 PM – Baxter Family Bluegrass
December 31
7 PM – Market Street Big Band
January 1
7 PM – Harbor City Music Company
Créches from Around the World at the DC Temple Festival of Lights
One of my favorite things about the Festival of Lights is looking at all the Creches and Nativities depicting the birth of Christ from around the world. Here are some from years past. You can also see many decorated Christmas Trees around the Visitors Center.
Washington D.C. Temple Festival of Lights FAQs
Does the Washington D.C. Temple Festival of Lights cost anything?
No, it’s free! So come with your families and friends and enjoy the lights.
Who can attend the Washington D.C. Temple Festival of Lights?
Anyone! Everything is free and open to the public of all ages. So come with friends, family, neighbors, and enjoy the holiday festivities.
Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center
9900 Stoneybrook Drive
Kensington, Maryland 20895
(301) 587-0144
Enjoy the season and happy holidays!
Peter Joynes
Wednesday 30th of December 2020
What day is the very last day anyone can visit the Mormon Temple Lights show for 2020?
tanialamb
Wednesday 30th of December 2020
The last day they were doing the drive-though lights this year was December 28th.
Pam
Friday 25th of December 2020
Do they do the lights on Christmas?
tanialamb
Friday 25th of December 2020
They do!
Liz
Saturday 30th of November 2019
Thanks sooo much for all this info on Temple lites and events schedule! Couldn’t find dates elsewhere. A wonderful Christmastime to you and family!
tanialamb
Saturday 30th of November 2019
Thank you! I hope you enjoy them!
Finding Holiday Fun In and Around Washington, DC - She's On The Go
Friday 8th of March 2019
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Jenny
Sunday 3rd of December 2017
Omg how awesome. Llevaré a mis pequeños. thanks for the Info
tanialamb
Sunday 3rd of December 2017
Yes! You definitely should! I want to go when they have the Polynesian Dancers!