Among the seemingly dozens of options to immerse yourself in Christmas light displays around the holidays in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (known as the DMV) metropolitan area, few are free. The Neabsco Regional Park Holiday Walk of Lights in Woodbridge, Va., is a great free option to go for a walk in the frigid cold with thousands of twinkly lights (and hundreds of other people).
I ventured out to do this 0.8-mile walk over the past couple of years. Here are some general tips if you decide to check it out.
To spend less time waiting, go early
In 2023, my group scheduled to go on the last day it was open, and we didn’t leave the house until 6:30 p.m. It’s only a 25-minute drive for us, but it took much longer to get to the entrance. The small parking lot was full, and we drove to all three overflow parking lots. All of them were full. We managed to find a spot in the neighborhood across the street from the third lot and walked over to get in line for the free shuttle. We waited 40 minutes to get a ride on a school bus shuttle. Featherstone Elementary School is only 1.4 miles away from the park, but there’s only a windy road with no sidewalk, so it’s not at all safe to walk from there. It was very cold standing still in the elements for that long.
Last year, I went on Friday evening during the last weekend and drove straight to the closest parking lot, Porter Traditional School, only a few minutes after the 5:30 p.m. event start time (this year it starts at 5 p.m.). Luckily a shuttle pulled up just as I was leaving my car, and there was room for everyone in line. Arriving extra early saved so much time. The last shuttle bus leaves at 8:30 p.m., so plan accordingly.
Parking and shuttles
This year, the website says to park at the Rippon Station VRE lot and take a shuttle to the park. You can only park on-site at Neabsco Regional Park if you have a valid disabled placard or HC license plate (police officers will be there directing traffic). The entrance to Rippon Lodge across the street will be blocked. There is also no way to park on the shoulder of Blackburn Road and you will waste time in traffic; your best bet is to drive straight to an approved parking lot.
Porter Traditional School has the closest parking lot, which is half a mile from the park, with sidewalks the whole way. The event website calls it additional parking for “ADA-accessible shuttle and DPR Cool Bus shuttle,” which sounds like the lot is intended for people with disabilities this year.
For the return shuttle last year, they put up signs labeling the destination lot for each line. I expected a wait, but it pulled up around 6:45 pm, right as I was about to walk to my car. I also double-checked the destination with the driver.
Be ready to hike almost a mile
From the Neabsco Regional Park parking lot, where the shuttle drops you off, to the boardwalk is a 0.2-mile path. The boardwalk loop is 0.4 miles long, and then you return on the same 0.2-mile path, making the total walk 0.8 miles.
Sounds
Expect to hear children playing, plenty of generators powering the lights, and at the boardwalk, a loop of Feliz Navidad and Linus and Lucy from A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Refreshments
Last year, there was a hot chocolate ($4), drip coffee ($3), and bottled water ($1.50) stand, and a Roadside Rotisserie food truck. The sign said: chicken, ribs, pork loin, potatoes, sprouts, wraps, salads, & more, www.roadsidefoodva.com. There was a pizza food truck, but it was closed.
Bathrooms
Portable toilets are available next to the parking lot by the trail entrance.
Special events
On select nights, you can expect special appearances by holiday characters, vendors, and carolers.
Sensory Night
Sensory Night has already passed for 2025. On Dec. 9, the special event meant fewer crowds, noise, and flashing lights.
Holiday characters
You can take a photo with the Grinch and Frosty the Snowman on December 4, 9, 12, 19, and 28.
Holiday market
The holiday market is available on Saturdays in December: Dec. 6, 13, 20, and 27.
Holiday carolers
Holiday caroling is planned for December 4, 12, 19, and 21.
Dates
The remaining dates are Dec. 11–14, 18–23, and 27–28 from 5–9 p.m.
Location
Neabsco Regional Park
15125 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge, VA 22191
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeabscoCreekLights/
An Instagram post with a pretty video of the lights: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSBqN-EETyu/
