About the Festival
Washington DC prides itself on many festivals of lights, and this light exhibition around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints stands out from the rest. During the Christmas season, the Mormon Temple’s surrounding grounds are illuminated with approximately 450,000 varying Christmas lights, turning it into a Winter Wonderland every night.
The locals and other visitors are highly welcome to explore the temple, its visitor center, and other corners around the place, making it a perfect getaway for families out there.
As you see the grounds get lit, you will be mesmerized by the organizer’s creativity and imagination. It is indeed a complete and excellent addition to your Christmas bucket list this year.
Festival Dates
The light festival around the Mormon temple took place at December 2022. It was long and merry, giving everyone the chance to witness the attraction. With the Covid-19’s health risk and threat, it is still unknown when it will be open to the public.
Of course, it will be in December. Hopefully, the pandemic would come to an end, and we will celebrate Christmas as we are used to this 2022 and beyond. To keep you posted on the latest happenings about the festival of light in Washington DC, please feel free to browse our site for more information.
Where it Is Located and How to Get There?
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is known for its majestic architecture and landscape. More than that, it has become a much-awaited Christmas destination. Its grounds are illuminated throughout December. But where is it located?
Well, the Mormon temple is located in Kensington, Maryland, which is north of Washington DC. It is also accessible from the Red Line of the Washington Metro and the Capital Beltway using a free shuttle service. But the shuttle service is limited. You can drive-thru, instead. Your few hours of a car ride are worth it, after all.
If you have not been gone thru the Mormon temple, using Google Maps will be a bright idea. Or you can ask the locals instead for your peace of mind. If you have a friend who have explored the light festival a couple of times already, it is better to ask them for some help.
Festival Hours
In 2022, the light exhibition in the Mormon temple was open to the public from 6 to 9 pm. It is a four-hour light festival in December. For this year’s celebration, there is no final date and time. Let us hope it will be the same schedule as last year or might be extended for an hour or more. Let’s pray the Covid-19 will end as soon as possible.
Cost to Visit the Festival
It is probably not your first time exploring a light exhibition in the US. Typically, a festival like this comes with a charge. But the festival of lights around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is free. Yes, there is no fee to pay after a few minutes of exploration. So, enjoy the moment with someone close to you. It could be a friend, a relative, a colleague, or a neighbor.
Weather and What to Wear
The temperature in Maryland gets colder during December. So, when planning to visit the light exhibition in the Mormon temple, make sure to wear thick and comfy clothes. Layering can do the trick for staying warm and comfy.
For your top, it is recommended to pile on a tank, a sweater, and a coat. For your bottom, layer thick leggings and tights under your jeans or pants. Then, do not forget to keep your feet and hands covered. Winter boots and insulated shoes are perfect. Wearing multiple pairs of socks is great.
Where to Sleep?
You can explore the festival of light in Washington DC in a few hours. But if you want to stay longer and like to explore Maryland for another week, you need to find a quality and comfortable place to rest or sleep. Some of the best choices are highlighted below:
Cambria Hotel Rockville
One of the most popular accommodations near Kensington, Maryland, is the Cambria Hotel Rockville. It provides upscale, stylish, and high-end accommodations, which are a ride away from the capital. Located in the Rockville Town Center, the Cambria Hotel Rockville is a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. It is close to restaurants and shops you can dine in and shop around when you are bored and tired. The hotel has spacious suites, an indoor heated pool, and other modern amenities.
Bethesda Marriott Suites
Are you looking for an all-suite hotel? Bethesda Marriott Suites is a fantastic option. It is packed with high-end amenities, including an on-site restaurant, swimming pool, and fitness center. It also provides a shuttle service to Westfields Montgomery Mall, which is 1.6 km away. Every room is built with a wet bar, coffee-making machines, a flat-screen TV, and a fridge. It is also available with a sofa bed and 300-thread count linens. But wait, there’s more! Bethesda Marriott Suites provides a souvenir shop, ATM machine, and vending machines.
Morrison Clark Hotel
Another excellent accommodation to take advantage of is the Morrison Clark Hotel. It is famous in Maryland for a reason. It offers a fitness center, business center, self-parking area, and other quality amenities available at a competitive rate you can afford. That’s not all! It comes with other high-end features, including concierge services, conference space, premium bedding, LCD TVs, hairdryers, and more. Each room has a strong and stable internet connection, helping everyone stay connected.
Where to Eat?
Do you want to know more about the culture of Washington DC? Of course, you do! Aside from going to historical landmarks like museums, do not miss the chance to try its diverse and delicious cuisines in any of the following:
The Inn at Little Washington
Three-star Michelin restaurant? Great accessibility? Affordable and delicious meals? Name it! The Inn at Little Washington is where the locals and foreigners flock. Good choices include lobster mousse, tuna dishes, and more. That means you have a lot of options that can surely satisfy your cravings and increase your appetite, too. Since it is Covid-19, phone and online reservations are highly recommended.
The Eden Center
Who says you need to go to Vietnam to taste its unique cuisine finally? Even if you are in Washington DC, you can experience Pho, Cha Ca, Banh Xeo, Chao Lau, Rau Muong, Nem Ran, Goi Cuon, Bun Bo Hue, Banh Khot, Ga Tan, and other world-class Vietnamese foods. With approximately 125 Vietnamese vendors in the Eden Center in Falls Church, you can begin your Banh Mi So experience. Its sandwiches are only available at $5. For boba teas and sweets, Huong Binh Bakery and Deli should be your next destination.
Hi-Lawn
Another tourist-recommended dining restaurant in Washington DC is Hi-Lawn. What makes it popular with the rest is that it is located on the rooftop of Union Market. Whether you want some elevated eating experience or a breath of fresh air, remember not to miss the Hi-Lawn. Apart from good food, it provides a park-like space and features a majestic view of the Capitol Building.
More Things to Do in the Area
Maximize your travel experience in Washington DC with any of these attractions!
The United States Capitol & Capitol Hill
Maybe, you are a fan of historical landmarks. Perhaps, you are in Washington DC for travel. If so, be sure to explore the United States Capitol & Capitol Hill. The structure is superb. The interior, for example, is packed with paintings, frescoes, and reliefs that would leave you in amazement and satisfaction.
It also prides itself on the world’s largest library, inspired by the Opera House in Paris. Popular books include Gutenberg Bibles, Jefferson’s personal library, Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, and more.
National Gallery of Art
Is visiting art museums your biggest dream? The National Gallery of Art should be on top of your bucket list. As one of the premier art museums in the world, the National Gallery of Art has a diverse collection of American paintings and European masterpieces.
It displays Ginevra de Benci, Da Vinci’s painting. Its newer East Wing also features Henry Moore’s sculptures, Alexander Calder’s mobile, and more. Also, its Freer Gallery of Art is home to more than 30,000 pieces of Buddhist sculptures, Persian manuscripts, and other Asian artworks.
