Maryland State Fairgrounds · Timonium, MD
Maryland Holiday Light Spectacular 2026 Schedule, Dates & Hours
The Maryland Holiday Light Spectacular runs select nights, December 3 to 30, 2026: Thursday through Sunday for the first two weeks, then every night from December 17.
Every Open Night in December
Open Thursday through Sunday for the first two weeks of December, then every night from December 17 through 30. Tap a date to buy tickets for that night.
The official 2026 calendar. Tap to open full size, save it or print it for the fridge.
What’s On Each Night
Every open night runs 5:30 to 9:30PM with the full trail, carnival and cocoa huts. Some favorites keep their own calendar.
Live Santa
Santa in person, no reservation and no extra charge.
Every night through 12/23Snow Globe Performances
Live ballerinas, dancing elves and surprises in three oversized globes.
Every night through 12/23Horseland Petting Zoo
Ponies, cows, alpacas, sheep and goats join the trail on select nights.
Select nightsRotating Food Trucks
A changing line-up serves the Swiss Holiday Village each night.
Line-up varies nightlyFood Trucks, Night by Night
A rotating line-up of food trucks serves the Swiss Holiday Village every open night. The nightly schedule updates through the season, so check back before your visit.
Opening Weekend · Dec 3 to 6
Thursday 12/03
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Friday 12/04
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Saturday 12/05
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Sunday 12/06
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Week Two · Dec 10 to 13
Thursday 12/10
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Friday 12/11
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Saturday 12/12
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Sunday 12/13
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Week Three · Dec 17 to 20
Thursday 12/17
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Friday 12/18
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Saturday 12/19
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Sunday 12/20
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Christmas Week · Dec 21 to 24
Monday 12/21
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Tuesday 12/22
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Wednesday 12/23
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Thursday 12/24
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
The Final Stretch · Dec 26 to 30
Saturday 12/26
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Sunday 12/27
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Monday 12/28
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Tuesday 12/29
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Wednesday 12/30
Line-up announced closer to opening night. Check back soon.
Holiday Shoppes at the Swiss Village
Boutiques, local makers, cocoa huts and the rotating food trucks all live in the Swiss Holiday Village, halfway along the trail. The full 2026 vendor line-up has its own page.
2026 Entertainment
More entertainment is announced through the season. Here is who is confirmed so far.
Horseland Petting Zoo
Ponies, cows, alpacas, sheep and goats join the trail on select nights this season. Dates are announced soon, so check back before you pick your night.
All entertainment subject to availability.
Schedule Questions, Answered
What are the hours each night?
5:30 to 9:30 PM every open night, and the latest nightly entry is 9PM. The trail is at its best once it is fully dark, and everyone gets in for $10 after 7:30PM.
Which nights are you closed?
Mondays through Wednesdays for the first two weeks of December (the 7th to 9th and 14th to 16th), and Christmas Day. From December 17 through 30 we are open every night.
What time does the show close on Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve runs 5:30 to 7:30PM, closing early so everyone gets home for the holiday. Every other open night runs until 9:30PM.
Which nights is the petting zoo there?
Horseland joins the trail on select nights through the season. Check the date you are planning on the ticketing calendar before you buy.
Which nights are the busiest?
The weekends before Christmas. For lighter crowds, come on a weeknight after December 17, or arrive after 7:30 when admission drops to $10 for everyone. Advance tickets are cheaper than the gate, and some nights sell out. Getting here is easy too: the fairgrounds are directly off I-83 with free parking.
Pick Your Night and Go
Get Your TicketsDecember 3 to 30 · Tickets from $10 · Free parking · Some nights sell out