With the holiday season in full swing, there are many activities in Montgomery County for students to enjoy. From ice skating to holiday light shows, there is an activity for everyone.
One of these activities is outdoor ice skating at the Rockville Town Square. With a ticket, one can enjoy skating around with friends or family for up to two hours. Richard Montgomery High School sophomore Dhriti Katepalli has skated here one or two times and describes it as having “an amazing atmosphere” that “fits the holiday spirit”. Tickets can be bought in advance on the website or in person. However, anyone interested should reserve a ticket online to make sure they get a spot and receive a discounted price. For those new to ice skating, or just wanting to improve their skating skills, the Rockville Town Square Outdoor Ice Skating also offers group and private skating lessons.
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Another iconic holiday activity in MoCo is the Garden of Lights in Brookside Garden. Visitors are invited to go on a 1.5-mile outdoor walk through millions of colorful lights in the shape of flowers, animals, and other views. The Garden of Lights runs from Nov. 22, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025, and is closed Nov. 25-28, Dec. 24-25, and Jan. 1. This activity is great for holiday enthusiasts of all ages and is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
To embrace the holiday spirit, one can shop at local small businesses to support the local community and find unique gifts and goods. Holiday markets, town centers and outdoor malls are all great places to find small businesses to shop at. One of these places is the Rio Lakefront. Not only does it have an abundance of small businesses, restaurants and stores to browse, but it also has a brilliant light display for the holidays. Winston Churchill High School sophomore Lily Amjadi says, “the holiday lights help create a festive atmosphere, making walks around the lake area more enjoyable.” She further likes the restaurant options at Rio, specifically Uncle Julio’s, a Mexican restaurant offering dishes such as fajitas, tacos and quesadillas.
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The holiday season would not be complete without the iconic winter drink: hot chocolate. Fortunately for anyone interested in enjoying a cup, there are many spots in MoCo serving this sweet, chocolatey drink. Dolcezza Gelato in Bethesda Row was established in 2004 and offers hot chocolate with many add-on options like Dulce de Leche syrup, a shot of espresso and peppermint syrup. Another place to enjoy hot chocolate is Churros Inc., a food stand located in the Clarksburg Premium Outlets, the Olney Farmers and Artist Market and the Rockville Farmers Market. This stand has hot chocolate with a Mexican twist, made with cocoa, cinnamon and sugar. Apart from its hot chocolate, Churros Inc. also offers its signature churros, which can be rolled in cinnamon sugar, drizzled with chocolate or dulce de leche or made with other toppings.
The holiday season brings colder weather and special shared traditions. In MoCo, one can find so many places to go and celebrate with loved ones, whether with lights, shopping or sweet treats.
Written by Callie Deng
Graphic by Cathie Ngassam Ngouzo