Symphony of Lights Goes Dark for 2015

The annual Symphony of Lights, a holiday tradition in Columbia, will not happen this year, organizers announced.

For 21 years, the Howard Hospital Foundation has put on the light display near Merriweather Post Pavilion in Symphony Woods.

The arrangement of lights typically went up in late November and ran through early January, with visitors traveling by foot or by vehicle through the 1.4-mile wonderland.

All activities associated with the light show—including the Dazzle Dash walk/run—are canceled for 2015, organizers said.

“Symphony of Lights festivities will be postponed until fall 2016 to allow for the redevelopment of Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods,” according to a statement from Symphony of Lights.

In September, project leaders and elected officials broke ground at Symphony Woods for the Chrysalis amphitheater.

• Inner Arbor Trust Breaks Ground at Symphony Woods
• Merriweather Park ‘Merriground’ and Soundscapes Get Go-Ahead

As the area around Merriweather is updated, so too will Symphony of Lights get a new look.

Its 250,000 bulbs will be replaced with LEDs that are more cost-effective and sustainable, and organizers promise 2016’s show will be “brighter and better than ever.”

Over the past 21 years. the Howard Hospital Foundation has raised money by charging admission to Symphony of Lights for Howard County General Hospital. Without the attraction, the foundation is encouraging people to sponsor a bulb for $10.

Donate to the Brighten the Lights campaign here.

Full statement on 2015 decision from Symphony of Lights Facebook Page:

“Howard County General Hospital and the Howard Hospital Foundation thank all of you who have volunteered, participated or sponsored Symphony of Lights over the past 21 years. Symphony of Lights festivities will be postponed until fall 2016 to allow for the redevelopment of Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. This includes all events: Dazzle Dash, Twinkling Tots, Bike the Lights, Tail Lights, nightly drive throughs, group walk throughs, and Midnight at 7.

“The 21 year-old light displays will be refurbished and updated so that when we return in 2016, Symphony of Lights will be brighter and better than ever. Throughout this year, the 250,000 bulbs on the displays will be replaced with environmentally friendly LED lights.

“If you are interested in supporting the refurbishment of the Symphony of Lights display and the hospital this holiday season, you can sponsor a new LED light bulb for a donation of $10 at www.hcgh.org/brightenthelights.

“We invite you to enjoy a video drive through of the Symphony of Lights available at hcgh.org/symphonyoflights. Those who have attended Symphony of Lights festivities in the past are encouraged to share your photos and experiences on our page.

“Best wishes to you and your family this holiday season. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s Symphony of Lights!”

—Symphony of Lights

Photos courtesy of Kiki Cardenas and David Greisman.

Will you miss Symphony of Lights this year? Organizers posted this YouTube video in lieu of a drive-through.