Symphony of Lights Returns to Columbia for 2016

The annual Symphony of Lights, a holiday tradition in Columbia, is back.

The light display near Merriweather Post Pavilion in Symphony Woods is open Wednesday to Sunday, although this Tuesday, four-legged family members are invited in for a special event.

"Tail Lights," when dogs can walk through the display with their owners for $10, is on tap from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Organized by the Howard Hospital Foundation, Symphony of Lights is the largest fundraiser for Howard County General Hospital. More than 2 million people have visited the attraction over the 21 years that Symphony of Lights has been in existence, raising $7.5 million for the hospital.

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

This year, visitors will find a new course design, outdoor skating rink, new and refurbished displays, LEDs, a laser light show and 3-D holiday video projected from Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Symphony of Lights went on hiatus in 2015 as construction was going on around the pavilion, and organizers said the 250,000 bulbs in the larger-than-life light displays were being replaced with LEDs and promised 2016’s show would be “brighter and better than ever.”

Have you been to Symphony of Lights this year? Tell us in the comments!

Symphony of Lights runs until Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. It is open from 5:30-10 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, including holidays, regardless of weather. It is closed Dec. 31 for the Midnight at 7 event, which rings in the new year at 7 p.m with fireworks. Admission is $20 per car Wednesday to Saturday and $25 on Sunday — cash only will be accepted. To get to the show, use the Merriweather Post Pavilion entrance off South Entrance Road. Call the Symphony of Lights hotline at 410-740-7666 with questions.

The skating rink has separate hours and admission rates.

Related: Symphony of Lights Goes Dark for 2015

Patch file photo.