Check out all the fun activities to do around Maryland this holiday season
The excitement of the holidays is upon us! We aren’t as bitter towards the 5 pm darkness as our holiday light decorations kick on to light the night. Thankfully, this also helps us look past the fact that our boats are wrapped for their winter slumber.
As always, it seems our to-do list is ever long. Afterall, even good ‘ol St. Nick requires a list! So as your favorite mid-Atlantic Marina team, we are here to help you out. We pulled a list together of all the FUN area activities to enjoy this holiday season.
PS You might want to add a new calendar to your wish list, because this month, you can find enough to do to fill an entire year. Have fun and happy holidays from our family to yours.
*If you found this article helpful, please give us a like or share with your friends. The Atlantic Marinas team works hard to provide our members and community members with useful information to explore our beautiful state.
1. OUTDOOR ICE SKATING:
a. Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis
The ice rink is in front of the Visitor Center and offers a pleasant and safe environment to enjoy ice skating outdoors. Come out for fun with family and friends. Park admission and fees apply except when noted otherwise. Check their Facebook page for hours, weather-related notices, and updates.
b. Ice Rink at the Sculpture Garden, National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Take a spin on the ice surrounded by the grand architecture of national museums and monuments. Enjoy splendid views of large-scale sculptures from artists in our renowned collection.
c. Inner Harbor Ice Rink, Baltimore
Take in the magical views of the harbor and create new wintertime memories as you skate alongside family & friends in the heart of the city!
2. LIGHTS:
a. Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade, Annapolis December 10, 2022 • 6–8 pm.
No holiday in the sailing capital would be complete without the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade. Its creativity (think lighted palms, Christmas trees and snowmen) has earned the EYC event a spot on the lineup of Maryland Events of the Year. The best views of the boats are near the Eastport Bridge, the Naval Academy, City Dock and Ego Alley. Or get out on the water and take it in from the deck of Harbor Queen, a steamboat-style party ship operated by Watermark. Admission is $10 or the donation of a bag of non-perishable food for people or pets.
b. Zoo Lights, Maryland Zoo, Baltimore, Friday – Sunday evenings, 5 pm – 8 pm
A walk-thru event that allows you to travel the course by foot and visit Zoo Central for snacks, hot chocolate, and free train & carousel ride.
c. Lights on the Bay, Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis – through January 1, 2023
The Lights on the Bay display is a scenic drive along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay with more than 60 spectacular animated and stationary displays illuminating the roadway.
d. Winter City Lights, Olney, MD, through December 31
A magical holiday experience of 1 million twinkling lights spread across 18-acres of an outdoor winter wonderland where it is guaranteed to Winter City snow every night.
e. Annmarie Garden In Lights, Solomons, through January 1, 5 pm-9 pm nightly
Join us for the most magical time of year as the grounds of Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center are transformed into an outdoor twinkling wonderland! You’ll be transported to an enchanted world full of glowing “light sculptures” and wondrous light installations. Discover magical creatures, wintery wonderlands, musical holiday scenes, deep-sea treasures, sparkling trees, and so much more.
f. Winter Lights Festival, Seneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg, through December 31
The 3.5 mile drive through the enchanted setting of Seneca Creek State Park takes you past more than 450 illuminated displays and beautifully lit trees that light up the night.
3. SHOPPING
a. Annapolis Midnight Madness, December 1, 8 and 15 • 4 pm –11 pm.
For three Thursday nights in December, downtown Annapolis becomes a festive street party with specials at shops throughout town, strolling carolers in period costume, impromptu second-line parades led by Naptown Brass, and whatever else frivolity the locals can come up with.
b. Christmas in St. Michaels, December 9–11 • Events run all weekend
It’s a weekend of late-night shopping and strolling the bright and beautifully decorated streets of downtown. On December 10, grab a Santa hat or full costume and take your place in the Talbot Street Parade’s Santa Dash. If you’d rather watch than walk (or run), grab a spot on the street to enjoy the lineup of llamas, boats, bands and antique cars leading up to the grand arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Santa. Later that night, head for the waterside where the parade of lighted boats returns to St. Michaels Harbor.
c. Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show, Sat, December 10, 2022, 11 am – 4 pm, John Carlyle Square, Alexandria, VA 22314
Over 110 artisans, crafters, independent consultants, and other local small businesses are looking forward to showcasing their products, just in time for the holidays!
d. FONA’s Winter Festival, December 10, 2022, 10 am – 4 pm, U.S. National Arboretum, Washington D.C.
Shop from local vendors, buy Christmas trees and holiday greenery, and enjoy free holiday-themed family activities. Dogs are allowed on a leash.
e. Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair, Sunday, December 4, 12 pm –4 pm, Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring
From baked goods to body and hair care, over 80 artisan vendors have everything you wish to surprise your loved ones with! Happy Shopping!
4. SHOWS
a. White Christmas, Classic Theatre of Maryland, Annapolis, through December 24
Based on the beloved 1954 film, this musical adaptation features the music of Irving Berlin and centers around a successful song-and-dance act and a duo of singing sisters. A perfect start to the holiday season, you’ll love this heartwarming classic full of love and laughter
b. A Christmas Carol, Classic Theatre of Maryland, Annapolis, through December 24
Charles Dickens’ story was created to inspire a spirit of charity toward those less fortunate. Our Helen Hayes Awards–recommended original production of this classic holiday story has become an annual holiday tradition, delighting patrons of all ages.
c. The Nutcracker, Maryland Hall, Annapolis, December 10-18, 2022
Discover the wonder of this timeless holiday tradition and allow yourself to be magically swept away by the tale of the young heroine Clara and her adventures to rescue her beloved Nutcracker from the Rat Queen’s evil spell.
d. Grinch, The Dance Musical, Anne Arundel Community College, Saturday, December 10, 2 pm
Join us this Holiday Season for a dance filled musical presentation of the Grinch. Join Grinch, Cindy Lou, Max and all of their Who’s in Whooville for a joyful celebration
e. Baby Shark Live! The Christmas Show – December 26, 3 pm, Lyric, Baltimore
Splash along with Baby Shark and Pinkfong as they journey into the sea for the Holidays to sing and dance through some of your favorite songs in Baby Shark Live! The Christmas Show! This one-of-a-kind immersive experience will have fans of all ages dancing in the aisles as they join Baby Shark and friends for exciting adventures into the jungle and under the sea to explore shapes, colors, numbers and so much more!
f. Morgan State University Choir Annual Christmas Concert, December 11, 2022, 4 pm, Murphy Fine Arts Center, Baltimore
One of the joyful traditions of the Holiday season is the Annual Christmas Concert of the acclaimed Morgan State University Choir with orchestral accompaniment.
5. TRAIN EXHIBITS
a. Christmas Train Garden, Cambridge, Weekdays, 6 pm –9 pm; weekends, 1 pm – 4 pm and 6pm – 9 pm.
The Christmas Train Garden by Cambridge Rescue Company 39 is the longest continually operating fire department train display in the United States and remains in its original home at 307 Gay Street.
b. Plane and Train Garden, Middle River, Open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays through January 15, 11 am – 4 pm, Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum (2323 Eastern Blvd)
c. Holiday Train Garden, Lutherville, Saturday from 10 am-4 pm
The Fire Museum of Maryland operates an annual train garden, with multiple trains operating, local businesses, a “working fire,” and even a subway.
d. Snow Hill Model Trains, Snow Hill, Fridays from 5–8 pm / Saturdays 1 pm – 4 pm
Experience one of the Eastern Shore’s most exciting and kid-friendly train gardens. Real running water, realistic sounding and running locomotives and many interactive and moving features.
6. EVENTS:
a. Harriet’s Jazzy Holiday Ball, Cambridge, December 12, 7 pm –9 pm
The Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center invite you to dance the evening away to upbeat music at Harriet’s Jazzy Holiday Ball. The holiday merriment takes place at Heirloom Athletics in Cambridge.
b. Candy Lane, Family Fun Day – December 4 and December 11 – a larger-than-life candy-themed experience featuring installations, thousands of lights, and seasonal entertainment located in the heart of Downtown Baltimore.
c. Christmas in St. Michaels, December 10
On December 10, the day starts with the Santa Dash followed by a parade of llamas, boats, bands and antique cars leading up to the grand arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Santa. Later that night, head for the waterside where the parade of lighted boats returns to St. Michaels Harbor.
d. Holiday Street Fest & Fireworks, Rio Lakefront, Gaithersburg, Saturday, December 10th, 1 pm – 7 pm
Enjoy festive Music, Artisan Market, Cheers Station (Pop Up Bar), S’mores Lounge, Wreath Making Workshop, Family Activities, DJ, and a dazzling fireworks show (6:45 pm) over the lake!
If you found this article helpful, please give us a like or share with your friends. Our team works hard to provide our members and community members with useful information to explore our beautiful state.
*Atlantic Marinas has no affiliation with any of the list above, and the list is by no means exhaustive. We used the following websites and articles as references:
https://www.visitmaryland.org/list/holiday-light-displays
https://chesapeakebaymagazine.com/mark-your-calendar-for-a-slew-of-festive-events/
https://issuu.com/spinsheetpublishingcompany/docs/dec_pt_2022/28
