2020 Holiday Happenings in the Greater Baltimore Area

 

COVID-19 may change the way you celebrate the holidays, but that doesn’t mean that you and your family can’t do something fun together. We’ve put together the following list of local favorites to put you and your family in the holiday spirit. Happy Holidays from all of us at Baltimore’s Child!

Editor’s Note: Our staff verified information to the best of our ability at press time. Please check with event organizers prior to attending or participating in these events to confirm dates, times, locations and event details. Please visit www.baltimoreschild.com for an updated calendar of events. Submit event information to us at www.baltimoreschild.com/submit-event

Light Up the Season

BALTIMORE CITY

Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Virtual Festival of Trees
Discover unique, custom-decorated artificial trees that will be available for purchase online. Shop online with hundreds of gift options from hand-selected vendors, enjoy story time with local celebrities, catch a performance of “The Nutcracker” by the Chesapeake Ballet and explore more things to do from the comfort of your family’s own home. Virtual, Nov. 27-29, 10 a.m. each day.
kennedykrieger.org/festivaloftrees

33rd Annual Baltimore Parade of Lighted Boats
This annual Baltimore tradition, hosted by the Downtown Sailing Center at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, features extraordinary lighted boats sailing about Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
Anchorage Marina, 2501 Boston St., Baltimore, Dec. 5, 4:30 p.m. downtownsailing.org

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

Lights on the Bay
Drive through a 2-mile holiday lights display. Sandy Point State Park and Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Nov. 20, 2020-Jan. 2, 2021, 5-10 p.m., weather permitting. lightsonthebay.org

North Pole Lights Walk
Take a self-guided walk to the North Pole amid holiday lights. Willow Oak Flower & Herb Farm, 8109 Telegraph Road, Severn, Nov. 27, 28, 30; Dec. 3-5, 10-12, 17-23, 4:30-8 p.m. willowoakherbs.com

HARFORD COUNTY

Light Up Night! Tree Lighting and Holly Jolly First Friday
This festive First Friday celebration features food trucks, holiday entertainment, and craft vendors. Santaland will be open for children to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus following the lighting of the Christmas tree. Downtown Havre de Grace, Dec. 4 (rain date Dec. 5), 4-8 p.m. explorehavredegrace.com

Bel Air Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
While Bel Air’s annual Christmas parade is not taking place this year, guests are still welcome to watch the tree lighting and take in the festive light installations at the Courthouse and the storefronts on and around Main Street. Harford County Circuit Courthouse, 20 W. Courtland St., Bel Air, Dec. 6, from 3-5 p.m. downtownbelair.com

48th Annual Candlelight Tour
Tour selected Havre de Grace historic homes and buildings amid illuminated streets. All tour stops are outside this year to enjoy in a safe, socially distanced manner. Tickets are available on Eventbrite (search 48th Annual Candlelight House Tour Havre de Grace) prior to the tour for $20 per person tickets. Day-of event tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Lock House Museum until Dec. 11. Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House, 817 Conesteo St., Havre de Grace, Dec. 12, 4-8 p.m. thelockhousemuseum.org

Holiday Potpourri

BALTIMORE CITY

Kwanzaa at Enoch Pratt
Charles Dugger offers a virtual presentation focused on the principles of Kwanzaa in this program presented by the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m.; Dec.16, 11 a.m.; Dec. 20, 2 p.m.; Dec. 22, 6:30 p.m. Zoom stream details available at prattlibrary.org

BALTIMORE COUNTY

Wreath Making Take and Make
Pick up all the materials at the Nature Center to make a handmade holiday wreath at home with your family. Pre-registration is required to receive the wreath materials; please email [email protected] to register (please include participants’ names, age of children and contact phone number). A video lesson will be available to guide you through
the steps of making your wreath. The cost is $20 per wreath. Lake Roland Nature Center, 1000 Lakeside Drive, Baltimore, Dec. 5 and 6, 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. lakeroland.org

GETTYSBURG, PA

Five Christmases at the Shriver House
Explore the story of the Shriver family during Civil War-era Gettysburg and how Christmases were celebrated by this family. Tours will take place from Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, through Dec. 19. Shriver House Museum, 309 Baltimore St., Gettysburg. shriverhouse.org

Merry Markets, Bazaars and Malls

BALTIMORE CITY

Virtual Holiday Heap
Explore a three-day virtual shopping extravaganza with more than 50 vendors offering handmade gifts. Virtual, Dec. 4-6. charmcitycraftmafia.com

CARROLL COUNTY

23rd Annual Festival of Wreaths
Depending on current COVID-19 restrictions, the Carroll County Arts Council plans to hold an in-person display of wreaths submitted for this annual fundraising event. An online auction will feature all wreaths submitted. Bidding ends promptly at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6. Nov. 27-Dec. 6, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster. carrollcountyartscouncil.org/festival-of-wreaths

Christmas Market at Carroll County Farmers Market
Shop seasonal gifts, fresh produce and other items from more than 50 craft and specialty vendors. Carroll County Agriculture Center, 700 Ag Center Drive, Westminster, Saturdays from Nov. 7-Dec. 19, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit carrollcountyfarmersmarket.com for more details.

HARFORD COUNTY

Holiday Boutique at the Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House
Shop for gifts, baked goods and more during this holiday market. Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House, 817 Conesteo St., Havre de Grace, Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. thelockhousemuseum.org

GETTYSBURG, PA

11th Annual Gingerbread Celebration

View an online gallery of gingerbread houses and select the winners by voting with dollars for your favorite creations. More information is available on the Adams County Arts
Council’s website. Friday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to Sunday, Dec. 6, noon. adamsarts.org

Holidays in Harmony

BALTIMORE CITY

Christmas for Kids Virtual Extravaganza!
This virtual program for kids will premiere live on the Baltimore Choral Arts Society’s Facebook page and will be available for viewing on both Facebook and YouTube. Watch as Pepito the Clown and Tilly are carried away on an imaginative adventure as they help Santa Claus prepare for his Christmas travels. Virtual, Dec. 6, 3 p.m. Learn more by visiting baltimorechoralarts.org

‘Messiah!’ Live Online
This Baltimore tradition will continue this year online. More details and viewing information will be available on the Handel Choir of Baltimore’s website. Virtual, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. handelchoir.org.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

A Celebration of Christmas
This longstanding Annapolis Christmas tradition will use the city of Annapolis as the stage for performances streamed online from various locations. Virtual; visit livesartsmd.org for date and time.

BALTIMORE COUNTY

Winter Solstice Concert
Baltimore-based trio Helicon performs lively, traditional folk music in celebration of winter’s arrival. Virtual; visit kenkolodner.com for dates and times.

HOWARD COUNTY

A Christmas Noel
Enjoy selections of previously recorded performances of Handel’s “Messiah” presented by Columbia Pro Cantare broadcast live on YouTube. Virtual, Dec. 6, 3 p.m. procantare.org

CARROLL COUNTY

‘The Nutcracker in the Time of Corona: Short and Suite’
Tickets will be sold only by calling Carroll County Dance Center at 410-795-3255. Socially distanced performances will be held in the empty Shoppers located at 6300 Georgetown Blvd., Suite 139. A maximum of 100 tickets will be sold per performance. Masks are required. Tickets: $12 children 10 and younger, $15 adults, $18 for preferred seating. Saturday, Dec. 19, 4 p.m.
carrollcountydancecenter.com

HARFORD COUNTY

‘The Nutcracker’
Witness the magic of the holiday season as you enjoy this special performance of a celebrated Christmas classic. This performance will be broadcast for audiences on the Harford Cable Network.
Virtual, Dec. 19, 4 p.m. balletchesapeake.org/nutcracker

Worlds in Miniature

BALTIMORE CITY

Highlandtown Train Garden
See the city (and trains!) in miniature at Engine House No. 41 in Baltimore. This holiday tradition in Southeast Baltimore opens to the public for 2020 on Nov. 28; check the website for scheduled dates and times. Engine House No. 41, 520 S. Conkling St., Baltimore. highlandtowntraingarden.com

BALTIMORE COUNTY

Fire Museum of Maryland Holiday Train Garden
Watch as O-scale trains wind their way through a 20th-century town. Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance on the opening day, Saturday, Nov. 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., so that kids can have a socially distanced visit with Santa. Tickets for admission will be available the door. Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26 and 28-31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Fire Museum of Maryland, 1301 York Road, Lutherville. firemuseummd.org

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