Holiday on Main Street

The holidays are not holidays without shopping. But what awaits the shoppers who don’t want to go online, who don’t have time to navigate a large mall, or who don’t want to part with some cash without a hot chocolate and a chat with a shopkeeper? Plenty, as a matter of fact. There’s a lot of holiday to be found on Main Street.

This month, Baltimore’s Child heads to local neighborhoods for some holiday shopping. Come join us. We’ll save a marshmallow for you.

Holiday on Main Street

Baltimore’s Main Street Communities

There are nine official Main Street communities in Baltimore and each one offers special events this season. Mark your calendar: Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30 is a big day for these neighborhoods and could be a key day to score some good deals at your favorite hangouts.

Fells Point
Small Business Saturday’s “Sell-abration” from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. promises free hot chocolate and coffee, games with prizes, including a Baltimore stay-cation package, and shopping at more than 45 stores. Past Decembers in one of Baltimore’s more famous neighborhoods have featured a lighted boat parade and egg nog contest, too. fellspointmainstreet.org

Federal Hill
Brightside Boutique, the Crystal Moll Gallery and Six2Six Society … we could go on and on, but instead we’ll go trendy at their Small Business Saturday offerings. fedhill.org

Hamilton-Lauraville
Another neighborhood gem with great local shops, such as Found Studio, Hamilton Gallery, Red Canoe and The Children’s Bookstore. In addition to Small Business Saturday events, this neighborhood holds Holiday on Harford on Saturday, Dec. 14 with a visit from Santa. bmoremainstreet.org

Hampden
Get ready, hon: Hampden’s Shop Small Art Crawl is Nov. 30 at the Mill Centre, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than 20 local artists share unique gifts. And don’t forget the 47th Annual Mayor’s Christmas Parade on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. hampdenmerchants.com

Highlandtown
This East Baltimore neighborhood is packing all the holiday charm this month with a train garden through Jan. 5, a tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 6, the Merry Mart at the Creative Alliance on Sunday, Dec. 8 and a pastry stroll for Small Business Saturday. Yes to doughnuts while we shop. ihearthighlandtown.com

Holiday on Main Street

Other Main Streets

These communities did not have events posted as of press time, but they are still worth checking out.

Belair-Edison, belairedison.city
Historic Pennsylvania Avenue, pa-mainstreet.com
Pigtown, pigtownmainstreet.org
Waverly, waverlymainstreet.org

Outside Baltimore

Bel Air
The Nest, Urban Pearl, Tiger Lily, Julie Ellyn Designs — there are so many cool boutiques in this cozy downtown and they will open their doors for Small Business Saturday fun. Sunday, Dec. 1 is another great day to head to Bel Air, because the town will hold its 30th Annual Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting Celebration. downtownbelair.com

Ellicott City
If someone has never been to Midnight Madness, can he or she truly call himself a shopper? We Savvy writers are not so sure. Head to one of our favorite historic hot spots on Friday, Dec. 6 for this event which, as the name indicates, is holiday-inspired evening of shopping until midnight. visitoldellicottcity.com

Sykesville
Downtown Sykesville holds its Twelve Hours for Christmas from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. Expect 12 hours of music, giveaways and in-store specials in this kickoff to a month of celebration. sykesvillemainstreet.com

Small Malls

Baltimore also has a number of smaller shopping centers occupied by locally owned businesses.

Green Spring Station
Their fourth annual makers market with more than 20 vendors and pop-up shops will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. greenspringstation.com

Shops at Kenilworth
Go for the train garden, stay for the shopping. theshopsatkenilworthcom

Stevenson Village, stevensonvillage.com

Village of Cross Keys, villageofcrosskeys.com

Final Destinations

Annapolis
Here’s another place with a month of events and holiday merriment on its calendar. We’re calling it the March of Our Dreams Come True, because there is a lighted yacht parade, two tree lightings, a Midnight Madness shopping event and something called the Chocolate Binge Festival. We promise that we are not making this up. visitannapolis.org

Harbor East
Black Friday Block Party — if we shop and write about it, that’s a work assignment, right? 11 a.m.-4 p.m. harboreast.com

Made in Baltimore
There’s no better way to be loud and proud about local shopping than checking out the goodies in this space. After all, it’s in the name. madeinbaltimore.org

Need more to do this holiday season? Here’s our full list of holiday happenings.

Reported by Adora Brown and Molly Syzmanski

About BC Staff

Baltimore's Child is written by parents like you. Want to contribute? Email us at [email protected].

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