6 HAPPY HOLIDAY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES IN BALTIMORE, MD

The slight nip in the air can only mean one thing — the holiday season is approaching. As the days grow shorter, it’s time to gather with friends and family to enjoy holiday events and activities in Baltimore. Our team at Koons White Marsh Chevrolet of White Marsh, Maryland, has picked out these festive things to do in Baltimore. They’re all family-friendly and great places to unwind and spend time together away from everyday distractions. Bring your cameras, wrap up warm, and get ready to capture holiday memories for card photos, scrapbooks, and conversations for years to come. 

TAKE A TRIP TO GERMANY 

The annual German Christmas Village will transport visitors of all ages across the Atlantic to Germany without leaving the Inner Harbor. The Village is open until Christmas Eve, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the food, events, and shopping. Make sure you can stay long enough to enjoy all the activities and family-friendly rides, including a carousel and Ferris wheel. The wheel is 65 feet high and located in Bicentennial Plaza, although it lights up the entire Inner Harbor. 

Once you’re done with the rides, check out the newest attraction in the Village. The Pyramid is 30 feet high and full of over 3,000 lights. It’s also home to various vendors. There’s a selection of wines from different areas of Germany, and some of the non-alcoholic beverages available for children and nondrinkers include hot chocolate, punch, tea, and coffee. You can even enjoy the drinks in boot-shaped mugs. 

Location: West Shore Park/Inner Harbor.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday from Nov. 19 to Dec. 24.

OLD TYME CHRISTMAS

Another cherished Baltimore tradition is the Old Tyme Christmas celebration in the Fell’s Point neighborhood. This annual celebration is free and open to the public. The event runs all day and offers an opportunity to take in the area’s beauty while watching Santa arriving on a tugboat. Once he’s on land, everyone is invited to take a free picture with him from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. You’ll even get a free 4×6 print to take home. There’s free story time on the beach and plenty of opportunities for children to get creative during the day.

As the sun sets, grab a seat for the tree lighting ceremony, which will be full of festive songs and music. After the ceremony, turn your eyes to the water to enjoy a lighted boat parade. We recommend bringing your camera to capture the boats in their festive splendor. 

Location: Broadway Square, Thames St. and S. Broadway.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.

MAYOR’S CHRISTMAS PARADE

The day after the Old Tyme Christmas celebration is the annual Mayor’s Christmas parade. It spans 2.5 miles through the northern part of the city. Among the acts already committed to the train are 160 marching bands, including the famous Mummers, who are making the trip south from Philadelphia. Their brightly colored costumes are sure to grab your attention. If you’re sensitive to noise, you may want to bring earplugs, as over 100 Harley Davidson motorcycles are planning to participate. 

Make sure you arrive early, as this is a very popular event. The parade will feature several floats along the route, and local celebrities will be around before Santa’s arrival. Bring your cameras and camp chairs for the event.

Location: The parade route runs down Falls Road from Coldspring Lane and turns onto West 36th Street.

Hours: Starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4.

ENJOY THE SOUNDS OF MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS

Do you enjoy listening to live Christmas music? This is a unique opportunity to hear talented local tuba players as they play a variety of holiday tunes. The event is free for anyone who wishes to enjoy this unique experience. There’s ample paid parking in the area around both Harborplace and the Amphitheatre. You’ll need to pay a $10 registration fee if you want to join the musicians. 

Location: Harborplace Amphitheatre.

Hours: Starts at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17.

JOYFUL JAMS

The brand-new Harbor East complex invites visitors to enjoy a series of Joyful Jams during December. You can grab a snack or shop for gifts while live music fills the Aliceanna Street neighborhood. Following this, you can enjoy one of several new restaurants offering happy hour and dinner menus. There’s free parking available in the garage on the property every weekend. 

Location: Harbor East, 650 S. Exeter St., Suite 200.

Hours: Noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, 10, and 17.

CLIMB ABOARD THE POLAR EXPRESS

Throughout December, the B&O Railroad Museum allows families to immerse themselves in the Polar Express. You can choose from Bronze, Silver, and Gold ticket levels. Each level gives access to the experience. Gold and Silver members will have certain upgrades, including booths, and Gold ticket holders also get a souvenir mug. The train is accessible, but non-service animals aren’t allowed to join in the fun. You should purchase a Bronze ticket to ensure accessibility during the adventure. Strollers are not recommended and can be checked at the museum. Check your tickets for arrival time, as trains run throughout the day.

The train ride lasts 45 minutes, and the whole experience takes approximately two hours to complete. You’re encouraged to bring your camera to capture precious memories during the event. A professional photographer will be available to take pictures with Santa when the train arrives at the North Pole. The museum encourages families to wear their pajamas and is holding a contest to find the most creatively dressed passengers. 

Snacks will be available from a food truck before your adventure begins. The dining car on the train will also offer things to eat for the event. Coach seating is open, but there are assigned seats for Gold and Silver ticket holders. Parking is free in the museum’s parking lot. 

Location: B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St.

Hours: Trains run throughout the day on Nov. 25-27 and Dec. 2-4, 9-11, and 16-19.

As you can see, the Charm City shines during the holiday season. The team at Koons White Marsh Chevrolet looks forward to interacting with our community during these events and many others during the season. We encourage you to take time away from your daily routine to reconnect with family and friends. As you attend these events, let the season’s magic and joy fill your hearts and minds. Remember, these are all camera-friendly events and some moments will only happen once – you may wish to bring extra batteries and a spare memory card.

Image by Kateryna Hliznitsova is licensed with Unsplash License

Tags: Baltimore, Holidays, MD
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