It’s supposed to be a snowy winter here in Chesapeake country, so I say we get in the winter spirit early! Plan a weekend trip to any of these towns for a trip back in time, complete with all of the holiday trimmings.
Solomons holds its Christmas Walk December 4 - 7. The weekend kicks off with the Solomons Ice Castle Gala Christmas Party at Kingfishers on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. Friday will bring Santa and the lighting of the Christmas Tree at the River Walk Pavilion. The town will be filled with thousands of luminaries, and local businesses will be open late for holiday shopping. There will also be a holiday puppet show for children at Our Lady Star of the Sea. On Saturday, start out by having breakfast with Santa at Isaac’s Restaurant and stay for the Lighted Boat Parade around 6:15 p.m. Find information on The Solomons Christmas Walk on the Solomons Island website: solomonsmaryland.com.
On Friday, December 5, the town of Cape Charles, VA, presents Christmas by the Bay, a holiday tasting tour. This walking tour will visit historic homes that are decorated for the holidays, as well as restaurants, which will be serving dinner. Arrive early to shop at the town’s galleries and shops, or extend your stay at one of their beds and breakfast, inns, or hotels. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased through northamptoncountychamber.com. On December 6, the town will continue its Christmas celebrations with Santa arriving by skiff, followed by a holiday golf cart parade which will lead to the Grand Illumination in Central Park.
Chesapeake City, MD, holds its annual WinterFest celebration from December 1 through January 3. This Victorian Christmas celebration takes place on both sides of the C&D Canal with holiday lights and outstanding lighted displays along the waterfronts, carolers, and houses decked out for the season (and a porch-decorating contest.) Find Santa in his workshop in Franklin Hall every Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. Visit the quaint shops and celebrate the season in world-renowned restaurants while in town. For more information, visit: chesapeakecity.com.
Christmas on Cockrell’s Creek in Reedville, VA takes place on December 13 and 14. This weekend tour of houses proudly highlights the Northern Neck’s rich maritime heritage. The ladies of the Chesapeake Bay Garden Club will be adding festive seasonal touches to all the homes. A unique feature of the Reedville house tour is a free narrated boat shuttle provided between the Fishermen’s Museum and the homes on Cockrell’s Creek. On Saturday morning, Santa will arrive by boat for breakfast at the United Methodist Church. There will also be a bake sale and other seasonal events happening throughout the town all weekend. More information can be found at the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum website: rfmuseum.org.
St. Michaels will host three days of festivities at Christmas in St. Michaels December 12 – 14. For more than a quarter century, both ticketed and free events including the tour of homes, holiday gala, breakfast with Santa, and the largest holiday parade on the Eastern Shore have celebrated the arrival of the Christmas season. This is an event which is not to be missed as the whole town is transformed back in time to become an Eastern Shore Christmas Wonderland. More information can be found at christmasinstmichaels.org.
My favorite quaint, little coastal town in Virginia, Poquoson, will be hosting its annual Christmas parade on December 5 at 7 p.m. on Wythe Creek Road. Participants in the parade will include fire companies from all over the area and floats from various community organizations. The parade is very kid friendly, and will go down the decorated main street in town. On December 13, Whitehouse Cove Marina will get into the holiday spirit with a Lighted Boat Parade as well as a Golf Cart decorating contest and parade. For more information on Poquoson’s events, visit: ci.poquoson.va.us.
