This may be the “off” season, but there’s certainly no shortage of festive events along the waterfront. Find several events to choose from below.
Holiday parades, paddles, and more
Berlin Christmas Parade—Celebrate the arrival of the season in Berlin, MD. December 1, 7 to 9 p.m.
Kilmarnock Lighted Christmas Parade—Kicks off at 5:30 p.m. December 9 with games, music, and a visit from Santa on Main Street. Parade begins at 7 p.m. along Main Street and lasts for one hour. Kilmarnock, VA.
Downtown Partnership Monument Lighting—Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore. Featuring local entertainers, food, a fireworks display, and a beer garden beginning at 4 p.m. December 1. The Washington Monument will be lit at 7:45 p.m.
Solomons Christmas Walk—Celebrate the spirit of the holidays in Solomons, MD, December 1-3, with a lighted boat parade, craft bazaar, children’s activities, and the arrival of Santa to light the town tree.
Talbot Street Parade—St. Michaels, MD. December 10 (see box below).
Holly Days Parade—Hampton, VA, December 10. Celebrate the Holiday Season and 100th Anniversary of Langley Air Force Base in Hampton at the Peninsula’s largest illuminated holiday parade, with new “North Pole” feature in Carousel Park.
East of Maui Santa Paddle—December 18 from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. Paddle with Santa as he hands out treats around Annapolis City Dock and Spa Creek.
Rock Hall Hat Parade—Saturday, December 31 at 6 p.m. Start the New Year’s celebration off right by decorating your hat for a chance to win in many “hategories”!
Lighted Boat Parades—there are many! See our roundup of them on page 17.
Santa gets around Chesapeake country
Santa Swim—10 a.m. December 10 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort in Cambridge, MD. Take a dip in the chilly waters of the Choptank for charity! Warm up on shore with hot coffee, cocoa, and cookies. Registration begins onsite at 9:30 a.m.
Annapolis Santa Speedo Run—Check in at 10:30 a.m. December 10, run/stroll begins at 12:30 p.m. Through downtown City Dock, beginning and ending at O'Brien's. Bring a toy or book to donate. Libations and live music.
The Waterskiing Santa—12:30 p.m. December 24 Old Town Alexandria, VA. Prime viewing along the waterfront between King Street and Oronoco Street, including Founders Park and the Alexandria City Marine.
TGIF in Cape Charles
Check out Festive Fridays in Cape Charles, VA, for the month of December.
Experience the town’s Christmas charm with free, family-friendly festivities from 5 – 8 p.m. with live local music, carriage rides, Santa and Mrs. Claus, kids’ activities, luminaries, open houses, door prizes, and restaurant specials.
Shops open ‘til 8 p.m. Movie Screenings at the Historic Palace Theater begin at 8 p.m.: “It’s a Wonderful Life” (December 2); “Elf” (December 9); “The Polar Express” (December 16); and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (December 23).
Christmas in St. Michaels Celebrates 30 Years!
Christmas in St. Michaels celebrates 30 years of raising funds to support the Bay Hundred community December 9-11. The weekend’s festivities begin with a Yuletide Party and 30th anniversary celebration on Friday night at the Town Dock on the Harbor (advance tickets are required).
Children and adults look forward to Saturday morning’s wonderful family events: Breakfast with Santa, the Talbot Street Parade with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and Santa’s Wonderland. This year’s Tour of Homes features 10 lovely homes decorated for the holidays (tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the event). The Gingerbread House Display and Train Exhibit is always popular. The Marketplace boutique is a favorite destination for unique hand-crafted gifts. This year the boutique will feature the newly published cookbook, “A Few of Our Favorite Things”; a beautiful mailbox/door decoration; and the 12th Collector’s Ornament featuring the carriage and horses that lead the Talbot Street Parade each year.
As always, there will be delicious food available at churches and restaurants and great shops decorated for Christmas. The final weekend event is the Celebration of Choirs on Sunday evening featuring local church choirs.
Visit christmasinstmichaels.org for more information and to purchase tickets for certain events.
