Christmas is coming! Here in Maryland we are gearing up for the holiday more than ever with wonderful festive events. If you are local to Annapolis, check out some of the great events and festivities going on in honor of the holiday season. Thank you to Visit Annapolis for sending over the list.
Lights on the Bay
Saturday, November 18 through Monday, January 1
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. nightly, weather permitting
Admission: $15, car; $50, bus; $30, mini-bus
Sandy Point State Park, 1100 East College Parkway, Annapolis
www.lightsonthebay.org
Don’t miss this spectacular drive-through holiday lights show beside the Chesapeake Bay. The event features more than 70 animated and stationary displays, including traditional Maryland-themed favorites, holiday and children’s displays. Proceeds benefit the SPCA of Anne Arundel County.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Fridays-Sundays, November 25 to December 31
Fridays, 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays, 3:00 p.m.; additional performance on Sunday, November 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Annapolis Shakespeare Company, 1804 West Street, Suite 200, Annapolis, MD
Admission: $30-$48
http://www.
Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. This world premiere captures the magic and joy of Dickens’ Yuletide classic with Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s signature flair.
Holiday Candlelight Stroll
Fridays and Saturdays, December 1-2, 8, 15-16
7:30 p.m.
Tours depart from the Information Booth at City Dock, Annapolis
Admission: Adults, $21; Children ages 3-11, $12; Children 2 and under, free
www.watermarkjourney.com
Learn about the origin of holiday traditions – including the significance of evergreens, Yule logs, Christmas trees and Santa Claus as you stroll through Annapolis with a festively attired guide. Includes a tour of the Hammond-Harwood House.
Illuminated London Town
Fridays and Saturdays, December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16. Rain or shine.
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater, MD
Admission: $6 for member adults, seniors, and youth; $3 for member children (ages 4 – 6); Free for children 3 and under. $12 for non-member adults; $10 for non-member seniors; $7 for non-member youth (ages 7- 17); $3 for non-member children (ages 4 – 6); Free for children 3 and under.
www.historiclondontown.org
Experience the magic of a winter evening at Illuminated London Town! Sip hot cider and roast s’mores beside roaring fires in the Historic Area, included in the price. Explore the gardens, illuminated with festive holiday lights. Discover colonial nighttime and holidays at a candlelit William Brown House, decorated for the season. Enjoy special performances in the gardens each week — including the Chesapeake Revelers or the Londontowne Symphony Orchestra. The Coffee Table Truck will have hot specialty drinks for sale. Bring the family to celebrate wintertime and the holidays with us at Illuminated London Town! And bring your dogs! Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat is sponsoring a s’mores “pup-cession” stand. Leashed dogs allowed, except in the William Brown House.
Jolly Express Cruise
Fridays-Sundays, December 1-3; 8 and 10; 15-17; and 22-24
6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
City Dock, Annapolis
Admission: Adults, $23; Children 11 and under, $13
www.cruisesonthebay.com
Enjoy a 45-minute, holiday inspired “sleigh ride” cruise aboard the reindeer antler bedecked Miss Anne. Cruise includes holiday music, hot cocoa and Captain Santa at the helm.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Friday-Sunday, December 1-10 and Thursday, December 7
Fridays, 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays, 2:00 p.m.; and December 7, 8:00 p.m.
The Colonial Players, 108 East Street, Annapolis
General Admission: $23
http://thecolonialplayers.org/
The beloved American Christmas classic comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. Adapted by Joe Landry from the screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra and Jo Swerling.
Midnight Madness Holiday Shopping I, II, II
Thursdays, December 7, 14 and 21
6:00 p.m. to midnight, 12/7 and 12/14; 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., 12/21
Downtown Annapolis
Admission: Free
http://www.
Lights, garland, action! Historic Annapolis shops throw open their doors in a glorified block party that’s open to all. Enjoy outside musical performances as well as food and refreshments at many stores as you stroll along Main Street, Maryland Avenue, Inner West Street, and State Circle in search of that perfect gift. To enhance the experience, the first block of Main Street will be closed traffic. Sponsored by the Downtown Annapolis Partnership.
A Celebration of Christmas
Friday, December 8
8:00 p.m.
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis
Admission: Visit website
http://liveartsmaryland.org
Live Arts Maryland’s J. Ernest Green, the Annapolis Chorale and the Annapolis Chamber Orchestra present a joyous blend of favorite Christmas songs, including “White Christmas” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. The Annapolis Chamber Orchestra takes center stage for the classic, “Sleigh Ride” and “Twas the Night before Christmas”. The evening includes an audience carol sing-along with Maestro Green.
35th Annual Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade
Saturday, December 9
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Annapolis Harbor and Spa Creek
Admission: Free
http://eastportyc.org/lights
Dozens of brightly decorated boats parade around the Annapolis waterfront in one of the City’s signature events. Thousands of lights and a host of jolly revelers make this a fun holiday event for the entire family. Prime viewing areas include: Eastport, Spa Creek, City Dock and Naval Academy sea wall. Sponsored by the Eastport Yacht Club.
The Nutcracker
Saturday and Sunday, December 9-10, 16-17
Saturday, 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis
Admission: Adult, $52; Senior, $43; Student, $30; child, 10 and under, $30; MHCA Member, $47
http://www.balletmaryland.org/
The Ballet Theatre of Maryland invites you to the most famous Christmas Party of all time – “The Nutcracker,” where the possibility of dreams, the magic of Christmas and the wonder of the child merge through young Clara’s adventures with mechanical dolls, life-size rats, and whirling kingdoms of snow and sweets. Help Clara rescue her beloved Nutcracker from the Rat Queen’s evil spell and discover her true destiny.
15th Annual ALS Artisan Boutique
Sunday, December 10
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Annapolis Hotel, 173 Jennifer Road, Annapolis, MD
Admission: Free
www.alsinfo.org
More than 55 regional artists will showcase handcrafted jewelry, original children’s clothing and accessories, pottery, paintings and more. The event will also include door prizes, raffles, a silent auction, refreshments and an appearance by Lisa McCue, an illustrator of children’s books, including the Corduroy series. Event benefits patients and families living with ALS.
“The Messiah”
Friday through Sunday, December 15-17
St. Anne’s Church, Church Circle, Annapolis
Friday and Saturday, 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, 3:00 p.m.
Admission: adults, $45 plus $3.50 service fee; students, free through the student rush program
www.liveartsmaryland.org
Live Arts Maryland presents the Annapolis Chorale’s Chamber Chorus and the Annapolis Chamber Orchestra performing Handel’s timeless masterpiece at St. Anne’s Church. Four guest soloists join LAM for this year’s performances: soprano Amy Cofield; mezzo soprano Kathryn Leemhuis; tenor Joseph Regan; and baritone Matthew Anchel.
Holiday Open House
Saturday, December 16
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George Street, Annapolis
Hogshead, 43 Pinkney Street, Annapolis
Admission: Free for HA members and volunteers; $10 for non-members
www.annapolis.org
Come join William and Mary Paca for a festive occasion as they welcome you to their home and entertain for the holidays! Living historians will bring the house of the Declaration of Independence signer to life with laughter, games, music and sweet treats to share! At Hogshead, visitors will see how middling sorts – played by living historians – celebrate the holiday season with a variety of fun activities for the whole family. Light refreshments are included. Reservations encouraged.
Military Bowl
Thursday, December 28
1:30 p.m.
U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, 550 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis
http://www.militarybowl.org/
The Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman Corporation, benefitting the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore (USO-Metro), will match a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) against an opponent from the American Athletic Conference (AAC) in its 10th Anniversary game. The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales once again will headline the Military Bowl Parade that kicks off gameday festivities – stepping off from Annapolis City Dock at 9:30 a.m.
I received the above information as a media outlet via Visit Annapolis Media Resources. All opinions are 100% my own.
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