With Anne Arundel County's close proximity to Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and beyond, families have the opportunity to enjoy unique holiday festivities within a relatively short distance from home. These events are open for several weeks during the holiday season and are worth the drive.
BALTIMORE
Miracle On 34th Street, Hampden
Be dazzled by a city block full of bright lights, holiday music and over-the-top displays in a charming, kitschy Baltimore kind of way. Now in its 73rd year, the event now known as Miracle on 34th Street began when a teenager put a string of lights on a tree in front of his family home on 34th Street, and it grew to include the whole block of neighbors. Some of the unique attractions on the block include a hubcap Christmas tree, bike-rim snowmen, overhead trains and a lighted crab.
When
November 30 - December 31
Evenings, beginning around 5:45pm
Where
720 34th Street, Baltimore, Maryland
Info
German Market, Inner Harbor
An authentic German Christmas market sets up annually in West Shore Park at the Inner Harbor. The market includes around 50 vendors who sell authentic European food, Christmas decorations, crafts and more from all over the globe.
When
November 23 – December 24
Sundays – Thursdays: 11:00am – 7:00pm
Fridays – Saturdays: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Closed Days: November 25, 26, 27; December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17
Where
West Shore Park
501 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland
Info
B&O Museum Magical Holiday Express
The B&O Railroad Museum celebrates the season through train rides with Santa, Frosty and other characters. The museum also showcases a special holiday model train display and a 30-foot Christmas tree.
When
December 2 - December 31
Monday – Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day
Where
901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland
Info
Washington, D.C.
Enchant Christmas at Nationals Park
Visit Nationals Park, home of the World Series champion Washington Nationals, for their first-ever Christmas maze and market. The outfield will be transformed into a giant lighted maze, the infield will turn into an ice rink, and the concourse will become a Christmas market.
When
November 22 - December 19
Where
1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington, D.C.
Info
ZooLights at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
During this free annual event, more than 500,000 environmentally friendly LED lights transform the zoo into a holiday spectacular. Features of the event include laser light shows, train rides for a fee, a field of swaying lights, and lanterns crafted in China.
When
November 29 - January 1
5:00pm - 9:00pm
Where
3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.
Info
www.nationalzoo.si.edu/events/zoolights
U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory
The 2019 theme of “Season's Greenings: America's Gardens!” will highlight botanic gardens from across the county. In addition, visitors will find a room dedicated to model train displays, a conservatory filled with thousands of flowers including poinsettias, and D.C. landmarks made of plant materials. Concerts are offered on select evenings.
When
November 28 - January 5
10:00am - 5:00pm
Where
100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C.
Info
www.usbg.gov/plan-your-holiday-visit
Washington, D.C. Suburbs
Christmas on the Potomac at Gaylord National offers many family-friendly activities and events throughout the holiday season. Decorated in over 2 million lights, the hotel offers concerts, light shows, a Christmas village, ice skating, train rides, ice tubing, scavenger hunts, gingerbread decorating and the ice sculpture attraction, ICE! This year's ICE! theme is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
When
November 15-December 30
Where
201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, Maryland
Info
www.marriott.com/gaylord-hotels/gaylord-national-harbor-christmas-on-the-potomac.mi
George Washington's Mount Vernon, Virginia
Christmas past meets Christmas present at George Washington’s estate. Activities throughout the holiday season at Mount Vernon include candlelight tours, wreath-making workshops, musical demonstrations and chocolate-making demonstrations.
When
November 29 - December 31
Where
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, Virginia
Info
www.mountvernon.org/plan-your-visit/tours-activities/christmas-at-mount-vernon
Winterfest of Lights, Northside Park, Ocean City
Over 1 million holiday lights, hundreds of animated light displays and a 50-foot Christmas tree are part of this annual event. A 1-mile train ride goes through 58 acres of lights.
When
November 21 - December 31
Sunday – Thursday: 5:30pm – 9:30pm
Friday – Saturday: 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Where
200 125th Street, Ocean City, Maryland
Info
www.oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/special-events/winterfest
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