City
Annapolis, various sites downtown.
- The annual Midnight Madness event will be held Dec. 5 and Dec. 12. Stores in the downtown shopping district and the State Circle-Maryland Avenue shopping district will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight. Shoppers can also enjoy live music at the MainStreets Annapolis Main Street Pocket Park. In addition, an 11th hour shopping event is scheduled for Dec. 19, and stores will be open until 11 p.m. http://www.annapolisbusinessassoc.com/events.html.
- Annual Hanging of the Greens by the Annapolis Jaycees, starting at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 7.
Annapolis City Hall, 160 Duke of Gloucester St.
- Enjoy holiday treats from Annapolis restaurants and music from local performers during the kickoff of the Annapolis holiday season at the annual City Hall open house, which will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5 in Council Chambers, 160 Duke of Gloucester St. Food donations are welcome and will be placed under the holiday tree. 410-263-7996.
Market House, downtown Annapolis.
- The Grand Illumination, the annual lighting of the holiday tree in Annapolis, will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Market Space next to the Market House. See Santa arrive by the Circulator trolley. The illumination will be held at 7 p.m.
Maryland State House, 100 State Circle. 410-974-3400.
- State House by Candlelight, 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7. Enjoy choral, band, and ensemble performances by the glow of the official state Christmas tree. Free 410-974-3400. Those age 16 and older need to show a valid photo ID to enter.
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2747 Riva Road. 410-573-2072 or http://www.schgochurch.org.
- Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Includes a visit by Santa and Greek food available for purchase.
Spa Creek Bridge, Compromise Street.
- The Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade, a signature event in Annapolis for more than 30 years, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14 on Spa Creek. The parade will be held rain or shine, with only high winds forcing a cancellation. Best viewing points are from waterfront restaurants along the creek, from the bridge, street-end parks on the creek, and from City Dock. http://www.eyclilghtsparade.org.
William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George St. 410-267-7619.
- A holiday open house will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6. You are invited to visit and taste samples of 18th century winter dishes, smell the fragrant citrus trees that have been brought in for the winter, and enjoy merry 18th century melodies. The last entry into the house is 8:30 p.m. $5-$10. To experience more merriment, visit Hogshead at 43 Pinkney St. and see how less privileged Colonials celebrated the holiday season. http://www.annapolis.org.
County
Anne Arundel County Farmers Market, intersection of Riva Road and Harry S Truman Parkway. 410-349-0317.
- Holiday Market, 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through Dec. 21. Includes holiday greens, crafts and more.
Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater. 410-222-1919 or http://www.historiclondontown.org.
- Native American Appreciation Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Enjoy Native American dances, open hearth cooking of Native American inspired food, story time, and arts and crafts activities.
Holly Avenue park area, Severna Park.
- The Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce will light the community's Christmas tree at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at 1 Holly Ave. http://www.severnaparkchamber.com.
St. James' Parish, 5757 Solomons Island Road, Lothian. 410-867-2838 or http://www.stjameslothian.com.
- The annual "Messiah" community sing-along will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday. The sing-along, directed by Michael S. Ryan, is un-rehearsed and includes a chamber ensemble, soloists, organ and trumpet. Singers in this come-as-you-are walk-in chorus are encouraged to bring a snack or a dessert and a score. Some scores will be available to borrow or purchase for $10. A candlelight reception will follow the sing-along in the parish hall. Free.
Sheraton Annapolis Hotel, 173 Jennifer Road. 410-266-3131.
- The 11th annual ALS Artisan Boutique will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 8. More than 55 regional artists will offer handcrafted jewelry, children's clothing and accessories, pottery, paintings and more. There also will be door prizes, raffles, a silent auction and refreshments. Admission is free. http://www.ALSinfo. org.
Region
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, 13480 Dowell Road, Solomons. 410-326-4640.
- Garden In Lights, 6 to 9 p.m. most nights Dec. 6 through Jan. 5 (call for list of dates it will be closed). Features huge outdoor light show, with entertainment, a spy game and an ornament show. $6.
Calvert Marine Museum, 14200 Solomons Island Road, Solomons. 410-326-2042 or http://www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.
- Solomons Island Christmas Walk, 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7. Features a visit by Santa, live music, holiday crafts and refreshments. Free admission.
Gaylord National Harbor, 201 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill. http://www.nationalharbor.com or 301-965-2111.
- Ice: "Twas the Night Before Christmas," through Jan. 5. Clement Moore's classic American holiday poem will be brought to life in an icy wonderland hand-carved from 2 million pounds of colorful ice. $19-$27.
Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium.
- Festival of Trees, Friday through Sunday. The largest seasonal festival on the East Coast features more than 600 decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses, along with kids' activities and entertainment. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. http://www.festivaloftrees.kennedykreiger.org or 443-923-7300.
Solomons Yachting Center, 255 Alexander St., Solomons. 410-326-2042, ext. 19, or http://www.solomonsmaryland.com.
- Solomons Lighted Boat Parade, 6:15 p.m. Dec. 7.
Baltimore
Inner Harbor Waterfront area.
- Christmas Village, through Dec. 24. A Bavarian-style Christmas market with German food and a variety of vendors. The festival marketplace will be set up at West Shore Park, between the Vistor Center and Science Center at the Inner Harbor.
Lyric Opera House, 110 West Mount Royal Ave.
- Disney Live on Tour presents "Pirate & Princess Adventure," 7 p.m. Dec. 6, noon, 3 and 6 p.m. Dec. 7. $15-$60. 1-800-745-3000.
Mount Vernon Place at Washington Monument, 600 block of North Charles Street.
-
A Monumental Occasion, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5. Features choir performances, strolling entertainment and more, including the 41st annual lighting of the Washington Monument at about 7:45 p.m.
World Trade Center, Top of the World Observation Level, 27th Floor, 401 E. Pratt St., 410-837-8439.
- Dollar Days or Less, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8. See a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the region with floor-to-ceiling windows and stationary binoculars. $1.
Washington, D.C.
The Ellipse near the White House, Constitution Avenue between 15th and 17th streets NW.
- National Christmas Tree Lighting, 5 p.m. Dec. 6. Admission to the immediate ceremony limited to ticket-holders, which were distributed by lottery in advance.
Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University, 730 21st St. NW. 1-800-595-4849 or http://www.lisner.org.
- 31st annual Christmas Revels, Dec. 7 through Dec. 15, with matinee and evening performances. This year's event harkens back to ancient Thrace, featuring costumed characters, sing-alongs, dancing and a rollicking mummer's play. http://www.revelsdc.org for showtimes and tickets.
The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. 1-202-633-4800.
- Zoolights, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 24-25). More than 500,000 lights will transform the zoo into a winter wonderland. Lit animal silhouettes, musical light displays, and a new garden scene light sculpture make for magical sights. Free admission.
Smithsonian American Art Museum, McEvoy Auditorium, 9th and F streets NW. 1-202-633-7970.
- Ninth annual Downtown Holiday Market, noon to 8 p.m. Friday through Dec. 23, in front of the museum. Features more than 150 exhibitors and artists who will rotate each week, along with live music. http://www.downtownholidaymarket.com.
U.S. Capitol Building, East Capitol and 1st streets NE.
- Annual Christmas tree lighting, 5 p.m. Tuesday. Free; no tickets required. Tree will remain lit nightly through Jan. 5.
Virginia
Old Town Alexandria, King Street.
- Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Market Square in Old Town, 301 King St., 6 p.m. Friday. Held rain or shine. Enjoy musical entertainment, caroling with a community sing along, and greetings from the mayor and Santa Claus.
Mount Vernon, George Washington Parkway, Mount Vernon, 1-703-780-2000.
- Candlelight tour, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday through Dec. 22. Learn about the Christmas traditions of George Washington and his family, meet historic characters and tour the estate. $15-$22.
Beaches
Northside Park, 125th Street and the Bay, Ocean City.
- Winterfest of Lights, through Jan. 1. See a huge display of colorful lights, some of them animated, while riding aboard the Winterfest Express. Open 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. $5 (free for kids age 11 and younger). http://www.OCOcean.com.
Ocean City, 443-783-1298. ococean.com/events.
- Annual Christmas Parade, 11 a.m. Dec. 7 from 100th Street to 115th Street, featuring high school bands, floats, marching units and Santa.
Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. 1-800-OC-OCEAN or 410-289-2800.
- Holiday Shoppers' Fair, Friday through Sunday. Features handmade arts and crafts, children's activities and an appearance or two by Santa. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Eastern Shore
Queen Anne's County High School, 125 Ruthsburg Road in Centreville. http://www.townofcentreville.org.
- The town of Centreville will hold its annual Christmas parade starting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 beginning at the high school. This year's parade theme is Toys for Tots. Those attending are urged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for a needy child and place it in a Toys for Tots box located at the end of Broadway and Commerce streets by the town square.