Day by Day
Friday, December 1
Chesapeake Music Hall’s Holiday Adventure
Families enjoy kid-oriented theater as Chesapeake Music Hall presents the Charlotte’s Holiday Adventure, full of song and crazy antics. Young Charlotte is on her way to visit her grandmother and is trying to keep a surprise for later. Can you help her? Includes lunch. Doors 10:30am; lunch 11am; play 11:30am @ Chesapeake Music Hall, 339 Busch’s Frontage Rd., Annapolis. $9.50; rsvp: 800/406-0306.
Calvert Antique Festival Preview Party
On the eve of Calvert’s Christmas Antique Festival, pop in for discounted antique gifts, fresh greens demos, how-to demos on decorating & using antiques and refreshments. 10-8 @ Southern Maryland Antique Center, Huntingtown: 410/257-1677.
See the Star of Wonder
Sit back and look up at the Star of Wonder, whose story you’ll learn. Come early; there’s only room for 71. Doors 7:45pm; dome glows 8pm @ Arthur Storer Planetarium, by Calvert High, Prince Frederick. Free tonight and Dec. 8: 410/535-7339.
December 1 & 2
Celebration in Lieu of Legislation
Beautiful decorations, candlelight and music blend for rich holiday ambiance at the 25th Annual State House by Candlelight. On both nights you’ll find Poet Laureate of Eastport Jeff Holland — describing an Annapolis Christmas in 1783 — and mimes from First Night Annapolis. Costumed and plainclothed guides give tours. Live music plays on the half hour each night: Dec. 1: Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Chorale, Mt. Moriah Church Gospel Choir; Dec. 2: Angus Violins, Larksong, Arundelair Chorus, Knights of Harmony. 7-9pm @ Maryland State House, Annapolis. Free: 410/974-3400.
December 1-3
Find Glassworks for Giving
Explore a studio full of unique and creative gift ideas at Hovanec Handblown Glassworks’ 7th Annual Open Studio. Browse & buy the glass art of Jerry Hovanec and Ruthann Uithol plus find glassblowing demos. 4-8pm F; 10-6 SaSu @ T. Rayner Wilson Blacksmith Shop, Lusby: 410/326-1647.
Saturday, December 2
Jaycees Deck Annapolis
Help the Annapolis Jaycees spread holiday cheer thru Annapolis at this year’s Hanging of the Greens w/greenery, bows, wreaths and lights. Entertainment comes in the form of local musicians and Santa arrives at City dock midday. 8am-dusk city-wide: 410/974-9278.
Missile-Toe Runners
Fleet-footed runners of all ages bound thru Dunkirk Park in this year’s Mistletoe Run. Light up the track in a 2-mile co-ed race among the similarly aged in heats for ages 13-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-69 and 70+; kids ages 6-8 and 9-12 can foot it in the 1-mile Mistletoe Fun Run. Courses traverse grass and asphalt; prizes to top 3 finishers in each group. Benefits Calvert Parks & Rec. Kids run 9am; teens to seniors start 9:30am @ Dunkirk Park, Dunkirk. $12 ages 13+; $10 ages 6-12; rsvp: 410/257-6770.
Gathering the Greens 2000
Nearly everything you need to gild your home for Christmas — including fresh-cut Christmas trees, poinsettias, fresh greens, wreaths and garlands — are at Providence Center’s Gathering of the Greens. Also find handmade woodworks & pottery, fresh-baked treats and art on exhibit & for sale by the Providence Art Institute to benefit the center, which works w/developmentally disabled adults. 9-2 @ Providence Center, 370 Shore Acres Rd., Arnold: 410/315-8303.
Southern High Holiday Bazaar
Shop up a storm at Southern High’s Holiday Bazaar. 9-2 @ Southern High, Harwood: 410/867-7100.
Trinity UMC Winter Festival
Divide your time between buying and feasting — the latter involving a menu of oysters, ham, sweet potatoes, potato salad, green beans, hot biscuits, desserts, coffee and tea. Cross off Christmas lists w/a country store, bake shop, thrift shop and the Kids’ Secret Shop; also buy English walnuts, black walnuts and pecans for roasting. And don’t forget the fruitcake. Carry out, too. 11-6 @ Trinity UMC, Prince Frederick. $13.50; $6/kids: 410/535-1782.
Christmas in the Wild
Celebrate the season the wild way, making natural ornaments and holiday treats for backyard wildlife. Drop in 10-3 @ Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary, Upper Marlboro. Free to all ages: 800/784-5380.
Create Greens for Giving
Get tips for crafting holiday home decorations for gift-giving in a greens demo with Vic Trego. Includes gourmet box lunch. Also find holiday gifts, crafts & supplies for sale. Noon @ All Saints Episcopal Church, Sunderland. $12; $10/advance: 410/414-5858.
Ornaments for Eating
Craft edible ornaments for either yourself or the creatures outside using dried fruits and other tasty materials. 1-3pm @ Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, Port Republic. $3; rsvp: 410/535-5327 www.calvertparks.org.
Explore Baltimore’s Folksy Holidays
Take a trip down memory lane and through Baltimore’s famous Christmas gardens. Learn about this unique folk art tradition then create your own holiday train gardens w/miniature crafts, enter a drawing for a gingerbread garden and enjoy a magician’s performance. Savor the songs, stories, and magic of the season as you explore past and present traditions of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s in Maryland. 1-4pm @ Maryland Historical Society, 201 W. Monument St., Baltimore. $5 w/discounts: 410/685-3750 x321 www.mdhs.org.
Sing with Washington Chamber Symphony
Sing your favorite holiday songs with a chorus of 300, a full symphony orchestra and more at Washington Chamber Symphony’s Holiday Sing-along. No kids under 4. 2pm @ Concert Hall, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC. $12-$37.50; rsvp: 800/444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org.
North Beach Heralds the Holidays
North Beach turns out to decorate the community Christmas tree as carolers serenade at Christmas on the Beach. Also find the Taste of the Nutcracker performance by Chesapeake Ballet (5-7pm @ Abigail’s Dance Studio) and refreshments. 3:30-5:30pm @ waterfront, North Beach: 301/855-6681.
Eastport Gets Lit
All are welcome to help Eastport decorate and light their holiday tree. Them Eastport Oyster Boys lead a carol sing-along. During the day, volunteers stand ready to aid Eastportoricans in stringing lights or hanging wreaths. 4:30pm @ 6th St. & Severn Ave., Eastport, Annapolis: 410/263-8660.
Gourmet Madrigal Merriment
Renaissance rhythms rouse the Christmas spirit as the choral group Eclatant makes merry with madrigals whilst you dine on seasonal delights. The harmonious celebration promises great food, great music and hearty laughter. 6pm @ cafeteria, Calvert High, Prince Frederick. $8; rsvp: 410/535-7351.
December 2 & 3
Shop Christmas Past in Calvert’s Antique Festival
Satisfy your craving for antique hunting and find one-of-a-kind gifts as Calvert’s dealers band together for the county-wide Christmas Antique Festival. Discover deals on fine antiques and unique gifts from North Beach to Solomons Island as a trove of shops host one big open house, offering up storewide discounts, refreshments and door prizes at each stop. Maps at all shops. 10-5 @ shops thruout Calvert: 410/326-3366 x3.
Sotterley Celebrates an Old-Fashioned Christmas
Tour the exquisitely decorated manor house and grounds of the Sotterley Plantation at the Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration, a weekend of live music, entertainment and holiday treats. Shop at a Christmas market, buy live colonial-style greenery and enter a raffle to win the New Year’s quilt. Kids can meet St. Nick, drop into Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen and visit the playhouse. 11-4 @ Historic Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood. $7; kids under 12 free: 800/681-0850.
Maryland Museums Make a Merry Mall
Browse the unique inventory of holiday gifts that 15 of the region’s museums have to offer as their shops converge for the 3rd Annual Museum Shop-Around. You’ll be able to buy from all your favorite museums in one stop, including American Visionary Arts Museum; Babe Ruth Museum; Baltimore Maritime Museum; Baltimore Zoo; B&O Railroad Museum; Calvert Marine Museum, Evergreen House, Hampton Mansion; Homewood Museum; Maryland Historical Society; Montgomery County Historical Society; National Aquarium in Baltimore; St. Clement’s Island - Potomac River Museum; St. Mary’s City Commission; and the US Capitol Historical Society. Sign up for the Early Bird Breakfast and get a 20 percent discount (7:30-9am Sa; $10; rsvp to 410/685-3750). 10-5 @ Evergreen Carriage House, 4545 North Charles St., Baltimore. $5; kids 12 & under free: 410/516-0341.
Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker Wanders
Watch the timeless story of Clara’s journey with the Nutcracker Prince to the Kingdom of Sweets unfold as The Washington Ballet presents The Nutcracker in abbreviated form. 7pm Sa; 2pm Su @ Fine Arts Center, College of Southern Maryland - La Plata Campus. $15 w/discounts: 301/934-7828.
Benson-Hammond’s Candlelight Christmas
Roam historic Benson-Hammond House, an early 18th-century farmhouse and headquarters for Anne Arundel County Historical Society, at the Candlelight Christmas Open House. Costumed docents guide the way amid period holiday decorations, Christmas music and the house’s doll collection. 3-7pm @ Benson-Hammond House, Aviation Blvd. & Landover Rd., Linthicum. Free: 410/766-4239.
Belair by Candlelight
Revisit Christmas Yule of yore as Belair Mansion (c. 1745) takes you on a candlelight tour of its historic halls, reflecting on the theme Home for the Holidays: 255 Years of Christmas at Belair. Enjoy hot cider, refreshments and a gift shop. 6-9pm Sa; 4-7pm Su @ Belair Mansion, 12207 Tulip Grove Dr., Bowie. $3; kids 12 & under free: 301/809-3089.
Sunday, December 3
Remember the Train at Christmas
Let your imagination carry you back to turn-of-the-century trips on trains across winter landscapes to Grandma’s for Christmas w/the help of exhibits and staffers at Bowie Train Station’s Holiday Open House. Noon-4pm @ Bowie Railroad Station Museum, 8614 Chestnut Ave, Old Bowie. Free: 301/809-3089.
Recreate Retrospective Repasts
Create one of the splendid repasts popular in bygone eras in Anne Arundel Community College’s non-credit class, The Christmas Feast - Bacchus Revisited (GRT 325). Discover how simple preparations can turn dishes into a gourmet meal. Noon-5 @ Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold. $56; rsvp: 410/541-2325.
Snyder Talks Golden Ring
Warm up to Christmas early as author John Snyder discusses & signs The Golden Ring. Just before the Christmas of 1918, nine-year-old Anna and father Joseph, a B&O engineer, share a series of dreams that brings them together for the holiday. 1-6pm @ Borders, Bowie: 301/352-5560.
Calvert County Christmas Parade
High school bands, fanciful floats, customized cars, vintage autos, cloggers, equines and more make a merry ruckus through the streets of Prince Frederick in Calvert’s 27th annual Christmas parade. Pick a spot along Main Street, the parade’s main drag; the staging area is at Fox Run Shopping Center. Or join the parade, checking in at National Guard Armory/Calvert Middle School (noon-1pm). Rain date Dec. 10. Sponsored by Optimist of Calvert and the Calvert County Fair Board. 2pm @ Prince Frederick: 410/535-0026.
Arundel Vocal Arts Sings the Season
Arundel Vocal Arts ups the Christmas spirit with a performance of seasonal favorites in their Holiday Concert. Directed by Glynette Schumacher. 3pm @ St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 1120 Spa Rd., Annapolis. $10: 410/263-4723.
Winter Music Potpourri
Lend ears to Anne Arundel Community College’s Concert Band in the Winter Music Potpourri. Features “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach and Christmas favorites, including the narration of ’Twas The Night Before Christmas. Also hear rousing marches and highlights from Walt Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. 7:30pm @ Pascal Center, Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold. $7 w/discounts: 410/541-2218.
Monday, December 4
Glee Club Serenades
US Naval Academy’s Women’s Glee Club sings a special holiday program. 7:30pm @ Memorial Hall, US Naval Academy, Annapolis. Free: 410/293-tixs.
Tuesday, December 5
Christmas at Chesapeake Beach Railway
The halls are decked for Christmas as the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum lets all aboard for its Christmas Open House potluck. Bring a light dish and share holiday refreshments among seasonally brightened railroad memorabilia. 1-4pm @ Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum, across from Rod ‘n’ Reel: 410/257-3892.
Wednesday, December 6
Holiday Crafts Show
Browse gifts and holiday decorations among an array of goods by community crafters at the popular annual Holiday Crafts Show. Sponsored by Anne Arundel Community College Health Services. Vendor space may still be available ($40 includes a table). 10-4 @ cafeteria, Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold. Free: 410/541-2480.
Hang Greens at the Courthouse
Admire the transformation as Calvert Garden Club bestows its gift upon Calvert County in the annual Hanging of the Greens. Club members drape greenery about Calvert County Courthouse and the surrounding streetscape in the pursuit of an appropriately festive county seat. 12:30-3:30pm @ Courthouse Square, Prince Frederick: 410/535-2111.
Christmas Madrigal Preview
Step into the State House in Historic St. Mary’s City and experience the best of colonial holidays at the Christmas Open House & Concert. Lend ears to the holiday carols of St. Maries Musica plus view beautiful State House decorations by the Mistress Brent Garden Club and come away w/a few ideas for your own home. Sponsored by the Historic St. Mary’s City Foundation & Friends. Seating’s limited; first come, first serve. Doors 6pm; music 7pm @ State House of 1676, Historic St. Mary’s City. Free: 800/smc-1634 www.smcm.edu/hsmc.
Thursday, December 7
Holiday High Tea
Belair Mansion (c. 1745) invites you in for a holiday tea. The Friends of Belair Estate offer treats and tours of the ornate estate. 4pm @ Belair Mansion, 12207 Tulip Grove Dr., Bowie. $15; rsvp: 301/809-3089.
Holiday Shop for a Cause
Shop an offering of unique holiday ornaments, artwork and accessories from local artists at Stepping Out Against Breast Cancer’s 6th Annual Holiday Fund-Raiser. Benefits breast cancer programs at Anne Arundel Medical Center and North Arundel Hospital. 5pm @ E/I Design, 2 Annapolis St., West Annapolis: 410/268-9595.
Baltimore’s Washington Monument Gets Lit
Venture into Baltimore for the lighting of the Washington Monument and drop by Maryland Historical Society for a festive evening of music, holiday crafts and light refreshments. Make holiday ornaments based on Civil War-era ornaments in the Society’s collection. Admission is free; reservations are not required. 5-8pm @ Maryland Historical Society, 201 W. Monument St., Baltimore. Free: 410/685-3750 www.mdhs.org.
Monumental Merrymaking
Who knew a lighting could be so spectacular? Spectate at A Monumental Occasion as Baltimore’s Washington Monument is set aglow amidst the fanfare of live entertainment and a flaming finale of fireworks. 5:30pm @ Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore: 410/244-1030.
December 7-9
Gain Greens at Hammond-Harwood
Find your fill of greenery and colonial Christmas cheer at this 18th annual 18th Century Greens Show. Choose from plentiful fresh & fragrant florals & greenery — supplied by local garden clubs — to deck your own halls while enjoying live music in period rooms and refreshments from the colonial kitchen of Hammond-Harwood House (c. 1774). Preview Party 6-8pm Th; show 10-7 F, 10-5 Sa @ Hammond-Harwood House, 19 Maryland Ave., Annapolis. $7; $3/kids: 410/263-4683.
Friday, December 8
Chorale Croons Christmas Tunes
Lend an ear to the Annapolis Chorale, Annapolis Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Chorus, soloists and a guest celebrity reader for A Celebration of Christmas, a spirited set of seasonal music. 8pm @ Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis. $30; rsvp: 410/263-1906.
Wrap Old-Fashioned Wreaths
Bundle up and take to the woods to discover evergreens, their folklore and uses for them in holiday displays. Later, make an old-fashioned wreath circa 1890 and sip cider. Bring scissors and a snack; materials supplied. 9:30-12:30 & 1:30-4:30pm @ Kings Landing Park, Huntingtown. $8; $5/members; rsvp: 410/535-5327 www.calvertparks.org.
See the Star of Wonder
Sit back and look up at the Star of Wonder, whose story you’ll learn. Come early; there’s only room for 71. Doors 7:45pm; dome glows 8pm @ Arthur Storer Planetarium, by Calvert High, Prince Frederick. Free: 410/535-7339.
