Day by Day
December 8 & 9
Solomons UMC Concert & Bazaar
Solomons United Methodist opens its doors for music and more. You’ll hear singing from local groups, see Santa & Mrs. Claus, taste cider & cookies and shop at their holiday bazaar. 6-9pm during the town Christmas Walk @ Solomons UMC. Free: 410/326-3750.
December 8-10
Solomons Christmas Walk
Stroll candlelit streets and enjoy caroling and entertainment galore as Solomons ushers in the season w/the 15th Annual Christmas Walk. Pop into a menagerie of unique shops & galleries and refuel at any of many fine eateries. Catch live entertainment at Calvert Marine Museum, featuring barbershop carols w/Southern Maryland Sound and The Patuxent Pearls (8pm F), Patuxent High brass (1pm Sa), Patuxent High choral (2pm Sa) and the flute of Mark Giufridda (7pm Sa). Other highlights include the tree lighting and opening ceremony on the Riverwalk (6pm F), Santa Claus visits at the Museum (6-9pm FSa), Solomons’ Boat Parade of Lights along the riverfront (6:30-8pm Sa), a live nativity scene at Our Lady Star of the Sea and much more. Sponsored by the Solomons Business Assoc. 6-9pm; more at various times @ Solomons: 410/326-3366.
Holiday Pops Gala
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra makes merry with the Baltimore County Schools Honor Choir in a concert of seasonal favorites at Junior League of Baltimore’s annual Holiday Pops Gala. Benefits at-risk families and kids. 8pm FSa; 3pm Su @ Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore. $24-$38, box $55 FSu; $32-$44, box $65 Sa; rsvp: 410/783-8000 www.baltimoresymphony.com.
Saturday, December 9
Edgewater’s Community Christmas
Gather up your fill of Christmas crafts, gifts and treats at London Towne Property Owners Assoc.’s Holiday Art & Craft Show. Peruse the offerings of 35 booths and go thru an art show featuring the county’s biggest collection of paintings by local artists. Home-made cookies, gift breads and fudge are there to fill your Christmas cupboard. Door prizes are awarded thruout the day and carolers make a merry musical background. 9-2 @ London Towne Community Hall, Edgewater: 410/721-3407.
Wrap a Wreath
Create authentic holiday wreaths from materials nature supplies in London Town Foundation’s Holiday Wreath Workshop. All you need to weave one is already there; all you need do is learn by doing. 10-noon @ London Town Foundation, 839 Londontown Rd., Edgewater. $20; rsvp: 410/222-1919.
Navy Plays for Kids
Today the US Naval Academy Band tunes its instruments to delight the kids, performing A Charlie Brown Christmas. Noon & 2pm @ Mitscher Hall, US Naval Academy, Annapolis. Free: 410/293-0263.
A Natural Noël
Craft natural holiday decorations while learning tidbits of holiday trivia with a naturalist. Discover the origins and mystical powers attributed to mistletoe; learn why we bring ivy & holly into our homes. 1:30-3pm @ Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, Port Republic. $3; rsvp: 410/535-5327 www.calvertparks.org.
Bed & Breakfast Holiday Tour 2000
Breeze thru 10 charming historic inns on the Annapolis Bed & Breakfast Assoc. Holiday Tour 2000. Included are Chez Amis, a triangular building that was formerly a grocery store; 55 East, an 1864 townhouse w/an enclosed fountain courtyard; and Magnolia House, a Georgian revival style home showcasing the piano on which “Navy Blue and Gold” was composed. A shuttle bus gets you around. Noon-5 @ historic district, Annapolis. $12 w/discounts: 410/268-0707 www.annapolisbandb.com.
Shape Colonial Greenery
Gild your holidays by learning to make wreaths and swags w/natural greenery as colonial-style adornments for mantle and door in an Historic Annapolis Foundation workshop. 2-4pm @ William Paca House & Garden, 186 Prince George St., Annapolis. $: 800/603-4020 www.annapolis.org.
The Bells! The Bells!
Set your ears a-ringing as a massed handbell ensemble sounds holiday favorites at the Anne Arundel County Holiday Handbell Festival. 5pm @ St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 1120 Spa Rd., Annapolis: 410/263-4723.
Charles Carroll House’s Lights Parade Social
The signer of the Declaration of Independence built well, siting his house on Spa Creek where 200+ years later you find a prime vantage to watch the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade of illuminated boats from the terraced gardens. With lights, enjoy a casual colonial hot winter supper of chowders, hot ciders, wines and ales plus entertainment. 5:30pm @ Charles Carroll House, 107 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis. $50; $30/kids 6-11; rsvp: 410/269-1737.
Midnight Madness
Seasonal cheer keeps downtown merchants up late as they gleefully peddle wares to charged and charging holiday shoppers. Shop till you drop in stores along Main St., Maryland Ave. and State Circle and discover deals aplenty. Several shops show even more spirit by serving up holiday treats and entertainment. 6pm-midnight @ downtown Annapolis. Free except for what you buy, including parking at and shuttle from Navy-Marine Corps Stadium: 410/263-1183.
Columbia Ballet’s Nutcracker Show
Columbia Chamber Ballet breezes by Baltimore w/its holiday production, Nutcracker Show. Features selections from the famous ballet performed by Columbia Chamber students. 2pm @ B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St., Baltimore. $7 w/discounts: 410/752-2388.
Concert Choir Sings Joyful Sounds
Anne Arundel Community College’s Concert Choir performs Vivaldi’s “Gloria in D” and Handel’s “Chandos Anthem No. 9 (Psalm 135)” in a special holiday concert. The performance includes additional carols and two African folk songs. 7:30pm @ Pascal Center for Performing Arts, Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold. $7 w/discounts: 410/541-2218.
Chorale Christmas for Kids
Kids delight in an evening of carols, stories and more at Annapolis Chorale’s Christmas for Kids. Santa makes a special guest appearance from the North Pole w/small gifts for each child. 7:30pm @ Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis. $10; $8/students; rsvp: 410/263-1906.
December 9 & 10
Maryland Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker
Here’s your first chance of the season to thrill to The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky’s musical dream adventure of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince as they venture into the land of the Snow Queen and later to the Land of the Sweets where the two dance the Waltz of Flowers. Dancing is Crofton’s Maryland Ballet Theatre Academy. 1pm & 7pm Sa; 2pm Su @ Arundel High School, 1001 Annapolis Rd., Gambrills. $12 w/discounts; rsvp: 410/721-6157.
St. Michaels’ Christmas Charm
The quaint, historic Eastern Shore village of St. Michaels dresses up for the holidays during the Christmas in St. Michaels celebration, overflowing w/such seasonal pleasures as Santa’s Wonderland for kiddies, caroling, concerts, a parade down Talbot Street (10:30am Sa) and decorated shops, galleries & homes — including the lighthouse at Chesapeake Maritime Museum. Also tour town and country for a gander at historical homes looking their Christmas best ($20 w/advance discounts). 9-3 Sa; noon-7 Su @ various spots, St. Michaels: 800/465-5428 www.stmichaelsmd.org.
Chesapeake Ballet’s Nutcracker
Get into the holiday spirit with Chesapeake Ballet Company’sThe Nutcracker, the classic Russian tale of a young girl’s dreamy adventure with a dashing Nutcracker Prince, encountering queens, fairies and foes along the way. 7:30pm Sa; 2pm Su @ Mary D. Harrison Cultural Arts Center, Northern High, Owings. $17; $12/kids 10 & under. rsvp: 410/257-6070.
December 9-11
His Lordship’s Candlelight Christmas
Roam the historically festive decked halls of His Lordship’s Kindness (c. 1787), a National Historic Landmark, in candlelight tours. 6-9pm SaSu; 6-8pm M @ His Lordship’s Kindness, Clinton. $5 w/discounts: 301/856-0358.
December 9 & 16
Celebrate A Plantation Christmas
Dec. 9 & 16-Discover the customs and traditions of a 17th-century plantation Christmas at Historic St. Mary’s City. The plantation portion of this resurrected colonial town represents a 1660s’ Tidewater farm, complete with carefully re-created barns, houses, animals, gardens, and fields. Make and drink wassail, meet the Lord (or Lady) of Misrule, sing a carol, and eat a Shrewsbury Cake and smell the family’s dinner cooking in the hearth. 10-5 @ Godiah Spray Plantation, Historic St. Mary’s City. $7.50 w/discounts. 800/smc-1634 www.smcm.edu/hsmc.
Sunday, December 10
Worshipful Sounds of Christmas
Trinity Church’s Chancel Choir rattles the rafters w/their rendition of Handel’s Messiah. 11am during worship service @ Trinity UMC, Prince Frederick: 410/535-1782.
St. Mary’s Holiday Home Tour
Tour 9 local homes delightfully decorated for the season in the 6th Annual Holiday Home Tour. Stray from the beaten path to find St. Mary’s County’s hidden jewels. Benefits Health Share, a grass-roots initiative w/no public funding but lots of good works that benefit 100s of St. Mary’s countians. 11-5 @ various spots from Hollywood to Lexington Park, St. Mary’s County. $35/all 9; $5/each: 301/862-9616.
Create Centerpiece Greens
Liven up your holiday table w/arrangements of live greens made in this special workshop. Greens, ribbon and hot tea provided. 1-4pm @ Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, Port Republic. $10; $7/members; rsvp: 410/535-5327 www.calvertparks.org.
Revolutionary Retro Revelry
Step back in time for seasonal celebration as you’d have experienced in the days of the Revolutionary War. Costumed docents, light refreshments, music and more complete the festive feel as you indulge in an historical holiday at the decorated home of Gen. William Smallwood. Drop in 1-7pm @ Smallwood State Park, 2750 Sweden Pt. Rd., Marbery. Free to all ages: 800/784-5380.
Sing at Master Chorale’s Christmas Candlelight
Warm up to the holiday spirit in Master Chorale of Washington’s Christmas Candlelight Family Matinee. Guest narrator Arch Campbell joins the American Youth Philharmonic in a concert and sing-along of holiday favorites topped off w/a candlelight processional. 1:30pm @ Concert Hall, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC. $15-$45; rsvp: 800/444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org.
Shady Side Sing-Along
Sing along w/traditional songs of the season and get into the yuletide groove, then rest your vocal chords and let the pros entertain as pianist Betty Hepler accompanies Italian-born and trained tenor Gioele Settembrini and soprano Sandra Warner. After everything’s sung and done, enjoy tasty refreshments. Sponsored by Chesapeake Cultural Arts. 7pm @ First Baptist Church, Shady Side. Free: 410/224-8825.
December 10, 11 & 17
Celtic Christmas
Good Knight Kingdom, a 2-acre child safety village and museum of modern mythology, celebrates the holidays w/the Celtic Christmas Festival. Find Celtic music, dancing, a candlelit labyrinth walk, Santa visits and old-fashioned caroling. 6:30-9pm @ Good Knight Kingdom, Beltsville. $7 w/discounts: 301/595-8989.
Monday, December 11
Author Morrison Explores Yule’s Roots
Discover insights on where cherished holiday traditions come from as author Dorothy Morrison discusses and signs Yule: A Celebration of Light and Warmth. Learn the lore of Santa and how Christmas finally became a holiday just a few hundred years ago. 7:30pm @ Borders, Bowie: 301/352-5560.
Tuesday, December 12
Holiday Bake Sale, Bazaar
Stock up on scrumptious holiday treats as The Ladies Auxiliary of the Deale Vol. Fire Dept. hosts the 24th Annual Christmas Bake Sale and Bazaar. Find home-made cookies, candy, cakes and more plus lunch for sale to sustain you as you shop. 9:30-3 @ Deale Fire Hall, 6007 Drum Point Road, Deale: 410/867-3181.
Reindeer Round-Up
Santa’s helpers ages 2-5 converge on the Reindeer Round-Up to make gifts, play games, eat treats and make a countdown chart to get ready for Christmas. 10:30am @ Northeast Community Center, Chesapeake Beach. $4; rsvp: 410/257-2554.
Unified’s Jazzy Yule
Unified Jazz Ensemble livens up the season with holiday-inspired jazz in a concert of classic tunes and original compositions, all with their unique spin on traditional acoustic jazz. 7:30pm @ Borders, Bowie: 301/352-5560.
Wednesday, December 13
Carols and Brass
Sing carols w/the Salvation Army Brass at a presentation of donated toys following refreshments and a covered dish dinner. Refreshments 6pm; dinner 6:30pm; music 7:30pm @ St. James’ Church, Lothian: 410-867-2838.
Thursday, December 14
Eleventh Hour
It’s getting to be the Eleventh Hour. Don’t panic. Instead, shop until 11 pm thruout downtown Annapolis’ fine shopping neighborhoods during this aptly named event. Sponsored by the Maryland Avenue/State Circle Assoc. Several shops show even more spirit by serving up holiday treats and entertainment till 11 pm @ downtown Annapolis. Free except for what you buy, including parking at and shuttle from Navy-Marine Corps Stadium: 410/224-1170.
December 14 & 15
Holiday by the Bay
Listen to an array of holiday favorites to put you in the mood of the season as the full US Naval Academy Band presents its annual musical gift to Annapolis. 8pm @ Mahan Hall, US Naval Academy, Annapolis. Free: 410/293-0263.
Friday, December 15
Cookie Exchange
Everyone likes holiday cookies, so devote a few hours giving rise to dozens of them at Anne Arundel Community College’s popular annual Cookie Exchange (GRM 328), a non-credit cooking class. 3-9pm @ Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold. $46 includes recipes and all the fixings; rsvp: 410/541-2325.
Snyder Signs Golden Ring
Warm up to Christmas as author John Snyder arrives to autograph his book, 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. 5pm @ Borders, Bowie: 301/352-5560.
Annapolis Symphony Plays Holiday Pops
Continue a fine Annapolis tradition and leap into the holiday mood as guest conductor Donald Pippin — the Grammy and Tony Award-winning conductor from Radio City Music Hall — leads Annapolis Symphony Orchestra in the annual Holiday Pops Concert. Hear a variety of uplifting pieces, including the ones you know and love and the ones you love but didn’t know you knew. This year’s featured guest soloist is soprano Teri Hansen. 7pm @ Maryland Hall, 801 Chase St., Annapolis. $25-$30 w/discounts; rsvp: 410/263-0907.
Paca House Christmas by Candlelight
Enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas past in candlelight tours of William Paca House, decorated for the holidays. Seasonal beverages and a serenade of holiday music complement. 5-8pm @ William Paca House & Garden, 186 Prince George St., Annapolis. $5: 800/603-4020 www.annapolis.org.
Kindermusik Carols
Piano students of the Mary Hoffman Studio tickle the ivories in a recital of holiday favorites. 7pm @ First Baptist Church of Edgewater, W. Central Ave. Free: 410/798-5181.
December 15-17
A Coventry Carol
Reflect on yuletide of yore as Folger Shakespeare Library’s Folger Consort joins Christ Church Cathedral Choir of Oxford, England, in A Coventry Carol. Talents blend for dances, fantasies, favorite Renaissance carols, anthems and cheerful wassailing songs. Friday’s concert is preceded by a panel discussion with Consort and Choir musicians. 8pm FSa; 2pm & 5:30pm Su @ Gaston Hall, Georgetown University, NW, Washington, DC. $38 w/discounts: 202/544-7077 www.folger.edu.
Saturday, December 16
Create a Buche de Noel
Start a family tradition by learning to craft your own traditional French Christmas cake in Anne Arundel Community College’s non-credit class, Create a Holiday Buche de Noel (GRT 310). Noon-5 @ Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold. $43; rsvp: 410/541-2325.
Merry Tuba Christmas
Spend some time harborside this season as 250+ tubas and euphoniums herald the holidays in Merry Tuba Christmas, a concert of traditional favorites with an added oomf. A unique alternative to the more standard season fanfare. 3:30-4:30pm @ Harborplace Amphitheatre, Inner Harbor, Baltimore: 800/harbor-1.
Farm Holiday Light Parade
Agrarian yule abounds at Horizon Organic Dairy’s Farm Holiday Light Parade. The procession is filled with decorated tractors and wagons plus surprises, music, songs, decorated trees, animals and Santa himself. The Marketplace offers holiday shopping and samples of organic treats. Festivities 5pm; parade 6pm @ Horizon Organic Dairy, Gambrills: 410/723-7600 x17.
Hearty Holidays in the Park
Find holiday festivities parkside at Kings Landing with an evening hayride, carols, warm cider, stories, music, baked treats and more. Also learn seasonal lore from Nature’s point of view as you create displays from evergreen and holly. 7pm @ Kings Landing Park, Huntingtown. $3; rsvp: 410/535-5327 www.calvertparks.org.
