Updated December 23, 2025
After Thanksgiving, the real fun starts. If you’re in Baltimore during the holidays there are plenty of ways to fill up on holiday cheer. My favorite event is the annual German Christmas Village, but there’s a lot more to do. Keep reading for a comprehensive list of how to celebrate Christmas in Baltimore, Maryland.
German Christmas Village in Baltimore
Since living in Baltimore, it’s become a tradition for me to visit the German Christmas Village at the Inner Harbor. The Christmas Village includes all kinds of product vendors, live music, special events, and all the German Christmas market traditions.
This year, the village is open November 23rd-December 24th. Modeled after traditional German Christmas markets, it includes vendors selling traditional German foods and drinks like glühwein (mulled wine), beer, pretzels, bratwurst, potato pancakes, and schnitzel, as well as clothing, handmade body products, and holiday decorations. An enclosed tent contains more vendors, a beer garden, music stage, and the main attraction, the Käthe Wohlfahrt store.
Käthe Wohlfahrt is a family-owned business selling traditional German Christmas decorations hand crafted from wood, including nutcrackers, schwiboggen (decorative candle holders), incense smokers, and nativity scenes. These pieces can be very pricey, but are beautiful and detailed works of art that are meant to stay in the family for generations.
The Christmas Village also hosts events throughout the season. Wine and spirits tastings, a tree lighting ceremony, and an appearance from the Christkind during the opening ceremony are a few of the events taking place this year. Every year, the Christkind visits from Nuremberg for Christmas Village opening ceremonies.
Where to Celebrate the Holidays in Baltimore (2025)
Note: I update this list every year, so bookmark it/save it to Pinterest for the future!
Holiday Pop-Up Markets
German Christmas Village: November 22-December 24, 2025 at West Shore Park/Inner Harbor
Bazaart Annual Holiday Craft Marketplace: November 28, 2025 from 12-5 pm & November 29, 2025 from 10-5 pm at the American Visionary Art Museum. Free entry.
Christkindlmarkt at Zion: November 29, 2025 from 10 am-5 pm and November 30, 2025 from 11 am-4 pm at Zion Church of Baltimore
Holiday Makers Market: December 6-7, 2025 inside Harborplace, Light St Pavilion
Checkerspot Holiday Market: December 6, 2025 from 12-5 pm at Checkerspot Brewing Company
Annapolis Holiday Market 2025: December 13-21, 2025 at St. John’s College front lawn
Holiday Light Displays & Tree Lightings
2nd Annual Magic of Merryland Christmas Tree Lighting: November 22, 2025 from 12-6 pm in Harbor East
Merriweather Symphony of Lights: November 28, 2025-January 3, 2026 at Merriweather Post Pavilion. $15-$50 admission.
North Pole Lights Walk: November 28-December 28, 2025 at Willow Oak Flower & Herb Farm in Severn. $8 child, $12 adult admission.
Miracle Market: November 30, 2025 at 12 pm at Power Plant Live! Includes tree lighting ceremony, holiday market, and performances.
Monument Lighting: December 4, 2025 at Mt. Vernon Place. Free.
Christmas Tree Lighting: December 4, 2025 at 5 pm at Stem & Vine
Fells Point Christmas Tree Lighting: December 6, 2025 from 5-6 pm at Broadway Square
Lighted Boat Parade: December 6, 2025 at 6 pm from Fells Point to Inner Harbor
Winter Lights at the Observatory: December 7, 2025 from 4-7 pm at Patterson Park Observatory. Free.
Outdoor Festivals & Events
Olde Tyme Christmas: December 6, 2025 at Fells Point Main Street. Includes photos with Santa, kids’ Christmas crafts, pet photos with Santa, tree lighting, and lighted boat parade.
Fells Point Krampuslauf 2025: December 6, 2025 from 6-10 pm starting at The Square in Fells Point
Ugly Sweater Walk with Girls Who Walk Baltimore: December 7, 2025 at 11:30 am starting in Fells Point
Eggnog Tasting Tour: December 13, 2025 from 1:30-4:30 pm in Fells Point ($25)
The Mayor’s Christmas Parade: December 14, 2025 from 1-4 pm
Fells Point Cookie Crawl: December 18, 2025 from 4-7 pm
Annual East Baltimore Christmas Caroling in Fells Point: December 23, 2025 from 6-9:30 pm starting at the Polish Home Club
Performances
Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas-The Musical: November 26-30, 2025 at the Hippodrome Theatre
A Christmas Carol 2025: November 29-December 23, 2025 at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company
Holidays at the BSO: Multiple shows and dates between November 29, 2025 & January 3, 2026 at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Includes:
- Leslie Odom, Jr. The Christmas Tour (November 29)
- Elf in Concert (December 5-7)
- Cirque Nutcracker (December 12-13)
- Classical Christmas (December 17)
- Holiday Pops (December 20-21)
- Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy (January 2-3)
Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet: December 6, 2025 at the Hippodrome Theatre
Tuba Christmas Baltimore Concert: December 14, 2025 at 3:30 pm outside the Maryland Science Center. Free.
Kid-Friendly Events
Eastpoint Mall Annual Santa Arrival Parade: November 22, 2025 from 12-2 pm (Free)
Holly-Days Weekends: Weekend days between November 28, 2025-January 4, 2026 at The Maryland Zoo. Event series that includes holiday crafts, photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus Storytime, and more.
Holiday Festival of Trains: Select dates between November 24-December 31, 2025 at B&O Railroad Museum. Includes photos with Santa, Santa’s Winter Village, Reindeer Railway Train Rides, Santa’s Sleigh Ride, and Holiday Model Layouts.
The Polar Express Train Ride: Select dates between November 28-December 23, 2025 at B&O Railroad Museum
Breakfast with Santa: November 30, 2025 from 9-11 am at B&O Railroad Museum ($45 adult non-members, $35 children ages 2-12)
Holiday Bars, Restaurants, & Pop-Ups
Winter Wonderland at Raw & Refined: Opens November 21, 2025, Thursday & Friday at 4 pm and Saturday & Sunday at 11 am
- Pets with Santa Happy Hour: December 4 from 5-7 pm
- Brunch with Santa: December 7, 14, and 21
- Christmas Gift Wrapping: December 11 at 6 pm
Winter Village: December 1, 2025-March 15, 2026 at The Four Seasons Baltimore. Dining Wednesdays-Sundays between 5 pm-10 pm and skating between 2 pm-10 pm.
The Elf Bar: Multiple dates between December 4-24, 2025 at the Point in Towson ($14)
Sopro x Grinch Christmas Pop-up:
- Launch party: December 3 at 6 pm
- How the Grinch Met Your Dog: December 14 from 11 am-2 pm
- Sip & Craft- Foam Christmas Trees: December 17 at 6:30 pm
- Breakfast with Santa & The Grinch: December 20 from 11 am-2 pm
Ellie’s Tavern: Ellie’s Tavern in Canton is converted into a festive wonderland that includes special holiday drinks and events.
- Santa Christmas Party: December 13, 2025 at 8 pm
Ale Mary’s: Ale Mary’s isn’t shy about their decorations every year. Plus, they have an events lineup and special holiday menu.
- Ornament Making: December 1 from 4-8 pm [Sold out]
- Cards for Kids: December 8 from 4-8 pm
- Movie Marathon: December 24 from 4-10 pm
- Drunk Letters to Santa, Guess the Balls, & Jingle Bell Rocks all season long
Sláinte Irish Pub and Restaurant: Sláinte in Harbor East is a Christmas bar classic, with a packed month of events, decorations, and a snow shower every day at 7 pm!
Art Events
Holiday Paint Nite at Slainte Irish Pub: December 11, 2025 from 7-9 pm at Slainte Irish Pub ($65.87)
Ice Skating Rinks
Inner Harbor Ice Rink: November 7, 2025-January 19, 2026 at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater
Holiday Events for History Lovers
Holidays at the Lewis: November 15, 2025-January 5, 2026 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum
An Enchanted Evergreen: December 6, 2025 from 11 am-2 pm at the Evergreen Museum & Library (Free to $7)
Where to Stay in Baltimore
If you are visiting from out of town, or even want a festive staycation, here are some of the top hotels close to all the holiday festivities.
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront: Located in Harbor East, the location is very walkable. Walk to the other side of the Inner Harbor to visit the Christmas Village and choose from any number of restaurants, bars, and shops nearby.
Hotel Revival: The decor here is one of my favorites and the bar/restaurant, Topside, has a 360 degree view of Mt. Vernon. This is a popular spot to watch the Monument Lighting and fireworks every December. (Event details above!)
Sagamore Pendry Baltimore: The Pendry is perfect for those who want luxury in addition to walkability. The Pendry always has classy holiday lights and decorations at the bar and restaurant on the main floor. You may not be able to go swimming in the infinity pool during the winter, but it’s a great place to watch New Year’s Eve fireworks over the water.
Hotel Ulysses: This 5-star hotel in Mt. Vernon is also walking distance from the Monument Lighting and other holiday fun. It also has a separate cocktail bar, Bloom’s, and restaurant, Ash Bar, on its ground floor that you need to visit.
1840s Carrollton Inn: For a historical stay, this Baltimore landmark consists of connected row homes that date back to the 19th century. It’s beautifully decorated and very walkable to Little Italy, Harbor East, Fells Point, and the Inner Harbor.
Canopy By Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point: This newly built hotel is located in Fells Point, right on the water for the ideal view.
Do you know of an event not listed here or another way to celebrate Christmas in Baltimore? Leave a comment below and I’ll add it to the list!
If you liked this, check these out:
A Complete Guide to Christmas in Washington DC
Christmas in Germany: 3 Christmas Markets Not to Miss
A Complete Autumn Events Guide to the DC/Maryland Area
How to Spend a Self-Care Day in Baltimore
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2 Comments
Hello,
I’d love if you could include the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra holiday concerts in your listing. These take place at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony hall in Baltimore. There is something for everyone this holiday season.
https://www.bsomusic.org/holiday/
Thank you!
I will add this now. Thank you for letting me know.