Updated November 19, 2024
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 (2024)
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 23-December 24, 2024 at West Shore Park/Inner Harbor
Bazaart Annual Holiday Craft Marketplace: November 29, 2024 from 12-5 pm & November 30, 2024 from 10-5 pm at the American Visionary Art Museum. Free entry.
Christkindlmarkt at Zion: November 30, 2024 at 10 am at Zion Church of Baltimore
Queer Made Holiday Market: December 1, 2024 from 1-6 pm at Peabody Heights Brewery
Highlandtown Holiday Night Market: December 6, 2024 at 4 pm at the Creative Alliance
Holiday Makers Market: December 7, 2024 from 2-8 pm & December 8, 2024 from 12-6 pm inside Harborplace, Light St Pavilion
Bits & Bobs x Cross Keys 2024 Holiday Market: December 7, 2024 from 10 am-3 pm at the Village of Cross Keys
Annapolis Holiday Market 2024: December 12-15, 2024 in downtown Annapolis (1 Dock Street). Free.
Holiday Vendor Market: December 14, 2024 from 12-5 pm at Mobtown Brewing Company
Station North Holiday Market: December 14, 2024 at the North Avenue Market
Holiday Light Displays & Tree Lightings
1st Annual Magic of Merryland Christmas Tree Lighting: November 23, 2024 from 12-5 pm at Harbor East
Merriweather Symphony of Lights: November 29, 2024-January 4, 2025 at Merriweather Post Pavilion. $12-$50 admission.
Hampden Miracle on 34th Street: November 30, 2024 official lighting at 700 block of 34th St between Chestnut Ave and Keswick Rd.
North Pole Lights Walk: November 29-December 29, 2024 at Willow Oak Flower & Herb Farm in Severn. $8-$12 admission.
2024 Charm City Lights: November 30, 2024-January 1, 2025 from 5:30-9:30 pm nightly at Druid Hill Park. Includes themed nights like Pet Night, Two-Wheeled Tuesday (for bikes), and an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.
Monument Lighting: December 5, 2024 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Mt. Vernon Place. Free.
Parade of Lighted Boats: December 7, 2024, 5:45-8 pm from Fells Point to Inner Harbor
Winter Lights at the Observatory: December 8, 2024 from 4-6:30 pm at Patterson Park Pagoda. Free.
Outdoor & Indoor Festivals
Annual East Baltimore Christmas Caroling in Fells Point: December 23, 2024 from 7-9 pm starting at the Polish Home Club
Performances
A Christmas Carol 2024: November 30-December 23, 2024 at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company
Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time: December 7, 2024 at CFG Bank Arena
Mix 106.5’s Deck the Hall Ball: December 12, 2024 at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena
Tuba Christmas Baltimore Concert: December 14, 2024 at 3:30 pm at Maryland Science Center. Free.
A John Waters Christmas: December 19, 2024 at Baltimore Soundstage
Kid-Friendly Events
Breakfast with Santa: November 23-24, 2024 at B&O Railroad Museum
Eastpoint Mall Annual Santa Arrival Parade: November 23, 2024 from 12-2 pm
Holly-Days Weekends: November 29-December 31, 2024 at The Maryland Zoo
Holiday Festival of Trains: Select days in December 2024 at B&O Railroad Museum
The Polar Express Train Ride: Select dates between November 29-December 22, 2024 at B&O Railroad Museum
Holiday Toddler Time with Santa and Mrs. Claus: December 5, 2024 at B&O Railroad Museum
Polish Home Club Children’s Christmas Party: December 15, 2024 from 12-4 pm at the Polish Home Club
Holiday Bars & Restaurants
How Sláinte Stole Christmas: November 8, 2024-January 6, 2025 at Sláinte Irish Pub, Fells Point
Ice Skating Rinks
Inner Harbor Ice Rink: November 9, 2024-January 20, 2025 at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater
Holiday Events for History Lovers
An Enchanted Evergreen: December 7, 2024 from 11 am-2 pm at the Evergreen Museum & Library
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
How to Spend a Self-Care Day in Baltimore
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