Holiday Happenings: Festive Events in Calvert County
By Molly Weeks Crumbley
The holiday season has arrived, and Calvert County is full of events to get the community in the spirit the whole month through. Where will you find your holly jolly? CBM Bay Weekly has some ideas for you.
Northern Calvert
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Boys and Girls Club
9021 Dayton Avenue, North Beach
December 2-18, Fridays and Saturdays 8 pm, Sundays 3 pm
www.twinbeachplayers.org
The Twin Beach Players are mounting productions of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol every weekend of the month. Directed by Terri McKinstry, the show boasts a lot of local talent, including a chorus of spooky child carolers who complement the ghosts appealing to miserly Ebenezer Scrooge to change his ways. Led by Dickens himself, the cast take the audience on a time-traveling look at a favorite tale. Tickets are $18 for general admission and $16 for students, seniors, TBP members, and military.
Holiday Magic
Artworks @ 7th
8905 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach
December 3-January 1, 11 am-5 pm
Looking for unique local arts and crafts to give as gifts this year? Artworks @ 7th, a community art cooperative that has operated in North Beach since 2004, might have what you’re looking for at their latest gallery show: Holiday Magic. Paintings, cards, jewelry, ornaments, and more are on display and sale through the month of December. Until December 17, every $50 spent enters shoppers into a drawing to win a gift basket full of original art and gifts.
Dramatic Reading of The Polar Express
Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum
4155 Mears Avenue, Chesapeake Beach
Friday, December 16, 6:30 pm
www.chesapeakebeachrailwaymuseum.org
“One Christmas Eve, many years ago, I lay quietly in my bed…” So begins the perennial holiday book The Polar Express, written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. What better way to enjoy the story than in a historic railcar? Join Conductor John Riedesel as he shares the holiday classic and then check out the model railroads afterward. The event is free to the public, but space in the Dolores railcar may be limited.
Central Calvert
Christmas Bash
Spider Hall Farm
3915 Hallowing Point Road, Prince Frederick
Sunday, December 11, 12-4 pm
Facebook @localicecream
Start a new holiday tradition at Spider Hall Farm’s first-ever Christmas Bash, a party presented by Joshua & Charlene Wilson of RE/MAX ONE. Free pictures with Santa will be available, as well as family-friendly crafts, and games. Refreshments will be available for purchase from food trucks. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items and new clothing to be donated to Project Echo.
COSMIC Christmas Concert
St. John Vianney Family Life Center
105 Vianney Lane, Prince Frederick
Sunday, December 11, 3 pm
www.cosmicsymphony.org
Chamber Orchestra of Southern Maryland in Concert (COSMIC) is the only community orchestra in southern Maryland, and they are sharing their love of music with a free holiday concert. Directed by Will Esterling, the performance will include plenty of classics like Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite” and Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.”
Christmas Open House
Port Republic One-Room Schoolhouse
3080 Broomes Island Road, Port Republic
December 18, 11 am-1 pm
www.calvertoneroomschool.org/events
How was Christmas celebrated in the 1800s? Visitors to this One-Room Schoolhouse at Christ Church will find out as they enjoy old-fashioned crafts, decorations, and flute music. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be making an appearance at the schoolhouse, no doubt lured by cranberry strings and lively flute music.
Southern Calvert
Garden in Lights
Annmarie Gardens
13470 Dowell Road, Solomons
November 25-January 1, 5-9 pm, closed Christmas Eve and Day
www.annmariegarden.org
Each year, the grounds at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center are transformed into a dazzling wonderland of sights and sounds. Guests can enjoy treats from food trucks and vendors, listen to live music, shop for handmade holiday gifts, and of course take their time walking through the main attraction: the ¼-mile trail of intricately constructed light sculptures and displays. New this year are Monet’s gardens, a volcanic eruption, a jungle scene, and more. All of the pieces are created by hand by artists and staff members. Advanced reservation of timed-entry tickets is required. Tickets are free for members and $15 for the public.
Solomons Christmas Walk
Solomons Riverwalk
Saturday, December 10, 4-7:30 pm
www.solomonsmaryland.com
For the 41st time, Solomons Island is going all out for its traditional Christmas Walk. With carolers, performances in the gazebo, pictures with Santa, and the fan favorite lighted boat parade, there is something for the whole family to enjoy under the glow of lights and the gazebo Christmas tree. The walk begins at 5 pm, led by the Solomons Volunteer Fire Department, Gospel Business Men Fellowship in America Southern Maryland Chapter, Patuxent High School cheer squad, Mill Creek Middle School poms squad, Solomons Steelers, and A Time to Dance. The lighted boat parade follows at 6 pm.
Holiday Market
No Thyme to Cook
14624 Solomons Island Road, Solomons
Sunday, December 18, 11 am-4 pm
nothymetocook.com
Cooking school and event facility No Thyme to Cook will host their annual free holiday market where shoppers can browse for crafts, say hello to Santa Claus, snack on charcuterie, and sip hot chocolate and cocktails. In addition to the market, No Thyme to Cook is also offering several holiday themed cooking classes throughout the month, including sessions on how to make yule logs, traditional British holiday fare, cocktail mixology, and Italy’s traditional Feast of the Seven fishes.