Holidays in Chesapeake Country

COVID Can’t Stop Christmas 

By Kathy Knotts 

Having trouble finding your holiday spirit amid the global pandemic? Don’t worry.  While things are certainly different, we know that the season we all eagerly await year after year is still alive and thriving in Chesapeake Country. From holiday train gardens to meeting Santa, Christmas is still coming and Bay Weekly is here to help you frolic in the festivities this year. 

Since we couldn’t bring you our annual Season’s Bounty guide, we still wanted to share all the holiday happenings that are sure to delight all, from one to 92. 

(For walk-through and drive-through holiday light events, see our guide to Illuminations https://bayweekly.com/2020-illuminations/.) 

On Stage 

Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s A Christmas Carol 

Thru Dec. 27: See an in-person performance of Dickens’ classic tale of the miserly, miserable Scrooge who gets a second chance at happiness thanks to the three spirits of Christmas. Virtual options also available. FSa 8pm, SaSu 2pm, Annapolis Shakespeare Company, Annapolis, $47 w/discounts, RSVP: www.annapolisshakespeare.org. 

A Celebration of Christmas 
Dec. 11: This concert is one of the longest running traditions in Annapolis, and Live Arts Maryland is committed to making it happen. Not all members of the Annapolis Chorale can be inside on one stage this year, so Live Arts Maryland will turn the City of Annapolis into its stage and live stream performances from all over town that individuals can enjoy at home. The hope is that limited seating also will be available at a venue to be announced. 8pm, https://liveartsmd.org/index.php/season 

Holiday Swing 

Dec. 11-26: Enjoy this new in-person musical review with the Unified Jazz Ensemble. A virtual performance will also be available. FSa 8pm, Annapolis Shakespeare Co., $47 w/discounts, RSVP: www.annapolisshakespeare.org. 

Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s Nutcracker 

Dec. 12-20: Discover the wonder of this timeless holiday tradition and allow yourself to be magically swept away by the tale of the young heroine Clara and her adventures to rescue her beloved Nutcracker from the Rat Queen’s evil spell. Travel with Clara through the whirling Kingdoms of Snow and Sweets to the place where the possibility of dreams, the magic of Christmas, and the wonder of the child merge to reveal her destiny. Experience the power and beauty anew as the mysterious Drosselmeier transports you and Clara to capture the spirit of the holiday season through the language of dance and theatre. Sa 2pm & 6:30pm, Su 2pm, venue & ticket info to be announced later: https://balletmaryland.org/. 

Handel’s Messiah Reimagined 
Dec. 17-19: Handel’s Messiah is one of the best loved and most performed works, continuously performed since 1741. For 2020, Live Arts Maryland has reimagined it. The Annapolis Chorale will present the masterpiece via three small performances with very limited seating. A limited number of performers will sing, and the singers will rotate from performance to performance. Each concert will conclude with carols for the season. ThF 8pm, Sa 3pm, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Church Circle, Annapolis: https://liveartsmd.org/index.php/season. 
 

Santa Sightings 

Santa Cruises North Beach 

Dec. 5: This year, Santa has traded in his sleigh for a golf cart and he will cruise around the Town of North Beach to visit with all the boys and girls. Santa’s golf cart will visit neighborhoods and children are invited to come outside when he arrives to put their letters in his special mailbox. Parents: please ensure you and your children are wearing face masks and are practicing social distancing. 11am-3pm, North Beach: [email protected]. 

Santa at The Polymath Place 

Dec. 12: Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in a private and COVID-safe environment by appointment only; complimentary Polaroid picture. 11am-1pm, The Polymath Place, Deale, RSVP: www.thepolymathplace.com. 

Santa at Annapolis Town Center 

Thru Dec. 21: Meet Santa in-person (contactless) or in a virtual experience using Video Conference technology; pet photos with Santa available, too. Times and booking details: https://www.visitatc.com/santa/ 

Santa at Westfield Annapolis  

Thru Dec. 24: Cherry Hill Programs, a holiday photo experience provider, keeps Santa and all his visitors safe by taking precautions that maintain social distancing requirements while preserving the keepsake photo moment. M-Sa11am-7pm, Su noon-6pm, Westfield Annapolis Mall, RSVP: www.westfield.com/annapolis. 

St. Nick at Marley Station  

Thru Dec. 24: Take a socially distanced photo with Santa with Cherry Hill Programs. Daily noon-6pm, Marley Station Mall, Glen Burnie, RSVP: https://bit.ly/3opK4H9. 

Trees & Trains 

Homestead for the Holidays 

Thru Dec. 20: The store, nursery, and greenhouse are decorated with dozens of beautiful full-size and tabletop trees and doorways to inspire holiday decorating. For the 30th year, Homestead’s railroad will be on display in the greenhouse, remodeled and enlarged for 2020. Watch trains rumble down the track and see animatronics at work in Santa’s workshop. Eight-foot nutcrackers and talking reindeer delight kids of all ages. In the outside nursery, the fire roars and a huge tree lights up the sky. Enjoy holiday music on weekends. M-F 9am-8pm, Sa 8am-8pm, Su 9am-6pm, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville: https://homesteadgardens.com/ 

Marley Station Train Garden 

Thru Dec. 31: Volunteers construct a new, intricate web of train tracks and interactive winter villages for this annual display. Trains are laid out on three 18-foot by 20-foot levels. You’ll find a winter scene, the Orioles and Ravens stadiums, a NASCAR racecar track, an elaborate carnival, a working airport, a house on fire, a town and a beach and, of course, Thomas the Train. Look up as you enter to see a train running along the ceiling. SaSu noon-6pm, Marley Station Mall, Glen Burnie: www.shopmarleystationmall.com 

St. Clement’s Island Museum Christmas Doll & Train Exhibit 

Thru Jan. 3: Enjoy a holiday exhibit of antique and collectible dolls, classic trains and other retro toys in this festive holiday display inside the museum. Stop by for the Open House Dec. 6 (noon-4pm) for take-home activities and treats. Noon-4pm daily (closed Dec. 24 &25), St. Clement’s Island Museum, 38370 Point Breeze Road, Colton’s Point: www.Facebook.com/SCIMuseum. 

B&O Festival of Trains  

Thru Jan. 3: See Baltimore’s largest holiday display of model train layouts, visit Santa’s Winter Village, take a ride on the Reindeer Railway, take photos with Santa, Frosty the Snowman and the elves, hear live music every weekend. M-Sa 10am-4pm; Su 11am-4pm at B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore, prices vary with activity, RSVP: www.borail.org. 

B&O Ellicott City Station Festival of Trains 

Dec 4-Jan 3: Visit the museum’s HO-scale model train layout in the Freight House and a G-Scale layout in the Freight Agents Living Quarters. WTh 10am-3pm, FSaSu 10am-5pm, B&O Railroad Museum, Ellicott City: www.howardcountymd.gov/Baltimore-Ohio-Station-at-Ellicott-City. 

Holiday Tours 

Holiday Candlelight Stroll 

Thru Dec. 27: Glowing lanterns light your way as you stroll along the centuries-old brick lined streets of Maryland’s capital city adorned for the holidays. A period-attired guide will share holiday traditions of times past against the backdrop of colonial mansions, Victorian homes, and quaint shops. FSa 7-9pm, plus Dec. 27, Tour departs from Market House Park, Annapolis, $23 w/discounts, RSVP: https://watermarkjourney.com/. 

Colonial Yuletide at Historic London Town 

Dec. 12: Explore the lives and traditions of people in the Colonial Chesapeake as they celebrated Yule, Christmas, and other holidays. Travel around the site, sample four colonial-style, non-alcoholic beverages and enjoy bonfires, good stories, and a safe outing. 10:30am-11:45am, Historic London Town, Edgewater, $20 w/discounts, RSVP: www.historiclondontown.org. 

Yuletide After Dark 

Dec. 12: Forget 2020 and travel back to 1720 to experience a colonial Chesapeake Christmas with samples of colonial-era alcoholic beverages, bonfires, stories and holiday spirit (ages 21+). 6-7:30pm, Historic London Town, Edgewater, $35 w/discounts, RSVP: www.historiclondontown.org.  

Christmas on the Water 

Solomons Boat Parade 

Dec. 5: Watch decorated and lighted boats parade from the Solomons Yachting Center up the Patuxent River to the bridge and back down to the Riverwalk in this annual event coordinated by Solomons Island Yacht Club, Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron, Solomons Yachting Center, Sail Solomons and Southern Maryland Sailing Association. Parade 6-7:15pm, Solomons, www.solomonsmaryland.com. 

Jolly Express Cruise 
Thru Dec. 27: Hop aboard Miss Anne all decked out for the holidays for a Spa Creek “sleigh ride” on the Jolly Express with Captain Santa at the helm. Miss Anne will be adorned in reindeer spirit for an intimate cruise that includes hot cocoa, holiday music, and good cheer. Bring your own blankets. FSaSu 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 45-minute cruise departs from City Dock, Annapolis, $23 w/discounts, RSVP: https://watermarkjourney.com/. 

Holiday Stroll & Cruise 

Thru Dec. 27: Enjoy stories of holiday traditions mingled with classic colonial tales as you stroll the streets of Annapolis with a period-attired guide, then take a 40-minute Spa Creek cruise aboard the festively decorated Miss Anne. SaSu 1:30-3:30pm, Tour departs alternately from slip #2 at City Dock and Market House Park, $39, RSVP:https://watermarkjourney.com/ 
Captain Santa’s Cruise 

Thru Dec. 27: The whole family can enjoy this 40-minute cruise complete with cheery holiday music and Santa himself giving out candy canes. SaSu 4pm, Tour departs from City Dock, Annapolis, $15, RSVP: https://watermarkjourney.com/ 
 

Virtual Celebrations 

Messiah Sing-Along 

Dec. 6: The fourth annual Handel’s Messiah sing-along concert with St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Crownsville goes virtual, spreading the holiday cheer to a wider audience. 3pm: https://bit.ly/3fhDH5c 

Christmas in Leonardtown 

Dec. 12: Let Leonardtown help get you in the holiday spirit with A Christmas in Leonardtown Virtual Holiday Programming. Enjoy festive holiday performances, a Holiday Shopping Showcase & Craft Fair, Storytime with Santa & Mrs. Claus, a Virtual Annual Tree Lighting, and much more. 3pm, www.VisitLeonardtownMD.com/Christmas. 

Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert 

Dec. 18: Enjoy a concert that will warm your heart on a cold winter’s night with holiday favorites and classical selections by Arcangelo Corelli, Johann Strauss, Scott Joplin, and Leroy Anderson, among others. Attendees will be emailed a link for the live streamed performance the day of the event. 8pm, live from The Music Center at Strathmore, Bethesda, RSVP: https://annapolissymphony.org/