Wednesday, December 12
Snyder Talks Golden Ring Again
Warm up to Christmas early as author John Snyder discusses & signs 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. He visits Bowie again Dec.23. 5pm @ Borders, Bowie: 301/352-5560.
December 12 - 15
Gain Greens at Hammond-Harwood
Find your fill of greenery and colonial Christmas cheer at Hammond-Harwood House’s 19th annual 18th Century Greens Show. Explore the house’s decked halls on guided tours leaving on the half hour. When not browsing, enjoy hot cider made from a colonial recipe and complemented by homemade cookies & treats. The greens show and sale features boxwood, holly and magnolia wreaths plus a plenitude of other festive greenery with which to festoon your own merry home. Preview Party 6-9pm Dec. 12 ($15, rsvp); show & sale 10-4 Dec. 13-15 @ Hammond-Harwood House, 19 Maryland Ave., Annapolis. $7; $3/kids: 410/269-1714.
Thursday, December 13
Eleventh Hour
It’s getting to be the Eleventh Hour. Don’t panic. Instead, shop until 11pm 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. 6-11pm @ downtown Annapolis. Free except for what you buy, including parking at and shuttle from Navy-Marine Corps Stadium: 410/224-1170.
Watercolor Christmas
Bring your artistic, partying spirit to the Annapolis Watercolor Club’s annual Holiday Party. Everyone welcome to enjoy the buffet and Annapolis Chorale. 7:30pm @ 117 Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. free: 410/626-8822.
Concert Choir Sings Joyful Sounds
Anne Arundel Community College’s Concert Choir performs its annual Holiday Concert, featuring classic carols, a sing-along and harpist Wallace Ford. 8pm @ Pascal Center, Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold. $5 w/discounts: 410/777-7019.
Friday, December 14
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. 7pm @ Maryland Hall, 801 Chase St., Annapolis. $25-$30 w/discounts; rsvp: 410/263-0907.
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
Not many folks today have any experience with American chestnuts, not to mention roasting them over an open fire. Join a naturalist in front of the fireplace at Flag Ponds for some warm cider and song, and a light discussion of the fate of the chestnut tree and other native species under siege. 7-8pm @ Flag Ponds Nature Park, Lusby. $3; rsvp: 410/535-5327.
December 14 & 15
Galilei Sings for Christmas
Ensemble Galilei returns to Annapolis with holiday cheer in tow at the 12th annual Winter Solstice/Christmas Concert. Ears feast on a concert of ancient carols, lively traditional tunes and original compositions. Part of Chamber Music Annapolis’ Music in the Great Hall series. 3pm & 7pm @ Great Hall, St. John’s College, Annapolis. $20 w/discounts; rsvp: 301/849-2494.
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 @ 2 locations: Severna Park High Dec. 14 • Annapolis High Dec. 15. Free: 410/293-0263.
Saturday, December 15
Create a Christmas Tree Centerpiece
Make a table top Christmas Tree from traditional evergreens (holly, boxwood) and herbs accented w/red berries. 10-noon @ Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, Severn. $20: rsvp: 410/551-2237.
Snyder Talks Golden Ring yet again
Warm up to Christmas early as author John Snyder discusses & signs 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. 1pm @ Borders, Westfield Shoppingtown Annapolis: 410/571-0923.
Hearty Holidays in the Park
Find holiday festivities parkside at Kings Landing with an afternoon hay ride, 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. 1-4pm @ Kings Landing Park, Huntingtown. $3 w/discounts; rsvp: 410/535-5327; www.calvertparks.org.
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 oomph. A unique alternative to the more standard season fanfare. 3:30-4:30pm @ Harborplace Amphitheatre, Inner Harbor, Baltimore: 800/harbor-1.
Paca House Christmas by Candlelight
Enjoy the sights and sounds that William and Mary Paca would have experienced in their day during the 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.
December 15 & 16
Lower Marlboro Live Nativity
Stop by the stable to see the Christmas story come alive with costumed enactors and lots of animals for petting at Lower Marlboro Church’s Live Nativity. 5-6:30pm @ Lower Marlboro Church. Free: 301/855-7654.
Navy Band Noël
The US Navy Band gathers its specialty groups for the rousing Happy Holidays concert. 7:30pm Sa; 3pm Su @ Constitution Hall, 18th & D Sts. NW, Washington, DC. Free w/rsvp: 202/433-2525.
Triumphant Tune
Feel your soul uplifted as the heavenly chorus Messiah rocks the rafters, from the overture to the “Hallelujah Chorus,” in a performance of Annapolis Chorale and Annapolis Chamber Orchestra. 8pm Sa; 3pm Su @ St. Anne’s Church, 199 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis. $23 w/discounts; rsvp: 410/263-1906.
December 15 - 17
Victorian Yuletide
Improve on Scrooge as you venture into an idealized Christmas past via 19th-century candlelight tours featuring period greenery, antique dolls & toys, greeting cards and ornaments. This 26th annual Victorian Yuletide also features Union and Confederate sentries plus the ever-popular Civil War Santa, fashioned after cartoons of the period. Refreshments served. Tours 5-9pm SaSu; 6-9pm M @ Historic Surratt House, Clinton. $3 w/discounts: 301/868-1121; www.surratt.org.
Sunday, December 16
Carols and Hymns
Return to the spirit of Oxford, England during the Service of Lessons and Carols, based on the near century-old Kings College Chapel service. Carols and hymns, interspersed w/scripture readings and sacred verses, are accompanied by brass quintet and organ. 10am @ Eastport United Methodist Church, Annapolis. free: 410/263-5490.
Chestnut Land Trust Sells Greens
Greens sale and hay ride. 10-noon @ American Chestnut Land Trust, Port Republic: 410/586-1570; www.acltweb.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. Tentative date; call to confirm. 7pm @ First Baptist Church, Shady Side. Free: 410/224-8825.
December 16, 30 & January 1
Christmas Bird Count
Join bird lovers throughout the Americas in the annual Christmas Bird Count to complete a survey of winter birds to be combined w/data from all into a valuable resource for conservationists. Tally fee of $5 benefits the Audubon Society. Dawn to dusk as you’re able; rsvp for assigned range. • Dec. 16: Bird the Jug Bay area: Sam Droege, 301/497-5840 • Dec. 30: Bird the Annapolis/Gibson Island area: Susan Ricciardi, 410/647-9513 • Jan. 1: Bird the Bowie area: Fred Fallon, 301/249-1518.
Monday, December 17
Prodigies Play for Your Holidays
Music lovers of all ages delight once again this year in Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra’s special holiday concert. The repertory, strings and flute choir show that youth is no barrier to musical prowess. 7pm @ Maryland Hall, 801 Chase St., Annapolis. Free w/your donation of non-perishables for Food Link: 410/263-2664.
Noël Deutsch
Get into the holiday spirit with seasonal folk music from Austria and Germany as The Alpine Singers perform Austrian and German folk music. Enjoy dialect and folk music with Alpine harp and guitar accompanied by graceful and highly energetic dance. 7:30pm @ Borders, Bowie: 301/352-5560.
Wednesday, December 19
Christmas w/Crystal Gayle
Get a little bit country at the Crystal Gayle Holiday Concert. 8pm @ Chesapeake Center for Creative Arts, Brooklyn Park. $45 w/discounts; rsvp: 410/636-6597.
December 19 - 21
Calvert High Christmas Crescendo
Enjoy favorite holiday pieces by Calvert High’s band, choruses and symphony orchestra. Cavalier Chorus 7pm W; band & orchestra 7pm Th; Alumni Chorus 7pm F @ Calvert High, Prince Frederick. Free: 410/535-7351.
December 20 - 23
Heritage Baptist Living Nativity
Watch Heritage Baptist reenact the original Christmas in its outdoor Living Nativity pageant. This year, the first 2 shows each night are in English and the 8pm shows are in Spanish. Hot cocoa served. 7pm, 7:30pm & 8pm @ Heritage Baptist Church, 1740 Forest Dr., Annapolis: 410/263-6680.
Friday, December 21
Open House at the Governor’s Mansion
Schmooze w/Gov. Parris Glendening and Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend during the Open House at the Governor’s Mansion. Live entertainment, holiday decorations and cookies, cider and breads, tours spice up the afternoon. 2-4pm @ the Government House, Annapolis. free: 410/974-3531.
December 22 - 24
Crossroad Christian Living Nativity
Drive by to see Crossroad Christian Church’s recreation of the first Christmas, with Mary, Joseph, shepherds and the baby Jesus appearing in biblical clothes at the manger. 6-8pm @ Crossroad Christian Church, St. Leonard: 410/586-1272.
Sunday, December 23
Snyder Talks Golden Ring
Warm up to Christmas early as author John Snyder discusses & signs 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. Noon @ Borders, Bowie: 301/352-5560.
Christmas Eve
Light the Candle of Faith
Whatever your faith, you’re invited to pay homage to the true meaning of the season at Unity by the Bay’s annual candle-lighting service. 7pm @ Unity by the Bay, 836 Ritchie Hwy., Severna Park: 410/544-7990.
December 26 - 28
White House Candlelight Tours
Never is our president’s home more lovely than at Christmas time, when the public rooms are filled with trees — including the Tree of States — holiday displays and ornaments from all over the nation. The White House offers evening tours of the first family’s home 5-7pm. Arrive early to secure a space on this popular tour. Anyone in line at the SE gate by 7pm gets in. 5-7pm @ 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC. Free: 202/456-7041; www.whitehouse.gov.
New Year’s Eve
Celebrate at Baltimore
Greet the new year in downtown Baltimore with plenty of eats, a parade, dancing, live bands at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater and much more as prelude to a midnight countdown and huge fireworks display at the Inner Harbor. At 10pm cheer on the MasqueParade at Pratt and Light streets, a giant mask parade themed around The Four Elements with giant puppets, masks and local marching bands. Meanwhile, on the west shore, find Family Fun at the Harbor, a tented, family-style festival featuring live entertainment and food. Kids’ fun includes character visits, hands-on crafts and children’s music. Fireworks rain date Jan. 1. Many events 8pm-12:30am; MasqueParade 10pm @ various locations, Inner Harbor, Baltimore: 800-baltimore; www.bop.org.
Boogie Down in Old Town
Whole families get jiggy and groove in the streets of Annapolis as the city launches itself into 2002. First Night Annapolis bursts at the seams with a dizzying array of eclectic entertainment indoors and out. Annapolis is but a stage to party on as dozens of musicians, thespians, dancers, magicians and others entertain. Highlights include the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre of New Zealand (above), Shizumi Dance Theater (Japanese dance and arts), Thomas Jefferson in living history, the living history play Four Women of Annapolis, Elvis tribute artist Frank El, the Nicolo Whimsey variety show, Chesapeake Children’s Museum, Caribbean Art Jazz Ensemble, Aicha Danse Orientale, Heifetz Institute’s classical sampler and many more. Later, take a turn in the whimsical Wish Chairs to launch your New Year’s hopes, join the Crabtown Countdown to 2002 and ogle the fireworks. The festivities are alcohol-free. Parking at Naval Academy Stadium on Rowe Blvd. ($5; free shuttle). 3pm-2002 @ downtown Annapolis. $19/day of; $15/advance; $10/kids 8-12; kids 7 & under free: 410/280-0700; www.firstnightannapolis.org.
Burning Bowl Monday
Join in Unity’s Burning Bowl service, a New Year’s tradition used as a time to reflect on the past year and prepare for the new one. 6am & 7pm @ Unity by the Bay, 836 Ritchie Hwy., Severna Park: 410/544-7990; www.unitybythebay.org.
The Best of Music Hall IV
Ring in the New Year singing along to beloved show tunes w/Chesapeake Music Hall performers. Alumni from as far back as 1995 will be dropping in. Ticket includes show plus dinner, champagne, dancing w/DJ Groundhog and more. Doors open 6pm; Show starts 8pm @ the Hall, Annapolis. $75; rsvp: 800/406-0306.
Christmas w/Bob Hope
Join Wings Productions for the variety show A Bob Hope Christmas Revisited. 8pm @ Chesapeake Center for Creative Arts, Brooklyn Park. $24 w/discounts; rsvp: 410/636-6597.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day Fireworks
Did the kids miss the New Year’s Eve fireworks? Here’s their chance to see a special mini-fireworks show choreographed to children’s music especially for them. 6pm @ downtown Baltimore. free: 888/baltimore; www.baltimore.org.
