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 Watkins’ Winter Festival of Lights
Nov. 23-Jan. 6–Wander Watkins by car and peek at the 15th Annual Winter Festival of Lights. The holiday theme shines brightly via 500,000+ colored lights decorating trees, shrubs, buildings and roads. This twinkling array expands over years past to new magnitude as it glows with snowmen, lighted trees, toadstools, archways and more. Kids with a parent have the best time, riding thru the lights on a hay wagon. 5-9:30pm @ Upper Marlboro. $10/car, $25/mini-bus, $40/bus: 301/699-2456.
 Nautical Noël at the Narrows
Nov. 24–Lay claim to the best vantage points early for a good view of the 10th annual Kent Narrows Lighted Boat Parade. The parade starts from Wells Cove and circles the Narrows twice, w/commentary from the Bridge Tower. But the fun starts earlier, w/Santa arriving on a fire truck to visit kids (2pm), troves of antiques in the Secret Santa Shop (1-5) and a vintage car & boat show. After the parade come awards followed by live music. Park under Kent Narrows Bridge. Benefits Grasonville & Kent Island Vol. Fire Depts. New this year are prizes for paraders. Parade 6pm; music 7 @ Kent Island Yacht Club, Chester: 410/643-4438.
 Chesapeake Beach Casts its Glow
Nov. 25 thru the holidays–Bring the whole family as Chesapeake Beach heralds the holiday season with the official ceremony to light up town on Nov. 25. Afterward, natives fan out to set their homes, boats and businesses aglow in plenty of time for town-wide judging the night of Dec. 17. Come Dec. 20, awards are passed out to the top 3 displays in categories ranging from best workboat to best house to Brightest Beacon on the Bay to Most Kilowatt Hours. Lights on 6pm Nov. 25; awards 7:30pm Dec. 20 @ Town Hall, Chesapeake Beach: 410/257-2230.
Delight in De Lights
Sat. Dec. 1–Take in the spectacle of 50+ pleasure craft decked out in holiday lights and finery as they parade from Fells Point to the Inner Harbor and back in Baltimore’s 14th annual Lighted Boat Parade. A panel of celebrity judges decides the winners based on theme, artistry and creativity. Find good viewpoints at the Fells Point waterfront and the Inner Harbor West Wall & promenade. Presented by Sail Baltimore and the Fells Point Yacht Club. 6pm @ Fells Point & Inner Harbor: 800/harbor-1.
 Magothy River Glows
Sat. Dec. 1–Magothy River shines anew in the 2nd annual Magothy River Lighted Boats Parade. Watch as many as 40 boats shimmer their way along the river in the community parade. Add your own boat to the lineup; there’s no entry fee or registration deadline. The 2-3 hour cruise follows a 6-mile mid-river loop, with good vantage points at community beaches and Magothy Seafood Restaurant. Paraders can return to the restaurant for a small party afterward. Sponsored by the restaurant. Starts 6:30-7pm @ Magothy Seafood Restaurant, Arnold: 410/647-5793.
See the Star of Wonder
Dec. 7 & 21–Lean back and domegaze as Arthur Storer Planetarium glows with Star of Wonder, a program that ponders what exactly the Magi saw. Was it a nova, meteor, planet group or divine anouncement? Come early; there’s only room for 71. Doors 6:30pm; dome glows 7pm @ Arthur Storer Planetarium, by Calvert High, Prince Frederick. Free: 410/535-7339.
 Illuminating Art
Dec. 7-Jan. 1–Wander a sculpture-studded landscape and delight in the added splash of colorful lights that grace the many sculpted forms of Garden in Lights. The intermingling of festive lights and the serene setting spawns a seasonal display w/artistic flare. Weather dependent. 6-9pm nightly @ Annmarie Garden, Dowell Rd., Solomons. Admission is a non-perishable food item: 410/326-4640.
Christmas Pageant of Peace
Dec. 7-Jan. 1–See the National Christmas tree in all its glowing glory at the 2001 Christmas Pageant of Peace. A shimmering grove of smaller trees representing the states lights a winding path to the gilded gargantuan. Enjoy evening concerts Dec. 7-23 and again Dec. 26-29 (8:30pm). Tickets to the opening ceremony of December 6 ran out in early October; make a note for next year to join in the presidential fanfare. Get a view 10am-11pm @ the Ellipse, south of White House, Washington, DC. Free: www.nps.gov/whho/pageant.
 Decked-out Decks Do Downtown
Sat. Dec. 8–Come see the granddaddy of Maryland’s light parades as gilded boats, both sail and power, parade thru Annapolis Harbor to the delight of tens of thousands lining Annapolis’ waterfront. The 19th annual Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade is more spectacular than ever as 60-plus boats sail the route in Spa Creek, along the entire length of Naval Academy’s Spa Creek seawall and up & around Ego Alley. There are no prizes or one-upmanship among the boaters; just good fun for all. Prime views are found at the Eastport Bridge, the Naval Academy and City Dock. 6-8pm @ downtown Annapolis. Free parking w/shuttle (3-10) at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium: 410/263-0415; www.eastportyc.org.
His Lordship’s Candlelight Christmas
Dec. 8-10–Roam the historically festive decked halls of His Lordship’s Kindness (c. 1787), a National Historic Landmark, in candlelight tours. 5-8pm @ His Lordship’s Kindness, Clinton. $5 w/discounts: 301/856-0358.
Christmas on Congress’ Doorstep
Dec. 11-Jan. 1–The People’s Christmas Tree reflects the season spirit and itself, casting a thousand points of light on Congress from its prominent perch between the US Capitol and the Capitol Reflecting Pool. Come see and hear the fanfare of the free public lighting ceremony w/band music and carols (starts 5pm; lit by 5:30pm Dec. 13). See it anytime on Capitol Hill: 202/224-3069.
Lights on the Bay
Thru New Year’s Eve–Meander thru a menagerie of pious and whimsical light sculptures along 3 miles of Bayfront by the Bridge. Many of the 60 illuminated displays are new, plus the beloved Children’s National Holiday and Holiday Snowboys exhibits for the younger set. To top it off, enjoy a seasonal serenade of holiday music over your car radio. Rain or shine. Benefits Anne Arundel Medical Center’s new Acute Care Pavilion. 5-10pm nightly @ Sandy Point State Park, by the Bay Bridge. $12/car: 410/295-3161.
 Ocean City’s Winterfest of Lights
Thru Jan. 2–The sandy shores and city streets of Ocean City cast a glow on the surf and sound as the town drapes lights from the nautical-themed inlet to the Christmas fantasy lightscape of Northside Park. Up at the park, you can tour the twinkling fantasy land as a passenger aboard the Winterfest Express (5:30-9:30pm Su-Th; 5:30-10:30 FSa; $3) plus find Santa, cocoa, treats, a gift shop and more. The tree-lighting celebration features carolers, choral music and a visit from Santa. 5:30-9:30 Su-Th; 5:30-10:30 FSa @ Northside Park and all over the rest of town, Ocean City: 800/oc-ocean; www.ococean.com.
Symphony of Lights
Thru Jan. 6–Roam Symphony Woods and admire the dazzling array of 70+ illumination creations, including a half dozen themed areas of gigantic light sculpture and playful denizens amounting to some 300 illuminations. Scenes include Mother Goose Magic, elves, teddy bears, toy soldiers and much more against a wooded backdrop, illuminating a 1.4-mile path w/over 250,000 lights. To make your tour a bit more interactive, tune in your car radio for a special broadcast and enjoy a seasonal soundtrack. Benefits Howard County General Hospital. 6-10pm Su-Th; 6-11 FSa thru Dec. 13; 6-11 nightly Dec. 14-Jan. 6 @ Symphony Woods, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia. $12/car: 410/740-7666.
Copyright 2001
Bay Weekly
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