Baltimore Holiday Season Guide 2024

Signature Events

Miracle on 34th Street

• Starting November 30 at 6 PM
• Hampden’s famous holiday light display
• Baltimore’s most popular holiday attraction

Christmas Village

• Location: Inner Harbor
• Opens: Thanksgiving Day
• Features German-themed holiday market
• Expanded for 2024

Monument Lighting in Mt. Vernon

• December 5, 5-8 PM
• Features fireworks display
• Located in Baltimore’s cultural district

New for 2024

Magic of Merryland

• Location: Harbor East
• Inaugural tree lighting celebration
• Date: November 23 (all-day event)

Maryland Holiday Light Spectacular

• Location: State Fairgrounds
• December 12-30, 5:30-10 PM nightly
• Features:
  • Half-mile walking path with themed lights
  • Holiday Village for shopping
  • Nightly Santa visits
  • Winter Carnival rides
  • Special performances

Thanksgiving Events

Community Meals & Distributions

• Bea Gaddy’s Annual Dinner at Patterson Park
• Bon Secours Turkey Giveaway (November 15)
• Flowers Whiting Initiative Turkey Giveaway (November 23)
• Franciscan Center Meal (November 26, 10 AM-3 PM)

Holiday Markets & Shopping

Traditional Markets

• Hampden Holiday Markets (November 30 & December 21)
  • Location: St. Luke’s Church
  • 40+ artists and artisans
  • Live music and refreshments

Holiday Shoppe

• Location: Lord Baltimore Hotel
• Dates: November 29 – December 22
• Features handcrafted gifts
• Special events include “Bourbon & Baubles” and “Men’s Shopping Night”

Specialty Markets

• Holiday Makers Market at Harborplace (December 7-8)
• MICA Art Market at Brown Center
• Station North Holiday Market (December 14)
• Holiday Queer Made Market at Peabody Heights Brewery (December 1)

Family Activities

Zoo Events

• Maryland Zoo “Holly Days” (November 29 – December 31)
• Sunday Brunch with Santa throughout December

Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees

• Location: State Fairgrounds
• Dates: November 21 – December 1
• Features:
  • Holiday displays
  • Carnival games
  • Kids’ rides
  • Entertainment
  • Craft activities

Train Gardens

• Holiday Train Garden at Shops at Kenilworth
  • November 22 – January 5
  • Monday-Saturday: 11 AM-7 PM
  • Sunday: 12-5 PM

Light Displays

Charm City Lights

• Location: Druid Hill Park
• November 30 – January 1
• 5:30-9:30 PM nightly
• Drive-through experience with 250,000+ lights

Community Light Events

• Patterson Park Observatory Winter Lights (December 8)
• Jarrettsville Tree Lighting (December 1)
• Baltimore County Tree Lighting in Towson (December 6)

Parades & Special Events

Holiday Parades

• Mayor’s Christmas Parade in Hampden (December 8, 1-4 PM)
• Bear Creek Lighted Boat Parade (December 7)
• Middle River Lighted Boat Parade (November 30)
• Bel Air Christmas Parade (December 8)

Unique Celebrations

• Night of 100 Elvises at Lord Baltimore Hotel (December 7)
• Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival (December 1)
• Fell’s Point Olde Tyme Christmas (December 7)
• “Miracle on Market” at Power Plant Live! (Starting November 30)

County Events

Harford County

• Highland Holiday Tractor Parade at Falling Branch Brewery (December 7)
• Ladew Christmas at Topiary Gardens (December 11-14)

Baltimore County

• Arbutus Whoville Christmas Parade (December 14)
• Festival at Bel Air Winter Wonderland (December 7)
• Prigel Family Creamery Christmas Market (December 7)

Note: All dates and times are subject to change. Check venue websites for most current information and ticket prices where applicable