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Gaithersburg
Winter Lights Festival
Midnight
Madness Antietam Memorial Illumination Antique Christmas Festival New
Year’s
Eve Spectacular
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What word that starts with “m” refers to a popular destination during December’s holiday season? Here’s a hint: The American Association of Museums lists 71 member venues in Maryland – from the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury to the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture in Baltimore. Many, like the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum, offer free admission. By the way, museums have gift shops, too. Maryland’s museums are Pretty. Close.
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Arts & Entertainment – Concerts
mark Dec. holidays Sounds of the season echo across Maryland. In Annapolis, the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts presents a series of December concerts. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park hosts the University of Maryland School of Music holiday concerts, Dec. 6-7. The Maryland Symphony Orchestra presents its annual Home for the Holidays concert in Hagerstown, Dec. 13-14. African performance troupes stage a Kwanzaa Celebration at the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly, Dec. 27. Also on Dec. 27, the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda features A Chanukah Feast in Concert. |
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Culinary
Corner – Wineries
present holiday events Maryland has 28 wineries – seven more will open in 2009 – that offer 300 different wines. During December, you can select a new favorite while enjoying an assortment of tours, tastings and holiday-related events – harp and troubadour music, country and blues concerts, Ebenezer Scrooge, and even an art opening – at the wineries. Check the Maryland Winery Association for a list of winery events. |
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Family
Fun – ‘Victorian
Christmas’ in Berlin What started as a weekend about 15 years ago has now become a time of the year that, as one local merchant said, “feels like a scene from It’s a Wonderful Life.” Historic Berlin, minutes from Ocean City, basks in the traditional flavor of the season with celebratory dinners, concerts, caroling, horse and carriage rides, high teas and a Friday evening art stroll. Dec. 6-21. |
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History & Heritage – Candlelight
tours depict past A collection point for lumber floating down the Susquehanna River at the turn of the 19th century, Port Deposit is in the National Register of Historic Places. View the town’s history and varied architecture during the 23rd annual Candlelight Tour, Dec. 6. A week later, Dec. 13, Frederick hosts its Museums by Candlelight tour – a day of holiday activities at 22 museums and historic settings (free admission) throughout the city and county of Frederick during Children’s Weekend. |
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Spectator
Sport – His
sleigh is not the only way Watching Santa travel from the North Pole is a seasonal sport. For instance: He motors in by tugboat to Baltimore’s Fells Point, Dec. 6 and 13. He stops by the University of Maryland Golf Course, Dec. 6. He takes a trolley to Colesville’s National Capital Trolley Museum. After a fishing side trip, he goes to Chesapeake Beach’s Rod ‘N’ Reel Restaurant, Dec. 7. And, he arrives by rail at the Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, weekends. |
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Hidden
Gem – Stylish
wreaths that say something Want your next wreath to make a statement? Head over to the Carroll County Arts Council’s 11th annual Festival of Wreaths, Dec. 3-7, at the Carroll Arts Center in downtown Westminster. You’ll find more than 230 unique wreaths on display – last year’s group had wreaths with semi-precious stones, $50 bills, wine corks and used auto parts. All are available for purchase during a five-day silent auction. |
VisitMaryland.org | Things to Do | Places to Stay | Events | Itineraries |
Martin O'Malley, Governor Anthony G. Brown, Lt. Governor |
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