December In Maryland 2009

Enjoy magical experiences along Maryland’s Main Streets this holiday season. You’re apt to see horse-drawn carriages, streams of holiday lights and strolling carolers. Visit any of these 23 revitalized downtown communities across the state and you’ll discover what makes Maryland unique. You will also find uncommon holiday gifts at shops run by area merchants. Main Streets are open on the Eastern Shore, in Mountain Maryland and in the regions in between. And like everything in Maryland, they’re Pretty. Close.

Top images courtesy of Cambridge Main Street

History & Heritage – Illumination at Antietam
The evening air is clear, now. On Sept. 17, 1862, you could hardly see through the haze that lingered after a 12-hour barrage of rifle and artillery fire in this cornfield. Join the annual five-mile driving tour at Antietam National Battlefield, Saturday evening, Dec. 5. You’ll pass scores of monuments and 23,000 luminaries – one for every casualty or missing soldier from the costliest (in human terms) one-day battle in American history.

Artistic Pursuits – Inspired by myth and poetry
Stroll through Garden in Lights at Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park and Arts Center, Dec. 4– Jan. 2. Mythical beasts, wild animals, pirates and other illuminated works of art are featured at Annmarie in Southern Maryland. Manor House at Ladew Topiary Gardens in Harford County hosts annual Christmas Open House, Dec. 11-13. Christmas Poetry shows how designers and garden clubs interpret favorite Christmas poems. Greens Sale offers holiday decorations, loose greens for personal creations.

Christmas Happenings – Festivals and parades
He’s a busy guy this time of year, but you’ll be able to find Santa Claus at most of these seasonal celebrations:

Festival of Wreaths, Dec. 2-6, Carroll Arts Center in Westminster, Carroll County
Kris Kringle Procession, Dec. 4, Downtown Frederick, Frederick County
Cecil County Christmas Parade, Dec. 5, Main Street in North East, Cecil County
Antique Christmas Festival, Dec. 5-6, throughout Calvert County
Fells Point Old Tyme Christmas, Dec. 5, 12, Broadway Square in Baltimore
Festival of Lights, Dec. 18, Frederick, Frederick County
Christmas in St. Michaels, Dec. 11-13, Talbot County

Chanukah Time – Literary talks at Jewish Museum
Jewish Museum of Maryland is on Baltimore’s Heritage Walk, a 3.2-mile walking trail of 20 historic sites and museums near the Inner Harbor. On Sunday, Dec. 6, the museum presents talks by three authors and a chance for holiday shopping at the gift shop. Drawing on Tradition: The Book of Esther, a current exhibition, features illustrations from JT Waldman’s Megillat Esther (example shown).

Kwanzaa Season – Music, crafts at Lewis Museum
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture , a few blocks from the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, hosts its annual Kwanzaa celebration, Sunday, Dec. 27, 12 - 5 p.m. Event offers international marketplace, African dancing and drumming, gift-making craft stations for children, and educational presentations. Special exhibition – 381 Days: The Montgomery Bus Boycott Story – ends Jan. 3.

Martin O'Malley, Governor
Anthony G. Brown, Lt. Governor