Planning a visit to our neck of the woods this holiday season? There is so much fun to be had locally.
Check out some of our favorite festive spots…
Shops at Kenilworth – Visit this nearby neighborhood shopping center to enjoy the charming holiday train display, visit with Santa and shop a variety of boutiques with unqiue finds perfect for everyone on your list.
Fire Museum of Maryland – Watch antique O-Scale trains and a street car wind their way past Baltimore neighborhoods, the Zoo, Gwyn Oaks Amusement Park and the Viaduct. Open Saturdays, Nov. 30 – Dec. 21 and Dec. 26 — 29, 2013 10 – 4 pm.
Wine Country Christmas at Boordy Vineyards – Saturdays through 12/21/13
Celebration at the Station – Greenspring Station – 12/14/13, 2 – 5 p.m.
A Modern Holiday Soiree will take place at Green Spring Station. Enjoy samples of holiday food while learning how to create your own ornaments. Children will surely be entertained with the help of Santa, a hot chocolate bar, and mini DIY crafts.
S’mores, Stars & the Winter Solstice – 12/13/13, 6 – 8 p.m.
Make a decorative wreath from natural materials such as pine, spruce, and holly. Inside the ranger station, we’ll have everything you need to make a masterpiece and brave the cold—including hot chocolate, cookies, and holiday tunes! Ages 5 and up.
Please call 410-887-4156 or email releeparkrp@baltimorecountymd.gov to register.
Fire & Ice at Night /Christmas Tree Judging – 12/13/13, 6 – 9 p.m.
View the ice sculptures located around Downtown Towson! There will also be street performers, free roasted chestnuts, Christmas tree judging and s’mores offered by area restaurants. See www.towsonchamber.com for a map of ice sculptures or just come to Downtown Towson! Rain Date is December 20th
Ladew Gardens: Christmas Through the Ages – 12/13 – 12/15
Charge: Members are Free; Adults $10; Seniors & Students $8; Children (12 & under) $2
Ladew Gardens will celebrate Christmas in seasonal resplendence as local floral designers and Garden Clubs are invited to decorate the rooms of the circa 1747 Manor House, adorning the walls, tabletops and fireplace mantels in festive holiday splendor. Now in its 33rd year, Ladew’s Christmas Open House has been called “one of Maryland’s most memorable and decorative holiday events.” The weekend festivities feature live seasonal music performed by Maryland school children and other accomplished instrumentalists. Visitors to the Christmas Open House are also invited to enjoy complimentary hot cider and cookies, as well as an exceptional Greens Sale featuring hand-crafted fresh holiday decorations — wreaths, table arrangements and decorations — lovingly created through the generosity of volunteers and design professionals.
Christmas Open House at Basignani Winery – 12/14 – 12/15
Charge: $20
Christmas time is a very special time of year at Basignani Winery. Visit the north Baltimore County winery and its annual celebration of the Tuscan Christmas. Experience an Italian Christmas as Basignani transforms the tasting room and piazza into a little piece of Tuscany. Taste the wines and try some seasonal Tuscan Christmas treats. Tickets are $20 per person and include select wine tasting, brick oven pizza, treats, live music, and a premium Riedel glass to take home. Don’t miss Basignani’s newest Port wine – Sinistra. It will keep you warm this holiday season
Holidays at Hampton….a Yuletide Celebration 12/13 – 12/15/13
Free
Get into the holiday spirit early with “Holidays at Hampton” where the public can celebrate the season at Hampton National Historic Site. Visitors will experience two-centuries of holiday traditions at Towson’s only National Park – all of the festivities are free and open to the public. Special evening tours, antique cars, period crafts, musical & dance performances, African American storytelling and unique holiday shopping in the Museum Shop are just part of the revelries taking place during the “Holidays at Hampton” Yuletide weekend of Friday, December 13 through Sunday, December 15, 2013. This year, “Holidays at Hampton” highlights another one of the historic periods of this National Park: the Jazz-Age “Roaring Twenties” and 1930s.
Helicon’s 28th Annual Winter Solstice Concerts – 12/21/13, 3:30 PM
Charge: $20-$30 (group and children discounts)
The Baltimore-based trio, Helicon (Chris Norman, Ken Kolodner, Robin Bullock). Internationally renowned traditional folk musicians–Kolodner (hammered dulcimer, fiddle, hammered mbira); Norman (wooden flutes, tin whistle, small pipes, piano); Bullock (guitar, cittern, mandolin, piano)-play a unique blend of seasonal music from Ireland, Scotland, Appalachia, Canada, Europe, Africa & the Far East–a great way for families to kick off the holiday season with an extremely energetic performance.
Kolodner’s son, Brad, will join the fun as a guest on clawhammer banjo, fiddle & vocals (a recent winner of a national banjo contest, Strathmore Hall Artist in Residence, WAMU DJ). Also special guests modern dancer Marlys Norman (Chris Norman’s daughter & Peabody faculty member), North American Irish step-dance champion Jonathan Srour , Scottish National Fiddle Champion Elke Baker & bassist Alex Lacquement (Eastman School of Music). Helicon celebrates the release of Ken & Brad’s new recording “Skipping Rocks” and re-release of Helicon’s Winter Solstice CD.
Christmas Open House at Basignani Winery 12/14 – 12/15/13
Charge: $20
Christmas time is a very special time of year at Basignani Winery. Visit the north Baltimore County winery and its annual celebration of the Tuscan Christmas. Experience an Italian Christmas as Basignani transforms the tasting room and piazza into a little piece of Tuscany. Taste the wines and try some seasonal Tuscan Christmas treats. Tickets are $20 per person and include select wine tasting, brick oven pizza, treats, live music, and a premium Riedel glass to take home. Don’t miss Basignani’s newest Port wine – Sinistra. It will keep you warm this holiday season!
Holiday Lights & Displays
34th Street, Hampden – A Baltimore tradition! Visit this charming neighborhood to enjoy a true glimpse of Charm City’s holiday spirit.
Valley View Farms – Local garden center bedecked in spectacular fashion with thousands of unique ornaments and holiday decorations for sale.