A list of our favorite events around Annapolis, Eastern Shore and beyond for the month of December. Event dates may be subject to change.
Ballet Theatre of Maryland: The Nutcracker
December 10th through 18th, the Ballet Theatre of Maryland will perform the age-old tradition of The Nutcracker at Maryland Hall. Adventure alongside Clara as she strives to rescue her beloved Nutcracker from the Rat Queen’s evil spell. Clara travels through the whirling Kingdoms of Snow and Sweets to the place where the possibility of dreams, the magic of Christmas, and the wonder of the child merge to reveal her destiny. Showtimes and tickets at balletmaryland.org.
Lights on the Bay
The SPCA of Anne Arundel County is hosting Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park the entire month of December. Unleash your excitement for the holidays and support the SPCA. The 26th annual light show opened on November 20th and closes January 1st and features a two-mile scenic drive along the Chesapeake Bay with approximately 70 animated and stationary displays illuminating the roadway. Find more information at lightsonthebay.org.
Midnight Madness
Christmas time is here in Annapolis and for holiday shoppers, that means Midnight Madness. The first two Thursdays of December (December 1st and 8th) shops will stay open until midnight and the third Thursday of December (December 15th) the shops will remain open until 11 p.m. This Historic Downtown Annapolis tradition allows residents and visitors to stroll along Main Street, West Street, Maryland Avenue, State Circle, Market Space, and Dock Street to support local businesses. Enjoy the Downtown Winter Wonderland and find more information at downtownannapolispartnership.org.
Annapolis Chocolate Festival
Another holiday tradition is back in Annapolis, the Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival! The festival will fill West Street and Calvert Street Downtown on December 3rd. The day will be full of chocolate making, chocolate history, and plenty of chocolate eating. For the kids, there will also be a gigantic gingerbread house to play in. For this event, Santa encourages attendees to donate hats, new toys, and coats for the We Care & Friends Holiday Party for needy children in the area. Find more information at annapolischocolatefestival.com.
Eastport Yacht Club’s Lights Parade
Eastport Yacht Club’s Lights Parade is back for their 40th Anniversary on December 10th from 6 to 8 p.m. This is a beloved Annapolis tradition that is held on the second Saturday in December every year. Watch the magic come to the water of the Annapolis Harbor when the boats suddenly appear out of the cold winter night, illuminated with thousands of colored lights and crewed by jolly revelers. Find more information at eastportyc.org.
Golden Gala
You are invited to Annapolis Opera’s Golden Gala on December 2nd at 7 p.m. at Maryland Hall. This unforgettable, one-night celebration will honor the last five decades of opera in Annapolis and allow us to look forward to the next 50 years. There will be a VIP entry at 6:30 p.m. and all tickets can be found online at annapolisopera.org.
Ice! At Gaylord National
The signature winter experience is back at the Gaylord National hotel at National Harbor. Sport the signature blue parka and step into a wonderland carved by expert artisans out of two million pounds of colorful ice. This year, the experience will be themed around a festive classic, A Christmas Story. Ice! At Gaylord National is open now through December 31st. Get tickets online today at christmasatgaylordnational.marriott.com.
BCA Elite Charity Gala
BCA Elite, a lacrosse club in Edgewater, is hosting BCA Elite Club Scholarship & Charity Gala on December 3rd from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Vetter Residence at Pemberton Farm. This formal event will allow you to dance the night away with a Nashville-based live band, enjoy an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction, all to raise money for two great causes: club scholarships to local players and to support the Ella Strong Foundation. Find more information at bcaelite.com.
Songs of Hope
Life of Joy Foundation’s signature event, Songs of Hope, is on December 3rd at The Church at Severn Run. This event supports all those affected by suicide, depression, and other mental health challenges. This concert program will begin at 7 p.m. and will include music by Life of Joy Band, survivor testimonials, information booths, prayer support teams, and more. Proceeds from the event will support Life of Joy Foundation’s community programs for 2023. Find more information at lifeofjoyfoundation.org.
Jingle Bell Run
Help keep the tradition going strong by jingling with your family and friends at the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run, held at the Inner Harbor of Baltimore on December 10th starting at 8 a.m. Wear your favorite holiday costume and spread good cheer for a great cause, raising awareness and funds to support arthritis research. Find more information at events.arthritis.org.
Christmas in St. Michaels
Plan your weekend visit to St. Michaels, December 9th through 11th, to celebrate Christmas on the shore. The weekend will include plenty of festive events, your new favorite tree ornament—the new Christmas in St. Michaels Limited Edition Collectors Ornament—and much more. All proceeds from the ornaments and other products will benefit local, nonprofit organizations in our community. Participate in the season of giving in St. Michaels. Find more information at christmasinstmichaels.org.
A Dickens of a Christmas
The 5th Annual Dickens of a Christmas is back on December 3rd in Downtown Chestertown. The day will include the signature Holiday House Tour event, as well as plenty of live music and community events. Music performances run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in two-hour shifts before guests are free to tour the decorated houses. Be sure to dress up, it is all part of the fun of the holidays. Find more information at mainstreetchestertown.org.
Holiday House Tours
On December 4th join Friends of Hospice and Talbot Hospice in the Winter Festival 2022. This 6-part series is coming to an end with Holiday House Tours. There will be four lovely Oxford homes decorated for the holidays open to tour, from 1 to 4 p.m. Find more information at talbothospice.org.
Crabby Christmas Parade
On December 3rd, Cambridge and Dorchester County come together for the 73rd Annual Crabby Christmas Parade. The parade will kick at 5 p.m. off at Long Wharf, traversing down High Street, turning onto Poplar, and away we go down Race Street to conclude at Washington Street. Pre-parade entertainment begins at 4:15 p.m. at the reviewing stand at Craig’s Drugs. Each year the parade has glittering lights, beautiful sounds of music, plenty of holiday cheer, and laughter all brought together by local businesses, charities, and volunteers. Find more information at christmasparade.org.
SantaCon Kent Island
The 6th Annual SantaCon is back on Kent Island this December 3rd from 4 to 10 p.m. Make sure you dress in anything Christmas and visit different venues via that participate in SantaCon to celebrate the season. Each venue will support a different Queen Anne’s County charity including Kinera Foundation, Not my Child QAC, The Julianne Rosela Foundation, and Jacob Sloan Foundation. Find more information at visitqueenannes.com.
Skate with Santa
Santa is taking a break from his busy schedule at the North Pole to visit the Talbot County Community Center in Easton on December 7th from 6 to 8 p.m. Kids will be able to sit on Santa’s lap to reveal their seasonal wishes. Be sure to pre-register at tourtalbot.org.
Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Holiday Joy
To kick off December, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra is performing and spreading their Holiday Joy at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills on December 1st at 7 p.m. The Orchestra is celebrating its 25th anniversary season and there is no better way to kick off the holiday season. Find more information and purchase tickets at midatlanticsymphony.org.