This year's downtown Annapolis Christmas Tree being installed. Photo by Erik Evans.
Annapolis, MD - This year's Grand Illumination of the Annapolis Christmas Tree is presented by the Downtown Annapolis Partnership is Sunday December 1st in downtown Annapolis. This year’s tree just arrived from North Carolina is 25 feet tall Fraiser Fir tree and was selected by Diehl's Produce of Annapolis. The tree will be decorated throughout the week by Garden Girls Landscaping in preparation for the Grand Illumination event.
The Annapolis Christmas Tree lighting will be Sunday December 1st on Market Space in downtown Annapolis near Zachery's Jewelers. The public is invited to come out and enjoy2 hours of free outdoor festive activities and entertainment around the Christmas tree starting at 3pm. An indoor story time at 4pm will be held inside Zachary’s Jewelers which includes the reading of Clara, complimentary hot chocolate, cookies and nutcrackers for kids (While supplies last). At 5:15 pm is the grand finale with the arrival of Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Elfie on a firetruck to help with the countdown of the tree lighting.
The Grand Illumination entertainment schedule includes
- 3:15-3:50 ASO Duet
- 4 -430 Naptown Sings & Plays Performance
- 4 -430 Storytime, cookies, hot chocolate and nutcrackers for kids inside Zachery's Jewelers
- 430-450 Chesapeake Ballet Performance
- 4:50 - 5:15 The Talent Machine Company Performance
- 5:15 Santa, Mrs. Claus and Elfie arrive by Firetruck
Holiday decorations have been going up all throughout downtown Annapolis to get everyone in the holiday spirit. "The downtown Annapolis area is a great place for everyone to visit and do your holiday shopping. It has over 90 stores and has been ranked by several media outlets as a Top 10 Christmas Town in the USA." says Erik Evans, Executive Director of the Downtown Annapolis Partnership. "Be sure to check out all of downtown to find all the stores and holiday displays including Snowflake Alley on Main Street, the downtown Christmas Tree on Market Space and the light canopies over West Street and Maryland Avenue." Other holiday events that follow this event downtown include Midnight Madness on December 5, 12, and 19, Hanging of the Greens on December 7, Annapolis Holiday Market December 12 to 19, Santa Speedo Run Dec 14 and the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade on Dec 14.
This community event in downtown Annapolis is made possible by many groups that have partnered with the Downtown Annapolis Partnership that volunteer their time or sponsor the event. This year’s community partners include The City of Annapolis Police, Fire and Recreation and Park Departments, Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Naptown Sings and Plays, The Chesapeake Ballet, The Talent Machine Company, Zachery’s Jewelers, Deihls Produce, Palmers Towing, My Gym, and others.
The City of Annapolis has several free and discounted parking options during the holiday season. They include 2 hours free on street parking on commercial streets and the first hour free in Hillman Parking Garage when using the ParkMobile App. The Calvert Street Parking Garage located at 19 St Johns Street has free parking every weekday evening and all weekend and the Whitmore Parking Garage (25 Clay Street) is just $1.25 per hour and a flat rate of $4 after 4pm every day.
For more information on the event visit www.downtownannapolispartnership.org/grand-illumination
