× Celebrating Celtic Sounds with Maggie Sansone of Maggie’s Music
Maggie Sansone’s music label, Maggie’s Music, all started with a love for music and a little yellow cart. Sansone traveled to folk festivals across the United States and sold her self-made cassette tapes off of a yellow wooden cart decorated with Celtic art. The tapes sold quickly and Sansone decided that this was just the beginning.
Since its humble beginnings 30 years ago, Maggie’s Music has grown immensely. The music catalog includes over 50 recordings, four Celtic collections, and eight Holiday albums, featuring a variety of skilled and award-winning musicians.
READ THE INTERVIEW >>
The Every Woman Comedy Tour – Rams Head on Stage
Friday, December 29th, 8 p.m.
Get ready for a wild and crazy ‘girls night out’ at Rams Head On Stage when The Every Woman Comedy Tour pulls into town. Featuring some of the brightest and funniest young comics around, it’s a night of rip roaring laughter.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – Annapolis Shakespeare Company
Friday, December 29th, 8 p.m.; Saturday, December 30th, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Sunday, December 31st, 3 p.m.
Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. This world premiere captures the magic and joy of Dickens’ Yuletide classic with Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s signature flair.
New Year's Eve Celebration – Weems Walen Field Parking Lot & Downtown Annapolis
Sunday, December 31st, 5 p.m.
Ring in the New Year and watch the city of Annapolis come alive with two firework shows, family activities, and tons of fun. The first set of fireworks will take place just after sunset at the Weems Whelan Fields with tons of kid friendly activities available including face painting, music, and games! The other fireworks will take place at City Dock when the clock strikes midnight. Live music and entertainment will be provided at both locations.
New Year's Eve Bash – Annapolis Marriott Waterfront Hotel
Sunday, December 31st, 8:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
Bring in the New Year with Pusser’s Caribbean Grille at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel. With a full open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres, there’s no better way to celebrate 2018. A portion of the proceeds will go to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County.
25th Anniversary Winterfest of Lights – Ocean City
Thursday, December 28th through Sunday, December 31st, 5:30–9:30 p.m.
See how Ocean City sparkles this winter and visit the Winterfest of Lights! You'll find more than one million holiday lights and hundreds of animated light displays throughout Northside Park. Relax and sip hot chocolate in the heated Winterfest Village pavilion, take a photo with Santa, and board the Winterfest Express to tour fairy tale themed exhibits. The one-mile journey takes you through 58-acres of lights and features a 50-foot Christmas tree.
Governor’s Challenge – Wicomico Youth & Civic Center
Thursday, December 28th through Saturday, December 30th, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
The Governor's Challenge, now the largest holiday basketball tournament in the country, returns to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. The tournament features a varsity boys division, varsity girls division, JV boys division and DMVelite Showcase division. In total, 124 teams from Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia will participate in this year's tournament, along with two teams from Canada.
Christmas Train Garden – Cambridge Rescue and Fire Company
Thursday, December 28th and Friday, December 29th, 6–9 p.m.; Saturday, December 31st, 1–4 p.m. & 6–9 p.m.
Gaze in wonder at this holiday-themed train display at the Cambridge Rescue and Fire Company in historic downtown Cambridge. Perfect for all ages! A tradition that has been carried on for more than 80 years, the display is created each year by volunteers with the Cambridge Rescue Fire Company.
New Year's Eve Potluck – The Mainstay, Rock Hall
Celebrating Celtic Sounds with Maggie Sansone of Maggie’s Music
Maggie Sansone’s music label, Maggie’s Music, all started with a love for music and a little yellow cart. Sansone traveled to folk festivals across the United States and sold her self-made cassette tapes off of a yellow wooden cart decorated with Celtic art. The tapes sold quickly and Sansone decided that this was just the beginning. Since its humble beginnings 30 years ago, Maggie’s Music has grown immensely. The music catalog includes over 50 recordings, four Celtic collections, and eight Holiday albums, featuring a variety of skilled and award-winning musicians.
READ THE INTERVIEW >>
The What's Up? Weekend Rundown
Annapolis
The Every Woman Comedy Tour – Rams Head on Stage
Friday, December 29th, 8 p.m.
Get ready for a wild and crazy ‘girls night out’ at Rams Head On Stage when The Every Woman Comedy Tour pulls into town. Featuring some of the brightest and funniest young comics around, it’s a night of rip roaring laughter.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – Annapolis Shakespeare Company
Friday, December 29th, 8 p.m.; Saturday, December 30th, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Sunday, December 31st, 3 p.m.
Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. This world premiere captures the magic and joy of Dickens’ Yuletide classic with Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s signature flair.
New Year's Eve Celebration – Weems Walen Field Parking Lot & Downtown Annapolis
Sunday, December 31st, 5 p.m.
Ring in the New Year and watch the city of Annapolis come alive with two firework shows, family activities, and tons of fun. The first set of fireworks will take place just after sunset at the Weems Whelan Fields with tons of kid friendly activities available including face painting, music, and games! The other fireworks will take place at City Dock when the clock strikes midnight. Live music and entertainment will be provided at both locations.
New Year's Eve Bash – Annapolis Marriott Waterfront Hotel
Sunday, December 31st, 8:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
Bring in the New Year with Pusser’s Caribbean Grille at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel. With a full open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres, there’s no better way to celebrate 2018. A portion of the proceeds will go to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County.
Eastern Shore
25th Anniversary Winterfest of Lights – Ocean City
Thursday, December 28th through Sunday, December 31st, 5:30–9:30 p.m.
See how Ocean City sparkles this winter and visit the Winterfest of Lights! You'll find more than one million holiday lights and hundreds of animated light displays throughout Northside Park. Relax and sip hot chocolate in the heated Winterfest Village pavilion, take a photo with Santa, and board the Winterfest Express to tour fairy tale themed exhibits. The one-mile journey takes you through 58-acres of lights and features a 50-foot Christmas tree.
Governor’s Challenge – Wicomico Youth & Civic Center
Thursday, December 28th through Saturday, December 30th, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
The Governor's Challenge, now the largest holiday basketball tournament in the country, returns to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. The tournament features a varsity boys division, varsity girls division, JV boys division and DMVelite Showcase division. In total, 124 teams from Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia will participate in this year's tournament, along with two teams from Canada.
Christmas Train Garden – Cambridge Rescue and Fire Company
Thursday, December 28th and Friday, December 29th, 6–9 p.m.; Saturday, December 31st, 1–4 p.m. & 6–9 p.m.
Gaze in wonder at this holiday-themed train display at the Cambridge Rescue and Fire Company in historic downtown Cambridge. Perfect for all ages! A tradition that has been carried on for more than 80 years, the display is created each year by volunteers with the Cambridge Rescue Fire Company.
New Year's Eve Potluck – The Mainstay, Rock Hall
Sunday, December 31st, 9 p.m.
Join The Mainstay on the final evening of 2017 and finish off the year celebrating with good friends at The Mainstay New Year's Eve potluck. Bring a favorite dish to share while enjoying the enchanting piano of Mainstay Monday host and local favorite Joe Holt.
New Year's Eve Boat Drop – Downtown Cambridge
Sunday, December 31st, 12 a.m.
Join downtown Cambridge as they host a New Year’s Eve Boat Drop with a small replica of a deadrise, the traditional waterman’s workboat, dropping at midnight on Dec. 31st to bring in the New Year.
The Illusionists – John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C.
Thursday, December 28th & Friday, December 29th, 8 p.m.; Saturday, December 30th & Sunday, December 31st, 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Direct from Broadway, the world’s best-selling magic show returns to the Kennedy Center after sell-out shows in 2015! This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. The Illusionists has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.
Sparkling Wine Tasting – Fishpaws Market Place, Arnold
Saturday, December 31st, 2–4 p.m.
Head over to Fishpaws Marketplace in Arnold for a sparkling wine tasting! Fishpaws supports local charities in a unique way. The management team chooses the charity and customers donate any amount they feel comfortable with for their tastings. Fishpaws then matches all customers’ donations. Fishpaws has raised on average between $5,000 and $6,000 annually for local charities with these tastings.
Midnight at 7 – Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods
Sunday, December 31st, 5–8 p.m.
Whether you have little ones or are looking to get a jump start on celebrating New Year’s Eve, join us to see Howard County dazzle, with a fireworks display set to music at 7 p.m. Celebrate with your family and friends while walking through the path of outdoor light displays and enjoying music, children’s activities, giveaways, and more as 2017 comes to a close.
New Year’s Eve at Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa – Chesapeake Beach
Sunday, December 31st, 7 p.m.–1 a.m.
Join Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa for their New Year’s Eve Party, featuring live music by NoWhere Men and Joe Martone. This special evening includes party favors and a champagne toast when the clock strikes midnight.
Join The Mainstay on the final evening of 2017 and finish off the year celebrating with good friends at The Mainstay New Year's Eve potluck. Bring a favorite dish to share while enjoying the enchanting piano of Mainstay Monday host and local favorite Joe Holt.
New Year's Eve Boat Drop – Downtown Cambridge
Sunday, December 31st, 12 a.m.
Join downtown Cambridge as they host a New Year’s Eve Boat Drop with a small replica of a deadrise, the traditional waterman’s workboat, dropping at midnight on Dec. 31st to bring in the New Year.
Western Shore
The Illusionists – John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C.
Thursday, December 28th & Friday, December 29th, 8 p.m.; Saturday, December 30th & Sunday, December 31st, 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Direct from Broadway, the world’s best-selling magic show returns to the Kennedy Center after sell-out shows in 2015! This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. The Illusionists has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.
Sparkling Wine Tasting – Fishpaws Market Place, Arnold
Saturday, December 31st, 2–4 p.m.
Head over to Fishpaws Marketplace in Arnold for a sparkling wine tasting! Fishpaws supports local charities in a unique way. The management team chooses the charity and customers donate any amount they feel comfortable with for their tastings. Fishpaws then matches all customers’ donations. Fishpaws has raised on average between $5,000 and $6,000 annually for local charities with these tastings.
Midnight at 7 – Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods
Sunday, December 31st, 5–8 p.m.
Whether you have little ones or are looking to get a jump start on celebrating New Year’s Eve, join us to see Howard County dazzle, with a fireworks display set to music at 7 p.m. Celebrate with your family and friends while walking through the path of outdoor light displays and enjoying music, children’s activities, giveaways, and more as 2017 comes to a close.
New Year’s Eve at Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa – Chesapeake Beach
Sunday, December 31st, 7 p.m.–1 a.m.
Join Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa for their New Year’s Eve Party, featuring live music by NoWhere Men and Joe Martone. This special evening includes party favors and a champagne toast when the clock strikes midnight.