Come for the 29th annual Parade of Lights in Downtown Annapolis
The weather has been back in the high 60s, the holiday events and activities are fast and furious, and everybody is shopping, baking, decorating, and generally enjoying the pre-holiday season in Annapolis. There are a huge number of events and activities to take advantage of this week so here’s a quick run down:
If you want a calm and festive way to enjoy the holiday spirit, take a tour of lights. You can start in your neighborhood, head for historic downtown Annapolis to see the decorating done by the downtown merchants and stores, enjoy a little holiday shopping and then head to Sandy Point State Park for the Lights on the Bay display. My kids always loved the drive through Sandy Point State Park to enjoy the lights display sponsored by the Anne Arundel Medical Center. https://www.annapolis.com/directory/event/lights-on-the-bay.html
Enjoy shopping until midnight in Downtown Annapolis on Thursday, Dec 8 or 15th.
Come and receive a warm Holiday welcome at City Hall! The Mayor invites the public to come and celebrate the Holidays at the City Hall Public Open House on Thursday, 12/8 from 5:30 – 7:30 with music by Hammered Dulcimer Recording Artist, Maggie Sansone and art exhibit and book signing by Lynn Abercrombie; some of her works exhibited are shown in her newly release book “Traveling the World for National Geographic”. Lite fare will be offered. https://www.annapolis.com/directory/event/city-hall-holiday-public-open-house.html
Opportunities with Santa abound this week and you can help those less fortunate at all of them.. You can go to the Rams Head Shore House Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus on Saturday, December 10th in Stevensville from 7 am – 11 am. A Toys for Tots drop-off box will be available so please share your gifts this season with those less fortunate to help make another child’s holidays bright. There’s a brunch with Santa at the Rams Head Road House on Sunday, December 11th from 10 am until one. The Toys for Tots drop-off will be at this event as well.
If you want to stop at the mall, try the breakfast with Santa at Nordstrom’s Annapolis on Sat., Dec. 10 sponsored by the West Arundel Lion’s Club. You can enjoy a seated, hot breakfast, photo opportunity with Santa (bring your camera!), small treat, and more. Sponsored by West Arundel Lions Club, the breakfast starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 10 a.m. Tickets have been reduced to $5 for adults and children over 3. Ticket for a child 3 or under is free with purchase of an adult ticket. Order your tickets today online at http://walc-foundation.1freecart.com OR call Lion Angelo, 410-674-9555. Tickets must be presented at the door. One hundred percent of the proceeds support West Arundel Lions Club’s community service activities.
Finally, you can take your pet to PetSmart on 2601 Housely Road in Annapolis to take advantage of the Pet Photos with Santa event that will help benefit the cocker spaniel rescue efforts. OBG invites pet owners to bring their dogs and cats for “Pet Photos with Santa” from 11am to 4pm Sunday at the Petsmart in Annapolis, MD. Pet owners will receive a framed digital picture of their pet for $9.95. A portion of proceeds will benefit OBG Cocker Spaniel Rescue.
The 29th Annual Parade of LIghts on Spa Creek will be Saturday night, December 10th from 6 – 8 pm. The Eastport Yacht Club sponsors the parade and will ensure that the Annapolis Harbor will come alive with festively illuminated boats. This event is sure to amaze both children and adults. Make a night of the event by coming to Downtown Annapolis for dinner, a hot chocolate and watch Christmas light up on the seas. Look for an article with a Parade of LIghts guide and detailed information on Annapolis.com. https://www.annapolis.com/directory/event/2011-eastport-yacht-club-lights-parade.html
Visit the Historic Annapolis Museum at the bottom of Main Street in Downtown Annapolis for the Children’s Gift Making Worship from 10 – 2 on Saturday, 12/10. This free event is for children- they will take walk in Santa’s shoes by creating holiday gifts such as ornaments, gingerbread cookies, and woven hearts. Also on display will be the Gingerbread houses entered in the Annual Gingerbread house competition. https://www.annapolis.com/directory/event/childrens-gift-making-workshop.html
If you want to get outside on Saturday, the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge at 1730 Eastern Neck Road in Rock Hall, MD is hosting an Open House from 9 am – 3 pm. The 2011 Federal Duck Stamp Art exhibit will be on display during the Open House which will also feature expert-guided birding walks, guided nature walks to parts of the island normally closed to the public, the Maryland Junior Duck Stamp Art Exhibit, a youth archery range with certified instructors, complimentary refreshments, kids’ art activities, and more! This event is FREE and is guaranteed, rain or shine. Meet at the Refuge Office/Visitor Contact Station. The full schedule of events is posted on the refuge main web page at: www.fws.gov/northeast/easternneck/
If performances are what you want, Annapolis never fails to deliver. The Nutcracker is being performed by the Ballet Theater of Maryland at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. You can attend Saturday evening at 7 pm or a matinee performance Sunday at 1 pm. Annapolis Harmony Holiday will feature the Sons of the Severn Barbershop Chorus who will present a concert featuring traditional barbershop songs, Christmas favorites in barbershop harmony style, and a bit of storytelling. The show will take place from 4-6pm in the Regatta Ballroom at the Loews Annapolis Hotel. A post-concert reception will be held in the hotel’s Atrium Lounge immediately after the show. Tickets prices include general admission seating, self-parking, and a post-concert reception with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, hot beverages, and cookies.
Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online at www.singannapolis.com, or by calling (410) 674-7165. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended, as the intimate venue has limited seating.
If you’d rather enjoy classical piano, there is a William Kelley Classical Piano Performance at 49 West Street Coffeehouse and Winebar on Sunday at 5 pm. William Kelley is an amazingly talented 16 year-old classical pianist who packs the intimate Back Room at 49 West Coffeehouse with audiences that can’t seem to get enough of him. He returns again on Sunday, October 9th from 5 to 6:30pm to perform works by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin. Test your knowledge about the composers at the performance.
A native of Annapolis, he enjoys performing and has won an international competition. He will play at the Back Room of 49 West Coffeehouse every second Sunday of the month until December 11, 2011.
During every performance, William will play an original work he recently composed. Give him your suggestion for a title and if he decides to use it, you’ll receive a $200 gift certificate good toward any purchase from the Annapolis Collection Gallery. The winner will be announced during intermission at the December 11th show. You can submit a new title each show.
Space is limited so reserve your table early. $10 cover.
The 49 West Coffeehouse & Winebar is on Gallery Row at 49 West Street. Regular menu available during the show. Ample parking across the street at the city’s Gotts Parking Garage.
If this list of recommendations doesn’t offer you enough options, check with your local community, shopping center, museum or store. The holiday and winter celebrations that are going on in Annapolis give you something to do all week. The sales are still on, so don’t forget to throw in some shopping while you are out enjoying the gorgeous, seasonal weather and festive events.
Leave A Comment