It’s hard to believe the winter holiday season is upon us, but with Thanksgiving so close, Christmas shopping and holiday festivities are in full swing. Enjoy Lights on the Bay, a holiday shopping event, and other fun activities this week in Annapolis.

Annapolis Entertainment

The famous and beloved performance written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cats, continues this week on stage at Compass Rose Theater. The musical features laughs, great characters, phenomenal routines, and of course, tons of cats. See this Broadway show right in Annapolis. Tickets are on sale now. The show runs through December 21. Head to www.compassrosetheater.org to read more.

This Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, enjoy the Muddy Creek Artists Guild Holiday Art Show, an event which might just inspire some serious Christmas shopping. Historic London Town and Gardens hosts this event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday and until 6 p.m. on Friday. Peruse the fine offerings and creations crafted by over 300 artisans, many of them local. The admission to this art/shopping extravaganza is free. No tickets are required. Go to http://fourriversheritage.org to learn more.

On Saturday and Sunday, Historic London Town and Gardens hosts a Colonial Fall Fair, which features colonial games for the kids, cooking demos for the adults, and colonial architecture and an old Annapolis-area vibe for all. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the location is the only necessary payment. Go to the site above for more.

Lights on the Bay continues this week! For those who haven’t seen the spectacular show and dazzling scenes yet, know that this very Annapolis experience will award you and your family with holiday cheer. Maryland-themed scenes full of lights and theatrics are set up for you to drive through on Saturday night from 5 to 10 p.m. Admission is $14 per car. Go to Sandy Point State Park’s site to learn more.

Annapolis Families

Thanksgiving is next week, and the Chesapeake Children’s Museum celebrates this season of good food with their event, Simple Meals. Learn how to craft some easy but delicious food at home. Samples will be available to take home too. This event includes lunch. Ages 9-12 are welcome. The price is $25 each kid. The event takes place on Saturday, November 22. Learn more at www.theccm.org.