There’s nothing more magical than Downtown Annapolis at Christmastime. The streets are positively covered in strings of lights and decorations. You can almost smell hot chocolate and cinnamon wafting out of each storefront. Even the boats at the dock manage to spread good tidings of cheer with their own impressive light displays. In other words, walking through town in December is almost as if you’re walking in a winter wonderland. At the moment, the only thing we’re happily missing is the snowflakes.

The Annapolis State House is no exception to all the Christmas cheer: As a way to take part in all the holiday festivities, those at the State House decided to open its doors to the masses and invite everyone in to view their display of Christmas decor.

The lobby of the building is adorned with Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes. These trees come courtesy of Garden Clubs from each county in Maryland, and each tree has its own distinct theme. Prince George’s County has decorated theirs in Sesame Street puppets of all colors of the rainbow to celebrate Jim Henson, who attended the University of Maryland in PG County. Another favorite is my own county, Anne Arundel, whose tree is decorated with ornaments that include landmarks from around the county. There’s even a Governor’s tree to celebrate all former Governors of the State of Maryland, with our current Governor, Larry Hogan, acting as the star on top.

Not only were there decorations to be seen, but there was also entertainment. Choirs and choruses from schools around the state were on hand to entertain attendees with Christmas music, as well as some non-seasonal tunes. As an alumna of the Institute of Notre Dame, it was fun to see their Select Choir, Glee Club and Chorus perform so beautifully. Other groups and choirs in attendance included the All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis, Annapolis Area Christian School Chorus, Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra Flute Ensemble, North County High School Knight Music, and Severna Park Middle School Varsity Choir.

Set up under the dome in Capital, the voices of the singers carried beautifully throughout the building. While some in attendance chose to relax and listen to the music from their seats, others could be seen wandering the State House and checking out the new displays. Since I’d somehow never made it to the State House before, I chose to wander. I am utterly impressed by the educational overhaul some of the rooms have received in the last few years. The display on George Washington’s resignation speech is particularly moving and very creative.

Though neither were in session at the time, it was also fun to see the Senate and House chambers up close and personal. These rooms, which we’ve seen hundreds of times on the news, look somehow smaller when you see them in person. But you still get the feeling you’re in “the room where it happens” just being behind the ropes.

The event, which was billed as the State House by Candlelight, was the perfect way to usher in the holidays for Annapolitans and anyone visiting our fair city.

The Maryland State House is open to visitors every day from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., except Christmas and New Year’s Day.