Coronavirus Hasn't Stopped These Anne Arundel Holiday Traditions

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Coronavirus has canceled countless events over the last eight months, but it can't cancel everything. With the holidays fast-approaching, it's worth a look at what's still scheduled in Anne Arundel County and Annapolis.

Whether you're interesed in Lights on the Bay, the annual Kwanzaa celebration or the menorah lighting, Patch has you covered. Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County recommended plenty of holiday events around town.

The group reminded residents that schedules could change at a moment's notice. To get the latest updates, call the event organizers.

Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County also asked attendees to mask up at all times and stay 6 feet apart when possible. Without further ado, here is their full list:

"Winter Flowers from Around the World

  • Daily, except Tuesdays

  • Noon to 5:00 p.m.

  • Hammond-Harwood House, 19 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis

  • Hammondharwoodhouse.org

  • Tour the home adorned with floral displays inspired by flowers that bloom around the world in winter, including Winter Jasmine, Snowdrops, English Primrose, and Holly. Created by local garden clubs, the displays celebrate the home’s Decadent Décor: Global Imports in an Early American Port City exhibition which highlights early Annapolis residents’ furnishings from around the world. Reservations required.

Colonial Annapolis Holiday

  • Friday, November 13 – Sunday, December 6

  • Friday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 4:00 p.m.

  • William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George Street, Annapolis

  • www.annapolis.org

  • Celebrate the holidays at the William Paca House where William, Mary, and the household servants have prepared for the festive season. Experience the magic as docents lead you through the first floor of the house decorated in true colonial fashion. If you prefer, enjoy a virtual tour of the entire house and a docent led tour of the 2-acre William Paca Garden. Last guided tour departs at 2:00 p.m. Last entry for self-guided tours of the garden and a virtual tour of the house is 3:30 p.m. Reservations required for the docent-led tours.

Lights on the Bay

  • Friday, November 20 – Saturday, January 2

  • 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

  • Sandy Point State Park, 11 East College Parkway, Annapolis

  • https://www.lightsonthebay.org/about-lights-on-the-bay/

  • This spectacular drive-through holiday lights show beside the Chesapeake Bay features more than 70 animated and stationary holiday and children’s displays, including traditional Maryland-themed favorites. Proceeds benefit SPCA of Anne Arundel County.

A Christmas Carol

  • Friday, November 27 – Sunday, December 27

  • Annapolis Shakespeare Company, 1804 West Street, Suite 200, Annapolis

  • http://www.annapolisshakespeare.org/index.html

  • Enjoy an in-person performance of Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s original Helen Hayes Award-recommended production of the classic holiday story. A virtual option is also available.

Small Business Saturday

  • Saturday, November 2810:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

  • Small businesses throughout Annapolis and Anne Arundel Countyhttps://www.downtownannapolispartnership.org/

  • The locally owned restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and shops in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County are unique to the area. You can show local business owners you appreciate the personalized attention they offer by supporting them this day.

Holiday Stroll

  • Saturday, November 28

  • Annapolis Town Center, 1906 Town Center Blvd., Annapolis

  • https://www.visitatc.com/

  • Enjoy all-day entertainment as you stroll and shop at participating retailers who have opened their doors and overflowed their merchandise to the sidewalk. Sip, browse, and support women-owned businesses. Register for wreath-making workshops on the Green at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Pop-ups will sprinkle the property. Find the perfect tree in our Christmas tree lot, provided by Whole Foods.

Homestead for the Holidays

  • Saturday, November 28 through Sunday, December 20

  • 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville

  • https://homesteadgardens.com/

  • The store, nursery, and greenhouse are decorated with dozens of beautiful full-size and tabletop trees and doorways to inspire holiday decorating. For the 30th year, Homestead’s railroad will be on display in the greenhouse. Watch trains rumble down the track, enjoy a hot chocolate, and see elves hard at work in Santa’s workshop. Eight-foot nutcrackers and talking reindeer delight kids of all ages. In the outside nursery, the fire roars and a huge tree lights up the sky. Enjoy holiday music on weekends.

Artists Sunday

  • Sunday, November 29

  • 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

  • Artists galleries, studios, performance venues, and shops carrying locally made goods

  • https://www.downtownannapolispartnership.org/annapolis-events

  • Support Annapolis and Anne Arundel County’s local professional artists; find unique personal gifts; and invest in art that has a lasting legacy during this new national shopping movement. Shop the stores, buy tickets, or purchase gift cards by calling or visiting in person or online.

Midnight Madness Holiday Shopping

  • Thursdays, December 3, 10, and 17

  • December 3 and 10, 4:00 p.m. to midnight

  • December 17, 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

  • Downton Annapolis

  • https://www.downtownannapolispartnership.org/midnight-madness

  • Enjoy the holiday decorations as you stroll along Main and West Streets, Maryland Avenue, State Circle, and Dock Street in search of that perfect gift. Check out Snowflake Alley, the holiday lights canopy over West Street, and the Christmas tree at Market space as you shop to support local businesses. Be sure to take advantage of the curbside pickup available.

Holiday Candlelight Stroll

  • Fridays and Saturdays, December 4-26; Sunday, December 27

  • 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

  • Tour departs from Market House Park, Annapolis

  • https://watermarkjourney.com/

  • Glowing lanterns light your way as you stroll along the centuries-old brick lined streets of Maryland’s capital city adorned for the holidays. A period-attired guide will share holiday traditions of times past against the backdrop of colonial mansions, Victorian homes, and quaint shops.

Jolly Express Cruise

  • Friday-Sunday, December 4-27

  • 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m.

  • 45-minute cruise departs from City Dock, Annapolis

  • https://watermarkjourney.com/

  • Hop aboard Miss Anne, all decked out for the Holidays, for a Spa Creek “sleigh ride” on the Jolly Express with Captain Santa at the helm. Miss Anne will be adorned in reindeer spirit for an intimate cruise that includes hot cocoa, holiday music, and good cheer. Bring your own blankets!

Holiday Stroll & Cruise

  • Saturdays and Sundays, December 5-27

  • 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  • Tour departs alternately from slip #2 at City Dock and Market House Park

  • https://watermarkjourney.com/

  • Enjoy stories of holiday traditions mingled with classic colonial tales as you stroll the charming streets of Historic Downtown Annapolis with your period-attired guide. The experience also includes a 40-minute Spa Creek cruise aboard the festively decorated Miss Anne.

Captain Santa’s Cruise

  • Saturdays and Sundays, December 5-27

  • 4:00 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.

  • Tour departs from City Dock

  • https://watermarkjourney.com/

  • Your whole family will enjoy this cruise complete with cheery holiday music and Santa himself giving out candy canes.

First Sunday Arts Holiday Market

  • Sunday, December 6

  • 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • First block of West Street, downtown Annapolis

  • https://www.firstsundayarts.com/

  • Dine at outdoor cafes and enjoy live music as you browse among the creations of dozens of local and regional artisans in search of one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays. It’s a perfect time to explore art galleries and create your own artwork at West Street shops. If you prefer, you can patronize the artists via online shopping.

Jane Austen Tour

  • Wednesday, December 9

  • 2:00 p.m.

  • Hammond-Harwood House, 19 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis

  • Hammondharwoodhouse.org

  • Enjoy a tour of the decorated Hammond-Harwood House that compares the customs and social graces of the Loockerman family, who lived in the house in the early 19th century, with those of characters in Jane Austen novels. Reservations required.

Annual Kwanzaa Celebration

  • Friday, December 11

  • Noon to 4:00 p.m.

  • Banneker-Douglass Museum

  • https://bdmuseum.maryland.gov/

  • Celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa through musical performances, games, crafts, and more! The virtual program will include a spoken word performance; Zawadi (gift making) session; live music; and a discussion on the importance of community and intergenerational engagement. Includes a virtual lighting ceremony and a virtual buy black marketplace. #BDMKwanzaa

A Celebration of Christmas

  • Friday, December 11

  • 8:00 p.m.

  • Online and in person (location TBD)

  • https://liveartsmd.org/index.php/season

  • This concert is one of the longest running traditions in Annapolis, and Live Arts Maryland is committed to making it happen! Not all members of the Annapolis Chorale can be inside on one stage this year, so Live Arts Maryland will turn the City of Annapolis into its stage and live stream performances from all over town that individuals can enjoy at home. The hope is that limited seating also will be available at a venue to be announced.

Holiday Swing

  • Friday, December 11 – Saturday, December 26

  • Annapolis Shakespeare Company, 1804 West Street, Suite 200, Annapolis

  • http://www.annapolisshakespeare.org/index.html

  • Enjoy this new in-person musical review with the Unified Jazz Ensemble. A virtual performance will also be available.

Dining with the Loockermans

  • Saturday, December 12

  • 10:30 a.m.Hammond-Harwood House, 19 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis

  • Hammondharwoodhouse.org

  • Hammond-Harwood House curator Rachel Lovett and food historian Joyce White discuss the cooking and dining traditions of the house’s 19th century residents, both free and enslaved. Participants will receive a small box of historic treats to enrich the learning experience. Reservations required.

Nutcracker

  • Saturdays and Sundays, December 12-13 and 19-20

  • Ballet Theatre of Maryland

  • https://balletmaryland.org/

  • Enjoy in-person (location to be announced) and live streamed performances of this cherished holiday classic.

Menorah Car Parade and Public Lighting

  • Sunday, December 13

  • 5:30 p.m. Car Parade; 5:45 p.m.

  • Menorah LightingCity Dock, Annapolis – near Alex Haley Memorial

  • www.ChabadAAC.com

  • Join Chabad Anne Arundel County for a spin at the annual Menorah Car Parade. The parade leaves Safeway (2635 Housley Road, Annapolis). Parade participants are asked to arrive by 5:00 p.m. At approximately 5:45 p.m., event organizers will kindle a giant Menorah and celebrate the Festival of Lights at City Dock. Individually wrapped chocolate gelt (coins), prepackaged latkes, and Chanukah kits will be given out while supplies last. All are welcome!

Handel’s “Messiah” – reimagined

  • Thursday-Friday, December 17-18, 8:00 p.m.

  • Saturday, December 19, 3:00 p.m.

  • St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Church Circle, Annapolis

  • https://liveartsmd.org/index.php/season

  • To present one of the best loved and most often performed works (continuously performed since 1741) during COVID-19, Live Arts Maryland has reimagined it. The Annapolis Chorale will present the masterpiece via three small performances with very limited seating. A limited number of performers will sing, and the singers will rotate from performance to performance. Each concert will conclude with carols for the season.

Military Bowl

  • Monday, December 28

  • 2:30 p.m. ET

  • https://militarybowl.org/

  • The Military Bowl presented by Perspecta, benefitting the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore (USO-Metro), matches an Atlantic Coast Conference team against an American Athletic Conference team. Visit website for updates on whether it will be a virtual or hybrid event."


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This article originally appeared on the Annapolis Patch