Calendar of Events - Family Friendly Events

All events were scheduled at the time of posting. Please confirm with event hosts before making plans.

Sarah's Family Friendly Event Picks

December

Through December 24

Christmas Village. Since its inception in 2013, Christmas Village has captured the hearts of Baltimore as a cherished holiday tradition. Inspired by Nuremberg's historic 16th-century Christkindlesmarkt, our market is renowned for its exceptional vendors offering high-quality gifts and food. It's the perfect setting for everyone to create lasting holiday memories amidst festive cheer. Named one of the best Christmas markets in the US by Timeout in 2023, the market features over 60 vendors in charming wooden booths. Illuminated by thousands of lights, including the stunning Glühwein Pyramid, a traditional German mulled wine tower, Christmas Village in Baltimore offers both indoor and outdoor holiday markets, a Carousel and Ferris Wheel, a heated tent, and a beer garden. Warm up with a mug of Glühwein and freshly grilled Bratwurst, or enjoy a stein of German beer from Hofbrau. FREE admission. 12PM-8PM Sunday through Thursday; 12PM-9PM Friday and Saturday; Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays except for December 23rd and 24th. West Shore Park, 401 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.baltimore-christmas.com/index.html

Through January 1

Charm City Lights. Take a ride with us on a breath-taking experience through Charm City Lights at Druid Hill Park. Journey through a world of wonder and enchantment while experiencing Baltimore's most captivating holiday lights display. Charm City Lights takes attendees on a one-mile, drive-thru adventure that features more than 250,000 holiday lights. This year, we have more walk/bike nights and a few other surprises! This dazzling winter spectacle is sure to illuminate your heart and put you in the holiday spirit. Ticket prices vary depending on night and event; see link for details. 5:30PM-9:30PM Nightly. Druid Hill Park, 900 Druid Park Lake Dr., Baltimore. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-charm-city-lights-tickets-1048834902427

Through January 5

Holiday Train Garden. t’s the most wonderful time of the year at The Shops at Kenilworth! Stop by the lower level from Friday, November 22-Sunday, January 5 during all mall hours to see the annual Train Garden display! FREE admission. 11AM-7PM Monday through Saturday, 12PM-5PM Sunday. The Shops at Kenilworth, 800 Kenilworth Dr., Towson. https://www.theshopsatkenilworth.com/events/holiday-train-garden-3/

Through January 20

Inner Harbor Ice Rink. Put on your skates and glide under the stars with waterfront views of Baltimore's neon-lit skyline at the Inner Harbor Ice Rink. $15; $12 Seniors & Military; $12 per person for groups of 12+; $48 Weekday Pass (good for 4 admissions Monday - Thursday); $100 Season Pass. 12PM-10PM Monday - Thursday; 12PM-11PM Fridays; 10AM-11PM Saturdays; 10AM-8PM Sundays; Holiday hours apply see link for details. Baltimore Inner Harbor, 201 E Pratt St., Baltimore. https://www.waterfrontpartnership.org/inner-harbor-ice-rink

11

Indoor Zumba. Join Malindi and Stephanie for a FREE indoor Zumba on Wednesday evenings. All ages and levels are welcome. If accompanied by children, parents must remain with children at all times. Walk-ins welcome. FREE. 6PM-7PM. Patterson Park Public Charter School, 27 N Lakewood Ave., Baltimore. https://pattersonpark.com/parkcalendar

12-15

Polar Express Train Ride. Climb aboard The Polar Express™ for a Christmas memory you’ll cherish forever! Dressed in your pajamas, kick off this two-hour immersive experience with a live performance of the Hot Chocolate song and dance, and receive the First Gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell, from Santa! Upon your arrival at the North Pole, his helpers will greet you and invite you to enjoy crafts, make s’mores, shop for themed goodies, and have your picture taken with Santa! More dates available in December. Ticket options and times vary; see link for pricing details. The B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W Pratt St., Baltimore. https://www.borail.org/events/polar-express-4/

13-15

Cirque Nutcracker. The most anticipated event of the holiday season returns! The sensational Troupe Vertigo will join the BSO to present a new and exciting rendition of Tchaikovsky’s beloved The Nutcracker, complete with jaw-dropping acrobatics and astonishing choreography. Limited seat availability. Ticket prices vary. 7:30PM Friday at the Strathmore, 3PM Saturday and Sunday at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda or Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore. https://my.bsomusic.org/overview/19149

14-15

Holly-Days - Wildly Jolly. Celebrate the magic of the season with Holly-Days at the Zoo! Join the zoo all weekend for a jolly good time filled with holiday crafts and so much more. Activities include a Kids' Craft Station to make Snowman Windsocks, Storytime with Jolly Frosty, visits and photo-ops with Santa, and so much more. Don’t miss out on the merry memories waiting to be made! FREE with zoo admission. 10AM-4PM each day. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/event_series/holly-days/wildly-jolly/

The United States Army Field Band: Sound the Bells. Kick off the holiday season with "Sound the Bells," a joyous concert presented by The United States Army Field Band. Hosted by Jason Newton from Baltimore's WBAL-TV, and featuring Baltimore’s own Singing Sensations Youth Choir, this event promises to be the ultimate celebration of holiday cheer for families and friends alike. From timeless classics to contemporary holiday hits, the Army’s Musical Ambassadors are thrilled to bring the magic of the season to the Baltimore Community. Don't miss this festive extravaganza that's sure to warm your heart and leave you with a lasting glow of holiday joy. FREE. Doors at 1PM, concert at 2PM. The Lyric Baltimore, 140 W Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore. https://www.lyricbaltimore.com/events/detail/theusarmyfieldband-1

Shake Out Your Sillies. Shake out your sillies with song, nursery rhymes, puppet shows, instruments, and, of course, a dance party! Each class begins with a breathing exercise before transitioning into music and movement activities. Taught by Eliza Adams, a Maryland preschool teacher and musician, this class is designed for children 5 and under. Caretakers are welcome to join or watch! $15; $12 Members; $5 Additional Child; $55 5-Class Flex Pass. 9:30AM. Creative Alliance Creativity Center, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/shake-out-your-sillies-fall-2024/2024-12-14/

Kerplunk! Free Family Art Drop-In. Kerplunk! is great for younger kids and families! Join us in the Creativity Center every Saturday to create fun seasonal crafts and art projects based on current exhibitions! FREE. 12PM. Creative Alliance Creativity Center, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/kerplunk-free-family-art-drop-in-2024-2/2024-12-14/

Station North Holiday Market. The festive outdoor/indoor market with Baltimore-based artists, makers, local food and drink, pop-ups, and live performances takes place for one day only. FREE admission. 12:30PM-5:30PM. Historic North Avenue Market, W North Ave. between Maryland and Charles Sts., Baltimore. https://www.stationnorth.org/news/2024/12/14/station-north-holiday-market

18-22

20-21

Baltimore's Holiday Spectacular. The esteemed Pops conductor Stuart Chafetz returns to the BSO to conduct the annual Holiday Spectacular. A perfect wintertime outing, this performance will feature special guest artists, audience sing-a-longs, and the ever-popular tap dancing Santas. Make this concert a part of your holiday family traditions! Ticket prices vary. Three shows: 7:30PM Saturday, 1:30PM Sunday & 7:30PM Sunday. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore. https://my.bsomusic.org/overview/19150

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage. A Charlie Brown Christmas, the Emmy and Peabody award-winning story by Charles M. Schulz, has warmed the hearts of millions of fans since it first aired on television over fifty-five years ago. Now the classic animated television special comes to life in this faithful stage adaptation that celebrates the timeless television classic so the whole family can join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the Peanuts characters in their journey to uncover the true meaning of Christmas. After the final bow, the show crescendos into a celebration of song as the audience is invited to join the Peanuts gang in singing traditional There’s no better way for both among children and adults to discover the magic of the season! Ticket prices vary. Two shows: 4:30PM & 8PM (doors open one hour prior). The Lyric Baltimore, 140 W Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore. https://www.lyricbaltimore.com/events/detail/charlie-brown-christmas-1

21-22

Holly-Days - Frozen Wild. Celebrate the magic of the season with Holly-Days at the Zoo! Join the zoo for an appearance from a princess who will host a special storytime and be available for photos. Activities include a Kids' Craft Station to make Build the Snowman, Storytime with a princess, visits and photo-ops with Santa, and so much more. Don’t miss out on the merry memories waiting to be made! FREE with zoo admission. 10AM-4PM each day. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/event_series/holly-days/frozen-wild/

21-January 1

Snowy Days at the Science Center. No matter what the weather will bring, the Science Center will show you a snowy-good time! When school is out—science is in! Celebrate the wonders of winter this December with a flurry of science exploration. They’ll have all kinds of arctic activities going on every day from Saturday, December 21 though Wednesday, January 1. All activities are free with paid admission and completely free to members unless otherwise noted. FREE with admission. 10AM-4PM Saturdays. The Maryland Science Center, 60 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.mdsci.org/event/snow-days/2024-12-21

23-24

Holly-Days - Santa's Friends. Celebrate the magic of the season with Holly-Days at the Zoo! Join the zoo for an appearance from Mrs. Claus and other holiday characters who will host a special storytime and be available for photos. Activities include a Kids' Craft Station to make Christmas Stockings, Storytime with Mrs. Claus, photo ops with holiday characters in a sleigh, and so much more. Don’t miss out on the merry memories waiting to be made! FREE with zoo admission. 10AM-4PM each day. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/event_series/holly-days/santa-friends/

Menorah Lighting. Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, celebrates the rededication of the second Jewish temple in Jerusalem. This 8-day celebration begins this year at sunset on Wednesday, December 25th. Gather and celebrate as a community as the 12-foot menorah is lit on the second night – Thursday, December 26th. Celebrations will include donuts, latkes, ice skating and more! FREE. 5:30PM. The Avenue at White Marsh, 8125 Honeygo Blvd., White Marsh. https://theavenueatwhitemarsh.com/2024/09/05/4th-annual-menorah-lighting/

31

Midnight Noon. Count down to New Year at noon! Everyone’s favorite ball drop before bedtime is back again. Make memories and party, Science Center style, at MSC’S 17th annual Midnight Noon celebration! Enjoy loads of festive activities and games, explore all three floors of hands-on science exhibits, dance and sing along with the Rainbow Rock Band, and help ring in the New Year with a noontime ball drop! All activities are free with paid admission or membership. FREE with admission. 10AM-2PM. The Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.mdsci.org/event/midnight-noon/

Sarah's Family Friendly Event Picks

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December