Unique Holiday Happenings For Families
By Christian Kendzierski
From the bizarre to the traditional, you can find all kinds of wonderful ways to celebrate the holidays in Baltimore.
Winterfest of Lights
Northside Park
125th Street & Bay
Ocean City, Md. 21842
(800) 626-2326
Nov. 17, 2011 – Jan. 1, 2010
Hours:
Sunday - Thursday 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 5:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m.
Admission: 12 and up - $5.00, 11 and younger – Free
http://oceancitymd.gov/Recreation_and_Parks/specialevents.html
What is normally one of Maryland's biggest playgrounds during the summer, Ocean City sure knows how to entertain families in the coldest winter months. Winterfest of Lights takes just over a month to create, but it's well worth the wait. You won't find any other places near Baltimore where the Christmas lights' theme is all about the ocean. See sailboats, sharks and Santa Claus surfing. Yep, you'll even see good 'ol Saint Nick jumping a marlin and playing softball as you drive or hop the holiday train through this wonderland. The main attractions are in Northside Park but make sure you head south to the Inlet for even more lights!
"Christmas Street" in Hampden
700 West 34th St
Baltimore, Md. 21264
Saturday following Thanksgiving through January
Hours: Sunset to 11 p.m.
Admission: Free
The love of the Christmas holiday and the joy it brings people is the reason residents of Hampden, an eclectic neighborhood in Baltimore, joined forces to create one of the area's most unique holiday attractions. Each house on this city block lights up the neighborhood with traditional and off the wall decorations.
CBS Baltimore insider's Must-see: the Christmas tree made of hubcaps and the snowman created out of bike tires. Remember it's a residential area so parking can be tricky.
Holiday Festival of Trains & Toys
B & O Railroad Museum
901 West Pratt Street
Baltimore, Md. 21223
(410) 752-2490
Dec. 1 – 31, 2011
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday - 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
*Closed Dec. 24 & 25
Admission:
B&O Members - FREE
Adults - $14
Seniors (60+) - $12
Children (2-12) - $8
http://www.borail.org/December.aspx
If you're looking for holiday trains, get on track and head to the B & O Museum. It boasts Maryland's largest holiday toy and model train gardens. Weekends through Dec. 18, Santa will be around on his caboose for kids of all ages, to listen to their wish lists and spread holiday cheer. Also look for Frosty the Snowman, rides on the indoor Train Carousel, Santa's Workshop and Choo Choo Blue Kids Zone.
Chanukah, Christmas Day and Chinese Food Family Fun Day
Jewish Museum of Maryland
15 Lloyd Street
Baltimore, Md. 21202
(410) 732-6400
Dec. 25, 2011 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
http://www.jhsm.org/event/chanukah-christmas-day-and-chinese-food
The Jewish Museum of Maryland welcomes everyone to this special event that combines Chinese culture and Chanukah. Families will have fun playing Chinese games, making Chinese lanterns and enjoying treats.
Kwanzaa Family Fun Day
Reginald F. Lewis Museum
830 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, Md. 21202
(443) 263-1800
Dec. 28 – Dec. 30 2011
Hours: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Admission without membership:
General Admission: $8.00
Senior Citizen (65+): $6.00
Youth (age 7 to 17): $6.00
With Membership: FREE
Bring the whole family to Baltimore's Reginald F. Lewis Museum, where for three days kids can create fashionable African headwear, including Kufi hats and Gele head wraps. Learn how to carve and create Wood Unity cups your family can use in your own Kwanzaa celebrations and take an African dance and drumming class!
Christian Kendzierski spends most of his time as a media specialist at Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland. He also works as a freelance writer and lives in Baltimore. See what's going in Christian's world by following him on Twitter @ck1media.
