December 17, 2020
There is no doubt that the holiday season looks very different this year, but this doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate. As residents of Monarch, you have access to safe and fun ways to celebrate this holiday season, both in-person and virtually. From the National Harbor, Baltimore, and Annapolis to in-person and virtual visits with Santa, and even Christmas Markets; the area surrounding your home is filled with ways to enjoy the festivities!
Places to Visit
Hampden
Check out the Miracle on 34th Street in Hampden to get into the holiday spirit! Open now, 34th Street offers food on a carryout basis with a sweet street full of lights. Join in on this 73-year old holiday tradition by heading to 34th Street in Baltimore today!
Maryland Zoo
Drive or walk through the Maryland Zoo, all decorated with lights for the season! The Zoo lights are available for viewing everyday from 5-8pm until January 3rd. Drive-thru on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5-7pm or Fridays and Sundays from 5-8pm for $45. Walk-thru on Saturdays from 4:30-7:30pm for $20. Masks are required at all times. With limited availability, buy your tickets to see these animal-themed lights soon!
Harbor East
Watch the fifth floor terrace of the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore transform into a Winter Village on the weekends! Winter Village includes a skating rink, fire pits, holiday music, food, and beverages for the full holiday experience. They’re open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 2-7pm util January 17th for a $30 individual reservation. Bring your family and friends to this festive backdrop!
National Harbor
Baltimore’s National Harbor is a beautiful sight at any time of the year, but especially during the holidays. Watch their nightly holiday tree light show from 5:30pm to 9:00pm, every night until January 3rd. The show plays every half hour and on weekends there’s even light snowfall on the tree! Make your holidays magical this year with a visit to the National Harbor!
Holiday Stroll
Enjoy the holiday candlelight stroll through Annapolis on Fridays and Saturdays in December from 7-8:30pm. Tickets are $23 for adults and $13 for children. Start at 25 Market Space, Annapolis, MD 21401 and make your way around Maryland’s historical capital.
Symphony of Lights
Do not miss out on the opportunity to drive through the Symphony of Lights in nearby Columbia. As a time-honored tradition set in historic Merriweather Post Pavilion, 300,000 lights are set up for a display of animation and holiday spirit. They are open Monday thru Friday from 6-10pm and Saturday and Sunday from 5-10pm until January 2nd for $20. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Howard County General Hospital, so support our front-line workers by viewing these lights. Enjoy their New Year’s Eve celebration lights as well. Head over to Merriweather Post Pavilion at 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD 21044 today!
Sandy Point State Park
Join the SPCA of Anne Arundel Country for their Lights on the Bay this holiday season! Lights on the Bay is on its 26th year of holiday light shows featuring a two-mile drive along the Chesapeake Bay with animations and displays along the way. They’re open everyday from 5-10pm until January 2nd for $20 per car and an extra $5 for 3D glasses. Support the local SPCA, while enjoying their magical lights!
Virtual Events
A Virtual East Baltimore Christmas
If you’ve ever wanted to experience Polish Christmas Caroling, attend their virtual event this year! Watch their Facebook Live on December 23rd from 7pm-8:30pm hosted by the Polish Home Club. This is their first time being virtual after 50 years of celebration, so show up online to show your support!
Virtual Visit with Santa
Don’t think it’s safe to see Santa in-person this year? Then meet him virtually through the virtual visits with Santa event at the Gallery at Harborplace. Now through January 4th, You can invite up to 4 guests to this experience, which includes a live virtual visit with Santa with a potential addition of Mrs. Claus and a storytime session. If you don’t have time this busy holiday season to set up a virtual visit, have Santa pre-record a personalized video today!
In-Person
Merry Main Marketplace
Outdoor Christmas Markets may be the most festive part of the holiday season. Maryland’s Merry Main Marketplace will remind you of a European Christmas market with local artisans, small businesses, fire pits, and holiday-themed food & drinks. The Marketplace is open every Saturday and Sunday from 11am-5pm until December 20th, at 3731 Hamilton St. in Ellicott City. Don’t miss out on the chance to gift your loved ones and support small businesses.
Breakfast with Santa
You can see Santa in-person this year at the B&O Railroad Museum! Have Breakfast with Santa on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:15-10am until December 20th. You will be surrounded by a 35-foot Christmas tree, model trains, winter village, with the opportunity to ride the Reindeer Railway train. Tickets range from $26-$40. Get your in-person socially distant photo with Santa this year and enjoy some festive food while you’re at it!
Holiday Paddle Party
Paddleboard into the holiday season with Tiki Lee Dock Bar’s Holiday Paddle Party! On December 20th at 12pm, join others with your mask, festive clothing, and paddle board (or buy one!) for a fun-filled experience. For $10 attend the event and rent a paddle board for another $40. Go support this waterfront restaurant and make friends this time of year!
Happy Holidays
Monarch residents, this holiday season, don’t let the chaos of the year keep you from safely enjoying all the festivities around you! Either from the comfort of your home, your car, or even in-person, yearly holiday traditions are still happening for kids and adults alike. From the Monarch family to yours, we wish you a very happy holiday season.
