What is there to do in Annapolis? Check out these Seasonal Events in Annapolis.

It wasn’t that long ago that I cruised into the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland. We used to take our boat into the Inner Harbor. We would take advantage of the wonderful history, museums, and food. I would rush off the boat face flushed from the sun and hair twirled by the wind. I would be ravenous and my only thought would be I need a great meal and then yippee we would go visit the sea creatures at the aquarium.  I love Maryland and all it has to offer. I am glad I can share those type of lifelong memories with my children. What I didn’t know are all the events they have in the nearby Annapolis, Maryland for the holiday season. I always thought it was a destination for the warm weather but boy was I surprised.

 It is perfect place to have a stay vacation if you live close and a short drive for those of us in Virginia.  It is a place that will help you create new memories whether it is for you and your friends or you and your family. It the place to create another reason for the season. The best part of the holiday is exploring, learning, and experiencing new events.

Seasonal events in Annapolis, Maryland

Lights on the Bay

Tuesday, November 22 – Sunday, January 1  

5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. nightly, weather permitting

$15, car; $50, bus; mini-bus $30

Sandy Point State Park, 1100 East College Parkway, Annapolis

www.lightsonthebay.org

Don’t miss this spectacular drive-through holiday lights show beside the Chesapeake Bay. The event features more than 60 animated and stationary displays, including traditional Maryland-themed favorites, holiday and children’s displays. Proceeds benefit Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Midnight Madness Holiday Shopping I

Thursday, December 1

6:00 p.m. to midnight

Downtown Annapolis

Admission: Free

http://www.downtownannapolispartnership.org/

Lights, garland, action! Historic Annapolis shops throw open their doors in a glorified block party that’s open to all. Enjoy outside musical performances as well as food and refreshments at many stores as you stroll along Main Street, Maryland Avenue, Inner West Street, and State Circle in search of that perfect gift. To enhance the experience, the first block of Main Street will be closed traffic for the first time this year. Sponsored by the Downtown Annapolis Partnership.

First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare

Thursday-Sunday, December 1-4

St. John’s College, Elizabeth Myers Mitchell Gallery, 60 College Avenue, Annapolis

Admission: Free

www.sjc.edu 

410-626-2556

The First Folio is the first complete collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, published in 1623 seven years after his death. Compiled by two of Shakespeare’s fellow actors, it preserves 36 of Shakespeare’s plays. Without it, we would not have 18 of those plays, including “Macbeth,” “Julius Caesar,” “Twelfth Night,” “The Tempest,” and “Antony and Cleopatra.”

 Thanks to the First Folio, generations have experienced Shakespeare’s lasting influence on language, culture, theater, music, education, and more. There are 233 known copies in the world today. Eighty-two of the copies are held by the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Holiday Candlelight Stroll

Fridays and Saturdays, December 2-3, 9, 16-17  

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Tours depart from the Information Booth at City Dock, Annapolis

Admission: $21, adults; $12, children ages 3-11; children 2 and under, free

www.watermarkjourney.com   

410-268-7601

Learn about the origin of holiday traditions – including the significance of evergreens, Yule logs, Christmas trees and Santa Claus as you stroll through Annapolis with a festively attired guide. Includes a tour of the Hammond-Harwood House. 

Jolly Express Cruise

Weekends in December, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve

6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m.

Admission: $23, adults; $13, children under 12

www.cruisesonthebay.com  

410-268-7600

Enjoy a 45-minute, holiday-inspired, “sleigh ride” cruise aboard the reindeer-bedecked Miss Anne. Cruise includes holiday music, hot cocoa, and Captain Santa at the helm.

2nd Annual Chocolate Binge Festival

Sunday, December 4

Noon to 5 p.m.

First blocks of West Street in downtown Annapolis

Admission: $5.00 suggested cash donation

443-452-7321

www.annapolischocolatefestival.com

Are you a chocoholic in need of a fix? You won’t want to miss the 2nd Annual Chocolate Binge Festival. A dozen local chocolate vendors will be selling chocolate specialties, including chocolate caramels, cakes, chocolate bars, truffles, fudge, cookies, candies, hot chocolate, fondue, martinis and more. The afternoon also includes family-friendly entertainment, holiday shopping and the lighting of the newly expanded West Street Holiday Light Canopy. Enjoy live music, a marshmallow roast, a gingerbread house moon bounce, giant snowball run, hot chocolate with members of the Annapolis Police Department and a visit with Santa. He’ll be collecting toys and clothing for the We Care and Friends Holiday Party for kids in need. Presented by the Annapolis Arts District and Inner West Street Association.

Children’s Holiday Tree Trimming Party

Sunday, December 4

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Captain Avery Museum, 1418 East West Shady Side Road, Shady Side

Admission: Free

www.captainaverymuseum.org  

410-867-4486

Deck the Halls! Welcome the season with holiday goodies, hot cider, hot chocolate, holiday crafts and fun. Santa will be making a special visit from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. There will also be a special reading of “The Night Before Christmas.”

Midnight Madness Holiday Shopping II

Thursday, December 8

6:00 p.m. to midnight

Downtown Annapolis

Admission: Free

http://www.downtownannapolispartnership.org/

Lights, garland, action! Historic Annapolis shops throw open their doors in a glorified block party that’s open to all. Enjoy outside musical performances as well as food and refreshments at many stores as you stroll along Main Street, Maryland Avenue, Inner West Street, and State Circle in search of that perfect gift. To enhance the experience, the first block of Main Street will be closed traffic for the first time this year. Sponsored by the Downtown Annapolis Partnership.

34th Annual Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade

Saturday, December 10

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Annapolis Harbor and Spa Creek 

Admission: Free

www.eastportyc.org or facebook.com/EastportYachtClubLightsParade

Brightly decorated boats parade around the Annapolis waterfront in one of the City’s signature events. Thousands of lights and a host of jolly revelers make this a fun holiday event for the entire family. Prime viewing areas include: Eastport, Spa Creek, City Dock and Naval Academy sea wall. Sponsored by the Eastport Yacht Club.

11th Hour Holiday Shopping

Thursday, December 15

6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Downtown Annapolis

Admission: Free

Stores along Main Street, Maryland Avenue, inner West Street and State Circle say open late to help last-minute shoppers check the final names off their holiday shopping list. Enjoy musical performances as well as food and refreshments at many stores. Enjoy the uniqueness that makes downtown Annapolis so appealing at this magical time of year. Sponsored by the Annapolis Partnership.

2016 Military Bowl

Tuesday, December 27

Time: 3:30 p.m.

U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, 550 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis

Admission: Check website

Tickets: 888-841-2787

http://www.militarybowl.org/

The Military Bowl® presented by Northrop Grumman, benefiting the USO, will match a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) against an opponent from the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Back by popular demand,

City of Annapolis New Year’s Eve Celebration

Saturday, December 31

3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for kids; 8:00 p.m. to midnight for adults

Ball Fields behind Maryland Hall, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis

Susan Campbell Park, City Dock, Annapolis

Admission: Free

410-263-7997

www.annapolis.gov

Family activities fill the day and music and dancing fills the night at this annual celebration welcoming the New Year. For the first time, kid’s activities will take place on the ball fields behind Maryland Hall and Bates Middle School. Participants are invited to park at Park Place garage and take City of Annapolis-provided shuttles to and from the new location. Activities will include face painting, an obstacle course, moon bounce and music performed by kids’ rock bands. The first round of festivities wraps up with on-site fireworks at 5:30 p.m. Then it’s off to area restaurants for dinner with the kids. The second round of festivities includes live music and dancing at Susan Campbell Park at City Dock beginning at 8:00 p.m. and ending with midnight fireworks.

It looks like there are a great number of things to enjoy in Annapolis, Maryland. What seasonal events in Annapolis do you look most forward to attending? I would love to see your photographs once you attend. You can email them to me at vacationmaybepr@gmail.com.