Mesmerizing Holiday Light Displays
Baltimore knows how to deck the halls during the holiday season! All around the city you’ll find amazing light displays, elaborate decorations, and Christmas trees aglow. Here are some of the best places to see the holiday lights:
Miracle on 34th Street in Hampden
Did you know that Baltimore has its own “Miracle on 34th Street”? For over 70 years, the residents along 34th Street in Hampden have been going all out with over-the-top holiday light displays on their rowhomes. The displays are so bright they get national attention from outlets like NBC News and Business Insider year after year! The spectacle pops up starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving and stays on display until New Year’s Eve. The lights are so abundant you’ll want to stroll down 34th Street to take it all in. Just watch out for traffic and street parking during peak times. While you’re there, try to spot neighborhood favorites like the hubcap tree and the bicycle wheel snowman!
Washington Monument in Mount Vernon
The first monument dedicated to George Washington lights up for the holidays each year with thousands of colorful bulbs. The 178-foot tall monument makes for a gorgeous background for holiday photos. Stroll through Mount Vernon Place in early December to see the lighting spectacle.
ZooLights at The Maryland Zoo
The Maryland Zoo puts on a dazzling display each holiday season with ZooLights, where over 50 animated light displays illuminate the zoo’s paths. You’ll see colorful trees, snowflakes, penguins, monkeys, and more. ZooLights runs select nights in November and December. Timed tickets are required.
Lights on the Bay
At Sandy Point State Park, you can take a drive along the shoreline to see over 60 larger-than-life illuminated displays at Lights on the Bay. Scenes include a giant crab feast, a lighthouse, and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The 2-mile drive-thru show runs nightly from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s Day.
Christmas Village in Baltimore
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor transforms into a magical Christmas Village from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve each year. Alongside the traditional Germany-inspired wooden huts, you’ll find thousands of lights, a 50-foot illuminated Christmas tree floating in the harbor, and 20 feet tall illuminated stars.
Symphony of Lights
Hop in a mini bus and take a drive through the Symphony of Lights at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia. It’s one of the largest drive-through holiday light displays in the country, with over 100 animated and stationary displays lighting up the roadway and synchronized to music on your radio.
Festive Holiday Events You Can’t Miss
From Christmas markets to train shows, Baltimore has no shortage of festive holiday happenings. Here are some of the best:
The Nutcracker Ballet
No holiday season is complete without seeing the classic Nutcracker ballet. For over 50 years, the Moscow Ballet has put on its critically acclaimed Great Russian Nutcracker at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre with world-class dancers, hand-crafted costumes and sets, and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music.
BSO Holiday Concerts
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra celebrates the season with beloved holiday classics led by conductor Edward Polochick. Enjoy sing-alongs to Christmas carols, seasonal pop songs, and performances of The Nutcracker at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.
Polar Express Train Ride
All aboard the Polar Express! The B&O Railroad Museum offers immersive reenactments of the classic children’s book, The Polar Express. Families can wear their pajamas and enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, caroling, readings of the book, and a visit from Santa during the hour-long ride.
Kunta Kinte Festival of Lights
This annual festival celebrates Kwanzaa and African culture with live music, dance, African drumming, crafts, food, and a magnificent lighting ceremony. The festival takes place at the Kunta Kinte Memorial Park on the Chesapeake Bay.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Baltimore rings in the new year with two great fireworks shows on December 31st – one over the Inner Harbor at midnight, and a family-friendly display launched from barges in the harbor at 9pm, just before bedtime for the little ones.
Classic Baltimore Holiday Traditions
Along with the festive events happening around town, Baltimore has some long-standing holiday traditions to partake in:
Christmas Eve Liturgy at the Basilica
The striking Basilica of the Assumption has held midnight Christmas Eve mass for over 200 years. Hear the choir’s spine-tingling rendition of “O Holy Night” under the basilica’s soaring dome.
New Year’s Eve Countdown at the Inner Harbor
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor hosts one of the biggest NYE parties on the East Coast. Catch the countdown to midnight with live music, fireworks over the water, and a midnight kiss when the ball drops.
Shop the Evergreen Holiday Bazaar
This European-style indoor Christmas market in Fells Point has been a Baltimore tradition for over 40 years. Shop unique gifts and ornaments from local artisans while enjoying live music at this charming event.
Booking Group Transportation
To keep your group or party together while exploring everything this charming city has to offer, contact Charter Bus Company Baltimore at (410) 844-4136 for a quote on bus rentals. We can provide holiday shuttles and transportation to events, light displays, and more all at a great price!