Chesapeake Bay Holidays

Towns around the Chesapeake Bay have holiday celebrations underway, but what’s really cool about the Bay — as opposed to large, big city displays — are all the water-related and Colonial events.

If you want traditional or small-town holiday events, you’ll find them near the Chesapeake Bay and they welcome visitors; you become part of the fun. And, in Maryland, it’s oyster season! 

Here are some of the highlights: 

Candlelight Colonial Tours:

• Annapolis Candlelight Stroll – Fridays & Saturdays (except Dec. 13) 7p-8:30p
• Here’s a list of Virginia’s historic home tours

Holiday Light Displays:

• Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park – Annapolis (Now – Jan. 1)
• Miracle on 34th Street – Baltimore (Nov. 29 – Jan. 1)
• Garden in Lights – Solomons (Dec. 5 – Jan. 5)
• Chesapeake City Winterfest – Chesapeake City (Dec. 1 – Jan. 3)
• Winterfest of Lights – Ocean City (Now – Jan. 4)
• Here’s a list of Christmas light displays in Virginia

Christmas Tree Farms:

• Maryland – Here’s the list by county
• Virginia – The state tourism bureau has listed them by region.

Holiday Trains:

The Maryland state visitors office has put together a list of holiday train experiences. Most are in the Baltimore area. You can find them here.

Holiday Arts & Crafts Shows

If you want to buy Holiday products from local artisans and craftsmen, check out this list of Maryland products. Here’s the Virginia list.