If you’re not too busy shopping for holiday gifts or hosting a stellar party, be sure to make it to one or a few of these many events on the shore this weekend. Old Saint Nick will be flying over the coast next weekend and the holidays will be over before you know it. Socially speaking, everyone is in the Christmas spirit…
Ocean City, MD
Santa Con – Santa Con will invade downtown Ocean City, MD on Saturday, December 17th. From 3 pm, through the evening, and until 2 am, a massive sea of red will travel from boardwalk to bar, bar to bar, bar to boardwalk jingling all the way. The Santa’s are part of a non-denominational, non-commercial, non-political, and non-sensical Santa Claus convention that occurs once a year for absolutely no reason. Santas are to meet at the dead shark at the inlet at 3 pm. The Santa Con clan will walk from the inlet north to Wicomico Street. Each stop on the bar crawl should take an hour or less. The Santa Con crew hopes to visit roughly 7 bars on their 9 hour journey and carol while walking from bar to bar.
Art Show at Six Eleven Salon & Gallery – Six Eleven Salon & Gallery will be celebrating the holiday season on Saturday, December 17th by throwing a festive party. An art show will take place in the gallery portion of the establishment from 8 – 11 pm and is open to the public. Local mixed-media artist, Nate Britko, who just happens to be one of the talented chefs from The Shark on the Harbor, will be center stage. Britko is fond of found objects and mixing miscellaneous items, like string, cellophane, and fabric, into his paintings.
Winterfest of Lights –Hop aboard the Winterfest Express train and cruise through Northside Park (127th Street, Bayside) to check out the colorful animated holiday displays made of glistening lights. Join the Winterfest helpers while they sing and enjoy Christmas carols and drink hot cocoa. A refreshment stand offers steamy hot chocolate–perfect for warming up after the chilly November train ride. Santa will be stationed in his workshop so children can drop off their Christmas lists early and parents can prepare for photos will the jolly old soul. The Winterfest of Lights tour costs $5 per person and children under the age of 11 are free.
Berlin, MD
Santa Visits Berlin – The world-famous man with a long white beard, a deep laugh, and a jolly sense of humor will be visiting the little town of Berlin on Sunday, December 18th. Bring your own camera and pose with Santa Claus from 12 – 2 pm for a seasonal photograph. Santa’s house is located in the courtyard behind the Atlantic Hotel and next to The Globe Theater. Visits with Santa are free.
Horse & Carriage Rides – Do you hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting-tingling? It’s lovely weather for a carriage ride through historic Berlin. Enjoy a scenic horse and carriage ride this Saturday from 11 am – 4 pm or on Sunday from 12 – 4 pm. The old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage will pick riders up in front of the Atlantic Hotel (2 N. Main Street) and travel around town for a few minutes before returning to the hotel. Horse and carriage rides are free and weather permitting.
Atlantic Hotel Tours –The Atlantic Hotel (2 N. Main Street) was built in 1895 and is beautifully decorated with Victorian finishes. There are approximately 17 guest rooms at the hotel. Tours are free and based on hotel occupancy.
Arts 4 Clean Bays – Arts 4 Clean Bays is a fundraiser sponsored by the Maryland Coastal Bays Program to provide a venue for artists and crafters to display and sell their work throughout the month of December, just in time for holiday shopping. 30% of proceeds will go toward the Coastal Bays Program’s efforts to protect the estuaries and habitats of our bays. Pieces will be for sale through December 31st at the Berlin Chamber’s Art Studio (103 S. Main Street). The event will feature a variety of locally-created art.
Pocomoke City, MD
Walk Through Bethlehem – The Lynnhaven Baptist Church hosts an event that showcases the true meaning of Christmas this weekend. A recreation of holiday history is displayed during the church’s Walk Through Bethlehem tour. A tour guide will take guests around the 13,000 square foot estate during the 2-hour extravaganza. The tour features realistic re-enactments of momentous historic events and scenes from a bread shop, basket shop, carpentry shop, blacksmith studio, clothing store, and the nativity. Admission is free. Call 410-957-2858 to confirm tour times.
