The town of Berlin, MD is bustling with the kind of energy that is palpable. Shopkeepers give each other a hand with the last of the decorations—another set of twinkling lights here, an additional sprig of fresh magnolia garland there. Pleasantries are exchanged all around, the mailman stops periodically on his route to ask about children, holiday plans.

Cars slow up behind the horse drawn carriage, dressed for the season with twinkling lights and the addition of reindeer antlers. Santa himself has been known to hold the reins. The street lamps, reminiscent of a 19th century village are adorned with garland and lights.  The bakeries smell of gingerbread, pies and cupcakes in holiday flavors. The town Christmas tree sits in it's place of honor in the courtyard in front of the Atlantic Hotel at the center of town. The air is crisp, the mood exciteable.

Further down the road, residents have taken to their porches and windows with garland, wreaths and lighting; a Santa here or there and perhaps an elf or an old sleigh. It's time to up the ante – it's the first Thursday in December, distinguishable for decades as the date of the Berlin Christmas Parade.

Behind the scenes away from the obvious signs, in firehouses, school yards and gymnasiums, garages and backyards; in high school parking lots perfecting the march, in church basements and business back rooms, local elves have been fastidiously working on their masterpieces–the floats! School children practice holiday songs, dance and gymnastics troupes memorize routines they will perform in front of the crowd of thousands. It’s something, what’s about to occur, and everyone from the residents of Berlin, to the participants, to the spectators who come from afar are anticipating the tradition, now in its 42nd year.

There's no real discernable change this year, from year's past – not that any of the spectators would notice anyway. For the first time in nearly 30 years the Lions Club is no longer in charge of the event. Citing shortage of individuals to staff the large parade, the Lions Club has relinquished control back to the town of Berlin, who accepted with confidence that all will run smoothly. 

This year, just like all other's past, participating floats will line up past the fire hall, with paper plate numbers reflecting their order.  Registration is just $20, and participants go big. It’s not uncommon to see an eighteen-wheeler pulling a flatbed filled with children doing flips around a pseudo-winter village, or a church that has built a replica of the manger scene, complete with real people and live animals – a true holiday wonderland. And much like the magic of Christmas Eve itself, it happens only one night of the year.

For those who haven’t attended, the Berlin Christmas Parade is unique in that it is a nighttime parade, making the grandiose displays and lights truly stand out against the dark winter sky. It takes several hours to complete; time that goes by quickly, especially if you are lucky enough to know someone with a house on the parade route, or can get there early enough to grab a coveted spot at the Atlantic Hotel.  Attend this year, Thursday December 6th, and ring in the holiday season celebrating a tradition that is the epitome of coastal life—an outdoor event that embraces all ages, and passes on the meaning of time well spent with friends and family.

The details:

  • The 42nd Annual Berlin Christmas Parade
  • Thursday December 6th
  • Begins at 7:00 pm
  • Route: North Main Street at the Fire Hall, to South Main Street at Tripoli/Church Street
  • Parking: Municipal lots as accessed by Williams Street, or side streets