After all of the holiday hustle and bustle, this weekend seems a little more reserved. Socially speaking, there are still plenty of fun and exciting things going on in our coastal communities. From Christmas lights to visits with Santa or several kinds of tours, you’ll be giddy for the holidays in no time. Some spirited suggestions for social activities this weekend:
Ocean City, MD
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 Saturday and Sunday, December 3rd and 4th. 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. Santa will also be home on December 18th.
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.
Taylor House Tours – Take an enriching tour through one of Berlin’s most famous homes on Saturday this weekend. The Taylor House Museum (208 N. Main Street), a restored early 19th century house, will be open for free tours from 1 – 4 pm. The house, built in 1832 by Isaac Covington, will be decked out for the holidays with traditional Eastern Shore style. The main block of the house is considered an educational museum while the west wing has become a gallery of local memorabilia.
Atlantic Hotel Tours – After touring the historic Taylor House and its museum walk down the street to the Atlantic Hotel (2 N. Main Street). The Atlantic Hotel 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. A working blacksmith will be demonstrating practices in the front yard to the hotel from 11 am – 3 pm on Saturday.
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 artwork and includes acrylic paintings, prints, jewelry, wearable fiber art, fresh greenery, dog treats, and stocking stuffers.
Little Local Things – Little Local Things is a local shopping incentive. Upstairs at the Globe guests will find jewelry, handbags, hostess gifts, wine bags, accessories, and unique handcrafted Christmas gifts on display and for sale. Lots of exciting items will be upstairs in the gallery until the end of December. December 14th is Men’s Shopping Night at the exhibit. From 5 – 9 pm, men in need of Christmas gifts for the women in their lives can drink beer, eat pizza, and shop. Be sure to register to win a spring preview party while checking out the temporary store. Featured products are handmade and from local business, Kiki Burleigh and A Mermaids Purse Jewelry.
Snow Hill, MD
Get Bluegrass – The Lower Shore Land Trust will be hosting a night of live bluegrass music, locally grown and produced food, local beer, and dancing on Saturday, December 10th. The event is a way to raise money for the non-profit organization based out of Berlin, MD. Tickets are $20 per person, which gets you in the door and covers your first drink, and can be purchased at the door or online at the Land Trust’s website. The Old Snow Hill Firehall (West Green Street) will open their doors to attendees at 6 pm on Saturday. The Saltwater Stringband takes the stage at 7 pm followed by Chester River Runoff at 8 pm. The Lower Eastern Shore Land Trust was founded in 1990 as a way to protect land on the shore. The founding members found it vital that the Eastern Shore’s land, heritage, rural characteristics, and sprawling landscapes be protected.
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.
Trail Day – The Eastern Shore chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling Association will be holding an event at the Pocomoke YMCA to encourage folks to get outside. The association wants locals to bike, hike, walk, run, and explore our local trails. If planning to attend Trail Day, meet at the YMCA (1900 Worcester Highway) at 12 noon and hang out until 2 pm. If you'd like to bike the trails behind the YMCA, bring a $5 donation to the association. The event is sponsored by Burley Oak Brewery, Bethany Bike Shop, Superfun Ecotours, Peppers Tavern, Continental Cycles, and many more. A trail map will be distributed.
Milton, DE
Holiday House Tour – The Milton Century Club is sponsoring the tour of eight homes and two historic buildings on the Holiday House Tour. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Salon Milton or at Milton and Lewes Printing in Lewes, DE for $12 each or on the day of the tour at the Milton Fire Hall for $15 per person. The house tour begins at 3:30 and continues until 7:30 pm on Saturday, December 11th. Milton, DE is a Victorian village filled with lovingly restored historic homes.
