Enjoy the best of the season in Hanover with our comprehensive guide. From Hanover regulars to holiday explorers, our guide brings the festive season to life.
Popular events like the Winterfest of Lights transform local parks into dazzling displays of outdoor holiday magic, showcasing sparkling lights and festive cheer. Enjoy the vibrant holiday spirit along the waterfront, where Lights On the Bay features stunning light displays reflecting over the water. And the Miracle on 34th Street is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its classic holiday charm and beautiful decorations. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Hanover
- Winterfest of Lights (Ocean City)
- Lights On the Bay (Annapolis)
- Miracle on 34th Street (Baltimore)
- Winter City Lights (Baltimore)
- Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens (Wheaton)
- Festival of Lights (Upper Marlboro)
- Christmas in Hanover
- Annapolis Tree Lighting (Annapolis)
- Midnight Madness (Annapolis)
- Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade (Annapolis)
See these and even more events listed below!
Hanover Holiday Light Displays
Winterfest of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and photo opportunities.
Description:
Stroll through thousands of sparkling holiday lights and animated displays at Northside Park in Ocean City, MD. Enjoy hot chocolate, visit Santa, and explore interactive photo opportunities.
Where: Ocean City | More Info: Winterfest of Lights
Miracle on 34th Street
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday light display with local artwork and festive decorations.
Description:
The Miracle on 34th Street is a 76-year-old holiday light display in Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood, featuring colorful decorations, Christmas trees, trains, and animated figures.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: Miracle on 34th Street
Lights On the Bay
What to Expect:
Scenic drive with 70+ animated and stationary light displays.
Description:
Drive through a two-mile scenic route along the Chesapeake Bay at Sandy Point State Park, featuring over 70 animated and stationary light displays.
Where: Annapolis | More Info: Lights On the Bay
Winter City Lights
What to Expect:
Technologically advanced Christmas light show with snowfall guarantee.
Description:
Winter City Lights features over 1 million twinkling lights spread across 18 acres, including a 52-foot tall programmable Christmas tree, a 200-foot diameter canopy, and an 8-lane Snow Tubing Ride. Enjoy tasty concessions, bonfires, and festive activities in an eco-friendly setting.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: Winter City Lights
Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular drive-through event with dazzling LED displays and hayrides.
Description:
The 37th Annual Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park features over 2.5 million LED lights, a 54-foot LED musical tree, and new hayrides through the festival grounds.
Where: Upper Marlboro | More Info: Festival of Lights
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
What to Expect:
Outdoor walk-through light exhibit with animated tunnel lights and interactive displays.
Description:
Brookside Gardens transforms into a vibrant display of twinkling lights and unique, hand-crafted displays, featuring over a million LED lights shaped into flowers, animals, and natural elements.
Where: Wheaton | More Info: Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
Annapolis Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Free ornaments for the first 500 families.
Description:
Join Annapolis Town Center for its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring DJ, games, fireworks, and a visit from Santa. The first 500 families to arrive will receive a special ornament.
Where: Annapolis | More Info: Annapolis Tree Lighting
Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade
What to Expect:
Boats decorated with thousands of colored lights parade through Annapolis Harbor.
Description:
The Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade is an annual holiday event where boats in Annapolis Harbor are decorated with thousands of colored lights, creating a spectacular display of nautical holiday cheer.
Where: Annapolis | More Info: Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade
National Harbor Tree Light Show
What to Expect:
Spectacular RGB tree light show with holiday music.
Description:
The National Harbor Tree Light Show features a 60-foot RGB tree that comes to life nightly with a breathtaking light show dancing alongside a holiday medley recorded by the United States Air Force Band.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: National Harbor Tree Light Show
Hanover Holiday Markets and Shopping
Midnight Madness
What to Expect:
Holiday shopping event with live entertainment and decorated streets.
Description:
Downtown Annapolis transforms into a holiday spectacle with Midnight Madness, featuring decorated streets, holiday lights, and live entertainment. Residents and visitors can stroll along Main Street, West Street, Maryland Avenue, State Circle, Market Space, and Dock Street to support local businesses and enjoy refreshments and sales.
Where: Annapolis | More Info: Midnight Madness
Chocolate Binge Festival
What to Expect:
Unique chocolate tour and artisan market.
Description:
The Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival is a family-friendly event featuring chocolate vendors, holiday shopping, and festive entertainment along West Street. Enjoy a chocolate tour with various specialties and complete your holiday shopping at the local artisan market.
Where: Annapolis | More Info: Chocolate Binge Festival
Annapolis Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and seasonal items from local artisans.
Description:
The Annapolis Holiday Market is a festive holiday shopping event featuring local artisans, holiday food vendors, and live entertainment at Annapolis City Dock. Explore unique gifts and seasonal items in a lively atmosphere.
Where: Annapolis | More Info: Annapolis Holiday Market
German Christmas Village at Baltimore's Inner Harbor
What to Expect:
Authentic German Christmas market with a 35' tall Glühwein pyramid.
Description:
German Christmas Village at Baltimore's Inner Harbor features over 60 local and international vendors offering unique gifts and European cuisine. Enjoy a wide selection of German mulled wine and explore the festive atmosphere with a historic carousel and Ferris wheel.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: German Christmas Village at Baltimore's Inner Harbor
Hanover Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Gaylord National Hotel Show
What to Expect:
Interactive ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides.
Description:
At Gaylord National Resort, immerse yourself in a holiday spectacle featuring larger-than-life ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and spectacular light shows. Enjoy family-friendly activities like ice tubing, gingerbread decorating, and photos with Santa amidst extraordinary Christmas decorations.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: Gaylord National Hotel Show
50th Annual Baltimore Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with eclectic floats and local personalities.
Description:
The 50th Annual Baltimore Holiday Parade features colorful floats, local personalities, Harley Davidson motorcycles, a steam calliope, lively bands, and culminates with Santa Claus, showcasing the community's spirit and holiday cheer.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: 50th Annual Baltimore Holiday Parade
32nd Annual Bel Air Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday celebration with community participation.
Description:
The 32nd Annual Bel Air Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting is a cherished community event featuring festive floats, holiday music, and a grand tree-lighting ceremony.
Where: Bel Air | More Info: 32nd Annual Bel Air Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
Hanover Other Holiday Activities
Christmas in Hanover
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday activities with local shop support.
Description:
Christmas in Hanover is a festive celebration featuring a Christmas Parade, Bike Decorating Contest, Small Business Saturday, Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony, and Caroling in Downtown Hanover. The event includes a Hanover Market House Stand where visitors can learn about holiday activities and support local businesses. Free holiday parking is offered throughout the downtown district.
Where: Hanover | More Info: Christmas in Hanover
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- West Elkridge (1 miles)
- Severn (4 miles)
- Arbutus (4 miles)
- Ilchester (5 miles)
- Catonsville (5 miles)
- Glen Burnie (6 miles)
- Ellicott City (6 miles)
- South Gate (7 miles)
- Columbia (7 miles)
- Odenton (8 miles)
- Woodlawn (9 miles)
- Baltimore (9 miles)
- Laurel (9 miles)
- Pasadena (10 miles)
- Gwynn Oak (10 miles)
- Scaggsville (10 miles)
- Lochearn (10 miles)
- South Laurel (11 miles)
- Milford Mill (11 miles)
- Dundalk (12 miles)
- Pikesville (13 miles)
- Randallstown (13 miles)
- Severna Park (13 miles)
- Crofton (13 miles)
- Fairland (15 miles)
- Greenbelt (15 miles)
- Essex (16 miles)
- Towson (16 miles)
- Owings Mills (16 miles)
- Parkville (16 miles)
- Arnold (16 miles)
- Bowie (17 miles)
- Carney (18 miles)
- Middle River (18 miles)
- Olney (19 miles)
- College Park (19 miles)
- Eldersburg (19 miles)
- Annapolis (19 miles)
- Reisterstown (20 miles)
- Landover (20 miles)
- Aspen Hill (20 miles)
- Cockeysville (20 miles)
- Perry Hall (21 miles)
- Wheaton (21 miles)
- Chillum (21 miles)
- Silver Spring (21 miles)
- Hunt Valley (22 miles)
- North Bethesda (24 miles)
- Rockville (24 miles)
- Bethesda (25 miles)
- Montgomery Village (25 miles)
- Gaithersburg (26 miles)
- Suitland (26 miles)
- Suitland-Silver Hill (26 miles)
- Washington (27 miles)
- Edgewood (28 miles)
- Potomac (29 miles)
- Arlington (30 miles)
- North Potomac (30 miles)
- McLean (30 miles)
- Bel Air South (31 miles)
- Oxon Hill-Glassmanor (31 miles)
- Clinton (31 miles)
- North Bel Air (31 miles)
- Bel Air North (31 miles)
- South Bel Air (31 miles)
- Alexandria (32 miles)
- Baileys Crossroads (32 miles)
- West Falls Church (34 miles)
- Lincolnia (34 miles)
- Rose Hill (35 miles)
- Annandale (36 miles)
- Reston (37 miles)
- Fort Washington (37 miles)
- Springfield (37 miles)
- Oakton (38 miles)
- Herndon (39 miles)
- Fairfax (39 miles)
- West Springfield (39 miles)
- Woodlawn (40 miles)
- Frederick (40 miles)
- Sterling (40 miles)
- Burke (40 miles)
- Oak Hill (41 miles)
- Waldorf (41 miles)
- St. Charles (42 miles)
- Ashburn (42 miles)
- Saint Charles (42 miles)
- Chantilly (43 miles)
- Centreville (45 miles)