Create your ultimate festive season in Middle River with our planner guide. Find all the top holiday events and activities. For those who know Middle River well and those just getting acquainted, our guide reveals hidden gems and popular attractions.
One event to explore is the German Christmas Village, where visitors can enjoy traditional crafts, festive foods, and heartwarming music that evoke the spirit of a European holiday market. Additionally, the Miracle on 34th Street showcases stunning light displays and beautifully decorated homes that transform the neighborhood into a winter wonderland. And the B&O Railroad Museum’s Holiday Festival of Trains is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring enchanting model train displays and interactive activities for families. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Middle River
- Miracle on 34th Street (Baltimore)
- German Christmas Village (Baltimore)
- B&O Railroad Museum’s Holiday Festival of Trains (Baltimore)
- Miracle Pop-Up Bar (Baltimore)
- Holly-Days at the Maryland Zoo (Baltimore)
- Holiday Remix at the Baltimore Peninsula (Baltimore)
- Charm City Craft Mafia’s Holiday Heap (Baltimore)
- Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place Lighting (Baltimore)
- DowntownDC Holiday Market (Washington, DC)
- ZooLights (Washington, DC)
See these and even more events listed below!
Middle River Holiday Light Displays
Miracle on 34th Street
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday light display with unique resident-created decorations.
Description:
Miracle on 34th Street is a holiday light display in Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood, featuring colorfully decorated homes and festive decorations. This 76-year-old tradition includes Christmas trees, trains, animated figures, and other holiday symbols.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: Miracle on 34th Street
Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place Lighting
What to Expect:
Spectacular fireworks display and local musical performances.
Description:
The Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place Lighting features local musical performances, over 20 food vendors, and a spectacular fireworks display at 8 PM.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place Lighting
ZooLights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with immersive light displays and live music.
Description:
This annual holiday light spectacular at the Smithsonian's National Zoo features immersive displays, glowing lantern animals, live musical performances, and seasonal treats. Visitors can explore festive pathways and enjoy the Conservation Carousel.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: ZooLights
CityCenterDC's Holiday Tree
What to Expect:
Dazzling 75-foot tree with live music and festive activities.
Description:
CityCenterDC's 10th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting features a 75-foot tree, live music by The Revels, balloon artists, face painters, and holiday treats. NBC4's Eun Yang hosts the official tree lighting ceremony and countdown.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: CityCenterDC's Holiday Tree
Winter Glow at Mount Vernon
What to Expect:
18th-century holiday experience with festive lights and activities.
Description:
Explore Mount Vernon's Winter Glow, an 18th-century holiday experience featuring lantern-lit historic areas, an 18th-century winter encampment, and festive lights set to holiday music. Meet Aladdin the Camel and enjoy activities like s'mores roasting and 18th-century dancing.
Where: Mount Vernon | More Info: Winter Glow at Mount Vernon
Middle River Holiday Markets and Shopping
German Christmas Village
What to Expect:
Authentic German Christmas Market with a variety of mulled wines and European cuisine.
Description:
German Christmas Village in Baltimore features over 60 local and international vendors offering unique holiday gifts and authentic European cuisine. Enjoy a wide selection of German mulled wine and explore the festive atmosphere at the Inner Harbor.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: German Christmas Village
Holiday Remix at the Baltimore Peninsula
What to Expect:
Community-focused roller skating with local vendors and educational programming.
Description:
Holiday Remix at the Baltimore Peninsula offers roller skating, local pop-up markets, and festive family fun all season long. Shop small, skate big, and create lasting memories together.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: Holiday Remix at the Baltimore Peninsula
Charm City Craft Mafia’s Holiday Heap
What to Expect:
Unique, locally crafted holiday gifts.
Description:
Charm City Craft Mafia’s Holiday Heap is a premier holiday market featuring over 50 local makers and artists selling handmade goods. The event takes place at 2640 Space in Baltimore, offering a diverse range of unique, locally crafted items perfect for the holiday season.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: Charm City Craft Mafia’s Holiday Heap
DowntownDC Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Upgraded vendor kiosks and a fresh array of artisans.
Description:
The DowntownDC Holiday Market is a vibrant holiday shopping village on F Street NW, featuring a diverse array of local artisans, community activations, and a delectable food and beverage lineup.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: DowntownDC Holiday Market
Town Square Holiday Vendor Fair
What to Expect:
Indoor market with local vendors and food trucks.
Description:
The Town Square Holiday Vendor Fair is an indoor event where local businesses can connect with new customers and community members. Each vendor will be provided a 6-foot table and two chairs to display their items. Food trucks will also be present, making it a vibrant community event highlighting the importance of supporting local businesses.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: Town Square Holiday Vendor Fair
Dupont Circle Holiday Pop-Up
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local artisans and community support.
Description:
The Dupont Circle Holiday Pop-Up is a two-day event featuring a diverse selection of vendors offering handmade pottery, textiles, wood crafts, jewelry, home decor, bath and beauty items, and more. Guests can enjoy roving carolers and sip hot chocolate in Dupont Circle park while shopping.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: Dupont Circle Holiday Pop-Up
Heurich House Museum's Christkindlmarkt
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local artisans.
Description:
Heurich House Museum's Christmas Markt is a multi-day holiday market featuring over 60 local small-scale artisan makers in its historic Castle Garden. The event supports local businesses and provides a unique shopping experience with Glühwein in hand.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: Heurich House Museum's Christkindlmarkt
Middle River Other Holiday Activities
B&O Railroad Museum’s Holiday Festival of Trains
What to Expect:
Custom model train layouts and festive holiday activities.
Description:
The B&O Railroad Museum's Holiday Festival of Trains offers a variety of holiday activities, including daytime and evening train rides, model train layouts, and opportunities to meet Santa. Visitors can enjoy festive fun and merry traditions, both new and old, in a transformed Winter Wonderland setting.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: B&O Railroad Museum’s Holiday Festival of Trains
Miracle Pop-Up Bar
What to Expect:
Unique holiday cocktails served in whimsical glassware.
Description:
The Miracle Pop-Up Bar is a holiday-themed cocktail bar featuring over-the-top decorations, a 6ft Santa, and specialty holiday cocktails like the Christmapolitan and Snowball Old-Fashioned. Enjoy festive libations under twinkling lights and amidst garland, with delicious light bites available.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: Miracle Pop-Up Bar
Holly-Days at the Maryland Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at the Maryland Zoo with Holly-Days, featuring holiday crafts, photo ops, special appearances, and more. These special weekends are free with zoo admission or membership.
Where: Baltimore | More Info: Holly-Days at the Maryland Zoo
District Holiday Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Spectacular fireworks finale over the Washington Channel.
Description:
The District Holiday Boat Parade at The Wharf features 60 beautifully decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel, accompanied by landside activities like hot toddies, live music, ornament decorating, holiday karaoke, and visits with Santa.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: District Holiday Boat Parade
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Essex (3 miles)
- Perry Hall (6 miles)
- Carney (6 miles)
- Parkville (6 miles)
- Dundalk (7 miles)
- Edgewood (10 miles)
- Baltimore (10 miles)
- Towson (10 miles)
- Bel Air South (13 miles)
- Gwynn Oak (14 miles)
- South Bel Air (15 miles)
- North Bel Air (15 miles)
- Cockeysville (15 miles)
- Arbutus (15 miles)
- Lochearn (15 miles)
- Pikesville (15 miles)
- Woodlawn (15 miles)
- Glen Burnie (15 miles)
- Bel Air North (16 miles)
- Hunt Valley (16 miles)
- Catonsville (16 miles)
- Pasadena (16 miles)
- South Gate (17 miles)
- Milford Mill (18 miles)
- West Elkridge (18 miles)
- Hanover (18 miles)
- Ilchester (18 miles)
- Severna Park (19 miles)
- Owings Mills (19 miles)
- Randallstown (19 miles)
- Severn (19 miles)
- Ellicott City (20 miles)
- Arnold (21 miles)
- Odenton (22 miles)
- Columbia (22 miles)
- Reisterstown (23 miles)
- Annapolis (25 miles)
- Crofton (27 miles)
- Laurel (27 miles)
- Eldersburg (28 miles)
- Scaggsville (28 miles)
- South Laurel (29 miles)
- Bowie (31 miles)
- Greenbelt (33 miles)
- Fairland (33 miles)
- Olney (36 miles)
- College Park (36 miles)
- Landover (37 miles)
- Aspen Hill (38 miles)
- Wheaton (39 miles)
- Chillum (39 miles)
- Silver Spring (39 miles)
- Middletown (39 miles)
- North Bethesda (42 miles)
- Montgomery Village (42 miles)
- Rockville (42 miles)
- Suitland (42 miles)
- Suitland-Silver Hill (43 miles)
- Gaithersburg (43 miles)
- Bethesda (43 miles)
- Newark (44 miles)
- Washington (44 miles)