Plan Your Trip During Baltimore's Most Festive Day! Sat, Dec 3rd
Only have one day to experience the Holidays in Baltimore? Visit on Saturday, December 3rd, and discover all the festivals, markets, and activities happening this winter on the waterfront! This is your guide to Baltimore's Most Festive Day! Visit the Fells Point Olde Tyme Christmas, Inner Harbor Ice Rink, Christmas Village in Baltimore, Holiday Makers Market, and the Parade of Lighted Boats all in one day!
Your Guide To Visiting All 5 Major Holiday Celebrations Happening on December 3 - A Full Day Itinerary
I'm going to attempt the impossible and create an itinerary that captures the brilliance of Christmas on the Baltimore Waterfront in less than 24 hours. So you're visiting or local and decide to take in one of the most beautiful waterfront cities in the world… and you've only given yourself 24 hours to see it!? Are you crazy!?!?
Change your plans, hon; tell your boss your favorite uncle died or that you've contracted dysentery… do whatever it takes to spend longer enjoying the holiday season! There are so many amazing things to do in Baltimore that one day is never enough….
Didn't manage to persuade you to stay longer? Well, the real world can be brutal sometimes, especially around the holidays with its responsibilities and deadlines… so I'm going to attempt the impossible and create an itinerary that captures the brilliance of Holidays in Baltimore in less than 24 hours… Saturday, December 3, 2023, is packed with activities. Here's my suggestion on how to do a little bit of it all.
Before you start... It's key to understand that a successful one-day stay or stay-ploration in Baltimore requires a visit to two or three of its most important sites. Unfortunately, you won't have the luxury to gain a deeper sense of the rhythms of the city, its local life, and habits. Still, you should get an impression of its geography and architecture on a grander scale and a tiny slice of its urban Waterfront style. Hopefully, the seed will be sown for a second, more comprehensive visit. Here we go…
Morning 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.:
Fells Point | Olde Tyme Christmas
Get an early start and catch St. Nick's arrival in Fells Point via tugboat. This annual spectacle is don't a miss for families and young at heart looking for a first look at the jolly character.
Broadway Pier, 9:00 a.m.
Grab Breakfast with St. Nick as he makes his rounds in the Fells Point neighborhood. Stay in the area to dine at The Abbey Burger Bistro Fells Point, Alexander's Tavern, The Admiral's Cup,
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Inner Harbor | Christmas Village in Baltimore
Start the day by checking out Christmas Village in Baltimore. Experience the wonder of an authentic German Christmas Market at the heart of Charm City, The Inner Harbor Waterfront. Come hungry as Christmas village boasts an extensive list of European cuisine and local favorites.
West Shore Park - Christmas Village in Baltimore, 11:00 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Bonus Parking: If in the Inner Harbor, get discounted parking at a $5 all-day rate at Arrow Garage, 204 E Lombard Street. Arrow Garage is open from x a.m to x p.m. More information:
Bonus Transportation: Take the Water Taxi and enjoy a special $5 (retail $12) ferry to Inner Harbor <> Fells Point. Water Taxi available 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Afternoon 12:00 p.m. - 5 p.m
Fells Point | Olde Tyme Christmas
Need more Santa? Enjoy Pictures with St. Nick for children – click here to purchase – $25
Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Or play with more family-friendly activities at the Festive Family Fun Zone featuring kids' packages that include a kid-made gift, DIY ornament, and cookie decorating – $5 for purchase onsite at the event.
Broadway Square, 12:00 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Looking for something a little naughty and nice? Check out the Eggnog Contest – taste and vote from over 15 batches! – $5 for purchase onsite at FPMS tent
Fells Point neighborhood, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (See FPMS tent for exact business locations)
Inner Harbor | Baltimore Choral Arts Society
Take in the Baltimore Choral Arts Society performing a medley of holiday Christmas caroling songs. The Baltimore Choral Arts Society, now in its 56th season, is one of Maryland's premier cultural institutions. The Symphonic Chorus, Chorus, and Chamber Singers perform throughout the mid-Atlantic region, Washington, D.C., New York, and Europe.
Inner Harbor Amphitheater & Promenade 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Inner Harbor | BxB Holiday Makers Market
Discover and shop local-made goods from Baltimore creatives. At the Baltimore by Baltimore - Holiday Makers Market, purchase from a network of vendors, including Whit Paws Run Mitts, Love More BMore, Yes Please Vintage, and more. From vintage clothes to one-kind woodwork, unique candles, and custom jewelry, the Holiday Makers Market has the perfect gift ideas for your holiday shopping.
The BxB Holiday marketplace will include low-key tunes from DJ Keebee and food from Chuwawa Brothers and Irie Watas. Stay put for a special Baltimore Trendsetter Fashion Show featuring Local-Only fashions curated by Regal clothing and Tightfisted Fashion starting at 4 p.m.
BxB Holiday Maker's Market at the Light Street Pavilion (Old H&M Space), 3:00 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Evening - After 6:00 p.m.
Fells Point - Inner Harbor | Parade of Lighted Boats
Take in the Parade of Lighted Boats. No tickets are required. Watch the creatively decorated vessels parade around the harbor in holiday style.
Fells Point - Inner Harbor, 6:00 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Inner Harbor | Inner Harbor Ice Rink
Stay, and take a spin around the Inner Harbor Ice Rink
Inner Harbor Ice Rink, 12:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. Tickets are available at the rink only. $10 for adults, $9 for children under 12, military, and seniors. Rental skates available or bring your own pairMore Information: InnerHarborIceRink.com
Inner Harbor | Parkas & Pajamas - 12 Days of Candy Lane
Keep on your coat, and check out Parkas and Pajamas. Enjoy the 12 Days of Candy Lane kick-off event in an Après-Ski-themed party hosted by Downtown Partnership. Featuring the Coziest Dress Code EVER, experience live music by Ebb & Nova, pop-up performances from Fluid Movement, plenty of drinks, and food trucks (see below for the lineup). This 21+ event is full of holiday spirit. Themed costumes are encouraged.
One Charles Center (Center Plaza); 7:00 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Bedtime? 11:00 p.m.
If you're looking for something on the later side of the moon, check out Visit Baltimore's Guide to Baltimore Nightlife.
Final Advice
I tried to leave as much time as needed to get from a. to b. during this itinerary, but be sure to leave some extra wiggle room. If you are traveling with children, stop for excessive selfies, enjoy long lunches, or get unlucky with the ferry/traffic, you're just a 15-minute walk away from most of the mentioned attractions. Also, as ever with any city, be vigilant. Look for Downtown Partnership and Waterfront Partnership guides for directions, information, and escort services.
