One of the most magical small-town Christmas celebrations on the Eastern Shore returns this weekend, keeping with a quaint community tradition 37 years in the making. I am, of course, referring to none other than Christmas in St. Michaels.
The founding mission behind the community-wide Christmas in St. Michaels celebration has always been to benefit local nonprofits and enhance the quality of life for the residents of the Bay Hundred community. But these festivities also serve the dual purpose of making the season magical for families and folks of all ages with a host of activities and fun things to do all around the quaint little coastal town over the three-day course. While there are plenty of free things to enjoy, take note that proceeds raised from all ticketed events and sales (including each year’s very popular “Collectors Ornaments”) have brought in more than one million dollars to further the cause over the last three (almost four) decades.
This Year’s Christmas in St. Michaels event will begin on Friday, December 8, at noon. That’s when the Marketplace and Sweet Shoppe will open at Granite Lodge on St. Mary’s Square, offering one-of-a-kind, artisan-crafted items, and culinary delights all weekend long. Saturday operations will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday they will be open between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Breakfast with Santa is a great way to kick off Saturday’s festivities. Offered from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Foxy’s Harbor Grille at 125 Mulberry, this is the chance that children aged four to nine have been waiting for all year—a chance to share a meal with the man in red himself! The cost for Breakfast with Santa is $10 a child. Reservations must be made in advance to participate. Click the link to learn more about this event or to make your child’s reservation today.
Even if your kids can’t make Breakfast with Santa or nobody in your party meets the age criteria, there are many other locations throughout St. Michael’s serving up holiday helpings for lunch and dinner throughout the weekend. Click here for a full list of enticing options.
The Talbot Street Parade is one of Saturday’s grandest, most popular free events to enjoy. Stepping off at 10:30 a.m., the famed Christmas Parade presents the largest setup of its kind on the Eastern Shore, laden with community and school marching bands, boats, floats, antique cars, fire engines, horses (and other animals), and much, much more. As always, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be leading the tail end of the procession—officially kicking off the Christmas season.
Take note, though, that this isn’t the only parade taking place on Saturday. Plan to stay past nightfall and you’ll get to see the Lighted Boat Parade out on the water. Back this year by popular demand, the decorated boats will sail out onto St. Michaels Harbor at 6 p.m. Click the link for more information, including the best viewing areas.
Live music throughout the town and at various venues will keep the spirit cheerful and bright all weekend long. Click here to find out who is playing where and at what times to catch them.
While the weekend will certainly bring in plenty of festive and fun follies, one of the most highly anticipated ticketed engagements that will be ongoing throughout Saturday and Sunday remains the ever-popular Tour of Homes event. As one of the longest-running home tours in Maryland, both historic homes in the immediate village, as well as some extraordinary countryside homes in the greater community, make up the featured lineup. Owing to the nature and popularity of this offering, tickets are extremely limited. Click here to learn more about the Tour of Homes.
Nothing beats the good old-fashioned festive Christmas celebrations that embrace the quaint, coastal community of St. Michael’s every December. You can learn more about specific holiday happenings and all other general information by visiting the official website at www.christmasinstmichaels.org.