December marks the official arrival of the Christmas season. While so many towns, cities, and boroughs throughout the Mid-Atlantic are readying for their seasonal rites of passage and annual holiday traditions, some locales stand out as exceptional epitomes in the many merry ways they carry out surrounding celebrations. One such place is Frostburg, Maryland.
The town has been decking out the decor for the holidays since mid-November. However, the official shout-out to Christmas in Frostburg was this past Sunday, December 1, with the 16th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at St. Michael’s Church Courtyard. Horse-drawn carriage rides, s’mores and cocoa around an open fire, live musical performances, model train displays, and a host of holiday character appearances were all part of the festivities. Prayers, candle lighting, and recognition of an outstanding citizen in the community also marked the celebration. However, the real event to top things off was Santa’s arrival via a vintage sleigh built over 50 years ago by William Preston.
As one of the state’s notable Christmas towns, you can expect community-wide festivities to continue all season long. From that renowned Parking Meter Decorating Competition tradition to taking a Christmas-themed excursion with Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s Polar Express on weekends, there’s so much to take in throughout Frostburg this time of year. Of course, there are specific highlights you’ll want to make a special note of.
Topping the list is none other than this year’s highly anticipated Frostburg Storybook Holiday. Now in its 21st year, this yearly yuletide happening is sponsored by Frostburg State University but encompasses the entire Downtown sector. The 2024 installment will be on Saturday, December 7. Expect a wide range of events and activities to be ongoing throughout the day.
As tradition denotes, things get started bright and early with a special “Breakfast With The Elves” event at the historic Hotel Gunter. Taking place between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., the lavish buffet to be provided comes with an added cost. Tickets are presold at Hotel Gunter. Click here for details.
The Holiday Trivia Scavenger Hunt will get underway at 8 a.m., and “Cocoa With the Po-Po” at the Frostburg City Police Department will begin at 9 a.m. The Elf Olympics will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. in the Broadway Parking Lot behind City Place, followed by Run Your Bells Off for Autism at 10:15 a.m. This will lead the famed Frostburg Christmas Parade that all look forward to every season. The procession will begin at Main Street from Armstrong Avenue, continuing to Bowery Street with an 11:30 a.m. conclusion.
Water Street will be an ongoing scene of festive merriment throughout the day. The site to City Place—the happening holiday hub to so many of the day’s activities and endeavors—it is here that kids can delight in such offerings as the Elves’ Secret Workshop, Letters to Santa, photo ops, and more between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Enjoy a life-size Winter Wonderland set up here between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. or go on a lovely horse-drawn carriage ride offered noon to 2 p.m. The Festival of Trees at City Place, Lighting of the Trees, will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Other sites throughout Downtown will be buzzing with fun follies, too. Stop in for Santa’s House at P.S. Hair Design between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., or drop by the Frostburg Community Library from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. for Storybook Readings with Tail Waggin’ Tutors.
A special author presentation featuring children’s author/illustrator Beth Ferry will take place at the Hotel Gunter from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Then, for a fun-for-all frosty endeavor, the Jack Frost Neighborhood Snowball Toss will commence throughout several surrounding residential streets between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Frostburg Storybook Holiday will wind down with a sweet sendoff showing of the 1954 production of White Christmas at the Palace Theatre. Showtime is at 7 p.m., and tickets are $7 a person, presold at Main Street Books. Click here for more details.
In addition to the Frostburg Storybook Holiday happenings, the community will play host to numerous events all season long. From Celtic Christmas musical celebrations at Frostburg University to tours of the Frostburg Museum, attending small business holiday pop-ups, and more, Frostburg is the merriest place to be in Maryland throughout the Christmas season.