Marylanders know firsthand ’tis the season to be shopping. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday having just passed and some extended deals remaining in effect throughout the week, retailers everywhere have reached that seasonal zenith where they start showcasing all their flashy goods in the wake of holiday gift-giving pursuits.
This is also the time of year when various notable locales host Midnight Madness shopping events. As the name indicates, these are late-night specials in which various participating stores, restaurants, and other businesses within a city or downtown corridor remain open through midnight. You can often expect unique sales and discounts on certain items. Other area vendors—like food trucks, cafes, bars, and more—frequently offer special menu items.
The state of Maryland boasts several well-known Midnight Madness events, all of which are coming up soon. Here are three of the most popular ones when they will occur this season.
Midnight Madness in Annapolis
Midnight Madness in Downtown Annapolis is an annual tradition, held the first two Thursdays in December, between 4 p.m. and midnight, and then on the third Thursday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. While the latter tapers off just one hour shy of a midnight run, it still gives night-owl shoppers a chance to experience the same community-wide festivities that are the hallmark of the Midnight Madness Downtown scene.
During Midnight Madness, the Historic Downtown Annapolis corridors of Main Street, West Street, Maryland Avenue, State Circle, Market Space, and Dock Street all undergo nostalgic transformations into scenes and streetscapes reminiscent of those straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting or a Charles Dickens novel. Is it any wonder why Annapolis ranks among the top leading Christmas towns in the nation?
Some of the crowning attractions to delight in during the event include Snowflake Alley on Main Street, the massive Holiday Light Canopy over West Street/Annapolis Arts District and Maryland Avenue, the famed Annapolis Holiday Market on the City Dock, and spectacular Christmas Tree at Market Space. Other activities and pursuits to take in include loads of free street entertainment (carolers, choirs, musicians), plentiful photo ops (including alpacas on Main Street), and more. Participating area merchants, totaling 90+ stores and 80 dining establishments, will feature additional perks and incentives, including sales, specials, and complimentary refreshments. The Midnight Madness West Street Artisan Market, made possible by the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, is an event in and of itself. Click here to discover more about all of their unique offerings.
Learn more about this year’s Midnight Madness event in Historic Downtown Annapolis, including directions, parking information, and a list of participating retailers and merchants on their website.
Midnight Madness in Old Ellicott City
A tradition going strong for more than four and a half decades, Main Street and surrounding locales throughout Old Ellicott City play host to yet another notable Midnight Madness event to take note of. Their 46th annual installment will get underway on Friday, December 6. While evening festivities officially kick off within the 5 o’clock hour, many holiday-specific activities and events will begin earlier. These include but are not limited to the Holiday Craft Fair at Ellicott City 50+ (at 9:30 a.m.), free admission to the B & O Ellicott City Station Museum to see holiday train models (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), visits with Santa Claus at the Howard County Historical Society (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.), and other festive follies not directly associated with the Midnight Madness event but still make for enticing add-on endeavors.
Midnight Madness on Main Street officially begins with a tree-lighting ceremony at Tiber Park. Arrive at 5:15 p.m. to enjoy holiday carols by Mt. Hebron High School Chamber Choir, followed by opening remarks, and then the main attraction—the always anticipated tree-lighting.
Throughout the evening, you will enjoy ongoing live music and festive activities all along the streets. On another note, it’s also worth mentioning the lovely Journey to Bethlehem free outdoor theatrical Christmas experience to check out at Glen Mar Church this weekend. Click here to read more.
As for events and offers, you can expect many treats from area businesses. Featured specials include 20% off select items at Clippers Canine Café, free organic holiday lip balm from Earth Tribe Shop when you spend more than $50, unique jewelry deals from Made On Main, a $10-off deal for every $100 spent at Simply the Best Boutique, 50% off everything at Unique Kitchens and Baths Gift Shop and a free mug with every $100 purchase (while supplies last), and a hopping scene to last through the evening at The Wine Bin.
Learn more about Midnight Madness on Main Street in Old Ellicott City by visiting the website.
Midnight Madness in St. Michaels
The weekend-long Christmas in St. Michaels celebration is a longstanding community tradition. A week before that, however, there is another event worth noting. It’s Midnight Madness—their biggest shopping day of the year!
Credit: StMichaels.org
Now in its 23rd season, this year’s Midnight Madness in St. Michaels will be on Saturday, December 7. Community-wide festivities begin at 11 a.m. and are slated to last through the official midnight conclusion. Special sales and shopping offers (and even a few comps) via area merchants, dining specials at local establishments, and gift basket raffles will all be included in the ongoing delights.
Credit: StMichaels.org
Live music and entertainment can be enjoyed at seven distinct venues—Carpenter Street Saloon, Corah’s Corner, Foxy’s Harbor Grille, the Galley, the Old Brick Inn, Talbot St. Tavern, and San Miguels Mexican Food. The highlight topping off the evening is a grand prize drawing, which will take place at the Galley Restaurant. DJ Chuckie Hayward will be onsite, and folks can look forward to an exclusive surprise band performance.
Credit: StMichaels.org
You can explore Midnight Madness in St. Michaels in greater detail on their official website.
In addition to these Midnight Madness events, you can count on many other smaller-scale shopping endeavors to be ongoing throughout Maryland this holiday season. Plenty of venues throughout neighboring states in the Mid-Atlantic region will present their own featured offerings, too. It’s all a matter of checking out which optimal opportunities are most convenient for you based on location and willingness to travel personally.