Christmas in Frederick Maryland

The Christmas season is a great time to explore Frederick, Maryland and enjoy a variety of seasonal activities. Stroll along the historic downtown area, shop for unique gifts, tour historic homes, enjoy a holiday concert or get in the spirit of the season while viewing Christmas decorations. Frederick has dozens of special events in December. Here is a guide to the top things to do this holiday season.

Maryland Christmas Show
November 16–18, and 23-25, 2012. Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E Patrick St., Frederick, Maryland (301) 898-5466. Hours are Friday/Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Enjoy the works of 500 artists and craftsmen offering fine art, pottery, furniture, quilts, jewelry, clothing, wreaths and garlands, toys and Christmas ornaments.

Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland
November 19, 2012 - January 3, 2013. Adventure Park USA, 11113 W Baldwin Road New Market, MD. The Christmas light show is a unique drive through a maze filled with hundreds of thousands of lights that twinkle along to Christmas music.

Festival of Greens
November 23 - December 1, 2012. Cultural Arts Center, 15 N Market Street, Frederick, MD. Each year, approximately 100 decorated or themed wreaths and trees are created by local individuals, community groups, and businesses as part of a silent auction to benefit the arts in Frederick County.

Walkersville Southern Railroad Santa Trains
November 24 & 25, December 1-2, 8-9, & 15, 2012, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. Take a scenic train ride with Santa. Reservations are required. Adults $15, seniors $14, children under 12 $12.

Frederick Festival of Lights
November 30, 2012, 7 p.m. City Hall Courtyard, 101 N Court Street Frederick, MD. Holiday greetings, carols and an inspirational message are all part of this event which highlights the true meaning of the holiday season. Attendees join in the program with a moving candle lighting ceremony, filling the Courtyard with magnificent light.

Candlelight House Tour
December 1-2, 2012. Downtown Frederick. The self-guided walking tour takes visitors inside private homes elaborately decorated for the holidays. Admission: $20.

Frederick Museums by Candlelight
December 8, 2012. The event features free holiday-themed programs at over 20 museums and historic sites in Frederick County, Maryland. Enjoy period demonstrations, living history vignettes, hands-on crafts, refreshments, tours, music, holiday decorations and more.

A Christmas Carol - Maryland Ensemble Theatre
December 14-16, 2012. Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD. The cast of over two dozen actors, the two-story set, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, Future and Tiny Tim will transport audiences to Victorian England as the penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge learns the error of his miserly ways and embraces the true spirit of Christmas. Tickets: $12-20.

Messiah Sing-Along
December 20, 2012, 7 p.m. Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W Patrick Street, Frederick, MD. The Frederick Chamber Singers, orchestra, and soloists lead an annual sing along to G.F. Handel's Christmas masterpiece. Tickets: $10-18.

Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship
December 26, 2012, 4-9 p.m. Downtown Frederick. More than a dozen churches offer special programs, angelic choirs, and nativity scenes celebrating Frederick’s tradition of religious diversity, and local history.

For general information about the area, see a Guide to Frederick, Maryland