The festive Christmas Village in Baltimore is back for its 10th anniversary of shopping, holiday music, festive treats, and photos with Gingy! This outdoor market celebrates both vendors originally from Europe as well as local artisans. Grab your whole family and head up to Baltimore for a day trip for holiday shopping and treats.
The Christmas Village in the Inner Harbor will have the largest footprint it has ever had including an outdoor area, heated tent, carousel, ferris wheel, and Christmas tree. The outdoor area is free to visit and includes a wide variety of vendors for Christmas shopping and food. If you’ve visited before, you’ll recognize the festive Glühwein Pyramid. The pyramid was custom-made by a German craftsman near Karlsruhe, Germany, and was shipped to the United States in 2019. Stop by to enjoy flavored wines, Hot Toddies, Irish Coffee, and non-alcoholic options, including Kinder Punch and hot chocolate. If you purchase a souvenir mug, refills are offered at a discount.
New this year, don’t miss the Winter Wunder Bar with an alpine ski hut vibe. Inspired by the success of Wine Village in the Inner Harbor last spring, the Christmas Village is serving signature holiday cocktails and frozen slushies for the first time.
Plus, don’t miss Kathe Wohlfahrt, featuring Christmas decorations and ornaments from Germany. The tented area is $5 on weekends. The fee is mostly used to manage crowds and cover operating costs.
The Baltimore Christmas Village is Fun For the Whole Family
My favorite part of the Baltimore Christmas Market is it feels like so much more than a holiday shopping experience. Washington, DC, and the surrounding area offer a number of Christmas markets but this is one of the few that offers an authentic taste of Germany and other areas of Europe. There is a full grill offering bratwursts and the beloved Raclette melted cheese is back! You’ll find other options like bacon on a stick, cheesy fries, and crepes, and more. It’s easy to spend an afternoon or evening enjoying a variety of snacks and drinks while perusing the vendors. Kids (and kids at heart) will love a ride on the carousel and Ferris Wheel overlooking the harbor.
Weekend Events at the Baltimore Christmas Festival
The Baltimore Christmas Village is open every day until Christmas Eve but most weekends have special themes with extra events to celebrate the season.
December 2 and 3: German American Weekend
This weekend, German culture and traditions can be experienced by watching the Schuhplattler Dancers of “S.u.G.T.V. Washingtonia” and “Alpenrose Schuhplattler Verein” on Saturday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. On Sunday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, the German American Weekend will offer a German Game contest which includes popular Oktoberfest-style competitions such as Bierstein lifting (‘Bierkrug Stemmen’), a Bratwurst Eating Contest, and Brezel Schnappen. On December 3 at 4:30 pm, young and old are invited to join a story time followed by a traditional Lantern Parade organized by Zion Church of the City of Baltimore.
December 9 and 10 – Family Weekend
Christmas Village is a family event! To embrace the love for families of Charm City, there will be a fun-filled day of activities for kids, including Potato Sack Races, Cornhole, and Egg and Spoon Races. Plus, enjoy a performance by the White Marsh Ballet Academy at 1:00 pm inside the tent. Snap a picture with the mascot Gingy and take a ride on the carousel!
December 16 at 12:00 pm – Gingy the Gingerbread Man’s 10th Birthday
Celebrate the holiday season by meeting Gingy the Gingerbread Man, the beloved mascot of the event. Capture special memories at Christmas Village. Gingy will also appear at various offsite events, so seize these unique opportunities to make cherished memories.
Weekend Music and Performances
Enjoy live music, dance performances, children’s choirs, bands, festive fun and a movie night on stage inside the heated tent. Performances take place on Fridays from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Saturdays from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Thursdays: Wine Tasting Events
Enjoy wine tasting every Thursday from 4 to 8 pm with Boordy Vineyards from Hydes, MD. From November 30 to December 21, guests can enjoy the live tastings of four different wine samples and choose between a Raclette sandwich or a Bratwurst with Sauerkraut in a dedicated seating area. As a memento, take home a Boordy Vineyard wine glass and a Christmas Village Holiday Pass for the 2023 season to come back and stroll the market for free.
The Christmas Village is open from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve and closed on December 4, 5, 11, and 12. The market will be open from Friday to Saturday between 12:00 pm and 9:00 pm and from Sunday to Thursday between 12:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
At a Glance
- Good for Christmas fun and shopping
- Free to visit the outdoor area
Outdoor tent: $5 on weekends - Inner Harbor
- Street Parking or $12 at Harbor Court Garage with validation from the info booth
