Discover Holiday Delights at the Baltimore Christmas Village

The festive Christmas Village in Baltimore is back for another year of shopping, holiday music, festive treats, and photos with Santa. 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 features an outdoor area and a heated tent. The outdoor area is free to visit and includes several vendors, food options, and photos with Santa on weekend afternoons. Santa is located outside the tent so you can grab family photos with him without paying the admission fee. Inside, you’ll find even more vendors and food options. Plus, don’t miss Kathe Wohlfahrt featuring Christmas decorations and ornaments from Germany. The tented area is $5 on weekends but children under 18 can visit the tent for free. The fee is mostly used to manage crowds and cover operating costs.

The Baltimore Christmas Village is Fun For the Whole Family

This year, the Baltimore Christmas Village continues to extend beyond the original location near the Visitor Center. You’ll find many vendors along the Inner Harbor Promenade. Carnival rides including the Ferris wheel that overlooks the water and the carousel are also back for another year.

The larger-than-life Christmas tower is in the center of it all. The tower is more than just a beautiful site – it is also a Christmas bar. The Baltimore Christmas Village has always been known for spiked hot chocolate and mulled wine but the tower makes things extra special. The mulled wine comes in flavors like red, white, blueberry, and cherry. Plus, you can also order kid-friendly mulled wine, a hot toddy, and Irish coffee!

In my opinion, the best part of the market is the food. 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! Plus, don’t miss sweet treats from other vendors like roast nuts and chocolates.

Grill at Baltimore Christmas Village From the Grill Cheese Sandwich

Get a Jump on Christmas Shopping

This is a great spot to find over 50 vendors with authentic Christmas gifts from both overseas and local vendors. You’ll find everything from warm clothes to ornaments to games and more. Some of my favorite vendors are Cynful Bliss, alcohol infused desserts named after the 7 deadly sins, and JD’s House of Bacon, a bacon shop that started in Orioles Park. Plus, don’t miss my friend Tori selling colorful city maps under her new name Terratorie (formally Cherry Blossom Creative).

Cynful Bliss JD House of Bacon

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.

November 30th: Christmas Village Drag Show from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm.
Join the Christmas Village for their first-ever Christmas Village Drag Show! For this special occasion, Evon Dior Michelle (@baltimoredragqueen) and Pariah Sinclair (@pariah_sinclair) will light up the first Wine Tasting of the season with a thrilling Mrs. Claus-themed performance!

December 3rd and 4th: German American Weekend
On Saturday, immerse in the world of German traditions and customs with the Schuhplattler Dancers of “S.u.G.T.V. Washingtonia”. On Sunday, the German American Weekend will feature a German Game contest again! Challenge yourself by participating in some well-known German competitions like beer mug lifting (‘Bierkrugstemmen’) and a Bratwurst Eating Contest.

December 11th – Family Day
This day is full of kids’ activities! Immerse in the world of fairy tales with “A Moment of Magic” and take part in a dance party with wonderful princesses. Enjoy balloon artists on stilts and take a ride on our carousel! In the evening, young and old are invited to join the traditional Lantern Parade organized by Zion Church of the City of Baltimore.

Weekend Music and Performances
Enjoy live music, dance performances, children’s choirs, bands, and festive fun on our stage inside the heated tent. Performances take place: Fridays from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturday from 11:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Wednesdays: Wine Tasting Events
On Wednesdays, Christmas Village will be hosting Wine Tastings in partnership with Maryland Winery Boordy Vineyards from Hydes, MD. Guests will enjoy live tastings that feature a variety of four different wines. As a memento, participants receive a take-home Boordy Vineyard wine glass and a season pass for the Christmas Village 2022 to come back and stroll the market for free as often as they would like. Tastings will take place between November 30th and December 21st every Wednesday, starting at 4:00pm until 7:00pm.

Thursdays: Spirits Tastings Events
Spirits tastings in cooperation with Twin Valley Distillers from Rockville, MD, will return to the Christmas Village tasting schedule! The tasting menu includes 4 locally distilled spirits and comes with a food pairing as well as dedicated seating. The tastings take place on Thursdays in the Beer Garden area inside the heated tent from December 1st through December 22nd between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

The Christmas Village is open from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. Daily market hours 11 am to 7 pm. Find more on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@bmorechristmas).

At a Glance

Christmas fun and shopping
Free to visit the outdoor area
Free weekdays to visit the tent
$5 to visit the tent on weekends (Free for children under 18)
Inner Harbor
Street Parking or $8 at Harbor Court Garage with validation from the info booth

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