Let there be lights -- the holiday season is here!
On Thursday, holiday celebrants can watch as Baltimore's Washington Monument is set ablaze with strings of colored lights and fireworks. Saturday brings more than 50 boats to the Baltimore harbor to participate in a lighted boat parade. The same day in Western Maryland, 23,110 luminaria will illuminate Antietam National Battlefield. And each night throughout the holiday season, some 200,000 lights will twinkle from trees, shrubs and buildings in Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, where lighting displays include an animated toy soldier, flying geese, giant bear and other creations.
Here's an opportunity to shake off the humbugs and turn on a light in your life with a little holiday cheer. There's much to be found. Just look at this list, which is only a sampling of what's happening during the Christmas season in Maryland:
THROUGH JAN. 1
* Winter Festival of Lights, Upper Marlboro. A drive-through display with 200,000 colored lights outlining shrubs, trees and buildings; 50 decorated trees; a tunnel of lights; a carousel; a giant teddy bear; and other magical displays. 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. nightly. Watkins Regional Park. Free (donations of canned goods for needy accepted). (301) 699-2545.
FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS THROUGH DEC. 18
* Olde Fashioned Candlelight Christmas in Fells Point, Baltimore. Shops and homes in this waterfront community are decorated for an old-fashioned Christmas. A town crier announces the evening's events: fireside readings from Charles Dickens; lamplighter's tours; bell ringers; visits with Santa; holiday music; performances of "The Gift of the Magi"; tours of the Robert Long House; music-box carousel and toy-land train for children; hot refreshments at the Tea Booth on the Square; and other events. Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. (410) 563-0906.
THROUGH DEC. 3
* Old-Fashioned Holiday at Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St., Westminster. Pathways lighted by luminaria lead visitors to the 19th-century farmhouse, where costumed guides will show rooms decorated for an old-fashioned holiday; museum artisans will demonstrate traditional skills in the living-history center. Holiday foods, poinsettias, holiday gifts and wagon rides on the weekends. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. other days. Admission: $1. (410) 876-2667.
DEC. 1
* A Monumental Occasion, Mount Vernon Place. The official lighting of the Washington Monument for the holiday season, with fanfare, fireworks, music by local choirs and refreshments. 5:30 p.m. (410) 244-1030.
DEC. 1-31
* Holiday Celebration at William Paca House, 186 Prince George St., Annapolis. View the 18th-century holiday decorations at the home of William and Mary Paca. "I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In," theme of this year's event, depicts the arrival of the goods and plants from around the world that furnish the Georgian townhouse. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $6 combination house and garden tour; $4 for house tour; $3 for garden tour; half price for children. (410) 269-0432.
DEC. 2-4, DEC. 9-11
* Christmas Madrigal Evenings, St. Mary's City. Series of candlelight dinners in the reconstructed State House of 1676. Dine with the lord and lady of the manor as madrigals and motets are sung by costumed entertainers. Evenings begin with wassail hour at 6:30 p.m. Admission: $40. (800) SMC-1634 or (301) 862-0981.
DEC. 2-3
* State House by Candlelight, Annapolis. An open-house celebration with candlelight and holiday music. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free. (410) 974-3400.
DEC. 2-4, DEC. 9-11
* Ballestone Manor Holly Tour, Rocky Point Golf Course, Back River Neck Road, Essex. Costumed guides lead candlelight tours through the manor house to see Christmas trees decorated as they would have been from 1860 to 1963; toys of eras past; also musical entertainment and cookies by the fireside. Hours: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays; 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission: $2.50 for adults; 50 cents for children under 14. (410) 686-5821 or (410) 887-0218.
DEC. 3
* Lighted Boat Parade, Baltimore. More than 50 decorated and illuminated boats, including the Pride of Baltimore II, circle the Inner Harbor and Fells Point waterfront. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Free. Inclement weather date: Dec. 4. (410) 837-4636.
* Antietam National Battlefield Illumination, Sharpsburg. Drive through the battlefield by the light of 23,110 luminaria (the number represents the casualties from the 1862 Civil War battle). Hours: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Enter on Route 34. Free. Rain date: Dec. 10. (301) 432-5124.
DEC. 3-4
* Christmas in New Market. Enjoy the Colonial decorations, complimentary cider and cookies, horse-drawn hayrides, food, tree-lighting ceremony, Christmas story, strolling musicians, carolers and concerts at Grace Episcopal Church both days at 2 p.m. Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Off Interstate 70 at Exit 62. Free. (301) 865-5656. Tour of eight houses and three churches (Sunday only) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. $10 donation benefits Frederick County Hospice. (301) 694-6444.
* Christmas on the Susquehanna, Steppingstone Museum, 461 Quaker Bottom Road in Susquehanna State Park, Havre de Grace. Farmhouse is dressed for an old-fashioned Christmas, adopting the theme of apples and spice; storytelling in the parlor and hot mulled cider and cookies in the kitchen; greens for sale; gift shop and homemade baked goods. Hours: noon to 4:30 p.m. Free. Take Interstate 95 north to Exit 6 and follow to Susquehanna State Park. (410) 939-2299.
* Holiday Candlelight House Tours, Frederick. Holiday tour of seven private homes in Frederick's historic district constructed between 1820 and 1937; also includes Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, completed in 1756 and the oldest house in Frederick still standing; different musical presentations in some of the homes; hospitality suite at Delaplaine Visual Arts Center. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $15. (301) 663-8687 or (800) 999-3613.
DEC. 4
* Museums by Candlelight, Frederick. Twelve historic sites in the city and county, with costumed hostesses, musical entertainment, refreshments, exhibits, cooking demonstrations and history presentations. Hours: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free, but donations accepted. (301) 663-8687 or (800) 999-3613.
* Holiday Open House at Evergreen, 4545 N. Charles St., Baltimore. Enjoy seasonal treats while listening to piano music of the '30s during tours of the decorated mansion; Christmas boutique. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $5 adults; $4 seniors; $2.50 students; free for under 12. (410) 516-0341.
DEC. 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 18
* Candlelight Pub Crawl, Annapolis. Lantern-lighted walks led by guides in Colonial attire through streets of Annapolis; progressive dinner, spirits and entertainment. 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Reservations required. Admission: $65. (410) 263-5401.
DEC. 7-9
* Yuletide at Hampton Mansion, Hampton Lane, Towson. Christmas decorations from 18th and 19th centuries, with costumed guides, refreshments and musical entertainment. Hours: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free by advance tickets. Limited reservations accepted until Dec. 2; holiday dinner available in the tea room at 6:30 p.m. (410) 583-7401. Decorations remain through Dec. 19 with tours on the hour, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. (410) 962-0688.
DEC. 9-10
* 18th-Century Christmas Celebration at Hammond-Harwood House, 19 Maryland Ave., Annapolis. Decorations in the Colonial manner by garden clubs from the Annapolis area; costumed hostesses; musical entertainment in the drawing room; wassail and cookies in museum kitchen; greens and decorations for sale. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday. Admission: $6 for adults; $3 for ages 6 to 18. (410) 269-1714.
DEC. 9-11
* Christmas at an English Country House, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton. Tours of decorated house and grounds, featuring famous topiary hedges. Musical entertainment; complimentary refreshments; greens sale; gift shop and cafe. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $5 for adults; $4 for seniors and students; $1 for children under 12. Directions: 14 miles north of Beltway Exit 27B, on Jarrettsville Pike between Jacksonville and Madonna. (410) 557-9466.
* Solomons Christmas Walk and Boat Parade, Solomons. Spend a weekend filled with holiday fun in a Chesapeake Bay village, beginning with a tree-lighting ceremony and holiday music on Friday; Santa's arrival by boat, craft demonstrations, tour of the decorated Drum Point Lighthouse, musical performances, holiday cheer, lighted boat parade, and live nativity scene on Saturday; "A Broadway Christmas Carol" by Maryland Traveling Repertory Theatre and vintage and classic car parade with Santa on Sunday; also homemade Southern Maryland food, artist demonstrations, wagon rides and more. Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Some admission charges. (800) 331-9771 or (800) 356-2009.
DEC. 9-18
* "Christmas at Homewood," Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore. Christmas tours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sundays. Evening tour with period music and refreshments from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 13. Admission: $5 adults; $4 seniors; $2.50 students. (410) 516-5589.
DEC. 10
* A Child's Colonial Christmas, London Town Publik House & Gardens, Edgewater. Event for ages 6 to 12 combines Colonial history and craft making with a children's tour of the museum. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are limited and a must. Admission: $5 for children; $3.50 for adults. (410) 222-1919.
* Mansion by Candlelight, Princess Anne. Tour the Teakle Mansion by candlelight. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission: $3. (410) 651-2762.
DEC. 10-11
* Union Mills Homestead's Poinsettia and Greens Open House Sale, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster. Three rooms of the 1797 Homestead will be decked out for an old-fashioned Christmas by Alloway Herb Gardens; hot mulled cider and cookies served in the mill. Poinsettias and wreaths for sale in the grist mill; Christmas trees and greens in the tannery; Santa holds court in the miller's office of the grist mill both days; Christmas items, homemade bread and stone-ground flours for sale in the gift shop. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free. (410) 848-2288.
* Christmas in St. Michaels. An action-packed weekend includes a house tour of decorated private homes both days from noon to 5 p.m.; a main-street parade; Santa and Mrs. Claus greet children in the firehouse; exhibits by local artists; wood carving; a Christmas bazaar; breakfast with Santa; Alpine Christmas Village, Christmas dinner at Union United Methodist Church, lighted boat parade. Celebration concludes Sunday evening with Celebration of Choirs. House-tour tickets can be bought on tour day at St. Luke's United Methodist Church on Talbot Street. Admission: $15, includes five homes, two boats and Hooper's Strait lighthouse. (410) 745-5452.
* Candlelight Open House at Charles Carroll House, 107 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis. Tour the home of Charles Carroll of Carrollton by candlelight and enjoy 18th-century refreshments. 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 10. Admission: $4. On Dec. 11 attend an 18th-century Mozart musicale by the Annapolis Opera Company; period refreshments will be served. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Admission: $22. Reservations required. (410) 269-1737.
DEC. 10-12
* Christmas at Mount Clare Mansion, Carroll Park. See the 1760 home of Charles Carroll, barrister, in its 18th-century Christmas finery. Listen to period music by David and Ginger Hildebrand, as docents in Colonial costume serve hot mulled cider and cookies. Performance by Monumental City Fife and Drum Corps (Saturday only). Hours: Noon to 3 p.m. Admission: $4 for adults; $1 for children under 12. (410) 837-3262.
* Victorian Christmas by Candlelight at Surratt House, 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton. Decorations and traditions of a mid-19th-century Christmas with displays of greenery; tours by costumed guides; Civil War soldiers as sentries; antique toys; 19th-century Christmas cards and tree ornaments; refreshments; and a visit by Father Christmas. Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 10; 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 11; and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 12. Admission: $1.50 for adults; $1 for senior citizens; 50 cents for students. (301) 868-1121.
DEC. 11
* Candlelight Tour at London Town Publik House, Edgewater. Holiday decorations throughout the 18th-century ferry tavern with performances by madrigal singers and light refreshments; greens sale; gift shop. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Admission: $4 for adults; $2 for children. (410) 222-1919.
* Christmas Candlelight Tour, Havre de Grace. Annual Christmas tour of historic town features eight private homes, including Sion Hill, home of Commodore John Rodgers, hero of the War of 1812; and the restored skipjack Martha Lewis (weather permitting). The tour includes the Susquehanna Museum Lockhouse, Concord Point Lighthouse, Decoy Museum, two decoy shops and St. John's Episcopal Church. Refreshments at the lock house. Tour hours: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; shops open at noon. Admission: $10. Benefits the Susquehanna Museum Lockhouse. (410) 939-3947.
* Historic Uniontown Candlelight Tour. Six historic private homes open for tour along with the old Uniontown Academy and Taneytown Bank & Trust buildings. Free buggy rides between sites; complimentary refreshments; lunch available at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Admission: $10. (800) 272-1933.
* Union Square Christmas Cookie Tour, Baltimore. Tour about 25 Victorian homes, including the H. L. Mencken House; refreshment served at each home; urban Christmas Shop. Noon to 5 p.m. Admission: $10. Tickets sold on tour day at Steuart Hill Elementary School, Lombard and Gilmore streets. (410) 945-1497 or (410) 233-3168.
DEC. 17
* Christmas in Historic Chestertown. Eleventh Annual Christmas tour of 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century homes and public buildings from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; refreshments at Emmanuel Church. Admission: $12.50 in advance; $15 after Dec. 9; $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be bought on tour day at Emmanuel Church. For advance tickets, write Parents' Association, Garnett Elementary School, Calvert Street, Chestertown, Md. 21620. (410) 778-0866.
DEC. 18
* Holiday Tour of Federal Hill and Otterbein, Baltimore. Candlelight tour of 10 decorated homes in two historic districts, highlighting the celebrations of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas, led by carolers. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Admission: $10. (410) 675-6750.