It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are in full swing in downtown Baltimore and that means concerts, Christmas movies, Kwanzaa celebrations and more. It’s a festive season – and a busy one in downtown Baltimore.
Here’s a look at some of the best ways to celebrate the season in Baltimore this month:
Listen to Music
There are concerts galore in the city this month, featuring all sorts of different artists and genres.
One of the biggest in town is WPOC’s Acoustic Christmas Show, which takes over Rams Head Live on December 11. The concert features Emma White and Gone West and is headlined by Lauren Alaina, a former American Idol runner-up and CMA New Artist of the Year nominee.
Another fun show, the Baltimore Holiday Jam, comes to Baltimore Soundstage on Friday, December 20. The show features Electric Love Machine, Space Bacon, Moody Goose, and Natalie Brooke & The Band. Plus, it’s an ugly sweater party and there will be live painting and artists and vendors on-site – that’s a lot in one evening!
Get Filthy
Baltimore’s own Prince of Puke, John Waters, will be at Baltimore Soundstage on December 19 to perform his renowned annual Christmas Show.
This year, the show is “Filthier & Merrier” and subtitled “It’ll Stuff Your Turkey.” As always, it’s hard to know exactly what to expect from Waters…but Baltimoreans wouldn’t have it any other way.
Test Your Christmas Knowledge
How much do you know about your fave holiday flicks? Test your knowledge during a local holiday movie trivia night and you just might win one of several prizes. On December 18 at Hard Rock Café will host a movie trivia contest – and if you’re up for a repeat, hit December 19 at Tin Roof in Power Plant Live! for another evening of Christmas movie fun.
Cause a Bit of Mayhem
On Friday, December 20, Power Plant Live! gets crazy with Mistletoe Mayhem, a wild night of a party including drink specials throughout the bar complex, an ugly sweater contest, pictures with Santa and live music by Crushing Day on the main stage.
Get into the Groove, Santa-Style
On Saturday, December 21, find out who’s naughty and nice at Mosaic Nightclub & Lounge, in Power Plant Live!, during the club’s Santa Suit Rave. The party includes music from Z104.3’s DJ Dirty Elbows, a Santa suit costume contest, drink specials and a midnight champagne toast.
Hit a Museum – on Land or Sea
December 15, the USS Constellation will host a very special guest: a Civil War-era Santa Claus in a suit designed to look just like the one in the famous Thomas Nast illustration that appeared on the cover of Harper’s Weekly in 1862. Admission to the see Santa is included in Historic Ships admission for the day (and free for Historic Ships members).
On December 20, Port Discovery will host a $2 family fun night, during which admission to the newly renovated kids’ museum will be just $2 per person between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets must be purchased onsite (they are not available online) and the event will likely sell out, so get there early!
On December 28, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum will host a Kwanzaa celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event, which only costs $5, includes a variety of activities, including lectures, crafts, dance, and drumming performances and an African Marketplace “celebrating the principle ‘Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility.’”
Where to Park when Heading Downtown for the Holidays
No matter where and how you’re celebrating the season, whether it’s with John Waters, country music superstars, or surrounded by Santa suits, before you head downtown, figure out where to park.
Located at 55 Market Place in downtown Baltimore, Harbor Park Garage is a convenient starting point for festive celebrations. It’s a very short walk from Power Plant Live! venues, Port Discovery and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and many more downtown attractions, restaurants and bars.
The garage is easily accessible from I-83 and other routes in and out of the city and is safe, well-lit and staffed 24/7 with a friendly crew of employees who are knowledgeable about the area and can point you in the right direction.