Celebrate the holiday season in Worcester County
Maryland’s Coast is Open for the Holidays. Our coastal communities have many safe and welcoming ways to capture the season’s magic. Light up your holidays and warm your winter at the only place where the ocean meets land. To help plan your visit, call 410-957-2484 or explore VisitMarylandsCoast.org. Before you leave home, please confirm details with event hosts or websites since changes may be necessary during the evolving pandemic.
Berlin
Berlin’s Lights Up the Town Contest invites homeowners to decorate for the holiday. Decorations will be up from December 11 through New Year’s Day. Stop by the Welcome Center for a map of participating homes which will also be available online at www.berlinmainstreet.com. Awards include: “George Baily” (classic and traditional), “Kevin McAllister” (most creative and original), “Clark Griswold” (brightest), and “Charles Dickens” (grand prize).
Berlin has a special mailbox to Santa to make it easier for youngsters to send their wish lists directly to the North Pole and receive a reply and complimentary sweet treat coupon.
“Ice Ice Berlin” is set for Friday, November 27 from 5 to 9 pm. Holiday-themed ice sculptures carved by Erik Cantine will be lit and placed in downtown Berlin. Enjoy extended shopping hours, tree lighting, hot chocolate, and holiday music with DJ Big Al Reno.
Stroll Downtown to enjoy seasonal window displays styled by local artists from November 27 through December.
On November 28 -- Small Business Saturday -- the Welcome Center kicks off its free gift bag wrap promotion. Stop by with your purchased gift for a free bag, ‘Gift from Berlin’ sticker, and tissue paper. The promotion continues until supplies run out, Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm.
Second Fridays downtown are always fun. Visit December 11 when shops will be open for extended hours with merchandise outdoors for safe shopping.
Throughout the holidays, Berlin makes it easy to support local businesses. Look for drink and dining specials at local restaurants and live musical performances at Atlantic Hotel’s Bistro Bar (aka Drummer’s Café), Sisters Wine Bar, The Globe, and Burn Wood Fired Pizza.
Ocean City
The award-winning Winterfest of Lights sparkles from November 19 to January 2, 5:30 to 9:30 pm. Walk through thousands of sparkling holiday lights and see animated light displays in Northside Park. Sip hot chocolate, visit the gift shop, see an animated 50-foot Christmas tree, and soak up the holiday spirit. Admission is $5 for visitors age 12 and older, free for children 11 and under 11. Leashed dogs are welcome on Wednesdays. Powered wheelchairs and scooters are available to rent. Masks are required indoors and near Santa.
Christmas with the Rat Pack is a show of music and comedy inspired by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr. Featuring classic holiday songs like “White Christmas,” “Chestnuts,” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” it is scheduled Nov. 21 at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center. Doors open at 7 pm. Tickets $35-45.
Head to Northside Park (125th Street Bayside) at Midnight December 31 for the New Year’s Eve Fireworks display.
Dunk your tail in the Atlantic Ocean’s chilly waters for the 27th annual Penguin Swim on January 1 on the beach at The Princess Royale Oceanfront Hotel (91st Street). Registration is $25 and proceeds benefit local healthcare heroes at Atlantic General Hospital. Check-in begins at 10 am; the swim is at 1 pm. This fun-for-all event includes a costume contest and carnival games.
Take advantage of abundant restaurant and accommodation deals in Ocean City this holiday season.
Ocean Pines
Hometown Christmas returns Saturday, November 28 to White Horse Park. Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks will light its official Christmas tree at 6:30 pm and showcase dazzling light displays including 40 sponsored trees and a socially distanced meet-and-greet with Santa.
Stuck on a gift idea? Present a gift card to a local merchant!
Pocomoke City
The annual Pocomoke Christmas Parade is Monday, November 30 at 7 pm. The mile-long parade features fire trucks, Little Miss and Junior Miss Pocomoke, and of course -- Mr. and Mrs. Claus! All About Dance Academy members will perform and some of Santa’s elves add to the merriment under bright lights.
A Miracle on Market Street is set for Friday, Dec. 4 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Downtown Pocomoke City will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Enjoy a tree lighting, holiday music by Coastal Sound, performance by All About Dance Academy, carriage rides, sidewalk sales, craft vendors, goodies and giveaways, and a special appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Warm-up at the bonfire and join a carol singalong of “Joy to the World” at 6 pm and “Silent Night” at 8 pm. This inaugural event has been designed to comply with CDC guidelines.
Throughout December, many businesses in downtown Pocomoke City host holiday open houses and special activities, including Enchanted Florist & Gifts, BAE Boutique, and the Delmarva Discovery Museum. Look for sidewalk sales and other specials. Planning your own holiday event? Dockside Restaurant can help with your catering and party needs.
Snow Hill
The Snow Hill Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will host a Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 21 from 10 am to 2 pm at the volunteer fire station (4718 Snow Hill Rd.). Find the perfect holiday gift from Eastern Shore vendors and support local businesses.
“It’s A Tree Thing,” sponsored by Snow Hill Arts on the River, will display artfully decorated trees at 15 downtown businesses beginning Tuesday, December 1. Tour the trees and enter raffles to take home your favorite tree. Raffle tickets are $1 and winners will be drawn on Dec. 16.
A virtual Christmas tree lighting will be hosted live on Wednesday, December 2 at 5:30 pm on the What’s Happening in Snow Hill Facebook page. Join us from the comfort of your own home!
First Friday, hosted by Snow Hill Arts on the River, includes extended hours and live music on December 4. Visit Julia A. Purnell Museum’s open house 5 to 8 pm, free.
Bask in the holiday glow from your car at the Drive-Thru Christmas Party at Byrd Park Thursday, December 17, 5:30 pm. Be among the first 200 cars to drive the loop through the lights display and receive a goodie bag gift with holiday trinkets and merchant coupons.
See the elaborate model train display at Pocomoke River Canoe Company. The second floor of the iconic building overlooking the Pocomoke River is home to a dazzling train garden. December 1-31. Free admission. Call 410-632-3971 to schedule your visit.
Throughout December, merchants throughout Snow Hill will have Instagram-ready backdrops. Come pose, snap your picture, and tag #snowhillselfies when posting to join the social fun.
Finally, check out the awesome deals going on along the shore through the State of Maryland’s Open for the Holidays Campaign
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