As we unwind from midterm week and go on a well-deserved Christmas break, here is a list containing several activities to do locally as well as at home:

Ice Skating

Outdoor ice rinks include Rockville Town Square and Color Burst Rink in Merriweather District, Downtown Columbia. The Rockville Town Center rink requires reservations in order to skate.  Admission is $11 for adults and $10 for seniors and children. The Color Burst Rink is open until February 28, 2022 and reserving a time to skate (75 minutes) is encouraged. Although you can purchase tickets at the rink, an available spot is not guaranteed. Tickets, including admission and skates, are $14 per person. There are also many indoor rinks to visit including Wheaton Ice Arena and Cabin John! 

German-themed Christmas Village in Baltimore: 

Inspired by German Christmas markets, there will be a Christmas Village located in the Inner Harbor where you can try European foods and also shop! This event will end on Christmas Eve and the hours are listed below: 

Sundays – Thursdays: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Fridays – Saturdays: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Olney Theatre Center: 

The Olney Theatre Center (located across from school) is showing both A Christmas Carol and Beauty and the Beast! A Christmas Carol will be playing up until December 26, 2021 and Beauty and the Beast will be playing up until January 2, 2022. For both shows, masking and proof of vaccination is required (not required for ages 5-11, but masking is required)

The Gaylord National Harbor 

National Harbor is having a walk-through experience where you can walk through 5 Christmas movies’ settings which are “Elf,” “The Polar Express,” “A Christmas Story,” “The Year Without Santa Claus,” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Tickets are on sale now. 

The Nutcracker: At the Warner Theater, 

The Nutcracker will be playing up until December 26th, 2021. Ticket prices vary from $65-$150+. Proof of vaccination is required and a negative COVID test is required for children under 12. 

Seneca Drive Through: 

Located at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, MD, the Winter Lights Festival is ongoing until December 31, 2021. It begins at 6 and the latest entry is allowed in at 9pm and 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $15 per vehicle on weekdays and $25 Friday-Sunday. Tickets are not available at the admission booth. While driving through the 3.5 mile light display, feel free to listen to Christmas music on 97.1! 

Kwanzaa Celebrations: 

Kwanzaa celebrations will take place on December 26, 2021-January 1, 2022. In-person  celebrations will be at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore and the Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center. At the Banneker-Douglass Museum in Annapolis, virtual celebrations will also take place. 

Amusement Parks: 

There will be Christmas events going on at Six Flags (ends January 2), Hershey Park (ends January 2,) Kings Dominion (ends January 9,) and Busch Gardens (ends January 2.)

Some indoor activities during break include: 

• Baking
• Watching Christmas movies
• Secret Santa gift exchange with friends and family
• Cooking a meal with friends and family 

Whatever you decide to do…HAVE FUN!

Sources:

Busch Gardens. “Busch Gardens Christmas Town.” Buschgardens.com, buschgardens.com/williamsburg/rides-at-christmas-town/. Accessed 11 Dec. 2021.

Christmas Village. “Explore Baltimore’s authentic German Christmas market.” Baltimore-christmas.com, www.baltimore-christmas.com/index.html. Accessed 9 Dec. 2021.

Gaithersburg. “Winter Lights Festival.” Gaithersburgmd.gov, www.gaithersburgmd.gov/recreation/special-events/winter-lights-festival. Accessed 10 Dec. 2021.

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. “Christmas at Gaylord National.” Marriott.com, christmasatgaylordnational.marriott.com/. Accessed 11 Dec. 2021.

Hershey Park. “Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.” Hersheypark.com, www.hersheypark.com/explore-the-park/christmas.php. Accessed 11 Dec. 2021.

KingsDominion. “WinterFest.” KingsDominion.com, www.kingsdominion.com/events/winterfest. Accessed 11 Dec. 2021.

Olney Theatre Center. “A Christmas Carol 2021.” Olneytheatre.org, www.olneytheatre.org/whats-playing/christmas-carol-2021. Accessed 9 Dec. 2021.

—. “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.” Olneytheatre.org, www.olneytheatre.org/whats-playing/disneys-beauty-and-beast. Accessed 11 Dec. 2021.

Six Flags. “Holiday in the Park.” Sixflags.com, www.sixflags.com/america/events/holiday-in-the-park. Accessed 11 Dec. 2021.

Sunshinewhispers. “The Most Magical Christmas Events In Maryland Region To Experience With Kids.” Sunshinewhispers.com, sunshinewhispers.com/the-most-magical-christmas-events-in-maryland-region-to-experience-with-kids/. Accessed 11 Dec. 2021.

VisitMaryland. “Merry-land Holiday Festivities.” VisitMaryland.org, www.visitmaryland.org/list/merry-land-holiday-festivities. Accessed 9 Dec. 2021.

Washington Ballet. “The Nutcracker.” Washingtonballet.org, www.washingtonballet.org/events/the-nutcracker-2021/. Accessed 11 Dec. 2021.