Seasonal & Holidays

Lighted Boat Parade In Fell's Point + Winter Birding At Sandy Point

A lighted boat parade is coming to Fell's Point. Marylanders can also enjoy winter by bird-watching at Sandy Point State Park.

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The National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy suggested attending the Fell's Point boat parade on Saturday. The Potomac River is pictured above near Fell's Point in Baltimore earlier this fall.
The National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy suggested attending the Fell's Point boat parade on Saturday. The Potomac River is pictured above near Fell's Point in Baltimore earlier this fall. (Jacob Baumgart/Patch)

MARYLAND — The holiday season is here. Marylanders can get in the spirit with a lighted boat parade in Baltimore or several other festivities around the state. Residents can also enjoy winter by bird-watching at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, which is one of the season's best birding spots in Maryland.

In more solemn news, the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack is next week. Marylanders can pay their respects at a ceremony.

Patch recently partnered with several local organizations to bring you their latest news. This guest contribution comes from National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy. Here's what Jody Hedeman Couser submitted to help you explore the Chesapeake Bay:

Find out what's happening in Annapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Fell's Point Boat Parade

The Fell's Point Historic District has some great holiday events planned, including a lighted boat parade, strolling carolers, Eggnog Contest, “Carole-oke” contest and tree lighting. The boat parade is free; Dec. 3, Ann Street Wharf/ Broadway Pier/ Bond Street Wharf, 6:00 p.m. Complete schedule"

"Top Places for Winter Forest Birding in Maryland

While the colder temperatures can make it tempting to stay indoors, it’s also a great time of year to find some new birding spots in and around the Chesapeake watershed, with many species migrating through or overwintering in our region. We’ve chosen our top ten favorite places for finding upland species during winter in Maryland. At Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, resident song sparrow and American robin are reliably viewed, while winter visitors may include hermit thrush and white-throated sparrow. With over 35,000 acres to scope out at Cedarville State Forest, you can reliably expect to find resident Carolina chickadee and northern cardinal and migratory species may include golden and ruby-crowned kinglets among others. Seneca Creek State Park is a great location for resident species such as the pileated woodpecker – much more easily spotted in winter without the leaves – as well as migratory species including ruby and golden-crowned kinglet. Read more about all ten birding hot spots."

Find out what's happening in Annapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony

Historic Ships in Baltimore request your presence for the annual Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the 1941 attack on Hawaii. The ceremony will be on board US Coast Guard Cutter WHEC-37. The distinguished speaker for the ceremony will be Capt. Grahame Dicks, USN Chief of Staff, Naval District Washington. This event is free and open to the public and will take place outside on the ship’s fantail. Light refreshments will be provided after the ceremony. Dec. 7, 12 p.m.; Pier 5, Baltimore, MD. More information"

"Winter’s Eve

Join Piscataway Park and its barnyard favorites[,] like Sir Nigel the Hog Island sheep, for their holiday festival. Take a ride in the lighted hay wagon, tour the livestock barn, explore the historic Laurel Branch farmhouse and garden by candlelight, try candle-dipping and sing carols around the bonfire on the National Colonial Farm. The Visitor Center gift shop will also be open. General admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children (12 and under). Included in general admission tickets is access to the event and hayrides, as well as hot cider to keep you warm and toasty. Add $5 to the cost of your admission to enjoy the deluxe hot cocoa bar, with all the fixings to help you create a hot cocoa masterpiece. Dec. 3, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Piscataway Park / National Colonial Farm; Accokeek, MD. More info and tickets"

"Holiday Jazz at the Mural

The Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center will present a live music performance right in front of the well known “Take My Hand” mural on the side of their building. Enjoy the sounds of Linda Harris, Candice Bostwick, Petra Martin, Iva Ambush and David Cole and Main Street Blues. $40 per person; all proceeds benefit programming at the Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center. Dec. 10, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Cambridge, MD. More details and tickets"

"Yuletide Festival & Holiday Marketplace

Enjoy Old Fashioned Holiday fun for the whole family at Mount Harmon on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This festive holiday event features Mount Harmon’s famous Yuletide Decorations & Greens Sale, Yuletide Manor House Tours, Holiday Artisan Marketplace & Gift Shops, hearth cooking demonstrations in the colonial kitchen, colonial reenactors and live tree and plant sale. Make a day of it with food and refreshments from the food court and open air tavern. $10 for nonmembers. Dec. 3-4, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Mount Harmon, Earleville, MD. More details and tickets"

"Gift Ideas for Towpath Lovers

The C&O Canal Trust has great gift ideas for fans of this diverse and wonderful national park. Enjoy the beautiful vistas of the C&O Canal National Historical Park all year long with the new 2023 Calendar, available for $12.95. C&O Canal National Historical Park T-shirts and caps are also available. And for that very special person on your list, you can purchase a Canal Quarters Gift Certificate for overnight stays in one of the lockhouses on the towpath."

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