Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Harford County: Parades, Tree Lightings, More

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — There is no shortage of things to do in Harford County to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

A grand Chanukah menorah lighting will be held Dec. 18 at Shamrock Park in Bel Air at 5 p.m. A family Chanukah dinner will be held in Bel Air Dec. 20 at 5:30 p.m. To RSVP, email rabbi@harfordchabad.org.

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally. Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

Here are other holiday events designed to help usher in the season:

• Winter Wonderland Features Christmas Train Garden, Carriage Rides
• 'Christmas In Bel Air' Schedule: Carriage Rides, Parade, Santa Visits, Tree Lighting, Train Garden