Here's What's Happening in Bowie in December 2016

BOWIE, MD — The leaves are being stripped off the trees, the temperature is dropping, and festive decorations are going up all around Bowie, which can only mean one thing: it's finally December. There will be lots of holiday-themed events throughout the town these coming weeks, so be sure to free up your schedule.

The town of Bowie has provided the following calendar up through New Year's Day:

12/2 – Holiday Craft Fair – Senior Center 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. This event is open to the public and a welcome part of the holiday season. For more information, please contact the Senior Center at 301-809-2300.

12/4-12/20 – “Foxfire” at Bowie Playhouse For ticket information call 301-805-0219 or visit www.bctheatre.com.

12/4 – Belair by Candlelight and Holiday Tree Lighting at Belair Mansion 12 - 8 p.m. Traditional decorations and flickering candles will offer a glimpse of holidays past. The music of “Bedlam” will fill the air at 2 p.m. and the candles will be lit at 3 p.m. Then, bundle up for an outdoor “carol sing-along” with the City Council, tree lighting, and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus atop the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department’s ladder truck at 7 p.m. Admission is free but donations to the Bowie Food Pantry are requested. Please look for the marked Food Pantry containers for your donations. For more information, please call 301-809-3089 or 301-809-3011 or email museumevents@cityofbowie.org or mcorley@cityofbowie.org.

12/5 – Certified Community Wildlife Habitat Celebration at City Hall 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

12/7 – Bowie Senior Chorale Holiday Concert at the Senior Center 4 p.m. Tickets are $2 or a food donation to the Bowie Food Pantry. For more information, contact the Senior Center at 301-809-2300.

12/7 – Holiday Paint Night at Belair Mansion 7 p.m. Paint a holiday picture, enjoy a glass of holiday spirit and snacks. The cost is $30 per person. Reservations and advanced payment required. For reservations and more information, please contact 301-809-3089 or museumevents@cityofbowie.org.

12/8 – Bowie Senior Chorale Holiday Concert at the Senior Center 1 p.m. Tickets are $2 or a food donation to the Bowie Food Pantry. For more information, contact the Senior Center at 301-809-2300.

12/10 – Saturday Fun with Santa 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Bowie Gym. For ages 10 and under with an adult. Have your picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Enjoy games, a moon bounce, face painting, music, giveaways, and more. The cost is $3 per child or a donation of an unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots. For more information, please contact the Gymnasium at 301-809-2388.

12/10 – Kinder Kristmas at Belair Mansion 12 - 4 p.m. Special tours, crafts, and refreshments for children ages 1 to 11. The Blue Sky Puppet Theater will perform at 3 p.m. Free, but donations to the Bowie Food Pantry are welcome. For more information, please contact 301-809-3089 or museumevents@cityofbowie.org.

12/16 – Holiday Party at the Senior Center 11:30 a.m. Join us for the Center’s annual holiday party! Enjoy lunch and DJ music. Register by December 6 at the Center. The cost is $10 for residents/$12 for nonresidents. For more information, please contact the Senior Center at 301-809-2300.

12/16 – Bowie Senior Chorale Holiday Concert – Bowie Center for the Performing Arts 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 per person and may be purchased at the Senior Center. For more information, contact the Senior Center at 301-809-2300.

12/16 - Toys for Tots Donation Deadline – The Bowie Police Department will be accepting donations of unwrapped toys through December 16 at most City facilities.

12/17 – Holiday Jingle Skate With Santa 1 - 3 p.m. at the Bowie Ice Arena. Admission is free with an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. For more information, contact the Ice Arena at 301-809-3090.

12/19 – Holiday Toddler Time Travelers at Belair Mansion 10 - 11 a.m. Fun for children ages 2 to 5. Stories, games and crafts. Free. For more information, please contact 301-809-3089 or museumevents@cityofbowie.org.

12/20 – Kringle Kaboose 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Bowie Railroad Museum. A special holiday Kids Kaboose on the new caboose! For more information, please contact 240-544-5677 or 301-809-3089 or museumevents@cityofbowie.org.

12/26 – American Red Cross Blood Drive 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Bowie Gym. Give the “Gift of Life” this holiday season. To register, go to www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RedCross. For more information, please contact the Gymnasium at 301-809-2388.

12/26 – Christmas Holiday (observed) No refuse or recycling collection. All City facilities closed.

12/30 – Noon Year’s Eve Party - Bowie Senior Center 12:30 p.m. $4 residents/$5 nonresidents. For more information, please contact the Senior Center at 301-809-2300.

1/2 – New Year’s Holiday (observed) City offices closed. No refuse collection. Recycling collection will be provided.

Image via Flickr user Elliot Moore