Once the tryptophan wears off it will be time to get out, about and enjoy some (cool) Baltimore family fun over the Thanksgiving holiday! Work off that stuffing with a spin around the rink. Snag some marshmallows and tighten the lid on your hot cocoa thermos, then head out to catch the holiday lights. Or keep the fun indoors where Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy take to the stage in a twirl of holiday tradition.
(cool) baltimore family fun: thanksgiving break edition
Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K
November 24 | Locations and Times Vary
Join thousands of individuals as they run, walk, jog and stroll in support of local children and families at The Y in CentralMaryland’s annual Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K, a Thanksgiving Day tradition that raises critically-needed funds so children living in poverty throughout Central Maryland have access to Y programs that will forever shape their lives. On Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 24, 2016, the Y will host its Turkey Trot Charity 5K in Arnold, Baltimore City, Bel Air, Ellicott City, Perry Hall, Towson and Westminster. This is the first year the race will be held in Perry Hall. Each Y Turkey Trot will feature a 5K Run/Walk, and medals will be awarded in each age group. Prizes will also be awarded to the top fundraisers. All participants will receive an official race t-shirt. Proceeds benefit children whose families can’t afford educational and enrichment opportunities, such as Y Preschool and Camp. LifeBridge Health is the Title Sponsor. MORE
November 24 – December 24 | Times Vary
Christmas Village in Baltimore is a combination of an outdoor and indoor Holiday Market at West Shore Park in the Inner Harbor. The event is modeled after the traditional Christmas Markets in Germany like the famous Christkindl Market in Nuremberg. From Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, vendors in more than 50 booths will sell traditional European food, sweets, and drinks. They also offer a great shopping experience with a large variety of international holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry and high-quality arts and crafts. MORE
Ice Skating @ The Pandora Ice Rink
November 25 – 27 | Times Vary
It’s time to dust off those ice skates — the Pandora Ice Rink at the Inner Harbor is OPEN for the season! Located between the Harborplace Pavillions, the rink is open for posted hours seven days a week with extended times on the holidays. It’s the perfect keep-em-busy activity for those days off of school, early evenings or weekend adventures. (Ice skating under the stars and city lights followed by a cup of cocoa from the Christmas Village? It’s the stuff holiday memories are made of!). Regular admission is $9-$10 plus $4 for skate rental. Added bonus? Just show your skating wristband to take advantage of great dining deals around the harbor at your favorite restaurants. MORE
Thanksgiving at Port Discovery
November 25 – 27 | Times Vary
After enjoying Thanksgiving Day festivities with your family, enjoy educational and fun Thanksgiving-themed activities at Port Discovery with the whole family! Come make Thanksgiving Gobble hats and other Thanksgiving themed crafts, enjoy interactive story time, Jingle Jangle Music Time, roaming music with Mr. Don, Life on Yoga Mountain (designed just for kids six and under) and much more. What a great addition to your family traditions! Port Discovery will be open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM on Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, and 12 PM to 5 PM on Sunday. Tickets are $14.95 per person; members and guests ages 2 and under are free. MORE
Drop in Art at The Walters
November 25 – 27 | 11 AM – 4 PM
Join The Walters for an extra day of drop in art! This weekend, they’ll be exploring color cornucopias. MORE
Pink Friday at SparTea
November 25 | 9 AM – 5 PM, by appointment
Book your pint-sized princess and her bestie for a 2.5 hour playdate at SparTea! They’ll enjoy a mini mani-pedi, pretend facial, hand and foot massage, jewelry beading, canvas painting, board games, and snacks. And you’ll have 2.5 hours to shop! MORE
Martinville Christmas Train Garden at the Aviation Museum
November 25 | 11:00 AM – 3 PM
On Friday, November 25 the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum’s third annual Martinville Christmas Train Garden will open for the holiday season with special guest Santa Claus assisting with the ribbon cutting. The Museum opens at 11am. Santa arrives at 11:30am with fire truck escort and children can share their Christmas lists with Santa until 1:30pm. The Train Garden opens at 12pm. This special holiday display of miniature planes and trains is open during Museum hours Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11am to 3pm through January 14, 2017. This exhibit is included with Museum admission. Add a visit to this train garden to a list of family holiday traditions. $3 for adults, $1 for children. MORE
Kennedy Krieger’s Festival of Trees
November 25 – 27 | Times Vary
Join Kennedy Krieger Institute as they kick off the holiday season by welcoming Santa Claus to our winter wonderland at the 27th Annual Festival of Trees! The East Coast’s largest holiday-themed festival returns to the Maryland State Fairgrounds Friday, November 25 to Sunday, November 27, with decorated trees, a gingerbread town, shopping, endless holiday activities and non-stop entertainment for children of all ages. New this year, Festival of Trees introduces a ticketed Breakfast with Santa event. MORE
November 25 | 10 AM – 4:30 PM
Charm City Players’ Beauty and the Beast
November 25 – 26 | 2 PM
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast comes to life this November with Charm City Players. After a hiatus from the local stage of nearly 6 years this is a chance for a whole new generation to fall in love with this timeless love story. It’s their biggest show ever with a cast of 70+ amazingly talented performers from throughout the mid atlantic region. Every show is a theatrical event featuring free face painting and pre-show crafts, free parking, live orchestra, and meet and greet with the entire cast. Tickets are just $15 (and you can add on a $15 pre-show tea event, too!). Don’t miss our interview with Belle. MORE
The Nutcracker by The Russian Ballet Academy of Maryland
November 25 – 26 | Times Vary
The Classical Ballet Theatre of Maryland and L’Etoile- The Russian Ballet Academy of Maryland proudly present The Nutcracker! Join Clara and her magical Nutcracker as they go on an adventure waltzing with snowflakes, battling the Rat King and his mouse army, and dancing with the Sugarplum Fairy! Bring your family and friends to create a new holiday tradition that will be talked about for years to come! MORE
Christmas Lights on 34th
November 25 – 26 | 5 PM – 10 PM
It’s a Baltimore tradition, Hon. There’s nothing like a trip down 34th Street to get help get the whole family into the holiday spirit. See their faces light up as historic Hampden homes transform into an illuminated Christmas village. MORE
Lights on The Bay
November 25 – January 1 | 5 PM – 10 PM
This annual holiday tradition takes place at Sandy Point State Park lighting up the shores with holiday cheer. Light on The Bay features a two-mile scenic drive along the Chesapeake Bay with approximately 70 animated and stationary displays illuminating the roadway. In addition to popular classic displays that visitors have enjoyed for years, including a colonial village inspired by historic Annapolis and one of the USNA midshipmen tossing their hats in the air, guests will also be treated to two new themes this year: North Pole Village & Enchanted Fairy Tales. MORE
Tuba Christmas at the Weinberg Center in Frederick
November 26 | 12 PM
Join the Weinberg for an afternoon of holiday fun with as many as 80 regional tuba and euphonium players performing 4-part Christmas carols on our stage. Fredericks Tuba Christmas enters its 15th year this season, featuring players ranging from ages 9 to 70! Admission is FREE with with any cash or canned food donation; items collected will benefit the Community Action Agency of Frederick City. No ticket required. MORE
Free Family Sundays at the Baltimore Museum of Art
November 27 | 2 PM – 5 PM
Head to the Baltimore Museum of Art for Free Family Sundays this weekend! This Sunday, participants will design dramatic windows in an art activity inspired by Matisse/Diebenkorn. MORE
Take the Casserole Challenge
Make this weekend + drop off on November 28 | Times Vary
Take Jewish Volunteer Connection’s Casserole Challenge and make a casserole (or 5!) for families of children at Kids Safe Zone. You can use any casserole recipe you’d like- just prepare one that you and your family would love to eat! (They even have some ideas). Be sure to sign up in advance and let them know where you’re dropping your casserole. MORE
looking to next weekend…
And don’t forget to mark your calendars to join us for shopping, DIY fun and girl time next weekend!
Girls’ Day Out at Green Spring Station’s Makers Market
December 3 | 10:00 AM – 5 PM
Kick-off the holiday season with a day of shopping of fun with your girls! Join (cool) progeny for a Girls’ Day Out at Green Spring Station’s Makers Market! Your ticket includes the DIY workshop of your choice, welcome cocktail, swag bag, complimentary shuttle service from downtown Baltimore (If you’d like!), and discount childcare from Seeking Sitters! Plus you’ll get the opportunity to enjoy the one-day artisan market and fabulous boutiques at Green Spring Station. MORE
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