November 26
Miracle on Main
Holiday electric parade and annual tree lighting immediately following parade at Locust Lane. Santa’s Treat immediately following tree lighting at the Westminster Family Fitness Center located at 11 Longwell Avenue. There will be crafts, games, free face painting and a visit with Santa!
5 - 8 p.m. Downtown Westminster. Learn more at www.westminstermd.gov.
December 3
A Main Street Christmas
Visit this charming Main Street event, where true holiday spirit is about bringing the community together to share some memories, and make new ones. The old-fashioned Main Street Christmas celebration is a growing favorite holiday event. Main Street will be closed to traffic during this event so you can feel free to walk safely down Main Street.
5:30-7:30 p.m. Downtown Main Street, 3 N. Main St., Mount Airy. For more information, visit www.MountAiryMD.gov.
December 3
Merry Main Street
Enjoy nature-related and food crafts, write a letter to Santa and listen to a Christmas story by Miss Claus. This is a free event.
Noon-4 p.m. Downtown Sykesville. Visit www.downtownsykesville.com for more information.
December 3
Taneytown Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Featuring a candy cane hunt, musical performances and Christmas hayrides. Santa arrives at 5:30 p.m. Pictures available with Santa for children and pets. Food trucks will be on site. Non-perishable food donations will be accepted at the event.
3:30-8 p.m. Memorial Park, Taneytown. Visit www.taneytown.org for more information.
December 1-17
Holiday of Trees, Wreaths and Centerpieces
The Taneytown Heritage & Museum Association is sponsoring the annual Holiday of Trees, Wreaths & Centerpieces. Local individuals, businesses, and organizations participate by decorating a tree, wreath or centerpiece. All decorated items are donated for a silent auction benefiting the Taneytown History Museum. Decorated items will be on display in the lobby of the NWSB Bank. Decorated items will be voted on by the public. A collection box will be located by each item.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. NWSB Bank-Taneytown Branch, 222 E. Baltimore St., Taneytown. Learn more at www.TaneytownHH.org.
December 1-21
14th annual Gallery of Gifts
Shop small and buy local this holiday season. Get something for everyone on your list at our dazzling indoor art market at the Carroll Arts Center. Featuring dozens of artists, the Tevis Gallery will be filled with handmade products like jewelry, pottery, tree ornaments, baskets, candles, woodwork, soaps, and more.
Varying hours. Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster. Visit www.CarrollCountyArtsCouncil.org for more information.
December 1-4
25th annual Festival of Wreaths
It’s the Silver Anniversary of a beloved Carroll County holiday tradition. This annual holiday event features almost 100 unique theme wreaths that range from whimsical to wacky to wonderful. The wreaths are sold through an online auction that benefits the Arts Council. While the bidding is done online, the Arts Center still hosts a cheery display of all the entries for patrons to visit. Admission is free.
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster. For more information, visit FestivalofWreaths.com.
December 1
Jazz Night at McDaniel College
Directed by music lecturer Tim Jenkins, the McDaniel Jazz Ensemble performs diverse styles of jazz, including classic big band swing, bebop, Latin, funk, jazz-rock, and classic blues. The event is free to attend.
7-9 p.m. WMC Alumni Hall, 2 College Hill, Westminster. Learn more at www.McDaniel.edu.
December 3
Westminster Symphony Orchestra Concert
Linda Kirkpatrick, senior lecturer in music, directs the orchestra, which is composed of McDaniel and Carroll Community College students, as well as music faculty and community musicians. The event is free to attend.
3-5 p.m. WMC Alumni Hall, 2 College Hill, Westminster.
December 3, 10 & 17
Saturdays with Santa
Visit with Santa and take a free horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown Westminster.
Free to participate.
Noon-4 p.m. Locust Lane, Downtown Westminster. Visit www.westminstermd.gov for details.
December 3-4
Carroll County Artists Studio Tour
Enjoy a free family-friendly, self-guided tour of local art studios and two galleries located around Carroll County. Meet talented artists and artisans, see demonstrations and have the opportunity to buy fine art and crafts directly from the source. Support local artists and purchase your holiday gifts from these studios.
10 a.m-4 p.m. Various Locations in Carroll County. For more information, visit ccartists.com.
December 4
Gospel Choir Concert
McDaniel College’s Gospel Choir performs traditional and contemporary gospel music, as well as spirituals, under the direction of music lecturer Shelley Ensor with accompanist Alice Dorsey. This event is free.
3-5 p.m. WMC Alumni Hall, 2 College Hill, Westminster.
December 4
Christmas Memories Handbell Concert
Westminster Ringers Inc. present their annual December concert “Christmas Memories.” This concert will feature both ensembles, Westminster Ringers & Accelerando. During the 90-minute concert, listeners will hear holiday songs from their childhood that will spark many Christmas memories. Tickets $12-$17.
4-5:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church Westminster, 65 Washington Road, Westminster. Learn more at www.WestminsterRingers.org.
December 9-11
A Christmas Carol the Musical
Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated “Bah! Humbug!” Scrooge sums up his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he’s forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his past, present and future. Thanks to their guidance, Scrooge recognizes his faults and greets Christmas morning with a cheerful “Happy Christmas!” before spending the day reconnecting and sharing love with those who mean the most to him. Tickets cost: $15-$20.
Various showings. Coppermine Panther Plex (former NCHS) 1400 Panther Drive, Hampstead. For more information, email Playersonairinc@gmail.com. Get tickets at showtix4u.com/event-details/66671.
December 16
Fast Color (2018)
Part of the free Black American Film Festival. Hunted by mysterious forces, a young woman who has supernatural abilities must go on the run when her powers are discovered. With nowhere else to go, she flees back to her family and the farmhouse she abandoned long ago. There, while being pursued by the local sheriff, she begins to mend the broken relationships with her mother and daughter and learns that the power she needed was inside her all along. 2018; 1 hour 40 minutes; PG-13 for a scene of violence and brief strong language. This event is free.
7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster. Visit www.CarrollCountyArtsCouncil.org for more information.
December 17-18
A Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas
What do you get when you pair the beloved animated holiday film with a live performance of the film’s Vince Guaraldi jazz score? You get a fabulously festive show featuring the renowned Eric Byrd Trio! This annual presentation is always very popular with families as well as discriminating jazz aficionados and is a great way to celebrate the season. Enjoy a screening of the holiday classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas, followed by a performance of the cartoon’s iconic score. Tickets $10-$25.
Various Times. Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster. Visit www.CarrollCountyArtsCouncil.org for details.
December 17
Wreaths Across America — Carroll County
Join us on National Wreaths Across America Day by placing a wreath on the final resting place of over 3,200 hometown veterans. There are over 32 approved Wreaths Across America cemeteries throughout Carroll County. Volunteers needed.
To learn more visit www.babylonvaultcompany.com.
December 20
Box Lunch Talk: “The Art of Musical Instruments”
Presenter Ken Koons – luthier, blacksmith, woodworker, musician, and photographer – has been making and playing beautifully crafted handmade instruments for many years. All members of his family band, Wherligig, play multiple handcrafted instruments. Event in-person, no RSVP registration required. Cost is $3 for HSCC members and $7 for non-members upon entry with drinks and snacks provided.
Noon-1 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll St., Westminster. Learn more at www.hsccmd.org.
December 31
Dream Big Union Bridge New Year’s Eve Celebration
Dream Big Union Bridge will host another rockin’ New Year’s Eve celebration. This free family-friendly event will include live entertainment.
7 p.m. Visit facebook.com/DreamBigUnionBridge for more information.
January 7
Winter Sowing: Starting Seeds Outdoors in Winter
Get a head start on your spring gardening with minimal effort and minimal supplies. No greenhouse, hoop house, grow lights, or damping off is necessary. Learn some of the best vegetable, perennial, and native plant seeds for starting outside in cold weather. Each participant will get their own winter sowing kit and some seeds. Free to attend.
11 a.m.-noon. Carroll County Public Library, North Carroll Branch, 2255 Hanover Pike, Hampstead. Learn more and register at www.library.carr.org.
January 14
Carroll County Birthday Celebration
Join the Historical Society of Carroll County in celebrating the 186th anniversary of the founding of Carroll County.
2-4 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll St., Westminster. Visit www.hsccmd.org for more information.
January 17
Box Lunch Talks — Time’s Crossroads: The History of New Windsor
Author Frank Batavick introduces the recently published second edition of his book, which contains additional stories and more photographs.
Noon-1 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll St., Westminster. Visit www.hsccmd.org for more information.
January 21
National Seed Swap Day
It may be cold and snowy, but it’s never too early to start planning your garden! Bring your heirloom or open-pollinated seeds in individually labeled packets to swap with other gardeners. We will have speakers from the Carroll County Master Gardeners, and there will be plenty of time to socialize, swap tips, and gather information with other gardeners. Free to attend.
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Carroll County Public Library, Westminster Branch, 50 E. Main St., Westminster. Learn more and register at
www.library.carr.org.
January 21
Farm Toy Show and Auction
Carroll County 4-H & FFA Fair Board will be hosting their 34th Farm Toy Show at the Carroll County Ag Center. Toy auction will begin at 5:30 p.m.; food will be available for purchase. Admission $3, ages 7 and under are free. All proceeds go to the Carroll County 4-H & FFA Fair.
9 a.m.-9 p.m. Carroll County Agriculture Center, 706 Agriculture Drive, Westminster. Learn more at
www.CarrollCountyAgCenter.com.
