Here’s a small sampling of holiday events happening around the area this season. For more information, please download the Carroll Magazine app.
December 1
Walt Michael & Co. Holiday Traditional String Celebration
It’s holiday time in the hollers of Appalachia, and Walt Michael & Co. are breaking up Christmas! Join hammered dulcimer virtuoso/multi-instrumentalist Walt and friends as they celebrate the season with Southern Appalachian, Celtic, old-time, bluegrass and original tunes.
7:30 p.m. Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main Street, Westminster. www.commongroundonthehill.org/westminster.html.
A Main Street Christmas
Tree lighting, Santa parade, holiday music.
6:30-8:30 p.m. Historic Downtown Mount Airy, 110 South Main Street, Mount Airy. www.mountairymainstreet.org.
Civil War Holiday Encampment
Mark the start of the holiday season with the return of the Museum’s popular Holiday Encampment. Re-enactors camp on the grounds and illustrate how troops celebrated the holidays during the Civil War, including a pay muster, mail call, infantry drill and skirmish. Children can make ornaments on site and help decorate the camp Christmas tree. Be sure to visit our artisans and take a tour of the decorated farmhouse. Light refreshment for sale in the Sugar Plum Shoppe.
9am-5pm. Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center Street, Westminster. www.carrollcountyfarmmuseum.org/events.
December 1 & 2
Annual Carroll County Artists’ Studio Tour
Join us for a free, self-guided tour of some of Carroll County’s most respected and accomplished artists’ studios. Our tour spans a wide spectrum of artistic mediums. Enjoy paintings, pottery, jewelry, fiber arts, wooden boxes, hand spun yarn, and more! All will have the unique opportunity to meet the artists and watch live demonstrations. Light refreshments will be provided. Visit the stops in any order, or split them up over the weekend.
10am-5pm. Various locations throughout Carroll County. www.facebook.com/ccartists.
Mayberry Mill Arts, Crafts, and Gifts Show
Handcrafted items displayed in a pre-Civil War grain and flour mill. Free admission and free greens.
Sat. 12pm-5pm; Sun. 12pm-4pm. Mayberry Mill, 3001 East Mayberry Road, Westminster. www.mayberry-mill.com.
21st Annual Festival of Wreaths
Bid on more than 150 spectacular theme wreaths on display during this week long silent auction that is one of Carroll County Arts Council’s most significant fundraising events.
Sat. 10am-7pm; Sun. 10am-4pm. Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main Street, Westminster. www.carrollcountyartscouncil.org.
December 1, 8, 15, 22
Visits with Santa
Visit Santa on a Saturday in December and take advantage of a free carriage ride through Historic Westminster from 12pm-4pm. Horse and carriage rides may be picked up behind Life is…Pizza on Locust Lane beginning at 12pm. All activities are free of charge. Happy Holidays from the City of Westminster!
City of Westminster, Westminster Library, 50 E. Main Street, Westminster. www.westminstermd.gov.
December 1 – 21
Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice Holiday Tour
Featuring a variety of delicious confections. We welcome you to tour the Farm House where each room will highlight a different sweet and illustrate how candies pair with so many holiday festivities – gift giving, entertainment, and family feasts. Join us for a sweet trip to the candy shop!
Mon. – Thurs. 10am-3:30pm (guided tours on the hour); Fri. and Sat. 10am-4pm (self-guided); Sun. 12pm-4pm (self-guided). Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center Street, Westminster. www.carrollcountyfarmmuseum.org/events.
December 1 – 22
10th Annual Gallery of Gifts
Cash and carry exhibit resembles a boutique rather than a traditional gallery exhibit as 45+ artists fill the Tevis Gallery with their festive wares.
Check website for times. Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main Street, Westminster. www.carrollcountyartscouncil.org.
December 7
Sykesville First Friday – Twelve Hours of Christmas
Get in the Holiday spirit with our special sales. Hot cocoa, raffles, Holiday music and plenty of Holiday spirit. You aren’t going to want to miss this one!!
10am-10pm. Historic Downtown Main Street, Sykesville. www.townofsykesville.org.
December 8
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Caroling
Choruses from Taneytown Elementary and Runnymede School will be performing. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served. A special guest will also join us.
6pm. Taneytown Police Department, 120 E Baltimore St., Taneytown. www.taneytown.org.
December 9
For the Young at Heart Handbell Concert
Sponsored by Westminster Ringers, Inc.
4pm. Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Road, Westminster. www.TheWestminsterRingers.org.
December 15
A Celtic Christmas with Ocean Orchestra
Celebrate the magic of Yuletide and the Winter Solstice with Ocean Orchestra…the skirling of the pipes, toe-tapping fiddle tunes, and soaring vocals await you in this Celtic Christmas celebration.
2pm. Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main Street, Westminster. www.carrollcountyartscouncil.org.
December 21 & 22
“A Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas”
The heartwarming animated cartoon is brilliantly paired with a live performance of the Vince Guaraldi jazz score by the incomparable Eric Byrd Trio.
Fri. 8pm; Sat. 3pm & 8pm. Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main Street, Westminster. http://carrollcountyartscouncil.org.
