Free Christmas activities and Christmas shopping markets/events
With Thanksgiving upon us, now's the time to start thinking about the holidays in December. Here's a look at some of the fun free activities happening in the region to get you in a festive mood.
Friday, Nov. 24
St. Nick's Market
Through Saturday, Dec. 23 - Wednesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Berkeley Art Works
116 N. Queen St.
Martinsburg, W.Va.
Holiday arts and crafts market. Pottery, jewelry, woodwork, glass, clocks, quilting, sachets, photography, paintings, prints, note cards, knit animal hats, mugs, coasters, leather goods, aprons, and Christmas tree ornaments. Go to berkeleyartswv.org, email berkeleyartswv@gmail.com or call 304-620-7277.
Holiday Market Fair
Friday, Nov. 24, and Saturday, Nov. 25 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Elmwood Farm Bed and Breakfast
16311 Kendle Road
Williamsport
Local artisans and food trucks. Call 240-707-0772 or email innkeepers@elmwoodfarmbandb.com.
Saturday, Nov. 25
Small Business Saturday in Hagerstown
Saturday, Nov. 25
Downtown Hagerstown
Shop small and buy local. Dine at restaurants and shop at retail stores. Purchase Downtown Gift Cards. Go to mainstreethagerstown.org/gift-cards. Call 301-739-8577.
Small Business Saturday in Chambersburg, Pa.
Saturday, Nov. 25
Downtown Chambersburg, Pa.
Patronize locally owned businesses. Specials and promotions. Presented by Downtown Business Council of Chambersburg and F&M Trust. Giveaways (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. present a receipt for $25 or more in front of County Courthouse to receive giveaway while supplies last).
Friday, Dec. 1
Activities and Christmas Decorations Lighting
Friday, Dec. 1 - 5 to 8 p.m.
City Park
501 Virginia Ave.
Hagerstown
Free family-friendly activities. Official lighting of the holiday lights (7 p.m.) and music show. Presented by Hagerstown Parks & Recreation and F&M Trust. Parking available off Highland Avenue next to Mansion House Art Gallery. Park and ride the Hay Wagon from the Mansion House to the lake area to see all the lights and activities. Parking lots off Museum Drive by the lake area and off City Park Drive also available. From Dec. 1-31, drive through City Park, tune car radios to 90.3 FM, and enjoy the spectacular music and light show nightly. Drive through hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Enter at Key Street from Park Circle. Go to www.hagerstownmd.org/cpl or call 301-739-8577 ext. 169.
Parade and Christmas Lights in the Park
Friday, Dec. 1 - 7 p.m.
Byron Memorial Park
11 Park Road
Williamsport
Santa Claus will make a visit. Parade route starts at Springfield Middle School and ends in Byron Memorial Park with the lighting of the seasonal decorations. Floats and candy. Christmas lights in the park every night from Dec. 1 through Jan. 2, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Bring the whole family.
Saturday, Dec. 2
Celebration of Trees
Weekends, Dec. 2-17 - for times, call 301-573-0459
Springfield Barn
2 Springfield Lane
Williamsport
Decorated Christmas trees from local businesses and organizations. Santa, warm cider and reindeer mix. Christmas decorations around the barn. Free admission. Call 301-573-0459.
Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination
Saturday, Dec. 2 - 6 p.m.
Antietam National Battlefield
Sharpsburg
Annual memorial illumination to honor the 23,000 casualties from the Battle of Antietam on Sept. 17, 1862. Driving tour. Cars enter the park by traveling west on Route 34 and lining up on the shoulder of the road. Cars are allowed to enter the event until midnight. Walking is not allowed.
Thursday, Dec. 7
Volvo Holiday Lights Display
Thursday, Dec. 7, through Sunday, Dec. 10 - 6 to 8 p.m.
Volvo Construction Equipment
304 Volvo Way
Shippensburg, Pa.
For everyone. Enjoy decorations and sounds of the season from your vehicle. Features nine machine displays, 15-plus inflatable displays, and more than 100,000 lights. Seasonal selections performed by Shippensburg High School band. Santa and his elves. Each machine display, created by Volvo employee teams, supports a local nonprofit. Vote online for your favorite, the associated charity will receive a donation from Volvo. Voting open Dec. 7-10 at Volvo CE North America Facebook page. Free. Use Route 11 entrance to Rowe Road and wind through the Volvo campus.
Friday, Dec. 8
Christkindl Markt Hagerstown
Friday, Dec. 8 - 3 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 9 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
University System of Maryland at Hagerstown Plaza
53 W. Washington St.
Hagerstown
Outdoor holiday shopping experience. Local artisans and vendors selling Christmas wares, imported German goods and local food. Sponsored in part by the Washington County Arts Council. Go to christkindlmarkthagerstown.com. Call 301-693-3021.
Saturday, Dec. 9
Annual Yuletide Celebration
Saturday, Dec. 9 - 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Blue Ridge Summit Free Library
13676 Monterey Lane
Blue Ridge Summit, Pa.
Family friendly. Fire truck rides by Blue Ridge Summit Volunteer Fire Company, an appearance by Santa, a children’s craft to take home. Live music by Rich Fehle. Cookies, and hot or cold cider. Christmas decorations. Tree decorated with Brandywine Critters ornaments. Memorial tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. Blue Ridge Summit Stitchers drawing for annual quilt raffle. Parking available in the plaza lot across from the library, off Monterey Lane and in other adjacent lots. Admission is free. Email brsmtnboard@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Free Christmas activities and Christmas shopping markets/events
