Christmas Village In Baltimore Announces Season Line-Up for 2016 Holidays

Christmas Village in Baltimore again transforms West Shore Park (501 Light Street) into a traditional, indoor and outdoor German Christmas Market, between Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24 and Christmas Eve,Saturday, December 24, 2016. Enjoy holiday sights and sounds with thousands of twinkling lights, two Christmas Trees, live music at the main indoor stage presented by Condor, entertainment with special events, children’s and more than 50 unique vendors. Enjoy a variety of European food and warm up with a glass of warm mulled wine or hot chocolate while shopping for high-quality international and local gifts and decorations.

New surprises for 2016 will include:

• Daily photo sessions with Santa inside the heated tent
• New vendors including Helmut’s Austrian strudels and roasted nuts
• Painting classes for adults on Thursday evenings
• Free games for children as well as an improved kids’ corner
• Arts and crafts classes for all little guests on Friday evenings
• Newly organized Wine Tasting Tours in partnership with Broody Vineyards
• Army Navy Weekend with the first annual “Prove Your Strength Contest”
• Collectors mug with a new design for 2016
• Opening ceremony is now moved to Saturday evening this year
• Irish Themed Day

Returning favorite traditions will include:

• Themed weekends with lots of entertainment
• A visit from the Christkind during the Opening Ceremony
• German American Weekend and the second annual Bratwurst Eating Contest
• Well-known German vendor Käthe Wohlfahrt
• Gingy the Gingerbread Man
• Christmas Decorations with Herrnhut Stars (Moravian Stars) presented by MyBrilliantStar
• Hofbrau Beer Garden within the heated tent
• Special food and seating area called "The Alm"

Please see below for a full overview including market hours, special events, vendor lists, food/drink, entertainment rosters, theme weekends and much more.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1) Photos for 2016

http://bit.ly/cvbaltimore16images

2) Hours and Schedule

Christmas Village in Baltimore is open from Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24, 2016 through Christmas Eve,Saturday, December 24, 2016. Daily market hours will be Friday through Saturday 11:00am to 8:00pm, and Sundaythrough Thursday 11:00am to 7:00pm. Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve hours are 11:00am to 5:00pm.

The first three Tuesdays (Nov 29, Dec 6, Dec 13) are closed.

3) Admission

Admission is free on all weekdays and opening weekend and only $1 on December 3 and 4, 2016. Admission for the following three weekends is $5 for adults, $3 for children 3-18 and free for toddlers under 3.

4) Connect

Spread holiday cheer by following @bmorechristmas on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat or by liking Christmas Village in Baltimore on Facebook. Visit the website at http://www.baltimore-christmas.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

5) Santa Clause Comes to Christmas Village (NEW)

For the first time, Christmas Village in Baltimore will host Santa Claus straight from the North Pole! Santa’s House will welcome visitors for holiday pictures with Santa inside the festive heated tent of the market. Santa will be in attendance every day that the market is open from November 24 – December 24, 2016. Make sure to get the perfect Christmas memory for your loved ones. Since Christmas is a holiday for the whole family, Santa is happy to take photos with dogs, too. Bring them to the market to enjoy a dog-friendly Santa session.
 

6) Opening Ceremony, Tree Lighting and Themed Weekends

For detailed information about special events and entertainment on weekend days, check http://www.baltimore-christmas.com/events/weekend-events.html.

November 26 – Opening Ceremony and Tree Lighting

We will officially kick off 2016’s Christmas Village season with the grand opening ceremony and tree lighting. Once again we have invited the original German Christkind from Nuremberg, Germany, accompanied by official Baltimore City representatives as well as representatives from the German Embassy in Washington and the German Community in Baltimore, to open our holiday event. The second highlight of the day will be the lighting of our beautiful 21-foot tall Christmas tree. Choirs and bands will ensure an authentic and festive atmosphere.

2:30pm:
The original Christkind arrives at the Inner Harbor on a decorated Water Taxi

3:00pm:
Opening ceremony with:

• Thomas Bauer, President of German American Marketing, Inc. and founder of the Christmas Village
• Holger Mahnicke, Head of Department: Communications and Culture of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
• Sam Rogers, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer Visit Baltimore
• Anton Smoot, President German Society Maryland
• Ursula Wagner, representing the City of Nuremberg
• The Original Christkind, delivering her annual prologue to open the market

After the official Opening Ceremony the Christkind will walk through the market and give out candies to the small ones - be sure to be there and take a picture with the Christkind and give her your gift wish list!

4:30pm:
When it's getting dusky it's time to start our Tree Lighting Ceremony for the beautiful 21-foot Christmas Tree with:

• Bernard C. Young, City Council President
• Eric T. Costello, Councilman District 11
• Noelle Hewitt, Director of Marketing at Waterfront Partnership

December 3 and 4 - German American Weekend

On our second weekend following the opening ceremony weekend, Christmas Village celebrates German American Heritage. German American Weekend will feature a variety of German style performances and decorations. Enjoy an authentic German experience with delicious German food and beverages at our alpine style food court we call "The Alm"! Make sure to be there for the second German Bratwurst Eating Contest on December 3 at 3:00pm inside the festive tent. Participants can sign up at event@baltimore-christmas.com. On December 4, visitors can meet Saint Nicolaus as he visits Christmas Village in Baltimore, too.

December 10 and 11 – Army Navy Weekend

The third weekend will pick up the spirit of the Army Navy Game which takes part in Baltimore on Saturday, December 10. Special attractions and decoration will surround the cheerful atmosphere. The highlight of the weekend will be the first ever “Army versus Navy - Prove Your Strength Contest” on Sunday, December 11 at 3:00pm, which will be held on the main stage inside the heated tent. Interested parties can sign up at event@baltimore-christmas.com.

December 17 and 18 –Little Baltimore Weekend

On the fourth weekend, Christmas Village in Baltimore invites different Baltimorean Neighborhood Associations to get together at West Shore Park and celebrate Christmas as one big community. Get to know more about the different neighborhoods and their programs while enjoying hot beverages and the spirit of Christmas. Neighborhood Associations can get more information and sign up at event@baltimore-christmas.com[NS2] .

7) Music and Performances (Daily)

Enjoy live music, concerts, dance performances, children's choirs, big bands and festive fun at the central stage presented by Condor. Performances take place:

• Monday through Thursday - 3:00pm to 6:00pm
• Fridays - 3:00pm to 7:00p
• Saturdays - 12:00pm to 8:00pm
• Sundays - 12:00pm to 7:00pm

A preview of the entertainment is as follows:

• White Marsh Ballet: Friday, November 25, 2016 - 3:00pm to 4:00pm
• Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra: Saturday, December 3 – 12:00pm to 2:00pm
• A Step Ahead Dance Center, Sunday, December 4 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 3:00pm
• Washingtonia ("Schuhplattler"): Sunday, December 4 - 3:00 to 5:00pm
• Girl Scouts of Central Maryland Chorus: Saturday, December 10 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
• Hatboro-Horsham High School Madrigals: Sunday, December 11 – 12:00pm to 1:00pm
• JoeyDCares Rock Orchestra: Saturday, December 17 - 12:00pm to 2:00pm

8) Kids Corner and Family Fun (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

While parents are searching Christmas Village in Baltimore for the perfect holiday gifts or are tasting the variety of European foods and drinks inside the Alm, our little guests want to enjoy their stay at the market, too.

This year, kids can take part in arts and crafts classes on Friday evenings. Tickets are available prior to the classes. For more information, please visit http://www.baltimore-christmas.com/events/kids-events

Watch out for further family fun including face painting, balloon artists, caricaturists, giant games and other forms of entertainment set up inside the Alm, the tent and around the market on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Our cute mascot, Gingy the Gingerbread Man, will once again stroll the market to take pictures with all visitors. Don’t forget to visit the large photo wall to take home the perfect memory of an unforgettable day.
 

9) Live History Lessons (Weekdays)

On weekdays, Christmas Village offers students and seniors a wonderful journey in time with merchants, craftsmen and traders presenting first hand live history lessons. Explore the history of European Christmas markets from the very beginning to the present.

Weekdays from November 28 to December 23. Interested schools or senior citizens’ homes get more information at event@baltimore-christmas.com.

FOOD EVENTS AND TASTINGS

10) Annual Bratwurst Eating Contest

On Saturday, December 3 at 3:00pm, Christmas Village in Baltimore will host its second annual Bratwurst Eating Contest. It is an amateur competition with no entry fee. Each contestant has to eat as many Bratwursts as possible (max. 10) in fifteen minutes. The contestant who eats the most or finishes them all first will be declared the winner. The prizes will be entry tickets from our partners and/or gifts from Christmas Village in Baltimore.

11) Wine Tasting Events (Mondays and Wednesday)

Boordy Vineyards, Maryland’s famous winery, again presents "Tasting" Mondays and Wednesdays at Christmas Village in Baltimore from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, located at the indoor Hofbrau Beer Garden, an exclusive seating area. This year, the tasting tours have a new concept as well as many specials. Each tasting includes different wine and cheese samples, pretzel snacks, a Christmas Village Holiday Pass 2016, a take-home Boordy Vineyard wine glass, as well as special offers on a four bottle wine package and a free ticket for a wine and a tasting tour at Boordy Vineyards in Baltimore County. Reservations for these events can be made in advance. More information can be found at http://www.baltimore-christmas.com/events/wine-tasting-events and https://www.groupon.com/deals/christmas-village-in-baltimore-1

12) Happy Hours & Lunch Specials

Drop by on Thirsty Thursdays, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm for a $2 discount on draft beers. Our German Bratwurst Lunch including Soda for $5 will also be offered every weekday from 11:00am-1:00pm.

FOOD AND DRINK

13) Food and drink vendors with summary menus:

• Beer Stand − German Hofbrau beers from Munich crepe. − Sweet and savory French crepes
• German Grill − German Bratwursts served with or without potato salad, pretzels and  sauerkraut
• Gluhwine − German mulled wine served hot
• Helmut’s Austrian Strudels – Sweet and savory strudels
• Hot Beverages − Hot chocolates, coffee, tea and apple cider
• Kurt's Delikatessen – Grocery from Germany
• MFG Toffee Co – Toffee and sweets
• Pretzelphoria − Chocolate covered pretzels
• Schnitzel & Cheese – German Schnitzel & Cheese
• Lebkuchen − Wide assortment of German Christmas food items like Lebkuchen (gingerbread cookies), famous Stollen (traditional German holiday cake), cinnamon stars and Spekulatius (traditional German spicy cookies)
• The Nut Roasters – Roasted nuts and cotton candy

14) Mulled Wine

A delicious selection of mulled wine can be found at the German Gluhwine Booth. The German Gluhwine booth will offer a huge variety of Gluhwine, including the original Nuremberg Christkindles Markt-mulled wine, Blueberry Gluhwein, and Cherry Gluhwein. These German mulled wines are a must-try for our guests at the Christmas Village in Baltimore.

SHOPPING

15) Vendors

Christmas Village in Baltimore consists of more than 50 booths both outside and inside the heated tent, much like those found in traditional Christmas Villages in Germany. Within this village, you'll experience a wide variety of seasonal goods that cannot be found anywhere else. Aside from our local vendors, we have German vendors like Käthe Wohlfahrt selling Christmas ornaments, decorations from genuine Erzgebirge, accessories, fashion, jewelry and much more.

Arts and Crafts:

• Art of Words – Sports and pop word art
• Azul 2 Artisan Imports – Handmade handbags and singing bowls
• Eat Play Paint – Paint by numbers art
• Far East Antiques – Vintage travel posters
• Heaven’s Flower Garden – Holiday wreaths
• Paisley USA – French Needle Work
• Russ Brown Photography − Framed photo art with Baltimore motifs xxx
• The Art of Drinking – Hand painted glass
• The Coaster Factory – Coasters with vintage photos of Baltimore, Washington D.C. and other cities 

Christmas Ornaments:

• Decobottles – Cruets and gift bottles
• Gifts from Afar − Russian Christmas ornaments, nesting dolls, wooden ornaments, amber jewelry, wooden carved Santas, lacquered boxes, birchbark boxes, and glass animals  
• Käthe Wohlfahrt − Incense smokers, nutcrackers, pyramids, schwibbogen, music boxes, wooden ornaments, and glass ornaments
• Myroslava Creations − Ukrainian embroidered shirts, towels, hand painted real egg shells (pysanky), carved Santas and Mrs. Claus
• Nordic Dreams Giftware − Scandinavian ornaments and gifts
• Old Spice Tradition – Edible birdhouses and mulling spices
• Unique Trading − Glass Christmas ornaments from Egypt

Fashion and Beauty:

• The Alpaca Girl − Alpaca fashion, scarves and teddies
• Carol Exquisite Fashion Boutique – Boutique
• Donegal Importers – Irish capes, sweaters, and gifts
• Land of Wool & Felt − Handmade hats, handbags, and paper art from Nepal and the Himalayas

Jewelry and Accessories:

• Bella U - Younger designer jewelry
• Charm Street Jewelry - Glass jewelry
• Click Heat – Hand warmers
• Eardivine – Fine jewelry
• Moon Glow – Moon Glow personalized jewelry
• Usha Lama- Fine jewelry
• Namaste – Indian statues, jewelry, and apparel
• Selestial Sisters Spa Secrets – Handmade Soaps as well as bath and skin care products
• World of Wool, Crafts & Accessories– Handmade Crafts
• Younique – Beauty products

Toy and Gift Vendors:

• Annie’s Pooch Pops – Dog treats and accessories
• Kadon Enterprises, Inc. – Games and puzzles for minds of all ages
• Shen Yun - Shen Yun Performing Arts information and tickets

Special Booths:

• Sponsor: NRG – Energy solutions for your home
• Information Booth: Christmas Village in Baltimore and Visit Baltimore − Information about Christmas Village and Visit Baltimore in general.
• Santa’s House – Daily Santa photography
• Sponsor: Bath Fitters − Bath room remodeling and solutions

16) New Vendors for 2016

• Annie’s Pooch Pops – Dog treats and accessories
• Art of Words – Sports and pop art
• Carol Exquisite Fashion Boutique – Boutique
• Click Heat – Hand Warmers
• Decobottles – Cruets and gift bottles
• Donegal Importers – Irish capes and gifts
• Eat Play Plaint – Paint by numbers art
• Far East Antiques -  Vintage travel posters
• Heaven’s Flower Garden – Holiday wreaths
• Helmut’s Austrian Strudels – Sweet and savory strudels
• MFG Toffee Co – Toffee and sweets
• Moon Glow – Personalized jewelry
• Old Spice Tradition – Edible birdhouses and mulling spices
• Paisley USA – French Needle Work
• Souvenir Photograph - Daily Santa Photos
• Sponsor: NRG – Energy solutions for your home
• The Coaster Factory – Vintage photo coasters
• The Nut Roasters – Roasted nuts and cotton candy
• Younique – Beauty products

OTHER INFORMATION

17) Returning favorites for 2016

The entire Christmas Village in Baltimore will once again shine bright in the light of over 20 Original Herrnhut Stars (Moravian Stars) presented by MyBrilliantStar, which decorate the huts of the market at West Shore Park. They will be placed on top of the outdoors booths and around the site and will create an even more authentic German atmosphere. The stars will also be sold at the market.

The special food and seating area - The Alm - will enrich the outdoor area for the second straight year. Designed after the cozy ski huts in the Bavarian Alps, this additional food court will serve a variety of German bratwursts.

Just like last year, Christmas Village in Baltimore and Hofbrau Beer from Munich will host a "Hofbrau Beer Garden" within the heated tent. Equipped with authentic Brewery Tables made in Austria, this area will invite visitors to sit down and enjoy their food in a great atmosphere.

Well-known German vendor Käthe Wohlfahrt will settle at Christmas Village in Baltimore inside the heated tent again and sell crowd favorites like ornaments, Schwibbogen and nut crackers.

18) New highlights for 2016

For the first time ever, Santa’s Place will welcome visitors for holiday photos with Santa at Christmas Village in Baltimore. Santa himself will be in attendance every day that the market is open from November 24 – December 24, 2016. Make sure to get the perfect Christmas memory for the whole family. Since Christmas is a feast for the whole family, Santa is happy to take photos with our four-legged friends, too.

On Thursday evenings, adults have the chance to take part in a painting class at the Hofbrau Beer Garden Area inside the heated tent. Get together with other painters and enjoy a little chat about arts and Christmas Village in Baltimore. Tickets will be available for purchase in advance. Visit www.baltimore-christmas.com for more information.

Our kids weekend entertainment program will include an improved kids’ corner area and more specials for the little ones. With new free kids’ games, our little guests will have plenty of possibilities to enjoy their stay at Christmas Village in Baltimore even more. Further entertainment programming like face paintings, balloon artists and caricaturists are waiting for the kids, too. Even the Railroad Museum and their mascot Choo Choo Blue will be stopping by at the market to have a fun time with all of the visitors. Children can also sign up for kids’ arts and crafts lesson on Friday evenings, where they will create Christmas ornaments and more. Tickets for the classes will be available in advance. Visit the website, http://www.baltimore-christmas.com/events/kids-events.html, for more information.

The traditional Christmas Village in Baltimore opening ceremony will move to the first Saturday this year (Saturday, November 26, 2016). Don’t miss the original German Christkind from Nuremberg when she opens the market with her traditional prologue. Since she is the one bringing gifts to the little ones in Germany, the Christkind won’t be coming to the Inner Harbor empty handed.

The vendor list will include the crowd favorite vendors from past season, such as Käthe Wohlfahrt, as well as exciting new vendors, which will make the 2016 season of Christmas Village the one with the broadest gift variety ever. With dog treats, Irish capes and gifts, holiday wreaths, hand warmers, edible birdhouses and more, Christmas Village in Baltimore found some great additions for the new season. Food-wise there are new tasty treats such as Helmut’s Austrian strudels, toffee candies and roasted nuts waiting for the visitors.

Since the Army Navy Game is taking place in Baltimore this year, Christmas Village in Baltimore will pick up the cheerful atmosphere and move the celebrations to the Inner Harbor. Look out for festive decorations and Army Navy themed specials. The highlight of the weekend will be the “Army versus Navy - Prove Your Strength Competition” on Sunday, December 11 with challenging sportive strength duels. Only one team can grab the title here.

The new 2016 version of the events collectors mug will feature a visual of Christmas Village’s tent. Make sure to get yours before they are no longer available.

19) Parking Recommendation

Parking in the heart of Baltimore is exhausting and usually very costly. That is why Christmas Village teamed up with the Harbor Court Garage (30 East Lee Street, Baltimore, MD 21202) to offer parking for just $8 per day. The offer is valid every day Christmas Village in Baltimore is open – including weekends and holidays. Check http://www.baltimore-christmas.com/visitor-guide.html#c45 for more information.

20) General Information – Christmas Village in Baltimore

Christmas Village in Baltimore will again transform West Shore Park (501 Light Street) into a traditional, indoor and outdoor German Christmas Market, open between Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24 and Christmas Eve,Saturday, December 24, 2016. Visitors are invited to enjoy holiday sights and sounds with thousands of twinkling lights, two Christmas Trees, live music at the main indoor stage presented by Condor, entertainment, children’s activities and more than 50 vendors. Shop for high-quality, international and local gifts and decorations. Warm up with a glass of warm mulled wine or hot chocolate while enjoying the great variety of European food and drink. On top of an improved kids’ area with new games and arts and crafts classes, other additions for 2016 include daily photos with Santa, happy hours, painting classes for adults and new vendors and tasty treats. Admission is free on all weekdays and opening weekend, and only $1 on December 3 and 4, 2016. Admission for all other weekends is $5 for adults, $3 for children 3-18 and free for toddlers under 3.

Now in its fourth year, Christmas Village in Baltimore has grown into one of the region’s most unique and charming holiday attractions. More than 50 international and local merchants and artists are busy preparing high-quality gifts. With toys, apparel, jewelry, decorations, home goods, artwork and more, there will be something for everyone on Santa’s list.