Christmas Village in Baltimore Expands German Christmas Market at Inner Harbor for New Season

Christmas Village in Baltimore announces it will return to Inner Harbor for the coming 2022 holiday season with its largest footprint ever and a record number of vendors.  Charm City’s beloved holiday tradition is ready to transform West Shore Park (501 Light Street) into a traditional indoor and outdoor German Christmas Market, opening on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24th and running through Christmas Eve (December 24th), with a special Preview Weekend on November 19 and 20, 2022. Visitors and locals alike are invited to enjoy big holiday vibes with the return of the 30-foot-tall stunning Christmas Pyramid from the Ore Mountains, the 65-foot-tall illuminated Ferris Wheel, and the Christmas Village Carousel with horses and festive reindeer. Fifty-five local small businesses, makers and international vendors, with something for everyone on Santa’s shopping list. This includes the most vendors in the event's history - with new wooden vendor booths extending along the picturesque Inner Harbor Promenade. Famous German vendor Käthe Wohlfahrt will return with thousands of glass ornaments, nutcrackers, pyramids, and limited-edition holiday decorations. Vendors will be located outside in traditional festively-decorated wooden huts, plus inside the giant heated festival tent. Other highlights will include a large selection of Glühwein (mulled wine), the warm glow of the open-air Bratwurst Grill, an expansive outdoor seating area, the Hofbrau Beergarden, photos with Santa Claus, appearances by Gingy the Gingerbread Man, and theme weekends with live entertainment. Foodies will find Raclette Cheese sandwiches, bacon on a stick, wine and beer tastings, all-new spirits tastings, and much more. The traditional German Christkind returns for the first time since before the pandemic on November 26th. Christmas Village will also again partner with local organizations to create the Holiday District in Inner Harbor, featuring the Village Christmas Tree at the Inner Harbor Ice Rink. For more information about Christmas Village, follow @bmorechristmas on social media and visit www.baltimore-christmas.com.

“It’s the most wonderful time of year on the Baltimore Waterfront,” said Christmas Village Project Manager Nancy Schmalz. “Christmas Village is honestly so thrilled to be such a loved part of Charm City. So this year we are spreading the love by expanding and offering more vendor locations to enjoy for the very first time. We are so thrilled to have even more for our visitors to enjoy. We are honored to be part of such a great community. Don’t worry, foodies won’t be disappointed either as we will fire up the bratwurst, potato pancakes, Raclette Cheese sandwiches, and bacon on a stick. We can’t wait to raise a mug of Glühwein with you again, Baltimore. Thank you for your continued support over all the previous seasons - and we can’t wait to spend the holiday season with you.”

Christmas Village is located in West Shore Park, between the Maryland Science Center and the Baltimore Visitor Center. Follow the smell of gingerbread and fresh charcoal-grilled brats to the authentic wooden huts and grand heated tent which features a full menu of European food, sweets, and drinks. Look for an extended outdoor seating area that will add plenty of seating for visitors to enjoy their food and beverages. Equipped with authentic German Oktoberfest benches and charming bistro lights, family picnics at the Village will be even more enjoyable. The Glühwein Pyramid, at the center of the entire Village, will feature a large variety of authentic German mulled wines, including the bestselling traditional red Glühwein as well as flavored wines like Blueberry, White, and Spiced Apple wine. Additionally, hot spiked drinks will include Irish Coffee topped with whipped cream and Hot Toddies. The Pyramid will also offer a non-alcoholic German-style spiced hot drink, the Kinder Punsch.  Other food options include mouthwatering bacon on a stick and bestsellers like Raclette Cheese sandwiches, German schnitzel, and potato pancakes, Belgian fries, and Hofbräu beers on draft. And do not forget to have a bite of our new pretzel with different toppings. Come hungry because the Christmas Village will serve up something for everyone!

For experiences and attractions, Christmas Village comes back with big news and more family fun in 2022. Organizers are excited to announce the return of the Christmas Village Carousel. Being the anchor point of the expansive seating area, this charming old school carousel, with its horses and reindeer, invites young, old, and everyone in between to take a ride, just like it was in the good ole times. Additionally, families will be able to enjoy a breathtaking birds-eye view over the busy Holiday festivities, while going around in the 65 feet tall Christmas Village Ferris Wheel. Its colorful lights will shine brightly throughout the whole Inner Harbor and spread the joy of the Christmas atmosphere to all surrounding buildings. The Village Christmas Tree will be lit again this year at the Inner Harbor Ice Rink on November 19, 2022, which this year is sponsored by the Pearlstone Family Foundation and the Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Foundation. Collaboration of the Waterfront Partnership, Christmas Village, the Christmas Village Ferris Wheel, the Inner Harbor Ice Rink, and other festive attractions will again create the Holiday District in Inner Harbor.

For shopping, visitors should come prepared to find something for everyone on Santa’s list, as 55+ local and international vendors and merchants will offer toys, apparel, jewelry, decorations, home decor, artwork and so much more. The famous German vendor Käthe Wohlfahrt will return with thousands of ornaments, pyramids, and limited-edition holiday decorations. This shopping feature will draw shoppers from along the East Coast to this very unique holiday pop-up shop by one of Germany’s most renowned and beloved Christmas specialists!

For kids of all ages, Christmas Village presents its largest line-up ever for family fun. Gingy the Gingerbread man, the event’s mascot, will be in attendance and is looking forward to taking pictures with the little ones. The new historic Carousel as well as the 65’ tall Ferris Wheel are surely fun to ride with the whole family. Make sure to stop by the balloon twister on stilts, a caricature painter, the Girls Scouts of Central Maryland Chorus, and so many more. Make a pit stop at the pyramid and treat your kids to a hot Kinder Punsch (Kids Fruit Punch) while parents can enjoy a mug of hot mulled Glühwein. Even the German Christkind will appear during the first weekend, which is definitely very exciting. Last but definitely not least, take your holiday picture with Santa at the Village! Santa will wait for our young visitors inside his cute little hut along the promenade to listen to children's wishes and take memorable pictures, happening every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this season.

For the furry members of the family, Christmas Village is dog friendly. Well-behaved, leashed four-legged companions are more than welcome to join the festivities, both in the outdoor areas and inside most of the giant tent. The Piggyback Treats Company, offering sustainably crafted goodies for pets, will be in attendance to offer their dog and cat treats and apparel. Further dog events with local partners are in the making and are to be announced closer to the market’s opening day.

Admission to the outdoor area of Christmas Village in Baltimore is always free to visit and experience. Admission to the heated festival tent is free on the first two weekends. For the remaining weekends, tickets to the festival tent are five dollars for adults 18 and over, while kids under 18 are free. All purchased tickets act as a holiday season pass, allowing visitors to return anytime throughout the season without paying admission again.

“Christmas Village sees so many repeat visitors - they come for the shopping, the food, the mulled wine, and the decorations,” said Schmalz. “Tickets act as a season pass which makes it easy for visitors to come back. Christmas Village is a holiday tradition from my home country - where it is common to visit the market over and over again during the holidays. This tradition is one that I want to share with as many families as possible. This is our little gift to all the families and our biggest fans - plus new visitors that want more!”

Stay tuned for the full roster of food, drink, and events, coming in early November. In the meantime, enjoy a run-down of season highlights:

The Glühwein Pyramid, the event's 30’ tall centerpiece, will once again feature a large selection of six different mulled wines, one of them being a kid- or driver-friendly- non-alcoholic version. Spiked hot beverages as well as an assortment of important Lebkuchen (Gingerbread) will make the experience complete.

The historic Christmas Village Carousel will invite young, old, and everyone in between to take a ride on its horses and reindeer. The well-known Expo Wheel from 2021, a 65’ tall Ferris Wheel, will return to Bicentennial Plaza and light up the Inner Harbor throughout the whole season.

The authentic German charcoal swivel grill will dish out traditional German Brats as well as smoked sausages. Topped with homemade Sauerkraut on a fresh crispy bun, this makes the perfect lunch!

The Raclette Cheese Stube continues to be a fan favorite. Mouthwatering freshly melted Swiss cheese is served on a locally baked sourdough baguette. Optional toppings like prosciutto, salami, cornichons, Dijon mustard, and scallions make the sandwich even more enjoyable.

Event highlights feature the traditional Tree Lighting to kick off the 9th season of Christmas Village on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 04:00 pm. Watch the beautiful Christkind sail into the park for the Grand Opening Ceremony of Christmas Village on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 02:15 pm.

The beloved wine tastings will return. Indulge in our VIP spirits tastings in cooperation with Twin Valley Distillers, also available in the standard version.

Christmas Village dates and hours for the season are listed below:

Preview Weekend: Saturday, November 19th & Sunday, November 20th
First Day: Thursday, November 24th (Thanksgiving)
Last Day: Saturday, December 24th (Christmas Eve)
Closed: November 21st/ 22nd/ 23rd/ 28th/ 29th, December 5th/ 6th/ 12th/ 13th  

HOURS:
Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday to Saturday, 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Thanksgiving Day, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Christmas Eve, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

For more information about Christmas Village, and to spread early holiday cheer, follow @bmorechristmas on Twitter, Instagram and our new TikTok channel, “Like” Christmas Village in Baltimore on Facebook, and visit www.baltimore-christmas.com. Final vendor lists, food and drink menus, themed weekends, special event details, and special promotions will be released on the website in mid-November.

HOLIDAY DISTRICT IN INNER HARBOR

Christmas Village in Baltimore, now entering its ninth season, will serve as a lead partner in the continuation of the Holiday District. Charm City’s Holiday District will offer shopping, entertainment, and family fun for visitors from the Baltimore and D.C. metro regions. The District will span from Christmas Village in West Shore Park to downtown Inner Harbor to the Inner Harbor Ice Rink, and include nearby attractions, shopping destinations, and museums.

Come enjoy holiday sights and sounds with a festive Christmas Tree, plus thousands of twinkling lights, entertainment, live music, children’s activities, and Christmas gifts. Come shop for high-quality, international, and local gifts and decorations. Warm up with a glass of warm Glühwein (mulled wine) or hot chocolate while enjoying the great variety of European food and drinks. Sing along to holiday favorite tunes from around the world. Go for a spin, break the ice, spice up a date night, and teach your children to glide on the ice. Bring the entire family, make memories and celebrate in Baltimore’s most festive holiday destination.

Participants in the Holiday District include but are not limited to:
Christmas Village in Baltimore
Waterfront Partnership
Inner Harbor Ice Rink
Visit Baltimore
And others

The holiday season in the Holiday District begins with the kick-off and opening of the Inner Harbor Ice Rink by Waterfront Partnership - this being on November 11, 2022. Next, Christmas Village will kick off on Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20, 2022 with a special Preview Weekend. Further special events and the whole scope of entertainment will be announced by mid-November.

For more information about the Inner Harbor Ice Rink, visit Waterfront Partnership at http://innerharboricerink.org/

ABOUT CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

The Christmas Village in Baltimore is an authentic German Christmas Market, located at the Inner Harbor. Vendors in unique wooden huts and a huge heated tent will offer high-quality local and international gifts and a great variety of European food, sweets and drinks. Furthermore, many festive events and special acts are to be expected every day.