Ten Washington County Holiday Events and Displays You Don’t Want to Miss in 2019!

December 9, 2019

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There’s no shortage of holiday fun in Washington County! Every December the calendar is filled with festive events, shopping opportunities and performances. Towns throughout the county host tree lightings and traditional Christmas celebrations with plenty of small town charm. Unique boutiques and holiday pop-up shops offer a multitude of choices to those in search of the perfect present for each person on their list. And if you really want to take some time to sit and enjoy a holiday performance, there’s everything from dinner shows to choral groups and theater performances. Here are ten must-see holiday events and displays in Washington County for 2019: 

1. The Maryland Theatre and Performing Arts Center Holiday Events and Shows - The newly renovated Maryland Theatre and Performing Arts Center has a full slate of events and shows on the calendar this holiday season. From perennial favorites to music performances and fun family events, there’s something for everyone! This is the first holiday season patrons can enjoy the newly expanded theatre that serves as the crown jewel of Hagerstown’s Arts & Entertainment District. Events are scheduled for the main theatre and new spaces, including the ballroom and The View Studio. Reserve your tickets for these Maryland Theatre and Performing Arts Center holiday performances today! Some shows are limited. 

1. City Park Christmas Tree & Lights - There’s just something magical about a large holiday light display that brings out the child in all of us! The festive display on and around the lake at Hagerstown City Park includes a tree that floats in the middle of the lake and a scenic backdrop with illuminated objects like trees, deer, trains, ornaments and a holiday message. New this year are 5 trees that offer a synchronized light show, with nearly 100,000 lights! The reflection of the lights on the water adds to the beauty of this display. All month long, begining at dusk, the holiday lights can be viewed. The Jonathan Hager House and Museum, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts and Mansion House Art Gallery are offering fun, family-friendly activities throughout the evening. 

1. MSO Home for the Holidays Concert - The annual Maryland Symphony Orchestra (MSO) Home for the Holidays concert is an annual holiday tradition for many families in our community. This year’s concerts will be Saturday, December 21 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 22 at 3 p.m. The joyful celebration of Christmas features popular holiday songs, both sacred and secular, performed by the MSO and a number of special guests, with a Christmas singalong and a special appearance at the end by the man in the big red suit. The concert is held in downtown Hagerstown’s newly renovated Maryland Theatre and Performing Arts Complex, home of the MSO since 1982. This year’s concert features vocalist Christine Lyons, Robert Martin on violin, the First Christian Church Children’s Choir and the City Ballet of Hagerstown. 

1. Christmas at the Roundhouse Museum - There’s something about model trains that bring out the kid in all of us during the holiday season. Christmas at the Roundhouse Museum does just that. The Trains of Christmas is a four-level, “O” scale layout featuring diesel and steam trains that travel through a winter wonderland of Christmas villages, bridges and tunnels. In addition to the Trains of Christmas display, the museum has a Polar Express display, trains for kids, a gift shop, railroad artifacts and more! Christmas at the Roundhouse Museum runs through February 2, 2020. The Roundhouse Museum is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, plus Thursday, December 26 from 12-4 p.m. 

1. Charlie Brown Christmas & Byron Park Lights - It doesn’t get much more festive than Williamsport’s Byron Park during the holidays. Starting December 6, following the annual Christmas Parade and ceremonial lighting, the park will be aglow for the holiday season with festive light displays. All are welcome to drive through the display every night through January 3. The 11th Annual Charlie Brown Christmas at the Barn at Springfield Farm, features more than 100 decorated Christmas trees, a train display, super-sized Elf on the Shelf, Mr. & Mrs. Santa and more. The Charlie Brown Christmas is free and open to the public on December 7-8, 3-8 p.m., December 10 & 12, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. and December 13-15, 3-8 p.m.
2. Holiday Open House at the Rural Heritage Museum - Celebrate Washington County’s rural history at the Rural Heritage Museum’s Holiday Open House, December 7 & 8 from 1-4 p.m. This free event offers many special activities for all ages. Be sure to bring your camera so you can capture photos with Santa Claus in an authentic sleigh. Special holiday decorations will be on display as well as holiday music featuring a Hagerstown Moller Organ. A children’s workshop and craft area will be offered by 4-H Youth Development and delicious artisan bread and refreshments will be available for your enjoyment. You can even do some holiday shopping in the gift shop!

1. The Nutcracker - The Nutcracker ballet is a holiday tradition for many! Get your tickets now for The City Ballet School and the Western Maryland City Ballet Company’s performance at the Maryland Theatre on December 14 at 7:30 p.m. and December 15 at 3 p.m. Join Clara on her enchanted journey to the land of sweets. Set to Tchaikovsky’s score, The Nutcracker is the perfect way to celebrate the magic of the holiday season with family. This performance features a full cast of more than 100 dancers and enchants with brilliant costume and prop design. There’s even a Land of the Sweets Party (additional ticket required) in the ballroom, with holiday music, dancing, desserts and photos with your favorite Nutcracker characters after the Sunday.
2. The Christmas Experience Dinner Show by Antietam Entertainment - Antietam Entertainment puts on a spectacular Christmas show every year, in the most picturesque, warm and cozy setting you can imagine. Thousands of lights amidst holiday decorations create the backdrop for a heartwarming holiday show featuring award-winning vocalists and dancers. Prior to the performance, attendees can enjoy the animal stable, live nativity, wagon rides, a bonfire, marshmallow roasting and horse rides. The Christmas Experience is the perfect way to celebrate the season with family and friends. Choose from dinner shows and dessert only shows, offered throughout the holiday season. You’re sure to leave with a full belly and a full heart!
3. Historic Houses of Worship Tour - The day after Christmas the public is invited to tour houses of worship and other historic sites within a 5-block radius of Hagerstown City Square. The Historic Houses of Worship Tour is a self-guided walking tour with more than 16 participating sites. Each site opens its doors to the public from 3-7 p.m. to showcase their holiday decorations. Shuttle vans are available to transport visitors between tour areas. The event is free and has an inclement weather date of December 27. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see Hagerstown’s historic churches and other sites festively decorated for the holiday season.
4. Krumpe’s Do-Nut Drop - Why not make Hagerstown’s annual Krumpe’s Do-Nut Drop the first stop for your New Year’s Eve plans? The first 5,000 people at the square in downtown Hagerstown receive free AC&T coffee and hot chocolate along with a delicious Krumpe’s donut. The Kid’s Zone offers games, crafts, coloring balloons and other fun activities starting at 5 p.m. Staff Infection provides live music and the official countdown begins at 6:59 p.m. with the Do-Nut Drop at 7:00 p.m. Downtown restaurants and shops offer dining and drink specials in honor of the big event! This event is timed perfectly for families who want to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the family, but don’t want the kids out too late!