Events

The List: December 2024

From the Night of 100 Elvises and the Mayor's Annual Christmas Parade to holiday gift markets and Nutcracker performances, here are the happenings to pencil in this month.
—Photography by Carol M. Highsmith

12/6-8: NIGHT OF 100 ELVISES 
Music. It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Baltimore. No, not the holidays—although, sure, they’re fun, too. We’re talking about the first weekend in December, when it’s once again time for dozens of music lovers to don their very best jumpsuits, blue suede shoes, and slickest of hairdos to honor the one and only Elvis Presley. Over 28 years (minus two blue Christmases during the coronavirus pandemic), the Night of 100 Elvises has become a must-attend event full of nonstop entertainment befitting The King. Attendees can meet impersonators, sing and dance to performances by multiple cover bands across three stages, dine on fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, and even get discounted room rates at the event’s historic downtown venue, the Lord Baltimore Hotel. On Dec. 7, last-call lands at 2 a.m., but don’t miss a kick-off party on Friday, as well as an Elvis-themed brunch on Sunday to boot. Lord Baltimore Hotel, 20 W. Baltimore St. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. $75-1,200. 

12/1-5: AND THEN THERE WERE NONE
Theater. Agatha Christie’s chilling crime classic comes to life on stage in this new production. Everyman Theatre, 315 W. Fayette St. Times vary. $5-86. 

12/1-22: THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE
Family. Come dressed in your pajamas to hear music, meet Santa, and enjoy a festive ride at the B&O. B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St. Times vary. $70-460.

12/3: ECHOES FROM THE KEY BRIDGE
Lectures & Classes. This community discussion aims to preserve accounts of those impacted by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Hwy. 6:30 p.m. 

12/3: THE STOOP HOLIDAY HOOTENANNY
Theater. Join storytellers from The Stoop for an evening of holiday tales and music. Senator Theatre, 5904 York Rd. 7 p.m. $15-25. 

12/3: CHRISTMAS WITH CHORAL ARTS
Music. Hear traditional carols and contemporary holiday tunes with the Morgan State University Chorus and Overlea High School Singers. Baltimore Basilica, 409 Cathedral St. 7:30 p.m. Free-$76. 

12/5: MONUMENT LIGHTING
Family. Watch Mt. Vernon’s Washington Monument illuminate with holiday lights, fireworks, and fun. Washington Monument, 699 Washington Pl. 5:30 p.m. 

12/6: HIGHLANDTOWN HOLIDAY MARKET
Festivals. Peruse vendors and art displays with cocktails, crafts, and more during this nighttime market. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 4-9 p.m.

12/6: THE DIRTY GRASS PLAYERS
Music. This up-and-coming Maryland bluegrass band performs in Towson. The Recher, 512 York Rd., Towson. 7 p.m. $21.46-27.95. 

12/6: LOVE ACTUALLY IN CONCERT
Music. Watch this now-classic holiday film with a live score performed by the BSO. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 7:30 p.m. $22-86. 

12/6-8: DEATHTRAP
Theater. In this fictional work, a Broadway writer steals from his student’s script during a bad case of writer’s block. Spotlighters Theatre, 817 St. Paul St. Times vary. $24.

12/6-1/24: IN THE MAKING: A COMMUNITY ARCHIVING PROJECT
Exhibitions. The Baltimore Jewelry Center presents a collection of works created by BJC artists. Baltimore Jewelry Center, 10 E. North Ave. Times vary. 

12/7: PATTERSON PARK 5K
Festivals. This annual run is followed by food, music, and a homebrew contest. Patterson Park, 2601-A E. Baltimore St. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $10-45.

TO 12/7: WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS
Exhibitions. Peruse posters about gender-based inequality, violence, and discrimination. Towson University Center for the Arts Gallery, 7700 Osler Dr., Towson. Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 

12/7: MAGAZINE WRITING WITH D. WATKINS
Lectures & Classes. Join this bestselling author, HBO writer, and University of Baltimore professor in a writing workshop for all ages. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St. 3 p.m. 

—Courtesy of the Enoch Pratt Free Library/Devin Allen

TO 12/7: THE TEXTURES OF US
Exhibitions. Explore the works of acclaimed local photographer Devin Allen, with a special youth tour on closing night. Galerie Myrtis, 2224 N. Charles St. Thurs.-Sat. 2-6 p.m.

12/7-8: ART MARKET X HOLIDAY EDITION
Exhibitions. See artwork and designed goods from hundreds of MICA students, alumni, and faculty. MICA Brown Center, 1301 W. Mount Royal Ave. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

12/8: UNION SQUARE COOKIE TOUR
Lectures & Classes. Union Square residents invite the community to tour their historic homes with homemade cookies. Union Square Park, between Hollins, Lombard, and Stricker streets. 12 and 2:30 p.m. $25.

12/8: MAYOR’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE
Festivals. For the 51st year, watch colorful floats, local personalities, and holiday characters march through Hampden and Medfield. Locations vary. 1-4 p.m. 

12/11-15: BALTIMORE, YOU HAVE NO IDEA
Theater. Dan Rodricks performs this one-man play inspired by his career at The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Times vary. $25. 

12/13-22: BAH HUMBUG
Theater. Improvisers transform a Dickens classic with audience suggestions. Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St. Fri. 8 p.m., Sun. 4 p.m. $15-20.

12/14: JINGLE BELL RUN
Sports. Raise funds and awareness for arthritis as you race through the streets dressed in festive holiday garb. Rash Field Park, 201 Key Hwy. 8-11 a.m. $30-50.

12/14: HOLIDAY HEAP
Markets. Shop handmade and local for all of your holiday needs from more than 40 vendors and artists. 2640 Space, 2640 St. Paul St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

12/14: CURRENT SPACE ART MARKET
Exhibitions. Connect with local artists and buy their work during this 11th annual art market. Current Space, 421 N. Howard St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 

12/14: STATION NORTH HOLIDAY MARKET
Markets. This indoor and outdoor holiday market features local artisans, delicious food and drink, pop-ups, and live performances. North Avenue Market, 30 W. North Ave. 12:30-5:30 p.m.

12/14: LA POSADA
Festivals. Join in a candlelit procession during this Latinx holiday tradition, followed by food and a fiesta. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 5-9 p.m.

12/14: GLITTER BALL
Theater. Enjoy burlesque shows, local vendors, and an evening dance party during this festive fete. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 6:30 p.m. $15-40. 

TO 12/15: THE JOURNEY TO EVERYTHING
Exhibitions. Explore works by Danny Simmons, founder of the Neo-African Abstract Expressionist movement. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. Times vary. Free-$12.

TO 12/15: HEALING THE BODY, HEALING THE SOUL 
Exhibitions. Medieval European artifacts showcase past understandings of health, wellness, and therapeutic healing. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 1-8 p.m. 

12/18-19: BSFA NUTCRACKER
Dance. Baltimore School for the Arts students dance to Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday score. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 10 & 11:30 a.m. $7.

12/19: WINTER SOLSTICE YOGA
Fitness. Kick off the start of solstice with a beginner yoga class practicing poses, breath work, and meditation. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 6 p.m. $10.

12/19: A JOHN WATERS CHRISTMAS
Comedy. In this annual holiday tradition, catch an unconventional Christmas cheer and jeer with Baltimore’s beloved filmmaker. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 8 p.m. Sold out. 

12/19: INTERFAITH HOLIDAY COMEDY
Comedy. Join in on poking fun at various religious holidays with comedians like Nikkie Knowles and Carmiya Weinraub. Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills. 7:30 p.m. $20. 

TO 12/22: BLACK NATIVITY
Theater. ArtsCentric teams up with Center Stage to present this iconic Christmas retelling by celebrated playwright Langston Hughes. Baltimore Center Stage, 700 N. Calvert. Times and prices vary. 

TO 12/23: A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Theater. Director Laura Rocklyn transforms this Charles Dickens holiday classic with a set-ting in 19th-century Baltimore. Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, 7 S. Calvert St. Times vary. $28-79. 

TO 12/23: WINTERFEST
Exhibitions. Established and emerging ceramics artists display their handmade gifts for purchase. Baltimore Clayworks, 5707 Smith Ave. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun.-Mon.. 12-5 p.m. 

TO 12/24: GERMAN CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
Festivals. This traditional Christmas village lights up the harbor with over 60 food and gift vendors, a carousel, beer garden, and more. West Shore Park, 501 Light St. Sun.- Thu. 12-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 12-9 p.m. 

—Courtesy of the Christmas Village in Baltimore

TO 12/28: MATERIALS & MEMORIES
Exhibitions. 
As part of the citywide No Stone Left Unturned. The Elizabeth Talford Scott Initiative, this exhibition centers works by the late Baltimore artist alongside others by the African American Quilters of Baltimore. Maryland Center for History & Culture, 610 Park Ave. Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free-$12. 

TO 12/31: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
Family. Every year, 34th Street in Hampden transforms into an over-the-top holiday display fit for family photo ops. 700 block of W. 34th St. Fri.-Sat. 5-11 p.m., Sun. 5-10 p.m. 

12/31: NEW YEARS EVE FIREWORKS
Festivals. Ring in the New Year with a dazzling display of fireworks that light up the night sky. Enjoy live music and the open ice rink as well. Inner Harbor. Midnight. 

TO 1/5/25: THE ART OF PATTERN
Exhibitions. Renowned artist Henri Matisse’s prints and paintings are paired with works by 19th-century Japanese woodcut artists to demonstrate the universal embrace of color and pattern through time. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 

To 2/16/2025: PREOCCUPIED: INDIGENIZING THE MUSEUM 
Exhibitions. 
This new BMA initiative centers an array of Indigenous artists, with solo exhibitions of various mediums opening and on display throughout 2024. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs. 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

TO 6/8/2025: LEAVE NO TRACE: JOHN WORK GARRETT IN THE AMERICAN OUTDOORS
Exhibitions.
 Despite a privilege East Coast and European youth, one-time Evergreen resident John Work Garrett was deeply inspired by the great outdoors of the American West. This new exhibition uses archival photography, diary entries, and artifacts to explore its impact on the diplomat. Evergreen Museum & Library, 4545 N. Charles St. Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free-$5.

TO 9/1/2025: iWITNESS: MEDIA AND THE MOVEMENT
Exhibitions. In honor the 60th anniversary of the monumental Civil Rights Act of 1964, consider how media impacted the modern American Civil Rights Movement in this new exhibit. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. Mon., Thurs.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m. Free-$12.

TO 12/31/2025: COLLECTIVE ACTION 
Exhibitions
Explore the effort to improve organized labor throughout the 21st century through the stories and experiences of working Baltimoreans. Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Hwy. Wed- Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.