12/21-23: A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL 
Nearly two decades after its best-selling release, public radio host Jean Shepherd’s book of humorous, semi-truthful short stories would serve as the loose basis for the 1983 cult-classic film, A Christmas Story. Though it emerged the week before Thanksgiving that year as a commercial misfire, the holiday comedy—which Shepherd narrates—has become essential viewing.

This month, the Tony-nominated musical adaptation, composed by the songwriting team behind the Oscar-winning La La Land and Broadway hit Dear Evan Hansen, will take to the Hippodrome stage on December 21-23. Follow nine-year-old Ralphie Parker as he lobbies for a Red Ryder BB gun, dons fuzzy pink pajamas, and navigates Christmas mischief in small-town Indiana. The nostalgia-packed performance should be three nights of festive fun. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center. Tues.-Wed. 7 p.m., Thur. 2 & 7 p.m.

12/2: 50TH ANNUAL MONUMENT LIGHTING
Invite your friends and loved ones to enjoy this wintery ritual at Mount Vernon Place, complete with festive outdoor entertainment, tasty bites, and flashy fireworks to paint the city skyline. Mount Vernon Place. 5-8 p.m.

12/2: AN EVENING WITH ROHULAMIN QUANDER
The retired D.C. judge, renowned historian, and author will discuss his latest book, The Quanders: Since 1684, An Enduring African American Legacy. Enoch Pratt Free Library. 6:30 p.m.

12/2: STRAIGHT NO CHASER
The all-male a cappella group of multi-platform streaming fame is headed to The Lyric to promote its latest album, Social Christmasing. Yacht rock maven Kenny Loggins lends a hand with “Celebrate Me Home.” The Lyric. 7:30 p.m. $35-65.

12/4: 12 BARS OF CHRISTMAS CRAWL
Ugly sweaters are encouraged for this festive downtown bar crawl, with admission including a complimentary Santa hat and color-changing cup to hold your drink. Power Plant Live. 12-8 p.m. $12.

12/4: DIRTY GRASS PLAYERS/KENDALL STREET COMPANY
Hear live music by these homegrown bluegrass greats, with an opening set by Virginia-based jam band Kendall Street Company. The 8×10. Times & prices vary.

12/4: JOE BONAMASSA
The prolific blues guitarist and mentee of the luminary musician B.B. King will perform a night of fan-favorite tunes, such as “Lazy,” “Mountain Climbing,” and “I’d Rather Go Blind.” The Lyric. 8 p.m. $52-79.

TO 12/4: WE’RE NOT MEANT TO DO THIS ALONE
Artist Charles Mason III was inspired by the words of lauded writer Alice Walker to curate this new exhibit, which explores the implications and complexities of “place.” Creative Alliance. Sat. 12-5 p.m.

12/4: HOLIDAY HEAP
This locally loved holiday festival returns to Charles Village with handmade wares, eclectic art, and artisanal food by the region’s nest makers. Vaccination required. St. John’s Church. Times vary.

TO 12/5: TOOTSIE
Based on the 1982 comedy film of the same name, Tootsie promises to be a “laugh-out-loud” performance for all, with the musical rendition described as “the most uproarious new show in years” by The Hollywood Reporter. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center. Times & prices vary.

12/5: AN AFTERNOON OF POETRY WITH CAVE CANEM
Annapolis-born wordsmith Reggie Harris hosts local Cave Canem Foundation fellows, with poetry readings by Mahogany L. Browne and Teri Ellen Cross Davis. Enoch Pratt Free Library. 2 p.m.

12/5: PAUL LEWIS
The British classical pianist makes his long-awaited Baltimore debut at Shriver Hall, where he will perform the likes of Mussorgsky’s vivid Pictures at an Exhibition. Shriver Hall. 5:30 p.m. $10-44.

12/7: CHRISTMAS WITH CHORAL ARTS
In its 38th year, this holiday tradition makes a comeback after COVID-19 to bring brassy sounds and quintessential carols to the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Sing along at home (or from wherever you are) when you tune into WYPR, WBJC, or WMAR-TV. Baltimore Choral Arts Society. 7:30 p.m. $38-76.

12/7: THE 1930S: DECADE OF UNCERTAINTY
The BMI’s senior museum educator, Jack Burkert, facilitates this in-depth look at 1930s Baltimore, a city on the brink of change brought on by one of history’s most grievous blows: The Wall Street Crash of 1929. Baltimore Museum of Industry. 7:00 p.m.

12/7-1/2: THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH
At Everyman Theatre, follow the Pulitzer Prize-winning tale of New Jersey patriarch George Antrobus, who stops at nothing to shield his brood from unrelenting misfortune. Everyman Theatre. Times & prices vary.

12/9: MOTOWN CHRISTMAS
Motown comes to Harbor East for one enchanting night by way of this soul-studded medley. Embrace the Christmas spirit with a host of Hitsville favorites by the likes of The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and more. Keystone Korner. 7:30 p.m. $30-35.

12/9: OBJECT FOCUS: ARCHANGEL MICHAEL IVORY
Tune in virtually as a team of experts traces the intercontinental roots behind this age-old artwork, which currently resides at The Walters after almost 40 years spent shielded from the public eye. The Walters Art Museum. 7 p.m.

12/9: SAILING TO FREEDOM: A MARITIME HISTORY OF MARYLAND’S UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Historian Richard Bell joins archaeologist Cheryl Janifer LaRoche and author Timothy D. Walker to virtually discuss his latest book, which explores the little-mentioned role of Chesapeake-based waterways in guiding enslaved Marylanders to freedom. Maryland Center for History and Culture. 12 p.m.

12/10: MUSIC UNDER THE DOME: THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
In the Science Center’s Davis Planetarium, the top hits of 1970s rock group Pink Floyd take on new panoramic life in this immersive experience, complete with psychedelic sights and sounds. Maryland Science Center. 7-10 p.m. $35.

12/10-12: A WINTRY DANCE
The Mount Vernon Virtuosi troupe summons the theme of winter with performances of works by great composers Joseph Haydn, Gustav Holst, and Arcangelo Corelli. Mount Vernon Virtuosi. Locations & times vary.

12/11: JINGLE BELL RUN
This year’s festive 5K race returns to West Shore Park. Jog in-person with friends or chart your own virtual course to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. 401 Light St. Times TBD. $25-45.

12/11: MAKE YOUR OWN MIXERS CLASS WITH CANE COLLECTIVE
The Baltimore-based Cane Collective team conducts an interactive crash course at the Sagamore Distillery, complete with cocktail samplings and your own handcrafted mixer to enjoy at home. Sagamore Spirit. 11 a.m. $65. 

TO 12/12: DREAMGIRLS
It’s the early 1960s, and the Dreamettes are embarking on their path to Motown stardom. Visit Center Stage to find out if the sparkle-sporting trio pays the price for showbiz fame. Center Stage. Times vary. $45.

12/12-4/10/2022: THE REMBRANDT EFFECT
At the BMA’s new Nancy Dorman and Stanley Mazaroff Center for the Study of Prints, Drawings and Photographs, the fabled Dutch printmaker’s works collide with contemporary graphic art. Baltimore Museum of Art. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

12/12-4/24/2022: MATISSE: THE SINUOUS LINE
The French artist’s fabled and distinctive use of line—as evinced by his sculpted work and sketches—makes its debut at the BMA’s
new Ruth R. Marder Center for Matisse Studies. Baltimore Museum of Art. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

12/16: ARTIST TALK: TOOLS OF THE TRADE
In this virtual talk, local jewelry artists Mary Raivel and Earl Jones explore the time-held works of artist Betty Cooke in celebration of her current exhibition, The Circle and the Line. The Walters Art Museum. 5:30 p.m.

12/16: NOT SO SILENT NIGHT
Indulge in an array of festive treats, sip on sugary concoctions, and show off your dance moves at this sweet soiree, which takes place at Center Plaza’s all-new Candy Lane exhibit. Center Plaza. 7-11 p.m. Prices vary.

12/17: A JOURNEY TO FUNKTOPIA
With a stirring set of tracks from their new album, Yes Love Music, The Jonathan Gilmore Project yields an electrifying soundscape. Creative Alliance. 8 p.m. $25-28.

12/17: GINUWINE
Belt your heart out as the ’90s hip-hop mogul, known for R&B bangers such as “Pony” and “So Anxious,” takes the downtown mic. Baltimore Soundstage. 8 p.m. $38.

TO 12/19: WOMEN BEHAVING BADLY: 400 YEARS OF POWER & PROTEST
Spanning the Renaissance through the 20th century, this multi-medium exhibition depicts women who defied societal standards and patriarchal authority throughout history. The Baltimore Museum of Art. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

TO 12/19: FIRES IN THE MIRROR
Based on a collection of real-life interviews, this riveting tale follows the tension and resulting violence between Black and Jewish residents of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Baltimore Center Stage. Times & prices vary.

TO 12/20: BALTIMORE FARMERS’ MARKET & BAZAAR
The largest producers-only market in Maryland has become a Sunday ritual for thousands of Baltimoreans, with food, flowers, and more beneath the Jones Falls Expressway. Holliday & Saratoga Sts. Sun. 7 a.m.-12 p.m.

12/20-22: A VERY JERRY CHRISTMAS WITH CRIS JACOBS & FRIENDS
Cris Jacobs, aka “the king of Baltimore rock ‘n’ roll,” brings The Grateful Dead to life with a selection of essentials by the psychedelic band. Groove along to tracks including “Touch of Grey,” “Box of Rain” and “Eyes of the World.” The 8×10. Times & prices vary.

TO 12/23: CANDY LANE IN CENTER PLAZA
For the first time ever, Center Plaza comes to life with sugar-spun splendor. Stop for photos as you saunter through a candy-coated wonderland adorned with 24-foot ice cream cones and sweet displays. 100 N. Charles St. 4-9 p.m.

TO 12/24: CHRISTMAS VILLAGE IN BALTIMORE
Baltimore’s authentic German Christmas market returns for its eighth season with plenty of crafts from over 50 local and international vendors, plus German delicacies, such as bratwurst, sauerkraut, and pretzels. Inner Harbor. Mon.-Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free-$5. 

TO 12/31: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
This annual holiday tradition in Hampden features an entire city block of festive decor and thousands of wintery lights through New Year’s. W. 34th St. 6-11 p.m.

TO 12/31: MOMENTS OBSERVED
Self-taught sculptor J. Clayton Bright embraces natural realism in his artwork, now on display throughout Ladew Gardens through the end of the year. Ladew Gardens. Thurs.-Tues. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free-$15.

TO 1/2/22: ZOO LIGHTS
From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, the Maryland Zoo hosts its highly anticipated celebration of holiday lights among the animals. The Maryland Zoo. Fri.-Sun. 5-8 p.m. Free-$26.

TO 1/2/2022: ANIMATIONLAND
Delve into the world of animation and storytelling in this new interactive experience for all ages at Port Discovery. Port Discovery Children’s Museum. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-5 p.m. Free-$19.95. 

TO 1/2/2022: A MODERN INFLUENCE: HENRI MATISSE, ETTA CONE, AND BALTIMORE
Take a deep dive into the BMA’s renowned Cone Collection, with a particular emphasis on the friendship and partnership sister Etta Cone shared with famed French artist Henri Matisse. Baltimore Museum of Art. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

TO 1/2/2022: BETTY COOKE: THE CIRCLE AND THE LINE
In the first major museum retrospective of her work, 97-year-old Baltimore artist Betty Cooke displays her American Modernist studio jewelry, plus drawings, photography, and design sketches from throughout her eight-decade career. The Walters Art Museum. Wed.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

TO 1/4/2022: TELL OUR STORY
Explore the powerful work of Baltimore photographer Robert Houston, including documentation of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign and Resurrection City, alongside images by contemporary Baltimore and D.C.-based photographers. Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Mon, Thurs.-Sat. 12-5 p.m. Free-$12.

TO 1/9/2022: COLOR AND ILLUSION
In the first such U.S. exhibition in 35 years, explore the pioneering art of Spanish Cubist artist Juan Gris through more than 40 paintings and collages. The Baltimore Museum of Art. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

TO 1/17/2022: SMALL WORKS – BIG CAUSE
Virtually view and shop a sea of small-scale masterpieces made by local artists. Proceeds from sales will support Creative Alliance’s work. Creative Alliance. Times & prices vary.

TO 7/30/2022: LOSING WINTER
Through a range of photographs, this exhibition portrays Marylanders’ reflections on past winter seasons. As the state’s climate changes, their recollections detail a sense of personal loss. Maryland Center for History & Culture. Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free-$9.

TO 9/4/2022: HEALING AND THE ART OF COMPASSION (AND THE LACK THEREOF!)
Upon retirement, AVAM founder Rebecca Hoffberger curates her last exhibition, where visionary artists explore the symbiotic relationship between the twin powers of healing and compassion. American Visionary Art Museum. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free-$15.95.

Bob and Darlene Hosier have enough Christmas decorations to deck out four houses, top to bottom. Over the past few decades, the couple has adorned the front of their three-story rowhome with countless strings of lights—along with a rotating cast of bright snowmen and wreaths, an inflatable purple hippopotamus, vintage Christmas dolls, and a handmade replica of the train garden from It’s A Wonderful Life—and hundreds of thousands of people have traveled to their home on the corner of a sleepy Hampden block to see it.

“It’s just some Christmas lights,” grumbles Bob, repeating the phrase over and over in conversation. The 62-year-old has given this response to countless people over the past few decades—reporters, grocery store clerks, documentary filmmakers—who ask him why Hampden’s Miracle on 34th Street tradition has become a local and national phenomenon that’s now woven into the narrative of Baltimore’s quirky character.

Sometimes, when Bob repeats the phrase, he pulls on the ends of his graying handlebar mustache; other times, he gently slaps the knee of his worn-in blue jeans for emphasis. It doesn’t matter how many times or in how many ways he repeats it, he says, there will always be people who don’t get it. People who question why he and his neighbors living on the 700 block of W. 34th Street spend the weeks between Halloween and Thanksgiving decorating their front porches, stoops, and lawns with over-the-top holiday light displays. People who don’t understand how the residents deal with the tens of thousands of strangers who pack the block during the holiday season to take pictures of “the most outrageous Christmas lights in Maryland.” People who press them about what kind of break they get on their electric bills or whether they get paid for their appearances on HGTV, CNN, or the homepage of Bing.

But it’s never been about the cost or the publicity, although Bob understands why no one can believe that he and his neighbors do all of it—the planning, purchasing, decorating, hosting—for absolutely no money. The Miracle on 34th Street tradition is simply how Bob and his neighbors decorate for the holidays, and no matter how the block and its residents have changed through the years, that sentiment stays the same—at least as long as Bob has a say in it. “I’m just a guy who puts up some Christmas lights,” Bob says. “I can’t help that the whole world shows up to see them.”

The story of how the tradition started is a tale almost as time-honored as Christmas itself. In the early 1980s, Bob, who was working as a meat cutter at Kash & Karry at the time, fell in love with Darlene, who was working as the grocery store’s head cashier. The pair tied the knot in 1983, and Bob moved into Darlene’s three-story rowhome on W. 34th Street’s 700 block, where she has lived for all of her nearly 70 years.

As a young married couple, they realized they shared an affinity for Christmas decorations during their first holiday season. Bob, who grew up decorating the outside of his parents’ house in Northeast Baltimore with as many multicolored lights as possible, asked Darlene if he could add some twinklers to the outside of the house. Her father, who purchased the home in 1947, had always decked out the home’s exterior during the holidays, and Darlene had carried the torch since his death, but Bob took it to a new level with themed displays, illuminated figures, and even a full-sized tree on the roof. “To any rational human being, what I do during the second half of the year to prepare to decorate would be too much work,” Bob says. “To me, it’s just getting ready for the holiday.”

 

“If someone wants to join this party that we have with the lights every year, we’re here for you.”

 

In the early 1990s, Bob rigged a speaker system so they’d have Christmas music playing along with the lights. Their neighbor across the street wanted to be able to enjoy the holiday tunes from his house, too, so Bob wrapped a speaker wire around a string of lights and ran it along the light pole that adjoins the two houses. Other residents on the block admired his handiwork, and before long, Bob was going from rowhouse to rowhouse installing hooks on his neighbors’ roofs and draping lights to connect all 25 homes on the block.

Something about Bob’s commitment to creating extravagant displays that grew in size and spectacle each year, along with the over-the-street lights, seemed to motivate other residents to get in on the act. While there was always plenty of holiday spirit and a strong sense of community to spare, residents began adding countless bulbs, as well as things like working train sets, brightly lit palm trees, and handmade sculptures, to the outside of their homes. By the late ’90s, as word spread to the rest of the region, 34th Street became a popular destination for holiday revelers who would walk or drive down the block to admire the rows of merry houses. “People were pulling over to take pictures of everything,” Darlene says. “The attention just started rolling from there.”

Full-scale notoriety came in 2001, when the Maryland Lottery contacted Bob with the request to capture the block in its full holiday glory for a TV commercial. Bob hesitated, not only because he didn’t feel comfortable getting paid for the commerical, but also because he believed that once the rest of the state saw what locals had begun dubbing the “Miracle on 34th Street,” there’d be no turning back. “A bunch of the neighbors came to me and said they really wanted to do the lottery commercial,” Bob says. “I said it was okay with me, but I told them, ‘Remember folks, if we do this, we can’t stop doing this. Once it starts, we can’t stop,’” he says.

Sure enough, the week the commercial ran, the tightly knit working-class neighborhood was practically gridlocked. “Cars couldn’t move, the fire department couldn’t move, the police department couldn’t move,” Bob remembers. “There were people stuck on both sides of I-83 waiting to get in. I have never seen so many people in my life.” Thousands of people streamed into Hampden that winter to see the now-famous lights, and media attention from both area and national news organizations followed close behind.

Thanks to coverage from national outlets such as The Travel Channel, Nightline, and Better Homes & Gardens, as well as the rise of social media, the Miracle on 34th Street tradition has steadily grown into the sensation that it is today. As depicted in the commercial that escalated it all, there’s a countdown that marks the block’s “lighting” on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, except now every square foot of the street is filled with onlookers and the night is known as an unofficial block party. The tradition still comes to a close on New Year’s Eve with a handmade ball drop, but now instead of four people watching a slightly toasted Bob run through the street as “Baby New Year,” roughly 4,000 people show up to catch a glimpse of him in a diaper and bonnet.

Some residents have even developed their own methods of measuring the crowds, including the Hosiers, who leave composition notebooks on their porch for visitors to sign and collect about 20 books-worth of signatures every season. Longtime resident and artist Jim Pollock, who converts his living room into a pop-up art gallery during the holidays, uses a handheld clicker to count people as they walk in. (He averages about 1,200 visitors per night, and nearly 300,000 people have walked through in the past seven years alone.) “One time, a woman came through the gallery and said, ‘In a world full of chaos, this is a beacon of hope,’” says Pollock, who’s famous for the 10-foot-tall hubcap tree in his front yard. “What more could you ask for from some Christmas decorations?”

 

“At the end of the day, it’s about nothing else but decorating for the holidays.”

 

Of course, fame has its downsides. The sidewalk, as well as people’s porches, steps, and circuit breakers, have experienced significant wear and tear, and finding street parking during the holidays is a decades-old issue. Far from immune to the city’s increased crime rates, the block’s residents threatened to go dark during the 2014 holiday season in an effort to bring attention to a string of violent crimes that had occurred in the neighborhood. (The lights stayed on, but the bluff attracted plenty of buzz.)

But despite transforming from a kitschy block-wide hobby into an internationally recognized attraction, the only thing that has really changed about the Miracle on 34th Street—besides the added foot traffic—is its residents. It’s still strictly voluntary: There isn’t a homeowners’ association or a committee that organizes the event, and, undeterred by persistent requests, there are no vendors or businesses sponsoring the block.

Over the past few years, all but seven of the original decorating households have left the block, making way for a new generation of renters and homeowners. “I’ve had a lot of good neighbors who have passed or left the block and took some of that magic with them,” Pollock says. “We’ve had to find new people to pick up the spirit.”

While longtime residents don’t have a say in whether new neighbors embrace the street’s tradition, many make an effort to ensure that newcomers are aware of the four-to-five week spectacle that will take place outside their front door and offer decorating assistance. “If somebody needs lights, I’ll certainly spread the joy,” Bob says. “If someone wants to join this party that we have with the lights every year, we’re here for you.”

Since most residents know about the block’s signature event before moving day, many are prepared to carry on the tradition, or in some cases, start their own. Hillary Strilko, who moved onto the street in 2009, now teams up with local animal rescue and welfare organizations to serve cookies and cocoa to 34th Street visitors in exchange for donations. The initiative started as a way to honor the memory of her brindle pit bull, Roo, and has raised more than $135,000 over the past decade. “We use a tall money box, and a lot of parents will lift their kids so that they can donate themselves,” says Strilko, who calls her home “the doghouse” and decorates the outside with inflatable pups and photos of pets in holiday gear. “It’s heartwarming to watch people teach their kids about giving back to local causes.”

-Amanda White-Iseli

Down the street, Riley Wilks and his wife, Heather Franz, have embraced their role as “the flock party,” thanks to the 60-some illuminated lawn flamingos they bought from a MICA student to use as holiday decorations. While they have fun scattering the flamingos in the yard and being the go-to house for Christmas parties, Wilks says that the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve are mostly just like any others for them, thanks in part to their parking pad. “We just stay inside and do our normal routine: Netflix, ice cream, and Chinese food,” Wilks says.

Previous renters Carla Johnston and Jennifer Wright did not have quite as positive an experience when they moved onto the block in 2013, however. The 20-something roommates were excited to reuse some of their Halloween decorations, including handmade fake ceramic limbs, to create a “Zombie Christmas” themed display. A few days before the lighting ceremony, they transformed their lawn into The Walking Dead meets Christmas, with zombie heads atop trees and a fake blood-stained sheet next to candy canes and a blow-up snowman. Wright says that, within a few days, one of the neighbors confronted her on their front lawn, saying she had “never seen decorations so inappropriate.” Wright and Johnston took down the spookier parts of their display, but shortly after, news trucks and reporters showed up at their door and, even though neither commented to the press, the story of the disagreement appeared in The Wall Street Journal. “We were just trying to do something different; we weren’t trying to disrespect Christmas,” Johnston says today. “I love Hampden, but that street is very much like, stick to the rules, or else. The following year, our theme was Home Alone, and we hung paint cans from the roof and played music from the soundtrack. That went over well.”

 

Bob told his doctor, “Fill me up with some morphine, I gotta go light the street.”

 

As time goes on and Hampden continues to change—the neighborhood’s average home value index has increased by nearly $90,000 since January 2012—many wonder what the future holds for the Miracle on 34th Street. As Bob and the remaining original decorators reach the age when climbing onto three-story roofs to replace Christmas lights is no longer an option, he says it will come down to whether the younger residents are willing to invest the time and energy into keeping the tradition alive. As it stands, the Hosiers operate all of the lights hanging above the street. “More people on this street can get involved, but the magical question is, where are you plugging all of this in? And who is going to pay for all of this?” Bob asks. “It’s not an exorbitant amount of money, but is anyone else in the younger generation going to put the time and effort into it?”

While some residents, like Wilks and Strilko, believe that the block will continue to decorate for years to come, especially since the Hosiers’ daughter and grandson live on the block, others aren’t so sure. “Nothing lasts forever,” Pollock says. “I would love for me and all the neighbors to take over when Bob is done, and then we’ll be set for the next 10 years. But when Bob chooses not to do it anymore, I think a lot of other people on this block are going to choose not to do it anymore, too.” He adds: “My biggest fear is that when this all ends, John Waters is going to swoop in and do a movie here because he always does a movie about stuff after its death.”

But the man who started it all isn’t done yet. Bob and Darlene have made so many amazing Miracle memories—proposals staged on their front porch, meeting Gov. William Donald Schaefer, helping their neighbors plug in for the first time—that they’ve forgotten more of them than they remember, and he doesn’t plan to stop leading the charge anytime soon. (A few years back, Bob was in the hospital the Friday before the lighting with a gallbladder issue, and he told his doctor, “Fill me up with some morphine, I gotta go light the street.”)

Bob’s biggest concern for the future—besides still being able to climb his ladder safely—is whether they’ll be able to preserve the integrity of the event by keeping vendors and sponsorships at bay and stick to bringing joy to the neighborhood. “At the end of the day, it’s about nothing else but decorating for the holidays,” Bob says. “When I have to keep track of the cost or I have to take money from vendors and things like that, that’s when it’s time to stop.”

The Miracle on 34th Street started with just some Christmas lights, which is why every year during the final hours of Christmas Eve—after the thousands of bundled-up onlookers who packed the street earlier have gone home to bed—Bob stands on the empty sidewalk and takes a photograph of each illuminated home. Then, sometime after the lights have been taken down and the decorations returned to storage, Bob will add the photos to his ever-growing collection of mementos that he’ll pass on to his grandson, Colt, to show him what a string of lights and an idea can do. “It’s just some Christmas lights,” Bob says, one last time, “but what it’s done, for this block and tons of other people, is absolutely amazing.”

If you’re not quite in the holiday spirit just yet, Baltimore has more than a few fixes to tame your inner-Grinch. There’s nothing like Christmas lights to conjure up those warm and fuzzy feelings and, luckily, lights are already abound. No matter what part of the city you reside in, there’s a light show or event nearby that the whole family will absolutely love. So bundle up, grab your hot cocoa (or bring your mug full of spiked nog), and check out some of these kid-friendly events that will be sure to have you feeling all the holiday feels this year.

Here are six of the best Christmas light shows to take the family to:

11/29: Belvedere Square Tree Lighting
You can’t miss the ginormous tree in the middle of Belvedere Square Town Center. But on Thursday, November 29 at 7 p.m., that thing is getting lit. With drinks from Grand Cru—like hot spiked cider and mulled wine—you can get lit, too, or at least stay warm and cozy in the chilly winter air. There will be carol singers from Stages Music Arts belting out familiar tunes, food vendors from 5-8 p.m., and a mitten drive to help the needy. Basically, it’s everything you need to get in the holiday spirit. 540 E. Belvedere Ave. 5-8 p.m.

12/1: Fells Point Parade of Lighted Boats
On Saturday, December 1st at 6 p.m., the 31st Annual Parade of Lighted Boats will begin. The parade starts at the Anchorage Marina on Boston Street and the boats will be visible along the waterfront from Canton, Fells Point, Harbor East, the Inner Harbor and Federal Hill. So no matter where you post up, you can see the glorious lights shimmering on the water. It’s a boat-lovers Christmas dream come true. 2501 Boston St. 6-8 p.m.

12/2: Holiday Pagoda Lighting in Patterson Park
It’s almost time for the 4th Annual Patterson Park Pagoda Lighting. On Sunday, December 2nd from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., come watch the beautiful lighting ceremony, complete with live music and plenty for the kids to enjoy. There will be a table full of crafts, gift vendors to shop from, a toy drive, and even a visit from the man of the season himself. Ho! Ho! Ho! 27 S. Patterson Park Ave. 4:30-6:30 p.m.

12/6: 47th Annual Washington Monument Lighting
On Thursday, December 6, the 47th Annual Monument Lighting takes place in Mount Vernon Square. The event is from 5-8 p.m., and there’s plenty more to do and see than just the lights—though it’s a spectacular sight on its own. There’s also a fireworks display, a Christmas village that the kids will love to explore, plus food and drinks from dozens of vendors. Still need more to get into the Christmas spirit? How about music from BSO Kids, The Morgan State University Choir, and more for all to hear. Afterwards, head over to Wet City to warm up with holiday cocktails, craft beer and festive specials by Chef Brad. 699 Washington Place. 5-8 p.m.

12/14: 12th Annual Lamp Post Lighting in Canton
Come on down to Canton Square for the 12th Annual Lamp Post Lighting on Friday, December 14 at 5 p.m. O’Donnell Square will help you find your festive vibes as you vote on your favorite decorated lamp post and storefront. Slurp some free hot chocolate, or purchase a tasty cup of eggnog and some treats. There will be caroling, live music, raffle prices, and photos with the Clauses—making this holiday lighting ceremony one the whole family will absolutely love. 2917 O’Donnell St. 5 p.m.

To 12/24: Christmas Village in West Shore Park

Every weekend at West Shore Park from now until Christmas Eve, there’s a special theme at the downtown Christmas Village. Whether it’s a bratwurst eating contest, a lantern parade, or a shopping weekend, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. You can’t miss the beautiful lights, trees, and decorations. But while you’re there, don’t forget to snap a picture with Gingy and Old Saint Nick himself! 501 Light St. 11 a.m.

To 12/31: Hampden’s Miracle on 34th Street
Christmas in Baltimore just isn’t complete without a visit to the lights on 34th Street. No matter how many times you’ve cruised along the miracle of spectacular decorations that only Baltimore could put together in it’s 72 years, it never quite gets old. Sometimes you can find a hot cocoa vendor and maybe some treats, but you can always count on kind-hearted folks that are happy to open their doors to families—as there are always more decorations inside the homes to explore. The lights stay on until December 31st, so whether you go early or late, don’t leave Hampden off of your holiday check-list. 720 W. 34th St.

EAT

Nov. 23-Dec. 24: Christmas Village in Baltimore

West Shore Park, 501 Light St. Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free.

Save the leftover turkey and stuffing for another day and spend the rest of the weekend sampling authentic German fare at the annual Christmas Village. From grilled-to-order bratwurst and Bavarian burgers to sweet tooth staples like lebkuchen (German gingerbread) and strudels, this traditional holiday market is packed with enough German delicacies to pull you out of your post-Thanksgiving food coma. Don’t forget to snag holiday gifts like homemade hot sauce and marzipan on your way out.

DRINK

Nov. 23: Black Friday Celebration

Diamondback Beer, 1215 E. Fort Ave. 12-11 p.m. Free.

Whether you’re looking to get out of the house (aka away from your extended family) or need a reprieve from the Black Friday madness, Diamondback Beer has you covered. Stop by the Locust Point brewery for buck-a-shuck oysters, slices by BricknFire Pizza Company, and free-flowing pours of seasonal brews like Maple Thief, an oatmeal stout, and a Kolsch called Atmospheric Conditions. After warming up with a beer or two, head out to the patio to hear live music by local group Gene & Friends.

SEE

Nov. 24- Jan. 1, 2019: Miracle on 34th Street

700 W. 34th St. 5 p.m.-12 a.m. Free.

Although Hampden is known as a neighborhood that marches to the beat of its own drum (see Hampdenfest and Honfest), it does follow the unwritten rule against displaying holiday decorations and lights before Thanksgiving. But two nights later, the entire 700 block of West 34th Street will come alive with decked out digs and displays including illuminated Bohs, flamingos, crabs, and, of course, the famous hubcap tree. In this weird and wonderful Charm City tradition, join tons of locals and visitors alike in admiring the “most outrageous Christmas lights” in Maryland.

HEAR

Nov. 23: Joy Postell

Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 9 p.m. $12.

We’ve been eagerly anticipating this powerful singer’s debut album since her first single, “Consciousness,” dropped more than two years ago, and it was well worth the wait. This Friday, hear this rising local artist perform brand-new tracks from her full-length album, Disapora, and experience how Postell’s fusion of jazz, soul, hip-hop, R&B, and spoken word creates a moving commentary on love, growth, and injustices faced by the African-American community. Be sure to get to Ottobar early to hear sets by noteworthy locals like rapper Butch Dawson, genre-bending artist Josh Stokes, hip-hop mainstay Al Rogers Jr., and singer-songwriter Bobbi Rush, as well as DJ sets by Loc Spice, Styles b0nd, and Jacob Marley.

DO

Nov. 23-24: Bazaart Holiday Art Market

American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. Fri. 12-6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free.

Start the holiday season off right by supporting local artisans during the American Visionary Art Museum’s annual art market, featuring tons of one-of-a-kind items that make early-bird shopping special. Held on Small Business Saturday, the market will highlight original creations made by more than 40 regional artists such as paintings, textiles, and jewelry. After you’re shopped out, take a free tour of the acclaimed Jim Rouse Visionary Center.