Baltimore— Christmas Village sails back into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor in 2021. After being cancelled due to the pandemic last year, Charm City’s beloved holiday tradition is ready to transform West Shore Park located at 501 Light Street into a traditional indoor and outdoor German Christmas Market.
Christmas Village opens early with a preview weekend on Saturday, November 20 and Sunday, November 21, 2021 to offer the opportunity of a sneak peek for visitors. After the preview weekend, Christmas Village follows its annual tradition— opening during regular hours for the season starting on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25 through Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24, 2021.
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 addition of a brand-new Christmas Village Carousel with horses and festive reindeer. Famous German ornament vendor Käthe Wohlfahrt returns to the heated festival tent along with over 50 local small businesses, makers, and international vendors.
Other highlights will include thousands of twinkling lights, the signature wooden huts, a large selection of Glühwein (mulled wine), the warm glow of the open-air Bratwurst Grill, an extended outdoor seating area, a new outdoor Hofbrau beer booth, 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. Christmas Village will again partner with local organizations to create the Holiday District in Inner Harbor, featuring the Village Christmas Tree at the Inner Harbor Ice Rink.
“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 return after missing last year— we missed Charm City, we missed our vendors, and we missed our visitors that have made this their annual tradition for so many years. We are back and making preparations for a safe return with the lessons and protocols we fine-tuned at our sister market in Philadelphia over the pandemic. We are excited to bring back all of the things that make our German Christmas Village so authentic. We are also thrilled to introduce some new exciting additions we have worked hard on for the new season, including expanded outdoor food and drink areas, the festive historic carousel, and a full-roster of vendors with many fresh faces. 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 these eight seasons— and we can’t wait to be back to spend the holiday season with you.”
Christmas Village is located in West Shore Park, between the Maryland Science Center and the former 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. New in 2021, look for an extended outdoor-seating area that will add plenty of seating for visitors to enjoy their food and beverages.
Admission to the outdoor area of Christmas Village in Baltimore is always free to visit and experience. Admission for the heated festival tent is free on the Preview and the Opening Weekend. 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.
Event highlights feature the traditional Tree Lighting to kick off the 8th season of Christmas Village on Saturday, November 20, 2021, as well as the Grand Opening Ceremony of Christmas Village on Saturday, November 27, 2021.
For more information about Christmas Village, and to spread early holiday cheer, follow @bmorechristmas on Twitter and Instagram, “Like” Christmas Village in Baltimore on Facebook, and visit www.baltimore-christmas.com.