Harford County Holiday Round-Up

Annual Bel Air Christmas Parade and Celebration

From the Town of Bel Air:

Bel Air Christmas Celebration
Sunday, December 6
Courtland Street Concert at 2:45 pm. Parade begins at 3:30 pm, Main Street at Churchville Road, ending at Lee Way and Hickory Avenue, with floats, marching bands, Santa and much more! Immediately following the parade, there will be seasonal music, bonfire, caroling, hot chocolate, cookies and Santa Claus in Shamrock Park, along with a tree and menorah lighting. Sponsored by the Town of Bel Air.

2:30 pm: Concert on Main Street in front of the Courthouse
3:30 pm: Parade (down Main Street to Lee Street to Shamrock Park)
4:15 pm: Community Bonfire & Singalong in Shamrock Park, with free cookies and hot chocolate
5 pm: Tree Lighting
Scheduled to appear: Stilt-walkers and acrobats; local high school marching bands; costumed characters and mascots; beauty queens; performance units, dancers, floats and musical groups and even some special equestrian guests, ending with The Living Christmas Tree and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus!

Ballet Chesapeake to perform the Nutcracker

From Ballet Chesapeake:

Bel Air, MD (October, 2015) –The magic of the holiday season will be brought to life as Ballet Chesapeake (formerly Harford Ballet Company) presents its performances of The Nutcracker, taking place Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, December 6 at 1 p.m. at Patterson Mill High School.

This year’s performances will feature Abby Stafford and Craig Hall from the New York City Ballet! A timeless tradition for the entire family, Ballet Chesapeake’s The Nutcracker will captivate audiences with the story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they battle the evil Rat King in a sword duel and travel to the enchanted Land of the Sweets. The beautiful Tchaikovsky score is easily recognized by all audience members and when combined with exquisite costumes, splendid scenery and radiant choreography, the experience will be one that is not forgotten.

“The dancing, the atmosphere – it all comes together to create an unforgettable outing to the theater and truly helps anyone get in the holiday spirit,” said Artistic Director Barclay Gibbs. “The Nutcracker is such a magical journey and Ballet Chesapeake is delighted in continuing to bring the production to Northern Maryland.”

During the party scene in Act I, young guests are invited onstage to sit with Clara and experience Uncle Drosselmeyer’s magic up close. Children are also invited to bring a donation of a new and unopened children’s gift onstage to place under Clara’s tree for the Aegis Empty Stocking Fund. For more than 75 years, the Empty Stocking Fund has been helping to provide a brighter holiday season to underprivileged children throughout Harford County. Ballet Chesapeake is grateful to take part in such a wonderful cause.

Ballet Chesapeake, northern Maryland’s only pre-professional ballet company is proud to perform this classic production for the 15th year. The company’s pre-professional division has grown to 22 members and along with breathtaking technique and artistry, the enchanting story of The Nutcracker is sure to charm young and old audiences alike.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at our website: balletchesapeake.org or by calling 410-877-0777. Ticket prices range from $17-$23 with advance purchase and $25 at the door.

Ballet Chesapeake’s The Nutcracker is supported in part by both the Maryland State Arts Council and Harford County Cultural Arts Board.

Christmas Open House at Hays House Museum

From the Town of Bel Air:

Christmas Open House
Sunday, December 6
Lavishly decorated with fresh greens and seasonal display. Music by the Catherine Street Consort.

Date: December 6, 2015
Times: 1 – 4 PM
Location: Hays House Museum
Address: 324 Kenmore Avenue Bel Air, MD 21014
Contact: 410-838-7691
Cost: Donations appreciated

HARFORD COUNTY CHOIR TO PERFORM ALL-SEASONS CONCERT

From Deer Creek Chorale:

Deer Creek Chorale features Center for the Arts as 2015-16 Community Partner

TOWSON, MD – On Sunday, December 6 at 4:00pm the Deer Creek Chorale (DCC) will present its “Music for All Seasons” concert, featuring this season’s community service partner, the Harford County Center for the Arts (CFA), which aims to build a facility in Abingdon. Under the direction of Martha Banghart, the volunteer inter-generational choir of over 80 singers will perform at Towson United Methodist Church with songs based on the four seasons from around the world.

The DCC has performed around the world, from the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics to the upcoming January premiere of Carol Barnett’s bluegrass Te Deum at Carnegie Hall. This season, DCC supports a new arts building in Harford County, one of the few counties in Maryland without a center for its many music, dance, and visual arts programs. DCC singers bring a diverse set of skills and talents to this unique arrangement of music and to this exciting partnership with the CFA.

“Harford County and the northern region of Maryland have a long tradition of strong fine arts organizations,” said DCC artistic director Martha Banghart. “The opportunity to provide a facility to showcase the talents of its citizenry in a ‘Center for the Visual and Performing Arts’ has arrived. Because of its dual mission of choral artistry and community service, the Deer Creek Chorale is committed to promoting the importance of the arts in worthwhile community projects like these.”

The Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, Inc (dba Center for the Arts “CFA”) is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to establishing a center in Harford County, accessible to all, to nurture art, artists, and the community in creative and collaborative experiences. The goal for the new art center is to provide space for classes, lectures, rehearsals, performances, and exhibits in dance, music, theater, and the visual, traditional, and literary arts. The Center for the Arts was gifted a 41-acre parcel from Emily Bayless Graham’s estate to be used for a community cultural arts center, and the organization is moving closer to begin building the first sub-phase of the $25 million project by 2016.

Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners Holiday Open House

From the Town of Bel Air:

Board of Town Commissioners Holiday Open House
Tuesday, December 8
Come celebrate the holidays with us. Enjoy light refreshments and joyful sounds of the season performed by the Harford Day School Choir. Hosted by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.

Date: December 8, 2015
Time: 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
Location: Bel Air Town Hall
Address: 39 N. Hickory Ave. Bel Air, MD 21014
Contact: 410-638-4550
Cost: Free

Ladew Gardens Invites you to our Annual Christmas Open House: Dec. 11-13

From Ladew Gardens:

Friday, December 11 thru Sunday, December 13
11 am – 4 pm

Ladew Gardens celebrates Christmas in seasonal resplendence…
Celebrate the season and see how local floral designers and Garden Clubs decorate the rooms of the circa 1747 Manor House, adorning the walls, tabletops and fireplace mantels in festive holiday splendor.

Now in its 35th year!
Enjoy live seasonal music * Shop at Ladew’s exceptional Greens Sale featuring hand-crafted fresh holiday decorations – wreaths, table arrangements & decorations * Discover seasonal gifts and decorative items for home & garden, and unique selections for holiday gift giving at the Gift Shop * Enjoy complimentary hot cider & cookies * The Ladew Cafe will be open for lunch, snacks & hot cocoa

Admission:
* Ladew Members FREE
* Adults $13
* Seniors & Students $10
* Children (2 – 12) $4

Purchase tickets at the gate.
(Sorry, green Ladew passes are not valid for the Christmas Open House)

For ticket information call 410.557.9570 or visit www.LadewGardens.com

Proceeds from the Open House and Greens Sale benefit Ladew’s Manor house, 22-acre gardens, 60-acre Nature Walk, and new Butterfly House. The Manor House at Ladew Gardens, filled with equestrian and fox hunting memorabilia, fine art, and English antiques, is a living legacy to the style, elegance and wit of Harvey S. Ladew, the man who created it.

2015 Candlelight Tour of Havre de Grace and Holiday Boutique

From Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House:

2015 marks the 43rd year of the Annual Candlelight Tour of Historic Havre de Grace. This year’s theme is “Homes of the Harbor”. The tour is Saturday, December 12th from 4 PM to 8 PM.

After picking up an entry pin and brochure, tour goers are free to begin their self-guided tour of the numerous participating homes, churches, and museums. You can go at your own pace, either challenging yourself to reach all the stops or spending more time at the places you enjoy most. Feel free to approach the stops in any order. The establishments selected for the tour truly showcase the diverse character of our City.

Some of top restaurants will be offering special Candlelight Tour promotions for all tour-goers. Some of the local stores will also be open late. Check the brochure and website for information.

So get in the Holiday Spirit and spend Saturday, December 12th in our historic, charming, and decorated City. Visit beautiful homes and interesting sites. Experience the luminary candles along Union Avenue and the Christmas decorations downtown. Explore some of our best restaurants along the way—and either before or after the tour, find that special gift at the Holiday Boutique at the Lock House Museum on both Saturday (9 AM to 5 PM) and Sunday (noon to 5 PM).

Aberdeen Police Department Christmas on Patrol

From the Aberdeen Police Department:

The Aberdeen Police Department will present the 5th Annual Christmas on Patrol on Saturday, December 19, 2015, between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Members of the Aberdeen Police Department, their friends and family participate in this yearly event which is geared at building a stronger relationship between children and police officers. There will be signs throughout the city indicating where Santa and his sled will stop. Parents can go to the Aberdeen Police Department website, www.ABERDEENPOLICE.org, to find the stop locations. On the day of the event, follow the progress on the police department’s Facebook page.