Christmas Events Near Easton, MD

[tarheelmjfan]

DH & I have to be in the Easton area (more specifically Linkwood) in early December. We may be able to extend our visit to begin on the 7th or 8th, but not much later than that.

We'd like to stay in a town that totally embraces Christmas with lots of decorations and hopefully some festivities. We'd also prefer to stay in the town not in the outskirts, if we can find accommodations that work with his company's per diem. Extra points for walkability.

So, is there a town within an hour or so of Linkwood that fits that description?

PS: We have been to Easton for a very short trip, but didn't stay downtown. We did go there for dinner, but that's it. If there's much to see, we missed it.

 

[easyas123]

I have to ask- are you terribly familiar with the area? Dorchester County is rather rural. Still- there are pockets of civilization we don’t refer to it as Gods Country for nothing!
So- Cambridge…you can go to or stay at the Hyatt they’ve got a few things going on. There is a downtown with shops. Also some sketchy areas so be aware.
Easton- again there is a downtown area with various shops & restaurants. Check out website for Avalon Theatre they may have something that evening. Trying to remember name of place downtown, think it’s the Tidewater Inn. Sometimes they have Christmas themed things going on.
Look up St.Michaels- they have a Christmas thing one weekend in December, I just don’t recall which one.
If you wanted to stay closer to Linkwood you could check out Hoopers Island & the Harriet Tubman museum/drive. Not sure that’s overly christmasy though.
With all that being said, I don’t know that any of these places are multi day type places to visit. Maybe a few hours & lunch or dinner? Although I live here so it’s not new & fresh for me so I may be a bit jaded.
Let me know if you would like any restaurant recommendations-

 

[lovesmurfs]

My mother lives just outside Centreville. I imagine St. Michael's does it well -- a bit of a touristy town.

They have a website: https://christmasinstmichaels.org/

ETA: Looks like the events are only December 13-15.

Chestertown has a Dickens event December 6-7. https://www.mainstreetchestertown.org/dickens-festival/

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I have to ask- are you terribly familiar with the area? Dorchester County is rather rural. Still- there are pockets of civilization we don’t refer to it as Gods Country for nothing!
So- Cambridge…you can go to or stay at the Hyatt they’ve got a few things going on. There is a downtown with shops. Also some sketchy areas so be aware.
Easton- again there is a downtown area with various shops & restaurants. Check out website for Avalon Theatre they may have something that evening. Trying to remember name of place downtown, think it’s the Tidewater Inn. Sometimes they have Christmas themed things going on.
Look up St.Michaels- they have a Christmas thing one weekend in December, I just don’t recall which one.
If you wanted to stay closer to Linkwood you could check out Hoopers Island & the Harriet Tubman museum/drive. Not sure that’s overly christmasy though.
With all that being said, I don’t know that any of these places are multi day type places to visit. Maybe a few hours & lunch or dinner? Although I live here so it’s not new & fresh for me so I may be a bit jaded.
Let me know if you would like any restaurant recommendations-

Lol. I'm not at all familiar with the Eastern Shore. We spent two nights in Easton earlier this year, but that's the extent of our experience there. It appears I've found the right person to ask for advice though.

I appreciate all of your suggestions. I'll look into them, then get back to you.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

My mother lives just outside Centreville. I imagine St. Michael's does it well -- a bit of a touristy town.

They have a website: https://christmasinstmichaels.org/

ETA: Looks like the events are only December 13-15.

Chestertown has a Dickens event December 6-7. https://www.mainstreetchestertown.org/dickens-festival/

Thanks for the links. We drove by St Michael's in the spring and thought it looked like a great place to spend a few nights. That was the first thought we had for this trip, but I wanted to make sure that there wasn't a better choice. We often find out that we chose poorly, when it's too late.

Also, accommodations may be a problem in St. Michael's, but I'll check again, when I know our exact dates. I'll check out Chestertown, as well.

 

[Stratman50th]

Sandy Point state park used to have a really nice drive through Christmas light display. It's about a half hour from Easton. You have to cross the bridge and back to see it though.
EDIT; Just remembered a couple of things to add.
https://www.lightsonthebaymd.org/

Always something going on downtown in Annapolis. We did a pub crawl one year. More like a restaurant crawl.
Check to see if there's a Christmas boat parade this year.
Unfortunately most of this stuff you'll have to go over the bridge and back.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Sandy Point state park used to have a really nice drive through Christmas light display. It's about a half hour from Easton. You have to cross the bridge and back to see it though.
EDIT; Just remembered a couple of things to add.
https://www.lightsonthebaymd.org/

Always something going on downtown in Annapolis. We did a pub crawl one year. More like a restaurant crawl.
Check to see if there's a Christmas boat parade this year.
Unfortunately most of this stuff you'll have to go over the bridge and back.

Thanks for the suggestions. This sounds perfect! We have to drive past Annapolis to get to our destination, regardless of where we decide to stay. I'm definitely adding SPSP to the list & will look into the rest.

 

[Stratman50th]

Thanks for the suggestions. This sounds perfect! We have to drive past Annapolis to get to our destination, regardless of where we decide to stay. I'm definitely adding SPSP to the list & will look into the rest.

If it were me, and it isn't for sure, I would consider staying in Annapolis, driving to the conference and back. Honestly, not much to do in Easton. At least the kind of stuff you're looking for. Again, my opinion. Others might disagree. My parents used to live about a 15 minute drive from downtown Annapolis. We lived an hour or so up towards Baltimore so we did a lot of holiday stuff there. I'm only pushing it towards you because you sound like you want to maximize your time and accomplish the most. Annapolis is walkable. You will enjoy the city dock as well I think.
Ok, I'll stop and let others jump in. Good luck, and enjoy whatever you decide.

 

[easyas123]

I would consider staying in Annapolis, driving to the conference and back.

Not a terrible idea except that Linkwood is about a hour & 15 minute drive assuming NO Annapolis traffic/Bridge traffic/Kent Island/404 or 50 issues with traffic... one accident on the Bay Bridge or on Kent Island and you are SOL plus we've had a fair increase of traffic over the bay bridge & on 301 since the Key Bridge went down. Especially Thursday-Sunday.

OP - I think Stratman hits the nail on the head when he says there isn't a lot of what you may be looking for without a probable hours drive. I'm not sure if this link will come thru, if it doesn't google Dorchester County Dec. 2025 News from Dorchester County tourism to look for this Dec. 2024 newsletter about stuff that is going on.
https://dec2024.visitdorchesterstories.com/
https://visitdorchester.org/dorchester-holiday-guide-2024/

also the Ocean City Winterfest is going on - if this doesn't work googling Ocean City, MD winterfest 2024 ought to get you there.
https://www.ococean.com/winterfest/...EQNBB0gpS33Ch1-3O3BKRD5iJ8m2rBQAaAsI0EALw_wcB

 

[kimj88]

A little bit of a drive, but the Ocean City Winterfest of LIghts is spectacular.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Also in Rehoboth Beach, DE is Schellville.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

If it were me, and it isn't for sure, I would consider staying in Annapolis, driving to the conference and back. Honestly, not much to do in Easton. At least the kind of stuff you're looking for. Again, my opinion. Others might disagree. My parents used to live about a 15 minute drive from downtown Annapolis. We lived an hour or so up towards Baltimore so we did a lot of holiday stuff there. I'm only pushing it towards you because you sound like you want to maximize your time and accomplish the most. Annapolis is walkable. You will enjoy the city dock as well I think.
Ok, I'll stop and let others jump in. Good luck, and enjoy whatever you decide.

Interesting idea. I'll share it with DH to see what he thinks. Thanks

Not a terrible idea except that Linkwood is about a hour & 15 minute drive assuming NO Annapolis traffic/Bridge traffic/Kent Island/404 or 50 issues with traffic... one accident on the Bay Bridge or on Kent Island and you are SOL plus we've had a fair increase of traffic over the bay bridge & on 301 since the Key Bridge went down. Especially Thursday-Sunday.

OP - I think Stratman hits the nail on the head when he says there isn't a lot of what you may be looking for without a probable hours drive. I'm not sure if this link will come thru, if it doesn't google Dorchester County Dec. 2025 News from Dorchester County tourism to look for this Dec. 2024 newsletter about stuff that is going on.
https://dec2024.visitdorchesterstories.com/
https://visitdorchester.org/dorchester-holiday-guide-2024/

also the Ocean City Winterfest is going on - if this doesn't work googling Ocean City, MD winterfest 2024 ought to get you there.
https://www.ococean.com/winterfest/...EQNBB0gpS33Ch1-3O3BKRD5iJ8m2rBQAaAsI0EALw_wcB

Thanks for the links. We're considering adding a night or two on our dime to see more of the area. I'll add Ocean City to the list of possibilities.

A little bit of a drive, but the Ocean City Winterfest of LIghts is spectacular.

Thanks. Ocean CIty is definitely a consideration now.

Also in Rehoboth Beach, DE is Schellville.

Thanks. I visited Rehoboth Beach, when I was young, but I don't remember anything about it. DH has never been.

 

[mikehn]

If you feel like making the drive, Midnight Madness in Annapolis the first three weeks in December. Google for more details.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

If you feel like making the drive, Midnight Madness in Annapolis the first three weeks in December. Google for more details.

Great, thanks, I'll look it up.