Charm City Moms: Things to do this week - A blog for Maryland parents by The Baltimore Sun's Kate Shatzkin

Olde Tyme Christmas, Fells Point

Major holiday happenings this week/end. It will be hard to choose which to embrace and which to pass up.

And it's also the prime weekend to get your tree and put it up, if you do a tree, so there's that to fit in.

If you're in a going-out mood, here are the highlights, including the Mount Vernon tree lighting, mayor's Christmas parade, and Olde Tyme Christmas in Fells Point:

Thursday, Dec. 4:

37th Annual Light of the Washington Monument: Along with the lighting, there will be live entertainment, fireworks and a holiday village with crafts and food in Mount Vernon’s West Park, 201 W. Monument St. Entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m.; lighting and fireworks before 7:30 p.m. Call 410-244-1030 or visit GoDowntownBaltimore.com.

Friday, Dec. 5:

Old-fashioned holiday tour: Step back a few centuries to celebrate the holidays with a guided tour and characters in costume at the William Paca House, 186 Prince George St., Annapolis, 5-9 p.m. for members, 7-9 p.m. for non-members. Adults $15, children 6-17 $10. Children under 5, volunteers, and members get in free. Reservations recommended. Visit annapolis.org.

For something not holiday related, check out the Urban Pirates Story Time...

(Photo of Santa arriving at the 2005 Olde Tyme Christmas by Andy Herbick)

with a reading of pirate stories at 10:30 a.m. at the Pikesville branch of the Baltimore County Public Library. Kids ages 2-5 with parent. Free. Call 410-887-1234 or visit bcpl.info.

Saturday, Dec. 6:

Natural Gifts: Make your own Christmas gifts with natural and recycled materials Saturday and Sunday at the Irvine Nature Center, 11201 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, 1-2:30 p.m. Ages 5+. Members $6, non-members $10. Must register at least 2 days before the event. Visit explorenature.org; call 443-738-9200.

Make your own wreath: Bring your own gloves and clippers to Oregon Ridge Nature Center, 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. If the kids don’t want to join in the wreath-making, they can watch holiday movies. $7 per wreath. Reservations required; call 410-887-1815.

Fells Point Olde-Thyme Christmas: Have breakfast with Santa at Shucker's, 1629 Thames St., and attend a day of Christmas events. Santa arrives at the Broadway Pier at 9 a.m. Breakfast from 9:30-11 a.m.: Adults $10.95, kids $4.95, under 4 free, Visit fellspointdevelopment.com or call 410-522-5820.

Merry Tuba Christmas: Listen to more than 250 tubas and similar instruments at the Harborplace Amphitheatre, Harborplace, 200 East Pratt St. 3 p.m. Free, Call 410-332-4191 or visit harborplace.com.

Baltimore Parade of Lighted Boats: Watch decorated boats sail by starting at 6 p.m. around the Inner Harbor and Fells Point. Call 410-522-7300.

Pumpkin Theatre’s Snow White: See a production of the classic tale at Pumpkin Theatre, St. Timothy’s School, 8400 Greenspring Ave., Stevenson. 1 and 3 p.m. showings. Tickets $13 at the door, $12 in advance. Contact the box office at 410-828-1814 or e-mail pumpkintheatre@comcast.net.

Sunday, Dec. 7:

Annual Mayor’s Christmas Parade: Watch motorcycles, floats, marching bands and more come together in the 35th annual Mayor’s Christmas Parade, starting at 2 p.m. The parade runs from Cold Spring Lane at Falls Road along Falls to 36th Street, turns east on 36th Street, turns north on Chestnut Avenue, and ends at 37th Street. Free. Visit mayorschristmasparade.com.

Winter Concert: The Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra presents a Hanukkah and Christmas themed concert at 4 p.m. at Loch Raven High School, 1212 Cowpens Ave. Adults $10, students $5. Visit gbyo.com.

AACC Holiday Spectacular: Listen to a live wind-band performance featuring many Christmas favorites at 3 p.m. at Pascal Center for Performing Arts, Anne Arundel Community College, 101 College Parkway, Arnold. General admission $10, students, groups and seniors $7, AACC students $5. Call 410-777-2457 or e-mail boxoffice@aacc.edu to purchase tickets in advance.

Bamboo and You: Make cups and bird feeders from bamboo at Eden Mill Nature Center, 1617 Eden Mill Road, Pylesville, from 2-4 p.m. Ages 11+. Members $6, non-members $8. Pre-registration required. Call 410-836-3050 or e-mail edenmillnaturecenter@gmail.com.