Dollar Days and more weekend family fun
Monument lighting, Christmas parade, Downtown Dollar Days...there's a lot going on for families this weekend. Best of all, much of it is free or nearly so.
Thursday, Dec. 3:
The lighting of the Washington Monument: The festivities at the monument, at the corner of Charles and Monument streets, include fireworks, musical performances and the BSO's Dancing Santas. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Meanwhile, down the street at the Walters Art Museum, a free, family-friendly “Monument Lighting Festival” from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. will include music, art activities for the kids and light refreshments.
Peppermint Twist and Shout:Kids 2-5 can make a candy cane craft and get moving during a winter-themed class at 11:15 a.m. at the Elkridge branch of the Howard County Library. Registration required; sign up here.
A Charlie Brown Christmas: The classic Peanuts special is brought to life with a performance of Vince Guaraldi's jazz score by the Eric Byrd Trio at Carroll County Arts Council, 15 E. Main St., in Westminster. The event takes place Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 and $10. Go to carrollcountyartscouncil.org.
Friday, Dec. 4:
Hands on Holidays Chanukah party Crafts, songs and refreshments for Chanukah will be offered at 10:45 a.m. at the Jewish Museum of Maryland.
The Nutcracker at the Baltimore School for the Arts:Several performances of the ballet take place Saturday and Sunday at the school. Here's the schedule.
Saturday, Dec. 5:
Downtown Dollar Days:Have fun for just a buck each Saturday and Sunday at destinations like the Baltimore Museum of Industry, the Maryland Science Center, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American Culture, and more. Here's the list of participating destinations.
Merry Tuba Christmas: While you're at the Harbor taking advantage of Dollar Days, take in this annual brass concert at 3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 6:
The 37th annual Mayor's Christmas Parade The parade begins at 2 p.m. at the corner of Falls Road and Cold Spring Lane and proceeds through Hampden along 36th Street. This year's version will be led by a giant steam calliope and 150 Harley Davidson motorcycles, to be followed by everything from horses and Philadelphia's famed Mummers to Miss Yuletide (Maggie Terhune) and Jr. Miss Yuletide (Jahna Hawes). And, of course, Santa.
Monument photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Monica Lopossay
