Popular Holiday Events & Festivals in Havre de Grace, Maryland (2025)
- Lee Schafer
- Nov 3
- 6 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
If you've ever been to holiday events and holiday festivals in Havre de Grace, then you know there's something truly special about the holiday season here in Havre de Grace.
As a local business owner of HdG Apparel and resident, I get a front-row seat to watch our charming city transform into a festive wonderland. The genuine warmth of our community make this time of year magical.
I'm looking forward to taking an updated picture of the downtown this holiday season with the newly renovated blocks of Washington Street!
If you're looking to experience that classic, small-town holiday feeling, you've come to the right place. I’m sharing some of my absolute favorite local events for the 2025-26 season.
Get ready to mark your calendars for things to do in Havre de Grace in the winter and during the holiday season!
Things to do in Havre de Grace this Holiday Season
Kick Off the Season with our Annual "Holly Jolly Days"
December 5-6
The city officially rings in the holidays with its beloved Holly Jolly Days, a series of events that fill our streets with cheer on the first weekend in December Each Year. While some of the shopping & craft portions of this event are geared toward families and kids, businesses all over the City join in on the festivities, with events for all ages.
And of of course he main event you can't miss is the Holly Jolly Parade & Tree Lighting on Friday, December 5th, from 6-8 pm.
There’s nothing like bundling up with friends and family, finding a spot downtown, and watching the festive floats and community groups march by. The evening culminates with the lighting of the city's Christmas tree, a moment that truly signals the start of the season for me.
Come into town early and plan to shop or grab a bite before the parade, and then come back on Saturday December 6th to visit the Holly Jolly village! Enjoy festive fun for kids of all ages — from seasonal activities to cheerful surprises.
Visit the City's tourism website, ExploreHavredeGrace.com to learn more about Holly Jolly Days in Havre de Grace as details become available.
Get Your Craft On and Give Back
On Saturday, December 6th, from 12-8 pm, make your way over to the Holiday Tree Jubilee and Craft Show. This isn't just a chance to find unique, handcrafted gifts from local artisans (though that's a huge plus!). It's also an opportunity to support a great cause.
Proceeds from the event go to the Havre de Grace Independence Day Commission, which is responsible for our amazing Fourth of July parade and fireworks. You can browse beautifully decorated trees and wreaths donated by businesses and individuals as part of the silent auction fundraiser and feel good knowing you're supporting another one of our town's cherished traditions.
Here's the tree we donated a few years ago -- complete with gift cards from some of our favorite downtown shops.
This will also be a series of Craft Fair events at The Luckiest Light -- an inclusive art studio and gallery in Havre de Grace, celebrates artists with and without disabilities. Founded in honor of the owners’ daughter, Nora, who has Down syndrome, the blue-and-yellow building reflects the pride and unity of “The Lucky Few.”
The studio’s mission is to uplift and highlight artists who are often underrepresented in traditional art spaces.
The dates will be:
Saturday December 7th from 12-4pm
Saturday December 14th from 12-4pm
Saturday December 20th from 12-8pm (We will be there!)
Sunday December 21st from 12-4pm (We will be there!)
Take a Candelight Tour of Holiday Homes
Now, this next event holds a special place in my heart. The 53rd Annual Candlelight Tour is happening on Saturday, December 13th, from 4-8 pm. This beloved Annual Havre de Grace tradition supports the local Lock House Museum, and offers a rare glimpse inside some of our city's most beautiful historic homes, all decked out in their holiday best.
Last year, our home was part of the tour, and it was such an incredible experience to share our holiday spirit with so many wonderful people.
The feedback was amazing, and it truly highlighted how much everyone adores this event. It's a perfect way to get design inspiration and soak in the historic charm of our town.
Ring in the New Year, HdG Style, with the Annual "Duck Drop"
When it's time to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome 2026, we do it in our own unique way. Forget the ball drop in Times Square; here in Havre de Grace, we have the New Year's Eve Duck Drop!
Havre de Grace is well-known for it's history and has been affectionately dubbed the "Decoy Capital of the World". From Vincenti's Decoys downtown to the Decoy Museum, where you can learn a lot about how the City became a hub for hunting, which spurred a demand for high-quality [duck] decoys.
This is why every year on New Years Eve, a crowd gathers at Concord Point Park, right next to our iconic lighthouse, as we count down to the midnight "Duck Drop".
Watching the duck descend to ring in the new year is a quirky and wonderful tradition that perfectly captures the spirit of our town. It's a fantastic, family-friendly way to celebrate with your community.
Other Festive Havre de Grace Holiday Events You Won't Want to Miss this Year
In addition to the Havre de Grace festivals and annual holiday traditions, we also have a vibrant arts and entertainment scene, which offer plenty of shows and other events all season long. Here are just a few you may want to check out this year!
My Unauthorized Hallmark Movie Musical
If you're a fan of those feel-good holiday movies, you absolutely have to see My Unauthorized Hallmark Movie Musical at the historic Havre de Grace Opera House.
Showing on December 13th at 7 pm, this fun, witty performance is a loving parody of all the tropes we know and love from Hallmark films. It’s the perfect night out for a good laugh and some lighthearted holiday fun.
The Opera House itself is a gem, and seeing a show there is always a treat.
Havre de Grace Christmas Spectacular
December 12th - 13th (multiple show times)
During the Havre de Grace Christmas Spectacular, you can immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of Havre de Grace, a place where the true magic of Christmas comes alive and fills the air with joy and wonder.
This is not just any holiday event; it’s a musical Christmas experience that will revive the classic feel-good spirit of the season. Enjoy beloved Christmas hits such as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Rocking Around The Christmas Tree,” and “We Need a Little Christmas”, all performed by our talented artists. Each song will transport you back to cherished memories of Christmases past, wrapped in nostalgia and excitement. With special appearances from Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, the elves, and the entire North Pole gang!
Santa's Circus at the Star Centre
December 20th at 8pm
For a family-friendly spectacle that will dazzle all ages, head to the Star Centre for Santa's Circus.
This show is a whirlwind of amazing acrobatics, holiday magic, and festive fun. It's a high-energy performance that will have the kids on the edge of their seats and adults marveling at the talent. It’s a unique way to celebrate the season and create some lasting memories.
Tea Parties and Magical Balls
Looking for something a bit more enchanting? Havre de Grace has you covered with some truly special experiences.
The Christmas Teddy Bear Tea is a delightful tradition for little ones. It's a charming event where children can enjoy tea and treats in a festive setting, often with a special guest or two. It’s one of those classic holiday memories you’ll cherish for years.
For an experience that feels straight out of a storybook, don't miss A Wickedly Magical Holiday Ball and Tea Party with Santa. This event blends fantasy and holiday cheer, inviting guests to dress up and step into a world of wonder. It’s a chance to meet Santa and other characters in a beautifully decorated setting, making it an unforgettable celebration for kids and the young at heart.
Of course there's nothing we love more than spending the holidays in Havre de Grace, and our local downtown shops are part of the reason this "Hallmark town" is so popular and charming.
Come Visit and Shop Local
As you can see, the holiday spirit is alive and well in Havre de Grace. I hope you’ll join us for some of these fantastic events. While you're here, take a stroll through our downtown shops. Supporting local businesses is one of the best ways to support our community and find gifts you won't see anywhere else.
From my family to yours, I wish you a happy and festive holiday season!
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