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Holiday Events & Celebrations for the entire family
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Holiday Events
• BERLIN •
Ice Ice Berlin & Tree Lighting
Friday, November 28 – 5-8pm Santa Beautifully carved Ice Sculptures line the Sidewalks. Tree Lighting at 6pm. Shops open late.
Meet Santa Kringle Kottage
Located on the Artisans Green Weekends: Nov. 29 & 30, Dec. 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 20 & 21
10am-1pm
Merry Marketplace in Brrrlin Farmers Market
Roasted Chestnuts, Art & More
Saturdays, November 29, December 6, 13, 20 10am-3pm Main Street
Berlin Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 4 – 7:00pm
Free Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
November 29, December 6, 7, 14, 20, 21 11am-3pm
Hanukkah Celebration
The INN Berlin
Thursday, December 18 – 4pm
New Years Eve in Berlin
Music & Fun on Main Street
Ball Drop 6pm
• OCEAN PINES •
‘A Hometown Christmas’
Tree Lighting
Saturday, Nov. 29 – 6:30pm
White Horse Park
Lights, music and a visit from Santa!
Santa in the Park
Saturday, November 29 – 7-8pm
Visit Santa in White Horse Park. Photo opportunities!
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, Dec. 6 – 8:00am-11:00am
Ocean Pines Community Center
$6 ages 4-10, $10 ages 11+, 3 & under-free Purchase photos for $5 donation. Please bring an unwrapped toy or nonperishable food item for local charity.
Reindeer Lane Gift Shop
Saturday, Dec. 6 – 8:00am-11:00am
Ocean Pines Community Center
Children ages 12 and under can purchase gifts for $5 or less.
Celebrate the Holidays is a Special Supplement to OC Today-Dispatch & Bayside Gazette 11934 Ocean Gateway, Ste 6, Ocean City, MD 21842
• OCEAN CITY •
Winterfest of Lights
Open Wed-Sun, Nov. 20-Dec. 21
Open Daily Dec 22-Dec 31, 5:30-9:30pm
Northside Park – 125th Street
$6 for Guest 12 years and older, FREE for children 11 years & younger
Large open air walking path through hundreds of animated, lighted displays. Gift Shop. Photos w/Santa Wed-Sun 5:30-9:30
New This Year at Winterfest
Enchanted Evenings Carriage Rides
December 1, 8, 9 & 15
Reservations ococean.com/winterfest
Fire & Ice Nights
Every Friday and Saturday 5:30-9:30pm
Food Trucks & Live Entertainment
Holiday Open House
Saturday, December 7, 2025 10:00am-4:00pm
Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum
Inlet & Boardwalk
Museum of Ocean City
Corner of Baltimore Ave & Dorchester Street
FREE for all ages!
Pizza with Santa
Wednesday, December 10, 5:30pm
Northside Park, 125th Street
$10 for OC Residents, and $8 for OC Residents
Special Fee $5 Adult Admission to Winterfest
Space is limited. Pre-Register 410-250-0125
OC Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6 – 11am
Coastal Hwy & Old Landing Rd.
Parade marches northbound in the southbound lane along Coastal Hwy to 120th St.
32nd Annual Penguin Swim
Sunday, January 1, 2026
Princess Royale, 91st Street
For details & registration aghpenguinswim.org
Grandma Ruth’s Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding
Ingredients:
• 1.5 Pounds Bread- (French, Cuban Or Hoagie Rolls Can Be Used)
• 1 Cup Raisins- (Can Substitute With, Raspberry, Blackberry, Blueberry, Chocolate Or White Chocolate)
• 1.5 Cups Sugar
• 2 Cups Heavy Cream
• 4 Cups Milk
• 1/4 Cup Vanilla Extract
• 6 Whole Eggs
• 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon Utensils Needed:
Wire Whisk, 9x13 Casserole Pan, Mixing Bowl, Rubber Spatula, Cutting Board, Measuring Cups, Tablespoon, Knife.
Preparation:
1. Pre-heat oven to 310°F (275°F if convection oven).
2. Spray bottom and sides of a 9x13 pan with pan spray.
3. Cut bread into 1" squares and mix with raisins. (or your chosen substitute).
4. Transfer bread mixture into 9x13 pan.
5. In a mixing bowl combine sugar, eggs, vanilla, heavy cream, milk and cinnamon. Whisk until well blended.
6. Pour liquid mixture over bread mixture and gently stir to coat evenly.
7. Press the bread down so all pieces are submerged. Let soak for 10 minutes.
8. Stir once more to ensure the bread is evenly saturated.
9. Bake for 40 minutes, then rotate pan to opposite shelf and bake another 40 minutes.
10. Check for doneness with toothpick (like a cake), when it comes out clean and no liquid remains, it’s ready.
11. Remove from oven and allow to
rest uncovered for 15 minutes
To Serve:
Scoop or slice out your desired serving and top with fresh whipped cream, toasted coconut and caramel sauce.
Optional toppings: You can substitute toppings with whatever you like-Ice cream, candied nuts, compotes, or any sweet sauce you love-the possibilities are endless!
A beginner’s guide to wreath-making
Wreaths are popular decorative items that can be customized for any season or occasion. Wreaths are particularly popular during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, especially when adorned with evergreen boughs and berries. Learning how to make a wreath can be a handy skill.
Those new to wreath-making need not worry, as it’s relatively easy to learn the technique. Here are the basics to crafting a wreath, which can then be adorned as desired.
MATERIALS NEEDED
The first step to making a wreath is having the right tools and materials on hand.
until you have several bundles to attach to the wreath form.
START ATTACHING THE GREENERY
• Wreath form: This is the frame upon which the materials will be attached. Choose a form diameter that matches the desired size for the center ring of the wreath, as longer flowers or branches can be attached to create a larger finished wreath. A 10-inch wreath form is good for getting started. The form can be made from metal or grapevine. For a foam form, you’ll be poking wire into the form instead of wrapping it around it to secure your greenery and decorations.
• Paddle wire: Choose 22- to 24gauge paddle wire to attach greenery and additional items onto the form.
• Clippers and wire cutters
• Craft scissors
• Foliage, flowers and boughs
• Decorative items and accessories
• Floral tape
• Door hanger
PREPARE YOUR WORK STATION
Once you have collected your supplies, it’s time to begin. Place all materials on a protected surface. Trim foliage into workable sizes that will fit neatly on the frame, and set aside.
BUILD BUNDLES
The first step to making a wreath is to make small bouquets or bundles of greenery that look good in small bunches, suggests Homesteading Family. Hold the bundle tightly and use floral tape around the stems to keep each bundle together. Repeat this process
Begin by laying a bundle onto the form and using a piece of paddle wire to first wrap around the form, and then wrap around the bundle stems to hold in place. Experts suggest pointing the stems inward and arranging the leaves and greenery to point outwards to create a fan shape. Always place the next bundle slightly overlapping and on top of the previous bundle to cover the stems. Repeat this process all around the wreath form until you reach the starting point.
ADD YOUR EMBELLISHMENTS
Fill in any sparse areas with some decorations, such as small ornaments, bows, pinecones, ribbons, or plastic gems. Simply wrap a piece of wire around the decoration and attach it to the form as you did the bundles. When adding embellishments, work in oddnumbered groupings, as they look more aesthetically appealing on a circle, say the floral experts at Team Flower. Twist all wire ends tightly to avoid scratching your door or wall when the wreath is ready to hang.
HANG THE WREATH
Place the wreath holder on your door or in another spot. Determine what is the top of the wreath and twist two pieces of your paddle wire together to thicken it. Fashion the wire into a loop shape so you will have a “hook” for hanging the wreath onto the holder, which makes it more secure.
Making a homemade wreath is inexpensive and a perfect craft project for the holiday season.
Baked Brie is a Crowd Pleaser
Baked Brie with Blackberry Compote & Spicy Candied Pecans from Lines+Angles
Makes 4 to 6 servings
For the compote:
• 3 cups blackberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the pecans:
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
heat, stirring from time to time, until the blackberries are soft and jammy, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Let cool to one side.
3. For the spicy candied pecans: Preheat oven to 250 F. Stir together sugar and spices in large mixing bowl.
4. Whisk egg white with water in separate bowl until frothy. Toss pecans in egg white mixture, then coat in the spiced sugar mixture.
• 1 pinch chilli powder
• 1 small egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 cups pecans
For the cheese:
• 2 Brie wheels
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pomegranate, seeded
• Fresh thyme sprigs
• Multigrain crackers
1. For the compote: Combine blackberries, sugar, water, and vanilla extract in heavy-based saucepan.
2. Cover and cook over medium
5. Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake 1 hour, turning over every 15 minutes, until dry and crisp.
6. Remove from oven. Let cool to one side. Increase oven to 350 F.
7. For the cheese: Remove the tops of the rinds from Brie wheels. Place Brie on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Drizzle with olive oil before baking 25 to 30 minutes until melted and bubbling.
9. Remove from the oven and cool briefly before topping with blackberry compote, spiced pecans, pomegranate seeds, and thyme sprigs.
10. Serve with the multigrain crackers. Add any remaining compote and pecans on the side.
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday: BUNDLE PRICE Bring All Family, kids 2 or more and get $30 bundle price (regardless of the age group)
Friday:
Anchor Atlantic, LLC
Coloring Contest
ENTER T this new Decision A $25 Gi Mail or drop off your entry form and colored page at: OC Name:_____________________________
O WIN! Deadline: December 23, 2025 at 12 noon. Pictures w wspaper. Winners will be announced in the January 1st & 2nd of judges is final. There will be three age categories: Ages 5 & ift Card will be awarded to one winner in each category. Today-Dispatch Newspaper, 11934 Ocean Gatew
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ANGEL BIRTH CAROLS CHRISTMAS CHURCH COMPANY
DECEMBER DINING EVERGREEN FRIENDS GARLAND GIFTS
WORDS
GREETING CARD HOLLY MANGER MERRIMENT MISTLETOE
REMINISCE ROAST STAR TRAVEL TREE SKIRT WREATHS
New Year's Eve Celebration Ideas for Families
While New Year's Eve may be known for its raucous nature, parents looking to celebrate with their young children have plenty of options to turn NYE into a more family-friendly affair.
NOON YEAR'S EVE
Staying up until midnight might be a stretch for young children. Instead of waiting until 12 a.m. for the countdown, move it back (or ahead) 12 hours to 12 noon. Young children won't mind if the sun is out instead of the moon, if they get to make noise and throw confetti.
HOMEMADE NOISEMAKERS
Collect empty paper towel cardboard tubes and cover one end of the tube with masking tape or a round piece of plastic. Fill the tube with beads, small seashells, rice, or dried beans leaving enough room for the materials to move around inside the tube. Seal the other end and allow the kids to decorate their noisemakers.
DRESS-UP PHOTO BOOTH
Set aside a corner of a room with
dress up props: funny glasses, feather boas, top hats, and NYE-specific items. Explore digital disposable camera apps like POV, Lense or Pixel Party. Guests can scan a QR code for the event that the party host has established for a low price and can snap moments at this "photo booth" that are shared to one digital place.
KIDS BEVERAGE BAR
Younger guests can be age-appropriate mixologists with sodas, fruit juices, citrus slices, and maraschino cherries. Or try a hot cocoa bar with miniature marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and peanut butter chips.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY DANCE CLUB
Create a playlist of popular songs and choose the "clean" versions so children will not hear questionable lyrics. Clear an area to serve as the dance floor and utilize strobe lights or a disco ball to enhance the atmosphere and celebrate New Year's Eve with kids in entertaining ways that are appropriate for everyone in the home.
“Deck the Halls" often conjures the festive atmosphere of the holiday season. The English-language lyrics to "Deck the Halls" were written by the Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant in 1862, and the song many people know today is a traditional Christmas carol. However, the Welsh melody that is part of the song can be traced to the 16th century and a song called "Nos Galan." That song is not about Christmas, but rather
"DECK THE HALLS"
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
'Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Toll the ancient Yule tide carol, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the blazing Yule before us, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus. Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
While I tell of Yule tide treasure, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Sing we joyous, all together, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la, la la la la..
SEASONAL SPECIALS
