Hagerstown Gears Up for Festive Holiday Season with New Events and Traditional Favorites

Hagerstown, MD – Residents of Hagerstown can anticipate a festive holiday season filled with new attractions and beloved traditions, as detailed in a recent announcement from the City of Hagerstown. The city’s downtown area is set to transform into a winter wonderland with a variety of family-friendly events spanning from late November through December. Highlights include a brand-new holiday light display, German-inspired Christmas markets, and dedicated shopping events to support local businesses.

The holiday festivities commence with the inaugural “DiamondFest,” a new holiday event scheduled to take place at Meritus Park on select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 28 through December 21. This family-friendly attraction promises a winter wonderland experience within the park, encouraging attendees to explore downtown Hagerstown’s restaurants afterward. Sponsored by The Brick Tavern, tickets for DiamondFest are available for purchase. Complementing DiamondFest, downtown Hagerstown will also be a hub for Small Business Saturday on November 29. As a Neighborhood Champion for the national initiative, Downtown Hagerstown Main Street is organizing a holiday pop-up shop at 6 N Potomac Street from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Shoppers who spend $50 or more at downtown retail establishments will receive a complimentary gift upon proof of purchase.

The city’s commitment to local commerce continues with the Holiday Pop-Up Shop, running on multiple Saturdays and Fridays throughout December at 6 N Potomac Street. This event provides an opportunity to support handmade vendors and purchase unique, locally crafted items. Downtown Hagerstown Main Street will also be providing maps to help shoppers navigate the various small businesses.

Adding a touch of historical charm to the season, Hager House will host “German Christmas Tours” on Saturdays in December, offering a glimpse into traditional German holiday customs. Tickets for these tours are priced at $5 per person, with children 12 and under admitted free. These tours are organized by Hagerstown Parks and Recreation.

Further enhancing the holiday spirit, Hagerstown City Park will host its annual Tree Lighting ceremony on Friday, December 5, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Attendees can enjoy complimentary donuts and hot chocolate, courtesy of The Maryland Theatre, alongside a petting zoo, various vendors, and giveaways. The tree lighting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

The weekend of December 5-7 will also feature the return of DiamondFest, offering another opportunity to enjoy the winter wonderland at Meritus Park. Simultaneously, downtown businesses will be the setting for “Santacon” on Saturday, December 6, at 4:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to wear festive Santa or holiday attire and bring a toy for the Toys for Tots charity. Several downtown establishments, including Alpine Cocktail Bar, Baile Bagels & Brews, Hub City Brewery, Meinelschmidt Distillery, The Brick Tavern, and Veva’s on Potomac, will be participating in the event.

A traditional German market, the Christkindl Markt, will be held at 50 W Washington Street on Friday, December 12, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and again on Saturday, December 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This market will feature local artisans selling Christmas wares and imported German goods, along with traditional German food and beverages like Gluehwein. The event is sponsored by the City of Hagerstown.

The Downtown Hagerstown Main Street program, in collaboration with Hagerstown Parks and Recreation, presents the “Merry & Bright Bus Tour” on Friday, December 12, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This unique tour will utilize a traditional double-decker bus from Great Britain to showcase holiday lights throughout the city. While tickets for this event are sold out, residents are encouraged to decorate their homes to contribute to the city’s festive display.

On Saturday, December 13, the “Holiday Cookie Crawl” will take place throughout downtown businesses from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This event invites families to enjoy holiday traditions, with opportunities to visit Santa, receive free hot cocoa, and explore bounce houses and over 30 vendors. Music will be provided by the North Hagerstown High School band.

The holiday season will culminate with the “Krumpe’s Donut Drop” on Wednesday, December 31, at Meritus Park. This free, family-friendly event, running from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., will feature live music and a kid’s zone. The event, presented by Middletown Valley Bank and The Maryland Theatre, will conclude with a countdown and drop at 6:59 p.m.

For those interested in getting involved with Downtown Hagerstown or seeking more information about these events, inquiries can be directed via email to events@downtownhagerstown.org.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the City of Hagerstown

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