Nov. 30-Dec. 25

Winterfest

Chesapeake City's monthlong celebration includes holiday lights and displays along both shores of the C&D Canal, Santa arriving in the town's basin on Nov. 30, carolers, house tours, ice skating, holiday garden tours, carriage rides and Santa's workshop. Chesapeake City, Md. 443-553-0071; www.chesapeakecity.com.

Dec. 1-30

Christmas Garden of Trains

Volunteers spend weeks setting up this elaborate and very old-fashioned Christmas train "garden" display, complete with towns, trees and more. 8 Washington Street, Cambridge, Md. Mon.-Fri. 6-9 p.m., weekends 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. 410-228-1211; www.cambridgemainstreet.com.

Dec. 1-Jan. 4

Colonial Christmas

Enjoy the holiday traditions of the 17th and 18th centuries through interpretive programs, musical entertainment, guided tours and more at Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Victory Center. Williamsburg, Va. Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 757-253-4838; www.historyisfun.org.

4-7

Solomons Christmas Walk

Solomons, Md., holiday festivities begin Thursday Dec. 4 with a gala holiday dinner at Kingfisher's restaurant. On Friday and Saturday the town will be dressed in its Christmas finest for the 30th annual Christmas walk. The lighted boat parade is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m., weather permitting. Solomons, Md. 410-326-1950; www.solomonsmaryland.com.

5, 11-12, 18-20

Holiday Candlelight Tours

Tour Sotterley Plantation while the Civil War Era homestead is decorated to represent different historical periods for the holidays. There will also be live seasonal music, refreshments and more. Reservations required. Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood, Md. 6:30-9 p.m. 301-373-2280; www.sotterley.org.

5-6

Christmas on the Beach

North Beach, Md., residents celebrate on the shore during the town's annual Christmas bash, beginning Friday evening at 7 p.m. with Light Up the Town festivities, then a parade at noon on Saturday, followed by Santa on the beach and other Christmas fun. North Beach, Md. 301-855-6681; www.ci.north-beach.md.us.

5-6

Yorktown Christmas

This annual holiday celebration features the procession of lights down Main Street, the lighting of the town Christmas tree, a lighted boat parade, caroling and a visit from Santa. On Saturday enjoy an oyster roast at the Watermen's Museum. Yorktown, Va. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., oyster roast 1-3 p.m., boat parade at 7 p.m. 757-890-4970; www.yorkcounty.gov.

5-7

Old Tyme Christmas

Enjoy sleigh rides, a traditional holiday market, a holiday decoration contest, eggnog contest, family activities and a lighted boat parade in Baltimore's charming Fells Point neighborhood, just east of the Inner Harbor. Broadway Square, Baltimore. Fri. 4-9 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 410-675-8900; www.fellspointmainstreet.org.

6

Crab Pot Christmas Tree Lighting

Kick off the holiday season in Tilghman, Md., with the lighting of the community's giant crab pot Christmas Tree! Last year's tree was 42 feet tall, and the crowd in Tilghman looks to make it higher this year. The festivities start at 5 p.m. at the Bridge restaurant, followed by the tree lighting at 7 p.m. and the boat parade at 7:30 p.m. Tilghman, Md. 410-886-9200; www.pwec.org.

6

Gloucester Holiday Parade

This community opens the holiday season with a traditional first-Saturday parade, beginning at 2 p.m., followed by a day of fun, with music, arts and crafts, kids' activities and a tree lighting. Gloucester, Va. 2 p.m. 804-693-2355; www.gloucesterva.info.

7

Pearl Harbor Day

Commemorate Pearl Harbor Day aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Taney, one of two surviving ships afloat present during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The memorial service will include an aerial wreath drop, a 21-gun salute and a bell tolling. U.S. Coast Guard cutter Taney, Baltimore. Noon. 410-396-3453; www.historicships.org.

12

Jackson Creek Christmas Cruise

This annual Christmas tour starts with refreshments at the community center, then moves to the dock where you will depart on a cruise of Jackson Creek to see the town's Christmas decorations by water. After the cruise, hitch a ride on a hay covered wagon back to the community center for homemade goodies and cider. Tickets available at Nauti Nell's and J&W Seafood. Deltaville, Va. 4:30-8 p.m. 804-776-9811; www.deltavilleva.com.

12-14

Christmas in St. Michaels

Historic home tours, a Christmas parade, breakfast with Santa, a gingerbread house competition, a holiday bazaar and a celebration of choirs are just a few of the holiday festivities throughout St. Michaels during its annual holiday weekend. St. Michaels, Md. 410-745-0745; www.christmasinstmichaels.org.

13

Market Days

In addition to the usual array of fresh produce and food, cut flowers, art, and live music, the Yorktown market will offer items unique to the holiday season. Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown, Va. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 757-890-3500; www.yorkcounty.gov/tourism.

13

Christmas Home Tour and Music Festival

Onancock begins its holiday celebration with the 11 a.m. arrival of Santa (by boat, of course, led by kayaking reindeer). The festivities continue throughout the afternoon with a music program at Cokesbury Church, and of course the town's traditional homes tour, from 1 to 5 p.m., plus an open house at the Center for Eastern Shore History at Ker Place. Onancock, Va. 757-787-7600; www.onancock.org.

13

Santa Swim

Plunge into the chilly Choptank River with a gaggle of Santas in swimsuits? Why not! It's all for the benefit of Cambridge's Care & Share Fund family assistance program. After the swim there will be a party with hot food, music and prizes. Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, Cambridge, Md. 10 a.m. 410-901-4131; www.careandsharefund.org.

13

A Family Plantation Christmas

This annual fun family event features horse-drawn carriage rides, crafts vendors, children's games, live music, caroling and a visit from St. Nick and Mrs. Claus. Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood, Md. 10 am.-4 p.m. 301-373-2280; www.sotterley.org.

13

Old-Fashioned Cambridge Christmas

Join the holiday-style second-Saturday fun on the streets of Cambridge, Md., with art gallery shows and receptions, late shopping hours, carriage rides, music and fireside s'mores. On Race, Poplar, Muir and High streets, downtown Cambridge, Md. 5-9 p.m. 443-477-0843; www.cambridgemainstreet.com.

13

Havre de Grace by Candlelight

Visit the historic homes and buildings of Havre de Grace during the town's 42nd annual candlelight tour, organized by the Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House. 4-8 p.m. 410-939-5780; www.thelockhousemuseum.org.

13

A Chesapeake Christmas

Join the merry music-making trio of Calico Jenny for an evening of songs and stories reflecting holiday traditions from the Bay and the high seas beyond at the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum. 8-10 p.m. 410-939-4800; www.hdgmaritimemuseum.org.

13

Prince William Marina Lighting Ceremony

Walk the docks at Prince William Marina to see how the creative slipholders have decorated their docks and boats for this annual celebration. Prince William Marina, Woodbridge, Va. Festivities start at dark. 800-772-3240; www.pwmarina.com.

13-14

Christmas on Cockrell Creek

Tour Reedville's historic homes by land and boat during this 20th annual holiday celebration. Visit the town's historic homes, the museum and the Walker House, all decked out for the season, and see Santa arrive on the buyboat Elva C. Reedville Fishermen's Museum, Reedville, Va. Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 804-453-6529; www.rfmuseum.org.

24

Santa Water-Ski

Head to National Harbor on the Potomac to watch Santa and his kneeboarding reindeer and elves, who will grace the Potomac River with their stunts, all the while avoiding the Grinch on his Jet Ski. National Harbor Marina, National Harbor, Md. 1 p.m. 703-280-1788; www.waterskiingsanta.com.