Free events for family fun are plentiful in December. If you are on a tight budget, check out our list of activities in the Baltimore, Annapolis, Washington, D.C. area that don’t cost a dime. From holiday story times for little kids to crafts for teens, fun for everyone in the family.
1 Thursday
‘Muppets and Puppets’
Through Jan. 8. See Muppets and marionettes that date as far back as 1900, as well as Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit from Captain Kangaroo and the first Kermit created by Jim Henson. Free. 10am-5:30pm. National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C. 202-633-1000, americanhistory.si.edu
Solomons Christmas Walk
Dec. 1-3. Special children’s activities, a live puppet show, Santa’s arrival, lighted boat parade, shopping and more. Free. Check website for full list of events and times. Various venues, Solomons. solomonsmaryland.com/events/signature-events/solomons-christmas-walk
Midnight Madness Holiday Shopping
Dec. 1 and 8. Shops in downtown Annapolis remain open until midnight during this block party. Live music, food and more. Free. 6pm-midnight. Downtown Annapolis. downtownannapolispartnership.org
Teen Craft Night
Make crafts, eat snacks, music and more. For teens. Free. 6:30-8pm. Calvert Library Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, calvertlibrary.info
Art Attack
Create an art piece based around reusing recycled materials. Grades 3-6. Register. Free. 6:30-7:30pm. Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch, Chesapeake Beach. 410-257-2411, calvertlibrary.info
2 Friday
Goosebumps
Watch “Goosebumps,” rated PG. For middle schoolers. Free. 2-4pm. Edgewater Library. 410-222-1538, aacpl.net/locations/edgewater
3 Saturday
Innovation Day
Activities designed to spark creativity and imagination. Grades 3-12. Free. 9am. The Boys Latin School of Maryland, Baltimore. 410-377-5192, boyslatinmd.com
Chesapeake Light Craft Winter Open House
Learn about boatbuilding and enjoy door prizes, treats and more. Reservations suggested. Free. 9am- 4:30pm. Chesapeake Light Craft, Annapolis. 410-267-0137, clcboats.com/openhouse
Fire Safety at the Library
Child-friendly program on fire safety. Special guests include local author Jae Sherwood and the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. Free. 10am. Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1770, aacpl.net/location/eastport
Gingerbread House Workshop
Build a gingerbread house. Bring a bag of any edible item to share with the group. Register. Free. 10-11am. Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, calvertlibrary.info
Holidays at Homestead Gardens
Through Dec. 18, weekends. Themed trees, decorated Main Street, live holiday music, Santa visits, pick your own tree and more. Free. Some events require a fee. 10am-6pm. Homestead Gardens, Davidsonville. 410-798-5000, homesteadgardens.com
Joyful Paws Holiday Open House
Family and pet pictures with Santa Claus, bake sale, vendors, games, silent auctions and more. Free. 10am-3pm. Calvert Animal Welfare League, Prince Frederick. 410-535-9300, cawlrescue.org/About/aboutus.htm
Twelfth Night and Other Celebrations
Learn how people celebrated the holidays in Shakespeare’s time. Registration required. Free. 10-11am, for ages 5-7; 11am-noon, for ages 8-14. Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C. 202-675–0395, folger.edu/shake-your-saturdays-reservations
The Holiday Open House and Train Garden
Dec. 3-4 and 10-11. See the Train Garden, enjoy live music, take museum tours and more. Free. Noon-3pm. Living Farm Heritage Museum, West Friendship. 410-489-2345, farmheritage.org/holiday-open-house-and-lighting-of-the-tree.html
Star Wars Celebration
Celebrate Star Wars before the new movie hits theaters. Crafts, activities and a showing of “The Force Awakens.” Costumes encouraged. Free. 1pm. Deale Library. 410-222-1925, aacpl.net/location/deale
Annual Holiday Open House
Dec. 3-4. Tour the house and enjoy holiday treats. Free. 1-5pm. Benson Hammond House, Annapolis. 410-768-9518, Aachs.org
Harbor Holiday Movies
Showing of “Elf,” rated PG. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Free. 6pm. National Harbor. 1-877-628-5427, nationalharbor.com/movies-on-the-potomac
4 Sunday
Artisan Boutique
More than 50 artisans showcase their art including jewelry, pottery, glassware and more. Live music, food, raffles, meet children’s author Lisa Mccue and more. Free. 10am-5pm. Crowne Plaza Annapolis Hotel. [email protected]
Children’s Open House
A visit from Santa, holiday treats and reading of “The Night Before Christmas.” Free. 1-3pm. Captain Avery Museum, Shady Side. 410-867-4486, captainaverymuseum.org
5 Monday
Winter Craft Week
Dec. 5-10. Create a variety of winter crafts. Free. 9am-3pm. Edgewater Library. 410-222-1538, aacpl.net/location/edgewater
7 Wednesday
Holiday Gifts: Make and Take
Make gifts for someone on your Christmas list. Supplies provided. Free. 2:30-4:30pm. Edgewater Library. 410-222-1538, aacpl.net/location/edgewater
All Aboard the Polar Express
Reading of Van Allsburg’s book “The Polar Express.” Crafts, cookies and cocoa to follow. Pajamas welcome. Free. 6-7pm. Odenton Library. 410-222-6277, aacpl.net/location/odenton
8 Thursday
Little Elves’ Workshop
Make gifts for friends and family and enjoy snacks. All ages. Free. 6:30pm. Linthicum Library. 410-222-6265, aacpl.net/location/linthicum
Winter BINGO
Winter themed bingo game. Free. 7pm. Severn Library. 410-222-6280, aacpl.net/location/severn
Holiday Evening Story Time
Read holiday stories, make crafts, enjoy holiday activities and more. Free. 7-7:45pm. Calvert Library Fairview Branch, Owings. 410-257-2101, calvertlibrary.info
9 Friday
Christmas in St. Michaels
Dec. 9-11. Christmas parade, shopping, Santa’s Wonderland, Gingerbread House display, choirs and more. Check website for specific events and times. Free. St. Michael’s, various venues. christmasinstmichaels.org
10 Saturday
Celebrate Star Wars
Star Wars themed crafts, games and special guests. Free. 11am. Severna Park library. 410-222-6290, aacpl.net/location/severnapark
Carols, Crafts and Cocoa
Hear Christmas cheer from the Lights of Joy Youth Choir and join in the sing-along. Drink hot cocoa and make ornaments. Free. Noon. Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1770, aacpl.net/location/eastport
Annapolis Lights Boat Parade
Parade of boats illuminated with colored lights. Free. 6-8pm. Annapolis Harbor, Annapolis. Eastportyc.org
Harbor Holiday Movies
Showing of “Jack Frost,” rated PG. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Free. 6pm. National Harbor. 1-877-628-5427, nationalharbor.com/movies-on-the-potomac
12 Monday
‘Polar Express’
Reading of Van Allsburg’s book, “Polar Express.” Cocoa, cookies and a craft. Stuffed animals, PJs and blankets welcome. Free. 6:30pm. Broadneck Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1905, aacpl.net/location/broadneck
13 Tuesday
Holiday Baby
Celebrate the holidays with songs, bounces and rhymes. Birth-18 months. Free. 9:30am. Crofton Library. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net/location/crofton
Movie Time: ‘Elf’
Buddy the elf searches for his birth father in New York City. Rated PG. Free. 10am. Mountain Road Library, Pasadena. 410-222-6699, aacpl.net/location/mountainroad
Time Traveling Story Time
Story time transports children back in time with activities based around the story’s setting. Free. 10-11am. Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, St. Leonard. 410-586-8501, jefpat.org
‘Elf’ Movie
Make crystal snowflakes and watch the movie of Buddy, who was stowed away in Santa’s toy bag as a baby and then raised by the elves as their own. Rated PG. Free. 4pm. Crofton Library. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net/library/crofton
Teen Movie Night
Movie, snacks and more. For teens. Free. 6-8:30pm. Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, calvertlibrary.info
14 Wednesday
Anti-Bullying Teen Panel Discussion
Panel discussion for teens. Learn about the different forms of bullying, what can be done to prevent it and available resources. Free. 6-7pm. Hillcrest Heights Library, Temple Hills. 301-630-4900, pgcmls.info/website/branch/location/HillcrestHeights
Family Ornament Night
Make holiday homemade ornaments and crafts. Free. 6:30pm. Mountain Road Library, Pasadena. 410-222-6699, aacpl.net/location/mountainroad
15 Thursday
Ballet at the Library
Lessons led by Connect the Dots Dance Company. Ages 5-12. Free. 4-5pm. Largo-Kettering Library, Upper Marlboro. 301-336-4044, pgcmls.info/website/branch/location/LargoKettering
‘Polar Express’
Movie based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. Rated G. Free. 6:30pm. Linthicum Library. 410-222-6265, aacpl.net/location/linthicum
Get in the Holiday Spirit
Flower arrangement demonstrations, giveaways, music, refreshments and more. Free. 7-8:30pm.
Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, calvertlibrary.info
Click next below for more free events in December
