With all the hustle and bustle of the commercial aspect of the holidays, it?s easy to lose sight of what?s important. Luckily, children still see the magic. And fortunately, Baltimore is home to several holiday events that are good for kids from ages 1 to 92.
Holiday Wonders, appearing at the Lyric Opera House, offers traditional dances and musical performances from Chinese culture.
Peijong Hsieh, the production manager for Holiday Wonders, said this is an opportunity to present true, traditional Chinese arts to more people.
“People can see this show that genuinely reflects our heritage. They are very touched and moved when they understand how beautiful our traditions are. It truly represents the best of Chinese culture. It?s for all ages and all ethnic groups, because if you have a beautiful heart, you know how to appreciate beautiful things,” Hsieh said.
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra?s Holiday Spectacular is a great way to expose children to classical music while celebrating the holiday season. Dori Armor, the executive producer, said that the show is good for all ages.
“It?s the old-fashioned show that has something for everyone, including the fun, the joyous, lovely moments, the silliness, great beauty and amazing music from the Baltimore symphony. And 30-foot nutcrackers. It?s a fairy tale-like show, with all the women in beautiful gowns. It highlights a bygone era,” Armor said.
And what would the holidays be without pictures with Santa?
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is offering Breakfast with Santa and Frosty the Snowman.
“We thought it would be fun to throw Frosty in there,because some smaller children are a little scared of Santa,” said Nikki Schiavone, Special Events and Promotions Coordinator. “And Frosty looks like one of our polar bears.”
Families can participate in arts and crafts, a silent auction, raffles, and storytelling sessions. Kids can take pictures with Santa or Frosty, and live penguin ambassadors will be in attendance.
“The kids go nuts, it?s really hysterical,” Schiavone said. “Everyone comes in their Sunday best, completely decked out. It?s really cute.”
Holiday Events
>> Holiday Wonders, Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore; 8 p.m. Dec. 18; $48 to $108; www.holidaywonders-dc.com.
>> Holiday Spectacular with the BSO, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore; 7:30 p.m. Dec 15, 19, 20, 21 and 22, 2 p.m. Dec. 15, 16, 19, 21, 22 and 23; $30 to $75; 410-783-8000.
>> Breakfast with Santa and Frosty the Snowman, the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Druid Hill Park, Baltimore; 8:30 a.m. Dec. 15, 16, 22, and 23; $15 to $25; 443-552-5276.
>> Unsilent Night: Baltimore?s 2nd Annual Boombox X-mas Parade, Washington Monument near the Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore; 8 p.m. Dec. 21; Free.
>> Holiday Festival of Trains at the B&O, B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St., Baltimore; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 30; $8 to $14; 410-752-2490, ext. 214.
>> Kwanzaa Family Day Celebration, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, 830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29; $5, adults; $1, 16 and under; 443-263-1800.
>> The Holiday Display, Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Garden of Baltimore, 3100 Swan Drive, Druid Hill Park; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday through January 6; Free; 410-396-7900.
>> Winter Break, Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday through January 1; Free; 410-547-9000.
>> 67th Annual Doll Show, Dominic “Mimi” DiPietro Family Skating Center, 200 South Linwood St., Baltimore; Noon December 27; Free; 410-396-7900.
>> Underground Dirty South Tour, 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore; 8 p.m. Dec. 28; $37 to $102; 410-347-2020.
>> WWE Presents Smackdown and ECW Live, 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore; 7:30 p.m. December 29; $22 to $72; 410-347-2020.
>> Great Blacks in Wax Museum Kwanzaa Celebration, The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum; 1601 E. North Ave., Baltimore; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, through Jan. 14, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays; $10 to $12, children under 3 free; 410-563-3404.
>> Noontime New Year: An International Celebration, Port Discovery, 35 Market Place, Baltimore; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 31; $10.75; 410-727-8120.
>> The Polar Express, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, 501 E. Pratt St., Baltimore; through January 6; $17.95 to $28.95; 410-576-3800.
>> Brite Lites Christmas Train, Applewood Farm, 4435 Prospect Road, Whiteford; 7 to 9 p.m. Dec.15, 21, 22, 28 and 29; $8; 410-836-1140.
>> Moscow Ballet?s Great Russian Nutcracker, Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21; $25 to $65; 410-685-5086.
>> Symphony of Lights, 5900 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia; 6 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 3; $20 to $125; 410-740-7840.
>> Santa?s Place, Harborplace Amphitheater, Northwest corner of the Inner Harbor, Baltimore; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 24; $9.99 to $39.99
