Sub-zero temperatures and frosted trees are here to welcome us to the world of winter this 2024. But even in these cold months of wintry weather, Frederick finds many ways to celebrate the season and its holiday festivities. Come celebrate with us this December, with people gathering from all around Frederick to commemorate the chilly season, over bonfires, sledding, parades, and more!
Downtown Frederick is especially enthusiastic about this holiday season, sharing their many yearly traditions and customs with individuals from everywhere. You can participate too, in the many gatherings and celebrations downtown has planned.
One of the most notable annual celebrations in downtown is a yearly favorite and tradition for many; the Kris Kringle Parade. This year on Friday the 13th at 6:30 PM, people from all over Frederick lined up on the lit streets to see bands, gymnasts, artists, and sports teams perform in a festive atmosphere, parading down the lit roads. The procession route goes from the corner of South Carroll Street to East Patrick Street, turns right onto N. Market Street, and then turns left onto West Second Street, ending at the Bandshell by the Bell Tower in Baker Park.
This year the parade was filled with people from many different backgrounds, including WHS Color Guard, multiple sports teams, and scouts groups. One of the people in the parade says it was thrilling to be there. “I felt excited, overwhelmed, and definitely cold but happy.” says Phebe Bingham, a dancer in 5th Grade from the 24/7 Dance Company. “We dressed up as snowmen for the parade. We practice five days every week.”
There were even students from WHS there, such as Caroline Shabelski, who was delighted to be in the parade. She’s a member of the WHS Marching Band, who had prepared themselves for the frigid weather. “I’m mostly nervous about the cold, but also really excited about the lights and decorations I’ll see!” said Caroline. “We brought extra layers of clothes, so we won’t be cold, and we practiced our instruments with the other people in the band to prepare.”
This yearly parade isn’t the only way Frederick finds to celebrate though. Downtown is annually decorated in millions of tiny lights, spreading luster up and down the streets. The boughs and branches of the trees along the roads are strung with fairy lights, bringing a warm glow to the cold solstice streets. If you ever get a chance to go downtown, this simple decoration is truly a sight to see.
Speaking of the lights in Frederick, the gorgeous Carroll Creek park is adorned with light boats. Dappled water glows with the bright lights from these original and innovative creations, from artists and companies from all over Maryland and sometimes beyond. This year companies like Yogamour, Woodsboro Bank, and Frederick Primary Care helped to fill the koi fish and lily pad-filled waters with luminescence and warmth.
Here in Walkersville the community is chiming in to add more light and cold to the solstice celebration in our hometown. Right in Creamery Park behind the Walkersville Public Library, we have a massive Christmas tree that every year is adorned with a giant star and colorful strings of bulbs. This year, the lighting was on December 4th, and many students from here at Walkersville attended it.
But even if you missed all of this cheer, you’re still in luck! Every Saturday in December, on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th from 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Downtown Frederick hosts a yearly tradition called “December Saturdays”. On these days, Frederick encourages you to go and have fun, roasting marshmallows in the fire pits scattered around, and supporting Frederick’s local private businesses. Parking in garages and on streets is free these days, and you can pick up paper copies of the map from the Visitor Center (151 S East St) and many downtown businesses. Singers and bands also come to fill your sidewalks with music, so make sure to go tip them when you see them downtown!
Different companies are collaborating on this fun community gathering, and on different days they’ve provided interesting activities to fill your time. On the 7th, they had a Holiday Recipe trail, and on the 14th there was a Holiday Scavenger Hunt with Surelocked In Escape Games. But in case you missed these days, you can go on the 21st for Free Gift Wrapping (12-5pm) and get photos with Santa (1-4pm).
No matter who you are, downtown Frederick is a great place to celebrate the dark solstice season, so bring your friends and family down with us to enjoy the festive wintry weather that December brings! Whether it’s shopping, roasting smores, or just hanging out, Frederick has tons to offer to fill your spare days with joy.
