Holidays at the harbor

What is on at the Inner Harbor for the holidays in 2026?

Six things worth planning around: the Christmas Village, the ice rink, the Parade of Lighted Boats, a Parade of Lights cruise, the Christmas Express cruise and the Miracle on 34th Street lights in Hampden.

The first four cluster along the west and north shore of the harbor, so one evening can cover the village, a skate and a hot drink by the water. The boat parade is the one fixed date. Mark it.

One change from earlier years: the Highlandtown Train Garden is not returning in 2026, per Visit Baltimore. And if you read that the Christmas Village runs from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, that wording is out of date. The 2026 village opens earlier and stays open later.

When is the Christmas Village in Baltimore in 2026, and is it free?

From 21 November to 27 December 2026, in West Shore Park at 501 Light Street. The outdoor area is always free; the heated tent is free on weekdays, and weekend tent admission may apply on select dates.

The village is a German-style Christmas market with more than 70 local and international vendors, per its own site: European food, Glühwein, a Festival of Trees, rides for kids and photos with Santa. Preview Weekend is 21 and 22 November, the tree lighting is on 21 November from 4:15 pm to 5 pm, and the official opening day is Thanksgiving, 26 November.

Hours are 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday to Thursday and 12 pm to 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with 12 pm to 5 pm on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Read the closed days before you go: the village is closed on most Mondays and Tuesdays (23, 24 and 30 November, 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 December), on 25 November and on Christmas Day, but open on 21 and 22 December. Driving? The village lists parking discounts of $15 at the Harbor Court Garage and $10 at the Lockwood Place Garage.

Watermark sails the Christmas Express right from the village's doorstep: 45 minutes on the harbor with Santa or Mrs. Claus at the helm, an elf aboard and a free cup of hot cocoa.

New · 45 minutes · from $36

Explore the Christmas Express cruise → Tour details

When does the Inner Harbor Ice Rink open, and what are the hours?

It is open daily from 12 November 2026 to 18 January 2027, at the corner of Light and Pratt Streets between the Harborplace pavilions.

Waterfront Partnership runs it, and a ticket is a wristband that is good all day, so you can skate, warm up at the village and come back. Re-renting skates costs $5. The rink's FAQ still shows last season's prices, $15 with skate rental or $12 with your own skates. Check the 2026-27 price on Waterfront Partnership's rink page before you count on it.

Rental skates start at Youth 9, per that same FAQ, so very small children may need their own pair. Saturday mornings are the time to go if you want space: the rink opens at 9 am on weekends.

When is the Parade of Lighted Boats 2026, and where do you watch it?

On Saturday 5 December 2026. The boats leave Anchorage Marina in Canton and head past Fells Point toward the Inner Harbor, and most people watch from the promenade.

Waterfront Partnership's earlier page says the parade usually passes Fells Point around 6 pm. The 2026 timing was not posted when we checked, so get to the water by about 5:30 pm and stay put. The Fells Point waterfront is where people line the shore each year; the Inner Harbor promenade sees the boats later.

Want to be out there with them? Harbor Boating's Lady Thames Parade of Lights cruise boards at 4:30 pm on 5 December and is back by 7:30 pm, from the water taxi stop at 901 S. Broadway in Fells Point. Tickets are $48 ($40 for military and first responders), and it is for guests 21 and over with ID. Holiday bites and music are included, drinks are at a cash bar. Harbor Boating's own advice: December on the water runs cold, and the top deck is open-air, so bring a warm layer.

What is the Christmas Express cruise?

A 45-minute holiday cruise of the Inner Harbor from the Finger Piers at 555 Light Street, with Captain Santa or Mrs. Claus at the helm, an elf aboard and one free cup of hot cocoa for every guest.

Watermark runs it as part of the Christmas Village season, on a decorated launch with twinkling lights and holiday music. The elf serves the cocoa and takes photos for you. It is a newer listing, so there are no reviews yet, but it comes from the same crew as the Inner Harbor sightseeing cruise, where Kerstin (Sep 2026) wrote: “Staff is super friendly. Vessel is nice. Covered space below and open space above.”

Practical bits from the listing: alcoholic drinks and snacks are for sale, and guests who park at the Royal Sonesta/Harbor Court Garage at 30 East Lee Street, across from the dock, get discounted parking (ask the ticket agent for the QR code). It is not suitable for wheelchair users. December times are on the listing only, so check the times for your date. More on the boat in our Christmas Express page.

What are the attractions' holiday hours, and what else is on?

Most attractions close on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day and shorten their hours on Christmas Eve. Miracle on 34th Street in Hampden lights up from 28 November 2026 to 1 January 2027, free.

The National Aquarium and the Maryland Science Center both close at 3 pm on Christmas Eve, and the Aquarium keeps long hours from 26 to 30 December. Historic Ships in Baltimore runs its winter hours, last boarding at 4 pm, and USS Torsk was expected back from repairs on 14 November. Fort McHenry closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Miracle on 34th Street is the city's famous block of rowhouse lights: the lights go on at dark and off around 10 pm, staying on until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, per Visit Baltimore. It is a short drive north of the harbor. For the night itself, our New Year's Eve post covers the fireworks and the cruises, and things to do at the Inner Harbor has the full list with prices.

Daylight on the water between holiday stops: 45 minutes round the Inner Harbor past USS Constellation and the Domino Sugars sign, with recorded narration.

★ 4.7 · 45 minutes · from $34

Explore the Inner Harbor sightseeing cruise → Tour details

Frequently asked questions