Descending on Baltimore’s West Shore Park on Thanksgiving Day and settling in through Christmas Eve, the annual Christmas Village is an authentic local rendition of a German Christmas Market with over 50 vendors selling high quality decorations and gifts from toys and clothes to artwork and jewelry. Holiday shoppers looking for special gifts will be enthused to find the work of famous German vendor Käthe Wohlfahrt who is returning this year with thousands of ornaments, pyramids and limited-edition holiday decorations.

While browsing the market, visitors can sip on hot chocolate or cider, or go a bit harder with draft or bottled brews from Hofbrau or mugs of mulled wine. German noshes including pretzels, various sausages, and schnitzel will be on hand as well.

As in previous years, there are new additions, as well as established traditions, at this year’s festival, including:

-Grand Opening Ceremony featuring the original Christkind from Nuremberg, Germany on Saturday, November 25, 2017
-Twenty-one foot-tall outdoor Christmas Tree, illuminated during the Christmas Village Official Tree Lighting Ceremony - children representing 14 Baltimore district schools will participate by individually decorating an ornament to be added to the tree
-Thank You for Serving Weekend, on December 16 and 17, will see the market partnering with the Baltimore Inner Harbor Police Department to honor veterans and active service men and women in the Baltimore and Washington DC metro areas
-New and upgraded weekday events such as new Ho Ho Happy Hours on Thursdays, business lunches, and wine tastings
-Santa’s move to a brand-new outdoor wooden "workshop" hut, custom designed by a Christmas Village artist - children and pets are invited to take a photo with Santa at his new location at all times the market is open

The market is located at 501 Light Street, and admission is free. It will be open from November 23 through December 24, and its hours are Sunday through Thursday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday through Saturday 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Thanksgiving Day 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Christmas Eve 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.