Lights on the Bay

Lights on the Bay, the scenic drive along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay that features approximately 70 illuminated animated and stationary displays, will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 1 at Sandy Point State Park.

In addition to popular classic displays, visitors also will be treated to two new themes this year: North Pole Village and Enchanted Fairy Tales.

Children can participate in a nightly scavenger hunt, challenging them to find items within the show, answer display-related questions and enter a drawing to win prizes

Admission to the drive-through light show, sponsored by the Anne Arundel Medical Center, is $14 per car. Large passenger vans, mini buses and trolleys are $28. Buses are $50. Discount coupons are available in The Capital and at many retail locations.

There will be a military discount featuring $7 admission with valid military identification on Dec. 7. For details, call 443-481-3161.

Tree lighting ceremonies

•The "Grand Illumination," the annual lighting of the holiday tree in Annapolis and sponsored by the Annapolis Jaycees, will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 30, Alfred A. Hopkins Plaza, Market Space and Main Street. For details, visit http://www.annapolis.gov.

•Crofton Country Club and Crofton Civic Association will sponsor a tree lighting ceremony Dec. 1 at Crofton Country Club, 1691 Crofton Parkway. The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton children's choir will sing Christmas carols beginning at 6:45 p.m. and visitors are encouraged to bring flashlights. The tree will be illuminated at 7 p.m. as Santa arrives by an Arundel Volunteer Fire Department fire truck. Santa then moves inside to the banquet hall where children can visit with him. The band Pocket Change will provide holiday music and holiday crafts will be available for the children. Entertainers Jello and Flopsie will create balloon art and the club will provide light refreshments. For details, visit http://www.croftontownhall.com or http://www.croftonclub.com.

•Ferndale's community tree lighting will take place at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 next to the light rail tracks at the Sen. Michael J. Wagner Recreation Park at the intersection of Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard and Third Avenue. Santa will be led to the tree lighting by the North County High School marching band. The event includes holiday music, a chance to visit with Santa, get a treat and enjoy hot chocolate and Christmas cookies. Parents should bring cameras to take photos with Santa. For details, contact Marge Dishman at 410-761-5654.

•The Pasadena community tree lighting, originally planned for Dec. 2, will now take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Lake Shore Plaza on Mountain Road. The event was moved due to inclement weather forecasts. There will be a visit from Santa on his sleigh, groups performing Christmas music and hot chocolate. Those attending can take nonperishable foods or a new, unopened toy to donate to the Pasadena Business Association's "A Child's Christmas." For updates, visit "Pasadena's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony" on Facebook.

•Centreville will hold its tree lighting ceremony from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at 100 Courthouse Square. The event includes the lighting ceremony, refreshments and caroling. For details, visit http://www.townofcentreville.org.

•The annual north county tree lighting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Glen Burnie Town Center in front of the community college, 101 Crain Highway. For details, contact Candy Fontz at 222-1183 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

•The annual Glen Burnie Improvement Association tree lighting will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the association hall, 19 Crain Highway S.E. Festivities move inside for holiday refreshments, music and a craft activity. Children will have an opportunity to write and mail letters to Santa in the special mailbox in front of the hall. For details, visit http://www.gbia.org.

•The Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce will light the community's Christmas tree Dec. 5 at 1 Holly Ave. Festivities include bagpipe music by Michael Binnie at 5 p.m., Severna Park Elementary School at 5:30 p.m., and dance performances by Creative Force Dance Center from 5:45 to 6:15 p.m. as well as The Dance Center of Severna Park. The Severna Park Model Railroad Club train display is open from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and also from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 6-7. Refreshments will be served in the chamber's community meeting room, including treats for children. Guests are asked to bring a new pair of socks or mittens for the homeless. The evening continues at Park Plaza with Santa Claus, holiday entertainment, free sleigh rides and holiday shopping. Bring a healthy, nonperishable food item for the United Way holiday food drive to receive a free photo with Santa until 8 p.m. For details, visit http://www.severnaparkchamber.com.

•The Greater Odenton Improvement Association will host its eighth annual Christmas tree lighting at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at Odenton MARC Station, 1400 Odenton Road, Odenton. The Odenton Elementary School choir will perform. For details, visit http://www.goia.info.

•The Fort George G. Meade holiday tree lighting ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at McGlachlin Field off English Avenue. The 40-foot artificial tree will be illuminated by more than 4,200 multicolored LED lights. The event includes music from the Army Field Band Brass Quartet, caroling with the Fort Meade Community Boys and Girls Scouts, refreshments and a visit with Santa Claus arriving on a fire truck. For details, call 301-677-6703.

•The Chesapeake Arts Center will host a tree lighting at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 prior to the center's Hack and Slash Christmas show. The lighting will take place in front of Studio 194 Theater. For details, call 410-636-6597 or visit http://www.chesapeakearts.org.

Candlelight at Belair

Enjoy the spirit of holidays past from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in the candle lit 18th century Belair Mansion, 12207 Tulip Grove Drive in Bowie. The decorations reflect the mansion's long history of celebrations, and there will be cider and cookies in the cellar. The gift shop will be open for holiday shopping. Following their visit, guests can stay to help Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Bowie City Council and mayor light the holiday tree at the mansion. For details, call 301-809-3089 or visit http://www.cityofbowie.org.

Lights parade

The annual Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 13. The parade lights up the Annapolis waterfront with boats of all shapes and sizes, power and sail, brightly decorated for the Christmas season. Boats circle the waterfront in two fleets; one circling in front of Eastport, City Dock and the Naval Academy seawall, the other circling the length of Spa Creek. Lights parade participants can compete for prizes and recognition either individually or as a representative of their club. For entry forms, visit http://www.eastportyc.org and click on the Events tab and follow the links to the parade registration. For details about boat registration, email Teeja Meir at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For details about the lights parade, including parade maps, parking information, and viewing sites, visit http://www.eastportyc.org. This parade will be held rain or shine, with only high winds forcing a cancellation.

Luminary service

Glen Haven Memorial Park, 7231 Ritchie Highway in Glen Burnie, will host a community luminary service from 5 p.m. Dec. 13. It will be a time of reflection to honor and remember your loved ones who are no longer with us, and recognize their presence in the lives that they have left behind. For details, call 410-766-4950.