Celebrate Christmas the Old Fashioned Way

Chesapeake City’s annual European-inspired Christmas Market returns on December 4 at Pell Gardens—steps away from the Inn at the Canal. Selected by Food and Wine Magazine as one of the country’s top 50 Christmas Markets in 2018, this year’s market will be open from 9 am to 5 pm and kick off with a “Parade of Horses,” a new event for 2021.

“Chesapeake City isn’t only known for the bridge, great seafood and boating, it’s one of the most iconic places in the country when it comes to its equine heritage,” says event organizer Greg Shelton. The parade celebrates the “Chesapeake Horse” to remind visitors of the history and heritage that the horse has given the community and surrounding areas. Shawn Faust, an award-winning artist and equine painter, will debut an inaugural oil painting of the parade and market to commemorate the event. The original artwork will be on display at the Town Hall on the day of the market. Also on display will be horse memorabilia such as Lana DuPont Wright’s Olympic-winning carriage and artwork from the late Allaire DuPont.

The Christmas Market has a lot to offer non-horse lovers as well. Pell Gardens will be transformed into a unique all-handmade, old-world style market with more than 30 artisans on hand to talk to visitors about how they design and create their products. It’s the perfect place to find and purchase one-of-a-kind gifts for loved ones. Live concert acts will be performed on the Garden amphitheater stage (look for details at www.poplarhall.us). Expect a festive holiday atmosphere throughout Chesapeake City the day of the Christmas Market, with local businesses open to welcome shoppers for gifts and tasty treats.

The Christmas Market is free. In the event of rain, events will move to Sunday, December 5. You can find information on other scheduled Chesapeake City holiday events at the Chamber website or Facebook page.