So much of what I love about Christmas is the spectacle, tradition, and ritual. As an adult, my love for the holiday has grown. I’m especially fond of Black Christmas movies and the Yuletide escapism they offer. In case you were unaware, a place exists to vacate your everyday life and fully immerse yourself in the fantasy of Christmas. Christmas Village in Baltimore is an indoor and outdoor holiday market modeled after traditional markets in Germany. 

Baltimore’s Christmas Village is located at West Shore Park at the Inner Harbor. The street address is 501 Light Street, Baltimore, MD, 21230. The Christmas Village will run from November 24 through December 24, 2022. It is open Sunday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

There’s also an ice rink at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater at Harbor Place. Tickets for adults are $10, children and seniors $9, and military $9; you can rent skates for $4. 

I hope you enjoy this photo essay by Cameron Snell. The photos were taken during the special preview weekend on November 19. The Christmas Village is an opportunity for wonder, nostalgia, and memory-making, and to do some shopping for ornaments, jewelry, food, and other handmade wares.

  • A decorative pagoda at the Baltimore Christmas Village.
    Scenes from Baltimore’s Christmas Village at West Shore Park.
  • A woman with brown skin wearing a grey sweatshirt prepares her booth for at the Baltimore Christmas Village.
    Scenes from Baltimore’s Christmas Village at West Shore Park.
  • A woman prepares objects and wares for sale at her both at the Baltimore Christmas Village.
    Scenes from Baltimore’s Christmas Village at West Shore Park.
  • A woman with brown skin wearing a mask seated next to her artwork.
    Scenes from Baltimore’s Christmas Village at West Shore Park.
  • A vendor prepares food at for visitors.
    .Scenes from Baltimore’s Christmas Village at West Shore Park.
  • a booth of wares on display at the Baltimore Christmas village.
    Scenes from Baltimore’s Christmas Village at West Shore Park.
  • A sign reads "upton african american arts collective" at a both at the Baltimore Christmas village.
    Scenes from Baltimore’s Christmas Village at West Shore Park.
  • People wait in line at the Baltimore Christmas village.
    Scenes from Baltimore’s Christmas Village at West Shore Park.
  • A woman with brown skin and grey hair smiles in her booth.
    Scenes from Baltimore’s Christmas Village at West Shore Park.

Teri Henderson is the Arts and Culture Editor of Baltimore Beat. She is the author of the 2021 book Black Collagists. Previously, she was a staff writer for BmoreArt, gallery coordinator for Connect +...