The Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District has planned a variety of holiday and winter-themed events to bring enjoyment to people of all ages throughout the winter in downtown Silver Spring.
An Arts and Entertainment District supports the growth of community participation, tourism, and business renewal by offering tax incentives that draw in artists, arts groups, and other creative businesses. The Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District, designated by the State of Maryland in 2001 (video below), is described as a vibrant cultural hub that is home to over 100 arts and humanities organizations, arts venues, attractions, and entertainment businesses.
The Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District will feature the following upcoming events:
- Maryland Youth Ballet will perform The Mini Nut, an abbreviated Nutcracker holiday show for families on December 2, 3, and 9 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
- The Reflections Holiday Concert will take place on December 2 at 4 p.m., featuring selections from Copland’s Rodeo, Fern Hill by John Corigliano, and Handel’s Messiah at the Silver Spring United Methodist Church.
- From December 2 to 23, Downtown Silver Spring will host Sounds of the Season, offering holiday performances by local bands with hot cocoa and s’mores stations.
- Downtown Silver Spring’s Turn Up the Cheer will feature meet-and-greets with Santa (Dec. 2 and 16) and the Grinch (Dec. 9) on Saturdays, December 2, 9, and 16 from noon to 3 p.m.
- On December 3, CREATE Arts Center will host a Block Print Holiday Cards adult class from 1 to 4 p.m., where participants can create printed greeting cards.
- The Silver Spring Holiday Market and Craft Show will showcase arts, crafts, jewelry, and baked goods at the Silver Spring Civic Building on December 3 from noon to 4 p.m.
- CREATE Arts Center will host a Ceramic Holiday Ornament Making Workshop for adults on December 6 and 13 from 6 to 8 p.m., and a Collage Holiday Ornament Making Workshop for families on December 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Arts on the Block will host a Mosaic Jewelry Making Workshop on December 9 from noon to 2:30 p.m.
- CREATE Arts Center will host a Kids Winter Wreath Making Workshop on December 10 at 1 p.m.
- Dave and Busters will host a Breakfast with Santa on December 10 at 9 a.m.
- EWI’s 10th Annual Women-Owned Holiday Market will take place on December 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building.
- An Artisan Holiday Market will be held on December 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Ellsworth Drive.
- The Akhmedova Ballet Academy will perform Nutcracker Night and Mini Nutcracker on December 16 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- A Gospel Big Band Christmas will take place at Jesus House on December 23 from 7 to 9 p.m.
- The Regal Majestic Theater will show holiday movie favorites from December 2 to 23, with varying showtimes.
- The AFI Silver will host screenings of holiday classics from December 17 to 24.
- CREATE Arts Center will offer Winter Break Art Camp days for ages 6-12 as well as Counselors in Training on December 26, 27, 28, 29, and January 15.
- Silver Spring Ice Skating, the outdoor ice-skating rink at Veterans Plaza, is open daily, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with skating sessions lasting two hours.
Many of the events require advanced reservations or tickets. Visit The Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District website for details and an events calendar.
Photo: Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District / Twitter