St. Patrick’s Day Events in Baltimore and Washington D.C. Areas

History of St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is Tuesday, March 17^th, which was originally celebrated centuries ago to recognize the anniversary of the death of the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. The Irish have observed St. Patrick’s Day as a religious holiday with solemn tips to church since the 9^th or 10^th century as the day lands in the middle of Lenten season. Today, St. Patrick’s Day is an international festival celebrating Irish heritage with parades, dancing, food and music. According to the History Channel,  there are 34.7 million people of Irish ancestry which is seven times the actual population of Ireland! Irish is the second most reported ancestry just behind German ancestry.

There are more than 100 parades held in cities around the world to honor St. Patrick’s Day. The largest parades in the United States are held in New York City, Boston, Chicago and Savannah. New York City’s parade is the largest with over 150,000 participants and over 3 million spectators. Savannah had their first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1823 and, with the exception of the Civil War and World Wars I and II years, has continued to get bigger every year. Celebrants will be taking part in parades, events and celebrations throughout the United States.

St. Patrick’s Day Events in Baltimore Area

The Washington D.C., Baltimore and Northern Virginia areas have many great ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.  Since St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Tuesday, many events are taking place the weekend of March 14^th and 15^th.  Some cities like Alexandria, Virginia and Annapolis, Maryland held their St. Patrick’s Day parades during the first weekend in March. Gaithersburg Maryland hosts the Gaithersburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 15^th with dozens of participating groups including Irish dancers, pipe bands, equestrian units, clowns and fire trucks. Baltimore’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Sunday March 15^th.The parade starts at 2pm at the Washington Monument. The parade route goes down Charles Street and continues to Pratt Street and Market Place. The parade includes many Irish organizations, pipe bands, dancers, floats, marching bands, community officials and much more. There is also the Shamrock 5K race that immediately precedes the parade with a 1:15pm start time. The proceeds from the 5K race benefit St. Patrick Celebrations, the charitable organization that produces Baltimore’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. There are many other St. Patrick’s Day events you can enjoy in the Baltimore area from pub crawls to restaurants offering special meals!

St. Patrick’s Day Events in Washington D.C.

There are some St. Patrick’s Day parades in the Washington D.C. area this weekend. The city of Manassas holds their St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14^th. The parade will feature Irish dance troupes, pipe and drum corps and local area organizations. The Washington D.C. St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on Sunday, March 15^th kicking off at noon. The 2 ½ hour parade marches along Constitution Ave from 7^th to 17^th Streets NW. The parade includes floats, marching bands, pipe bands, dancers, military and police and fire departments. Washington DC continues the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with Shamrockfest, an all-day music and food event RFK Stadium. The “Irish Street Festival” features over 30 bands and DJ’s on 5 stages. There are also midway rides and games, strolling entertainment, Irish vendors in the Irish Village, food and beverages.

No matter how you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day throughout this weekend through March 17th, enjoy, have fun and be safe! ezStorage has storage units throughout the Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. areas that can serve all of your storage needs from business to household.

Slainte!

 

Celebrate Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, a time to pay tribute to the generations of women who have shaped American history and their invaluable accomplishments to our society. The origins of the celebration started with a Congressional resolution passed and signed by President Reagan in 1981 for a “Women’s History Week”. In 1987, Congress expanded the resolution by designating the entire month of March as Women’s History Month. Many national institutions such as the Library of Congress, National Archives, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institute are holding special Women’s History Month events . There are performances and exhibits shining the spotlight on women’s accomplishments over the past 200 years at many locations throughout the month.

Visit Famous Women in History’s Homes

There are many historical sites across the United States that are celebrating famous women in history. Visit the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, New York, which was the epicenter for the struggle of women’s rights in the mid 1800’s. You can also visit the historical sites of famous and influential women including Eleanor Roosevelt in upper New York state, Juliette Gordon Low’s, the founder of the Girl Scouts, home in Savannah, Georgia, or honor the Rosie the Riveters who worked in the American factories during World War II at a National Historic Site in California. In the Baltimore and Washington areas, you can visit the home of Clara Barton, Civil War nurse and founder of the American Red Cross in Glen Echo, Maryland. This home was the headquarters and warehouse for the American Red Cross from 1897 to 1904. You can also visit the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum in Washington D.C. to explore its many exhibits and share in the history of our nation.

Important Women in History

Each year, Women’s History Month has a theme. For 2015, the theme is “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives” which shares accounts of individual women and their impact on the fabric of our society. Every year, the National Women’s History Project designates honorees who have contributed to keeping women in the forefront of history. The honorees vary from journalists to women’s rights activists to teachers. Some of the honorees for 2015 include: Delilah L. Beasley, the first African-American women to be regularly published in a metropolitan newspaper, Gladys Tantaquidgeon, Mohegan Tribe Elder, Anthropologist and Medicine Woman, Lynn Sherr, Broadcast Journalist, and Judy Yung, Oral Historian, Chinese American Author and Professor.

Women’s History Month is a relatively new designated celebration that will only grow in popularity over time. There have been many, many women who have played and are continuing to play roles in the shaping of our technology, political systems and everyday life.

Stop in to see how ezStorage’s 46 Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. area locations can help you with your storage needs. We offer a variety of self storage units to help with personal to business storage needs.

 

Celebrate Mardi Gras in Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. Areas

History of Mardi Gras Activities

Its Mardi Gras season around the world! There are parades, festivals, fun and lots of great food at Carnival celebrations in Venice, Italy and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and of course in New Orleans!  All of the celebrations will accumulate with Fat Tuesday events on Tuesday, February 17^th. Mardi Gras celebrations and traditions can be traced back to pagan spring rites and rituals. Today, Mardi Gras is celebrated with music, food, floats and excitement. The city of New Orleans is famous for their Mardi Gras celebrations, which usually start in the beginning of January and run to Ash Wednesday, which is 40 days before Easter. Modern Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans date back to the 1830’s with masked and costumed parade participants dancing through the streets. The New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewe, the first organized group of Mardi Gras celebrants, was formed in the 1850’s. Costumed parade participants have been throwing out beads and other small gifts in the Mardi Gras parades since 1871. Today, there are over 50 krewes who sponsor Mardi Gras events such as parades, masked balls and parties. There are over 70 free parades in the city that are sponsored by different krewes with the first parade starting at 8am and the last one kicking off at sundown each of the 12 days. The larger parades can have hundreds of floats, marching bands and participants that wind through the streets of the French Quarter.

Mardi Gras Events in Washington D.C., Northern Virginia and Baltimore Areas

 

Mardi Gras in Baltimore

The Power Plant at the Inner Harbor is hosting Baltimore’s largest Mardi Gras event on Saturday, February 14^th from 9pm to 12am. There will be a carnival atmosphere with Cirque style Aerialists, stilt walkers, fire breathers, a parade, Cajun food, Zydeco music and much more. Ten bars and restaurants in the Power Plant will be participating in the event. If you can’t make that event, many restaurants in the city will be having special Mardi Gras celebrations and menus.

Washington D.C. Mardi Gras Events

Washington D.C. hosts quite a few Mardi Gras events and celebrations. The Mardi Gras Masquerade will take place Sunday, February 15^th at the Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square. This black tie event will feature New Orleans style brass and jazz bands, DJ’s, costumed performers and of course, plenty of beads.

The Clarendon Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade takes place at 8pm on Fat Tuesday, February 17th in Arlington, Virginia. The parade is the largest Fat Tuesday celebration in the Washington D.C. area. The parade, which runs along Wilson Boulevard from North Barton Street to North Danville Street, is family friendly with floats, marching bands, community groups, costumed performers and beads! Last year, the weather limited the number of participants in the parade. However, this year the parade hopes to be back up to over 50 participating groups and performances. You can continue with the Mardi Gras activities in Arlington after the parade at the Bayou Gras Block Party with many area pubs and restaurants participating with live music, great food and other activities. The Strathmore is presenting a special concert on Fat Tuesday by the Grammy winners, Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra on Wednesday, February 18^th.  Family can be part of Mardi Gras celebrations at the Anacostia Community Museum on Saturday, February 21^st for storytelling, face painting, mask-making, a parade and more!

Even though Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. are thousands of miles from the epicenter of Mardi Gras events in New Orleans, there are still many ways to celebrate the holiday from family friendly events to adult only celebrations. ezStorage has  46 storage locations  in the Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. areas that can serve all of your storage needs from business to household.

Home Remodel, Renovation and Garden Shows in Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. Areas

Photo courtesy of remodelingwashingtondc.org

 

We are in the midst of winter and the coldest months of the year. It is hard to actually think about the spring flowers, planting gardens and remodeling projects around the home. January through March are popular months for Home and Remodeling Shows throughout the Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. areas.  These shows are great opportunities to see the latest information and products and get some ideas for starting home projects.

Home and Remodeling Show Washington D.C.

The Home and Remodeling Show DC is January 23^rd to January 25^th at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. This is the first major Home Show of the season. The show will feature all of the latest technologies, products and services for inside and outside of the home. There will be over 200 vendors who will be showcasing many home products from windows, appliances, paint, heating and air condition to roofing, doors and furniture. This year there will be special appearances by Kevin O’Connor host of This Old House on Friday and twice on Saturday. Husband and wife, John and Whitney Spinks from HGTV’s Flipping the Block will also be presenting at the Home and Remodeling Show twice on Friday and Saturday. They will give behind the scenes information about their flipping competition as well as home remodeling tips. There will also be seminars and presentations throughout the show including discussing exterior remodeling challenges and tips, lawn and garden tips, and room by room renovation demonstrations.  You can see the most updated information on the show via Facebook and Twitter.

The Capital Home and Garden Show is February 27^th to March 1^st at Dulles Expo Center. It is sponsored by the same company that produces the Home and Remodeling Show DC. This show focuses more on finding new ideas and great deals for landscaping and gardening projects as well as a chance to speak with experts in home remodeling, decoration and home improvement.  Jeff Devlin from DIY Network’s “I Hate My Bath” will be appearing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Chris Lambton from HGTV’s “Yard Crashers” will be presenting yard and garden updates and tips on Friday and Saturday. Capital Remodel and Garden show also features over 3,600 square feet of feature gardens with water features, greenery, flowers and gardening accessories.

The Maryland Home and Garden Show also runs February 27^th to March 1^st. The show takes place at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland. This year’s theme is “Be Inspired”. There will be landscape experts, garden exhibits, home and remodeling tips and much more. This year, there will also be a petting zoo. New Features:  Petting Zoo, Tiny House, a 210 square foot hyper-efficient and sustainable home, Plant Sale, and over 300 Exhibitors to help you with spring and summer gardening and remodeling plans.

Self Storage for Home Remodeling Projects

After you have visited the different home garden and remodeling shows and received tips for your remodeling or renovation projects, it is time to start planning the projects for spring and summer. The quicker that you plan the projects, the quicker you can enjoy your new room.  Before you start your renovation project, clear the room of all furniture and personal items. Renting a self storage unit for household storage is a great way to keep the furniture and accessories protected during the renovation. If the remodeling project allows you to get new furniture, then keep the older furniture in a storage unit until you decide to sell, donate or throw away the belongings. Self storage is also a great storage option for contractors to store tools and supplies during projects.

Discover New Foods During Restaurant Week in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. Areas

Photo courtesy of blog.rockvillehotel.com

 

After the holidays, retail shops and restaurants experience a down time for. Most people would rather stay home for meals after the craziness of the holidays. In order for restaurants to bring in business during the slower winter months, many cities across the country offer restaurant weeks where restaurant goers get a chance to try out food at restaurants they didn’t think they could afford.  The Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas have a wide range of restaurants from casual to five-star that can satisfy any taste. During restaurant weeks, you get a chance to taste some of the great seafood that Baltimore is known for or the many culinary delights that are a part of Washington D.C. dining scene.

Restaurant Week in the Baltimore Area

Baltimore County Restaurant Week

Baltimore County kicked off the 2015 Restaurant Week season on January 9^th with the special event running to January 24^th. During Baltimore County Restaurant Week, restaurant goers can choose from a prix fixe (fixed price) three course lunch or dinner. The lunch price starts at $15 and the dinner prices go up to $35. The courses include appetizers, entrees, and desserts which are pre-determined by the chefs to feature their restaurant’s specialties. Beverages, tax and gratuity are not included in the prix fixe rate. The regular menus are also being offered during the special event as well. Reservations are recommended during the special event as the tables fill up quickly. There are over 50 restaurants participating in this year’s restaurant week, so you can spend the entire weekend tasting the food at different restaurants in Baltimore County! Check out the list of restaurants participating this year at the website.

Howard County Restaurant Week                                                                                               

Howard County celebrates Howard County Restaurant Week for 20 days from January 19^th to February 2^nd.  Over 20 Howard County restaurants are participating in this winter’s special event.  Restaurant week will feature locally grown products. The restaurants are offering fixed price special menus ranging in price from $10.15 to $40.15 depending on the time of day and the type of establishment. Make sure to make reservations early and confirm with the restaurant that they are participating in the special event. Also, a good tip is to read the menus in advance, so you know the options to choose from.

Baltimore Restaurant Week

The city of Baltimore spotlight’s its restaurants from February 15^th to 28^th. Baltimore Restaurant Week will offer 2 course lunches starting at $15 and 3 course meals ranging between $20 and $30 dollars. The prices do not include beverage, tax and gratuity. There will be over 55 Baltimore area restaurants participating in this year’s special event.

Washington DC and Northern Virginia Restaurant Weeks

Washington DC Restaurant Week

Washington D.C. is hosting the largest restaurant week in the area starting January 19^th and running to January 25^th. There will be over 200 of Washington D.C.’s finest restaurants participating is this winter’s special event. Restaurants will offer their featured dishes in a variety of styles including American, Mexican, French, Mediterranean, Italian, Southern, Seafood, Spanish, California, Pan-Asian and much more!  There will be fixed price menus for a 3 course lunch starting at $20.15 and 3 course dinners starting at $35.15. Restaurant week is a very popular event every year, so it is important to make your reservations early. Check out the menus of the restaurants on the event website to see what type of food you are in the mood for and then see if there is seating available.  Regular menu items are still available during restaurant week events, but they will not be at the special pricing. If you are in a large group of people, it is definitely recommended to make reservations early.

Alexandria Restaurant Week

January 23^rd to February 1^st is Alexandria, Virginia Restaurant Week. Sixty Alexandria area restaurants will be participating in this year’s event offering two specials: a 3 course fixed price dinner for $35 or $35 for dinner (only) for two. Some of the restaurants are also offering special lunch menus. Restaurant week participants can visit different Alexandria neighborhoods such as Old Town, Del Ray, Carlyle and the West End to have a great dining experience!

There are so many great restaurants in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas. Restaurant week gives you a perfect opportunity to try out a different style of food or just step outside their comfort zone without spending a lot of money. ezStorage has 46 locations in the Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. areas that can serve all of your storage needs from household to business storage.

 

Events for Martin Luther King Jr Day in Baltimore and Washington D.C.

Photo courtesy of ethicsalarms.com.

2015 Martin Luther King Day

This Monday, January 19^th is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is a day to commemorate and honor the life and lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King’s actual birthday is January 15^th, but it has been celebrated as a federal holiday every third Monday of January since 1986. There are many events to celebrate the civil rights leader taking place in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas. In 1994, Congress transformed the Martin Luther King Jr. Day into a National Day of Service. Volunteers participate in community service activities such as tutoring, handing out community meals, working in a food pantry, or cleaning and/or painting school buildings or community centers. President Obama and his family participate in volunteering events every year, including painting school rooms.  Last year, 58,000 children and teens were tutored by volunteers, 360,000 people received emergency food and over 38,000 veterans, military families and active duty military service personnel received assistance spearheaded by volunteers.

Martin Luther King Day Events in Baltimore and Washington D.C.

There are many events in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. taking place on January 19^th.  There will be a special wreath laying ceremony at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at 8 am. The Memorial is on a four-acre site along the Tidal Basin adjacent to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. The focal point of the memorial is a 30 foot statue of Dr. King, carved into the “Stone of Hope” combined from two large boulders. The two boulders, the Stone of Hope and Mountain of Despair”, are words from Dr. King’s memorable “I Have a Dream” speech. The text of the famous speech is carved into the rock. There is also a 450 foot inscription wall, made from granite panels, which are inscribed with 14 excerpts of Dr. King’s sermons and public speeches.

Parades will also be held in Washington D.C. and Baltimore on January 19^th.  In Washington, The 9^th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk and Parade takes place starting at 11:30 am at 2500 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. with the parade following at noon and ending at Leckie Elementary School. Baltimore will be hosting the 15^th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade presented by Forman Mills at noon. There will be over 50 groups participating in the parade including marching bands, honor/color guard, equestrian units, dance squads, civic organizations and floats. The parade kicks off at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Eutaw Street and ends at Baltimore Street. The parade is produced by the Baltimore Office of Promotion and The Arts. The Washington National Cathedral will host a celebration to honor Dr. King’s life from 2 to 4 pm on January 19^th. There will also be a special event starting at 6 pm at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts called “Let Freedom Ring” with singer Natalie Cole.

Stop in to see how ezStorage’s 46 Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. area locations can help you with your storage needs. We offer a variety of self storage units to help with personal to business storage needs.

 

 

It is Wedding Planning Season in Washington D.C. & Baltimore

Wedding Planning Tips

June is the most popular month to get married, but January and February are the biggest months for Wedding Shows! The holidays bring about many marital engagements and as soon as the holidays are over, the brides-to-be begin gathering wedding planning tips from many different sources. According to www.weddingstats.org, the average cost of a wedding in 2014 was between $27 to $29 thousand dollars!  And that doesn’t even include the honeymoon!  There are over 2.6 million weddings performed each year in the United States and most newlyweds end up spending more on their wedding celebrations than they intended.  Couples need to start planning now for the big-day, even if it is a year away.

Wedding Storage Solutions

Getting engaged and then married is one of life’s major events.  When you are getting married, you are combining two households. There will be duplicates of furniture, kitchen items, appliances and linens. A new home or apartment might not have available storage for all of those items.  Renting a storage unit gives renters storage solutions for small apartments until a decision can be made on what to do with the duplicate items.

Having a storage unit during the wedding planning process is also a great idea to store wedding decorations, centerpieces, extra tables, chairs and other necessities that will be needed on the big day. A storage unit is also a great place to store wedding gifts that arrive before the wedding. The gifts can take up a lot of vital storage space and might not be used until the households are combined. Having a storage unit for wedding storage will allow newlyweds a place to have all of their items in one contained place, which allows for easier organization.

 Bridal Shows in Washington D.C. and Baltimore

Washington D.C. and Baltimore are the hosts for the Wedding Experience in January and February. The Washington Wedding Experience takes place Sunday, January 18^th from 11am to 5pm at the Patriot Center at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. The Baltimore Wedding Experience takes place at the Baltimore Convention Center February 7^th and 8^th. Both of these shows will allow the bride-to-be the opportunity to learn about the latest in wedding planning, fashions and trends. The shows will contain a fashion show featuring bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses and formal wear for the wedding party. Show attendees can talk with and get tips from wedding professionals from planners, photographers, caterers, DJs, florists and much more. There will be exhibitions and displays on the latest in flowers, wedding cakes, table decorations, bridal gowns and much more. Show attendees will receive special gifts for attending as well as a chance to win a free honeymoon! Brides-to-be will receive all of the best wedding planning tips, so their special days will be the most memorable!

 

2014 New Year’s Events in Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C.

 

 

It is time to say goodbye to 2014 and welcome 2015! The Baltimore area has some great ways to ring in the New Year. Washington D.C. doesn’t have any specific New Year’s events, but there are many hotel parties and restaurant packages throughout the city.

Family Friendly New Year’s Events in Maryland

There are many New Year’s Eve celebrations for the entire family including “First Night” celebrations and events at some of Baltimore’s museums. Some Maryland and Northern Virginia cities are hosting “First Night” events that allow the young and old to celebrate ringing in the New Year at an earlier time in the evening. Alexandria, Virginia, Annapolis, Maryland and Fredericksburg, Maryland are some of the cities that host family friendly New Year’s celebrations.  Each event has crafts, entertainment and two fireworks displays:  one earlier in the evening and then one at the traditional stroke of midnight. In Baltimore, two museums at the Inner Harbor offer daytime New Year’s Eve events for all ages. Port Discovery Children’s Museum has “Noontime” New Year’s Celebration with live interactive performances, family activities and a ball drop at noon. The Maryland Science has a day-long program called “Midnight Noon”. Children can take part in arts & crafts activities, including decorating and making their own party hats and noisemakers. The ball will drop at noon to ring in the New Year.  The Symphony of Lights in Columbia is having Midnight at 7, a fun, family friendly New Year’s event with a fireworks display, music, food vendors, party favors and a stroll through the great light display.

New Year’s Eve in Baltimore

The biggest New Year’s event in Baltimore is the New Year’s Spectacular at the Inner Harbor. There is live music and entertainment at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater starting at 9 pm.  2015 will ring in with a spectacular fireworks display and light show choreographed to music. The fireworks show, which is the largest in the region, can be seen from downtown Baltimore attractions, hotels, restaurants and residences including Fells Point, Harbor East and Federal Hill. If celebrating outside isn’t for you, there are many hotel and restaurant special events in Baltimore. One of the best all-inclusive New Year’s Eve party in Baltimore is the Charm City Countdown Moulin Rouge at the North Baltimore Plaza Hotel.

No matter how you celebrate the New Year, from small intimate gatherings to heading to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, enjoy, have fun, and be safe! Happy New Year from ezStorage! ezStorage self storage facilities will be open on New Year’s Eve for all of your storage needs!

 

2014 Christmas Events in the Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. Areas

There are so many great events, places to celebrate the season and holiday light exhibits to explore over the next few weeks in the Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. areas. There are holiday concerts from the National Symphony to the Capital Steps during the holiday season. Holiday classics, A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker are also performed through the holiday season by various theater and ballet groups in the area. There are many holiday light displays around the area that you can enjoy with friends and family and help out a local charity.

 Christmas Events in Baltimore

The Baltimore area has quite a few great family friendly holiday activities running through the end of the year. The centerpiece for holiday cheer in Baltimore is the Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Every evening, a light show runs from 6pm to 8pm with performances every half hour at Harborplace Amphitheater. The show contains lights, lasers and video mapping projections all choreographed to music. The Inner Harbor area in Baltimore is also home to the German Christmas Village, an outdoor skating rink, and family friendly events at the Maryland Museum of Science and National Aquarium. The B & O Railroad Museum has the Magical Holiday Express, The Giving Train now through 12/31/14 with toy train displays of all shapes and sizes, arts and crafts, train rides and more!

Celebrate Christmas in Washington D.C.

There are many things to do in the Washington D.C. area on Christmas Day. Mount Vernon is open 365 days a year and celebrates the holidays with the “Christmas at Mount Vernon” special program. You can take a candlelight tour of the mansion, sing carols, learn about life at Mount Vernon, and much more. Christmas Day is a perfect time to take a walk on the National Mall. You can see the Pathway of Peace near the National Christmas Tree near the White House. The 50 trees representing each state of the United States contain specially made ornaments depicting each state’s culture and heritage.  The monuments and memorials on the National Mall are open on Christmas Day. Our nation’s capital has free holiday celebrations at the Botanical Gardens with toy train displays, miniatures of Washington D.C. landmarks and lots of greenery. The National Zoo presents Zoo Lights through January 1^st with free entertainment, gingerbread house making events and light shows set to music. Gaylord National Resort at National Harbor presents ICE! again this holiday season. ICE! is an interactive holiday extravaganza featuring images and characters from the iconic “Frosty the Snowman”. ICE! has displays, slides and much more sculpted out of 5,000 blocks of ice.

There is so much to enjoy over the holiday season in the Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. areas!  Most of the events run through January 1^st, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy them. Once the holidays are over, it is time to think about taking down and storing the holiday decorations for another year. Self storage is a great option for holiday decoration from holiday wreaths to artificial Christmas trees to seasonal decorations.

ezStorage self storage locations will be closed on Christmas Day, but will reopen for regular office hours on December 26^th. Customers can access their storage units 365 days a year during regular gate access hours. ezStorage wishes everyone a safe and happy Christmas!

 

2014 Holiday Craft Shows and Light Displays in Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. Areas

 

 

The holiday season is in full swing in the Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. areas. There are many different ways to celebrate the holidays from going to craft shows to taking a stroll or drive-through Christmas light displays around the Baltimore area.

Holiday Craft Shows in Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C.

A good majority of holiday craft shows took place earlier in the fall, but there are still some ongoing shows and markets where you can find great locally produced arts, crafts and gifts.

Holiday Craft Shows and Markets in Washington D.C.

The Downtown Washington D.C. Holiday Market opened November 28^th and runs to December 23^rd on the sidewalk on F Street between 7^th and 8^th Streets in front of the National Gallery. The show runs daily from noon to 8pm and features over 180 exhibitors and artisans of fine art, jewelry, pottery, clothing, photography, and more. There will also be local musicians offering a variety of musical styles from choral to rock ‘n’ roll.

Holiday Craft Shows and Markets in Northern Virginia

The McLean Holiday Craft Show runs December 5^th to 7^th at the McLean Community Center. There will be over 70 fine artisans from across the country. The show features fiber arts, wood, ceramics, pottery, jewelry, glass, holiday décor, gourmet foods, paper art, photography and much more. Entertainment will be provided by local school choral and musical groups.

Alexandria’s Holiday Market opens this weekend on John Carlyle Street in Alexandria, Virginia. The market runs every weekend (and more) through the holidays.  The market transforms the Carlyle District to a traditional European festival straight out of France or Germany. Unique arts and crafts items will be featured along with live entertainment and European food and sweets. The Alexandria Holiday Market supports the Holiday Sharing Toy Drive program and the Hunger Free Alexandria initiative.

Tysons Corner Center Holiday Market  is a unique Christmas Market and Winterfest in the heart of the Tysons Corner Center. The market opens December 5^th and will be open to December 24^th. There will be arts and crafts, food, drink, music and an ice rink. There are special events scheduled throughout the month.

Leesburg Holiday Fine Arts & Crafts Show  features over 90 artisans with homemade creations and products. The show runs December 6^th and 7^th at the Ida Lee Park Recreation Center in Leesburg, Virginia.

Holiday Craft Shows and Markets in Maryland

Charles County Fairgrounds is hosting the 2014 Kris Kringle Christmas Market on December 5^th and 6^th. The market is modeled after German holiday markets. There will be holiday light displays, holiday food, local handmade arts and crafts, children’s activities, entertainment, shopping and much more. Santa arrives at the market on Friday, December 5^th during the official tree lighting ceremony.

Christmas Village at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is back again for the holiday season. The market is set up as a traditional German style market. Wander through the market with 40 vendors selling traditional European crafts, arts, and jewelry and holiday gifts. There are two Christmas trees and thousands of lights. The market is open every day. There is free admission during the week and paid admission on the weekends.

Christmas Light Displays in Baltimore and Northern Virginia

There are many great holiday light displays in the Baltimore and Northern Virginia area this season that you can tour by foot or via a car.

Holiday Lights in Baltimore Area

Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park returns for another season of holiday display in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  The park is open nightly from November 28^th to December 31^st for a 3.5 mile drive through an enchanted holiday forest with many different holiday themes and over 365 illuminated displays. The proceeds of the Winter Lights festival benefit local charities.

Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park returns for another season of holiday delights in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  The drive-through light display features over one million lights and many new holiday displays.

The 21^st Annual Symphony of Lights in Columbia, Maryland opened for the season on November 15^th with a fun run/walk  and events continue through January 4^th.  There are over 70 larger-than-life animated and stationary illuminated displays. The Symphony of Lights is the largest annual fundraiser for the Howard County General Hospital.

Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park is a scenic drive through a 2 mile holiday light spectacle along the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis. There are over 60 holiday light displays with themes ranging from dinosaurs to winter fairies. The show runs November 22^nd to January 1^st. The holiday light show is sponsored by the Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Last, but definitely not least, is Miracle on 34th Street  in the Hampden neighborhood in Baltimore. Miracle on 34th Street started in 1947 and is currently in its 67th year. The lights officially turned on this year on November 29th and will run to January 1, 2015. The lights are on every evening from dusk to 11pm. The row of houses in the neighborhood from the 700 block of 34th Street between Kenwick Road and Chestnut Street are decorated in all styles and traditions. The displays range from trains, animated figures, Walt Disney characters, artwork, Hanukkah menorahs and holiday symbols. It is definitely a sight not to be missed!

There is so much to see and do during the holiday season in the Baltimore, Northern Virginia, and Washington D.C. areas. Once you have bought those great holiday gifts at the arts and craft shows, you will need a place to store them until Christmas.  ezStorage has a variety of storage unit sizes that can help with any storage need. Stop in to any of our 46 self storage facilities to see how we can help! Happy Holidays from ezStorage!