There's a definite chill in the air and holiday markets are beginning to pop up this month, perfect for anyone who likes to get all of their gift shopping done before Thanksgiving. Old Ellicott City will celebrate its grand reopening on Small Business Saturday and Symphony of Lights returns to downtown Columbia this month too! Grab your favorite scarf and make some fun November plans in Howard County!
Events
Manor Hill Beer Dinner - Nov 9
Enjoy a Wild Game Tasting Dinner at Victoria Gastro Pub paired with beer from Manor Hill Brewing.
Victoria Gastro Pub, 8201 Snowden River Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21045
Animal Stories: From Historic Pups to Imperiled Pandas and Macaques - Nov 10
National Geographic Author Jennifer Holland will share some new favorite stories of friendships and heroes in the canine/dog world—from her upcoming UNLIKELY book focused on dogs—and, as a special treat, she will talk about her recent reporting on the different conservation approaches for giant pandas in China and back-crested macaques in Indonesia (with photos, of course!). After her presentation, Jennifer will be available to sign books.
Howard County Conservancy 10520 Old Frederick Road, Woodstock, MD 21163
John F. Kennedy History Dinner - Nov 10
Enjoy five courses at Elkridge Furnace Inn with history vignettes about President Kennedy given between courses.
Elkridge Furnace Inn Garden House, 5745 Furnace Ave, Elkridge, MD 21075
Howard County Veteran's Day Parade - Nov 12
Join in honoring our veterans at the annual Veterans Day Parade, hosted by the American Legion, VFW and Marine Corp League. The parade begins at 11:00 am at St. Peter's Church in Ellicott City and will travel down Frederick Road towards the Historic District and end in Lot F. Games and activities continue until 3 pm. Businesses that have not yet re-opened will be on hand for your early holiday shopping.
St. Peter's Church, 3695 Rogers Ave, Ellicott City, MD 21043
7th Annual Maryland Alpaca and Fleece Festival - Nov 13
You'll find live animals, fiber, free demos and free seminars at this fall festival. Over 50 vendors are ready to show you their locally grown and hand-made, artisan items—just in time for the Holidays!
Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd, West Friendship, MD 21794
Gourmand Goes to Southern Italy - Nov 17
Four fanciful flights of food will feature the cuisine of southern Italy in a fun format including history and geography notes as well as paired wines. Every Gourmand Gatherings is and adventurous culinary experience of discovery.
Elkridge Furnace Inn, 5745 Furnace Ave, Elkridge, MD 21075
Freedom Philharmonic Concert - Nov 18
The evening promises an exciting and beautiful performance of chamber music written for a small string ensemble featuring Bagus Wiswakarma, concertmaster. The Freedom Philharmonic is a new community ensemble founded in partnership by the Carroll County String Projectand Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church. The Freedom Philharmonic performs several times per year across the area, and is comprised of Carroll County String Project faculty members, advanced students, and talented community members.
The Retreat and Conference Center at Bon Secours, 1525 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104
Holiday Craft Fair - Nov 19
Stroll through gracious Historic Oakland Manor while shopping for beautiful handmade gifts and crafts. This is a juried craft fair.
Historic Oakland Manor, 5430 Vantage Point Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Colonial Holiday Celebration - Nov 20
Enjoy Colonial holiday decorations, period reenactments, music, food and drink in Belmont Manor House.
Belmont Manor House, 6555 Belmont Woods Rd, Elkridge, MD 21075
Hickory Ridge Holiday Craft Shop - Nov 20
This is a wonderful opportunity to find unique, handcrafted gifts for your family and friends. Bring a hostess gift to Thanksgiving dinner! Find one-of-a-kind jewelry and scarves for the woman who has everything! Offerings include jewelry, scarves, photography, textiles, candies, cookies, wood crafts, and more. All items are reasonably-priced and handmade by local artists. Admission is free.
The Hawthorn Center, 6175 Sunny Spring, Columbia, MD 21044
Dazzle Dash - Nov 20
Kick off Symphony of Lights with the Dazzle Dash family fun run and 5K. In addition to the walk/race, there will be activities for children, healthy food, music, entertainment and giveaways.
Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044
Stache Bash 2016 - Nov 23
Head to Jailbreak Brewing Company the day before Thanksgiving for their second annual Stache Bash and growler sale! All growlers and growler fills will be 20% off! Bring in 5 cans of food/items for Community Action Council of Howard County and get 1 free pint! Want to donate more? Bring in 15 cans of food/items or more and receive a $10 Jailbreak gift certificate valid 11/24/16-12/31/16! *Limit one per person*
Jailbreak Brewing Company, 9445 Washington Blvd N F, Laurel, MD 20723
Drive Through Symphony of Lights - Nov 23 through Jan 1
A time-honored Howard County holiday tradition. Called “must see” and chosen as a Baltimore Sun “Swift Pick,” this family-oriented spectacular is a dazzling display of more than 100 larger-than-life animated and stationary holiday light creations, made up of more than 250,000 bulbs. New in 2016 is an outdoor ice skating rink, laser light show, 3-D holiday video and more!
Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044
Thanksgiving Eve Party - Nov 23
Celebrate with Victoria Gastro Pub and enjoy the release of Manor Hill Brewing's collaboration with Aslin Brewing Company, The Grapeness Imperial IPA.
Victoria Gastro Pub, 8201 Snowden River Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21045
TLV Tree Farm & Greenway Farm Are Open For Christmas Trees - Nov 25
Make holiday memories with your family and go pick out your Christmas Tree from a Howard County Farm!
TLV Tree Farm, 15155 Triadelphia Mill Rd, Glenelg, MD 21737
Greenway Farm, 14098 Reps Rd, Cooksville, MD 21723
Grand Reopening of Old Ellicott City - Nov 26
Join Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman, the Howard County Council, United States Senator Ben Cardin, United States Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Maryland Senator Gail Bates and more for the Official Grand Re-Opening of Old Ellicott City! Gather at the Howard County Welcome Center for free t-shirts and to be included in the photo during the cutting of a huge Ellicott City banner across Main Street. With a unique collection of shops, galleries and restaurants there’s no better place in Merry-land to do all of your holiday shopping in one go. Eclectic home goods, art, fashion and more will make shopping for everyone easy. The beautiful decorations, displays and street performances create a wonderful experience during the holidays in Old Ellicott City.
Howard County Welcome Center, 8267 Main Street, Ellicott City, MD 21043
The Nutcracker - Nov 26-27
Join Clara and her magic Nutcracker as they dance to great music, battle the Rat King and his mouse army, visit the Sugarplum Fairy, and much more in this traditional Russian Nutcracker! Bring the family and your friends for a magical holiday adventure you will never forget!
The Jim Rouse Theatre, 5460 Trumpeter Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Little Women Tea - Nov 27
Enjoy dramatic readings from Lousia May Alcott's "Little Women" in between tea courses.
Elkridge Furnace Inn, 5745 Furnace Ave, Elkridge, MD 21075
Theater
Sister Act - through Nov. 13
Toby's Dinner Theatre presents Sister Act! A woman hiding in a convent helps her fellow sisters find their voice as she rediscovers her own. Sister Act is the feel-amazing musical comedy based on the smash 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet! Featuring original music by TONY and 8-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors), this uplifting musical was nominated for 5 TONY Awards including Best Musical. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, Sister Act is a reason to REJOICE!
Tickets.
Toby's Dinner Theatre, 5900 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia, MD 21044
American Hero by Bess Wohl - Nov 20 through Nov 20
Rep Stage, the regional theatre in residence at Howard Community College continues its 24th season with Bess Wohl's "American Hero" directed by Suzanne Beal. At a toasted sub franchise in the local mall, three up-and-coming “sandwich artists”—a teenager, a single mom, and a downsized refugee from corporate banking—are perfecting the mustard-to-cheese ratio, according to the company manual. When their shot at the American dream is interrupted by a series of strange events, they become unlikely allies in a post-recession world. “American Hero” is a supersized dark comedy about life, liberty, and the pursuit of sandwiches.
Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Studio Theatre, Columbia, MD 21044
Exhibits
Art Maryland 2016 - through Dec 9
This exhibit features work selected from nearly 400 entries submitted by 135 artists working in a wide variety of styles and mediums. Art Maryland 2016 will be on display from October 28 through December 9.
Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Tim Kelly: Made in Baltimore - Nov 9 through Dec 11
Ascending, multi-award winning Baltimore painter Tim Kelly will have a solo show of more than 40 paintings at The Columbia Art Center, presented and curated by Still Life Gallery Fine Art.
Columbia Art Center, 6100 Foreland Garth, Columbia, MD 21045
