To many, it seems the holiday season starts earlier each year. There is actually a good reason for that: There is just too much to do and fun things to enjoy. Why not squeeze in a few extra days? Here in Landham, Bowie, and the rest of Prince George’s County, there is no shortage of holiday fun to tap into.
This is the ultimate guide to holiday fun:
Holiday Events
The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends. It’s also about finding ways to create core memories and start new traditions. These special holiday events are some terrific options to consider for the weekend.
Photos with Santa at Homestead Gardens
While the elves are busy making the last-minute toys, Santa stops by Homestead Gardens to hear from the kids what they’d like to find under the tree on Christmas morning. Families can snap a free photo with Santa to make some magical memories.
Magic Elf Hunt at Belair Mansion
Calling all Elf Hunters! Elves are missing from the North Pole! Santa thinks they might be hiding out at Belair Mansion! That’s where you come in. Roll up to Belair Mansion and become an official elf hunter. Help return those naughty elves to the North Pole in time for Christmas. Free.
Holiday Movie Series at Bowie Playhouse
The Bowie Playhouse is offering movies for the holidays! Celebrate the season with a lineup of Christmas classics the whole family will love. Advance purchase of tickets ($5) is recommended, and seating is general admission. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime, so please arrive early if you’d like to sit with family and friends. Movies start promptly at showtime. Free popcorn and special giveaways are included!
Friday, December 19: 2:30 p.m., “Rudolph” (PG) Length: 1 hour. 4 p.m., “The Year Without A Santa Claus” (PG) Length: 1 hour, 5:30 p.m., “The Chronicles of Narnia” (PG) Length: 2.5 hours
A Christmas Carol at Bowie CPA
Celebrate the holidays at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts with their original production of Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This festive adaptation of a holiday classic is directed by Christopher Dwyer. You’ll be transported back in time to Victorian London for an engaging presentation of one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time. This version features music, magic, humor, and heart. Come along with London’s most notorious miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, as he travels through time with a host of spirits to discover his own humanity — and the spirit of the holidays.
Homestead Gardens’ Train Display
Homestead Gardens remains one of the finest holiday model train displays in Maryland. A visit to the display is a holiday tradition for generations of families.
Annual Gingerbread House Contest & Show
At Darnall’s Chance House Museum, come and view an amazing display of gingerbread houses that celebrate Prince George’s County’s rich history. Visitors get to vote for their pick for the Viewer’s Choice Awards. The Show is open to the public every Friday – Sunday, starting Friday, November 28, through Sunday, December 14, from 12:00 noon- -5pm.
Holiday Pops with Bowie State University Concert Choir
This holiday, join the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and its 70 world-class musicians as they bring the joy, beauty, and warmth of the season to life with a mesmerizing array of classic carols and sing-along holiday tunes. The Bowie State University Concert Choir will join us for performances at Maryland Hall and Bowie State University. This year, we’re offering three Holiday Pops concerts! No matter what your busy holiday schedule is, we’ve got you covered!
DATES: Friday, December 19, 2025 – 7:30pm at Maryland Hall, with Bowie State University Choir
Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 3:00pm at Severna Park High School
Sunday, December 21, 2025 – 3:00pm at Dionne Warwick Theater at Bowie State University, with Bowie State University Choir
Snow Tubing at Winter City Lights
Winter City Lights offers a fast and thrilling 8-lane snow tubing experience that the whole family will love. One ticket guarantees two hours of unlimited tube riding. Keep in mind that the snow tube ride experience sells out fast. That’s why you should purchase your tickets online ASAP.
Neighborhood Light Shows
Holiday lights and decorations are a way to make the neighborhood feel merry and bright. It’s also a fun way for homeowners to get into a friendly competition to see who can put up the most lights! Once you’ve got your lights strung, there are some other amazing areas to explore. Fill up the thermos with hot chocolate and check out these amazing neighborhood light shows:
Winter City Lights
Experience the enchantment of the holiday season with Winter City Lights. This is the home of the largest Christmas light shows in Prince George’s County. You’ll marvel at over 1 million twinkling lights spread across 18 acres of an outdoor winter wonderland.
Festival of Lights
This event runs from November 28 through January 1, from 5 pm to 9:30 pm nightly. From the comfort of your own car, bring the family to experience dazzling scenes that celebrate the magic of the holiday season at the annual Festival of Lights!
Places to Buy Gifts
Gift giving is part of the holidays. It’s always fun to go on the search for the “perfect gift.” Here are some of the places where your holiday gift hunt can start!
Holiday Shopping at Belair Mansion
Get your holiday shopping done at the Belair Mansion gift shop. There are teapots, jewelry, City of Bowie baseball caps, cozy blankets, holiday ornaments, local history books, great stocking stuffers, and much more!
Bowie Town Center
Bowie Town Center offers an amazing selection of market-exclusive brands along with delightful locally owned specialty shops, all designed to provide a world of gift-giving ideas right at your fingertips.
Hilltop Plaza
Hilltop Plaza is a full-service community shopping center located at the intersection of Annapolis (MD Rt 450) and Race Track roads in Bowie, Maryland. Anchored by Aldi, Walgreens, and MOM’s (My Organic Market), Hilltop Plaza is filled with friendly services for you and your family, including dentist offices, a swim school, beauty and nail salons, a physical therapy office, and an inflatable party and play venue. An array of restaurants will cater to any appetite, from Blue Sunday Bar and Grill to Pho D’Lite, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and East Delight. We have it all at Hilltop Plaza.
Lanham Crossing Station
Premier location right off the beltway, Lanham Crossing Station is located at the intersection of Annapolis Road and the Capital Beltway (I-495) in Lanham, Maryland. Lanham Crossing Station is filled with friendly services for you and your family, including a dry cleaner, hair salons, daycare, and a state-of-the-art gym. The center also features an array of restaurants catering to your appetite.
Restaurants/Bars
Holidays are all about the meals you get to share with your family and friends, but you don’t have to cook all the meals! Here are some great local restaurants to enjoy a holiday feast, and they’re terrific spots for some holiday cheer.
Blue Sunday Bar & Grill
Opened in 2016, Blue Sunday Bar and Grill is a full-scale Asian American restaurant that offers exceptional food and a vibrant, relaxing atmosphere. Guests appreciate the cozy ambiance and diverse wine list, and rave about the handcrafted cocktails and consistently praise our exceptional service.
Nonna Angela’s
Nonna Angela’s recipes have been time-tested throughout their family’s generations. Enjoy made-from-scratch specialties that everyone continues to enjoy, just like Nonna Angela used to make! Enjoy the warm hospitality of Italian food culture. Dine with friends and family in their comfortable dining room or host your next event in their spacious private party room.
The Blackwall Barn & Lodge
Blackwall Barn & Lodge prides itself on creating memorable meals with locally sourced ingredients while surrounded by the peacefulness of a countryside setting.
The Hideaway
Award-winning BBQ. Mouth-watering appetizers. Something for everyone! They also offer catering for your holiday party, wedding, or any other event for up to 1000 people! You can also place an order for takeout or delivery right from your phone or computer!
Ashling Kitchen and Bar
Ashling Kitchen & Bar serves up an amazing menu of delicious, fresh food. The menu was created to make sure that we have something to satisfy everyone in the family. Ashling is proud to deliver a high-end restaurant experience of great food and fun that is unique to the Crofton community.
The Union Bar and Grill
The Union is a family-owned, casual restaurant. It is a warm, familiar neighborhood space where you can enjoy food inspired by the world around us.
Sobe Restaurant & Lounge
SoBe Restaurant and Lounge uses the freshest ingredients and cutting-edge cooking techniques to give you a one-of-a-kind dining experience. They offer refined dinner and brunch menus featuring fresh seafood and a fusion of Latin, Asian, American, and Italian fare.
Kobe Japanese Steak and Seafood
Using the freshest ingredients and perfect seasonings, the professional teppanyaki chef will stir-fry your meal right before your eyes, creating a fabulous feast for the whole party. If it’s sushi that you crave, there is a full sushi bar where their expert sushi artists go the extra mile to bring you the freshest sushi, sashimi and combination rolls.
Christmas Tree Farms
Nothing beats the scent of a fresh Christmas. It’s even better when that tree is decorated with all the ornaments and lights you’ve collected as a family over the years. Here are some terrific places to get your fresh tree:
Patuxent Nursery
Make your holidays sparkle with indoor and outdoor décor from Patuxent Nursery. Here you’ll find Christmas trees, pre-made planters, Christmas lights, live wreaths, garlands, and fragrant pinecones for your mantles. From your garden to your kitchen, your entryway to your fireplace, we have just the right plants, greenery, lights, and décor to transform your house into a Christmas holiday winter wonderland.
Linden Hill
Same tree prices this year. Any tree in the field is $120. Taller than 6ft are tagged with a red ribbon, 7 – 11 and 12ft, and more. Only open on Saturday and Sunday, 8:30-4:30. If you are unable to come on a weekend, please call 301-627-3768. Leave a message with your name, cell number, and a date and time during the week you would like to come to the farm. Someone will contact you to work out the details.
Hilltop Christmas Tree Farm
From Route 70, take Route 94 South/Woodbine Road exit via Exit 73. Enter the roundabout in Lisbon and take the 2nd exit onto Route 94 South. Trees are located to the left, look for the waving snowman.
North Star Christmas Trees
For over 50 years, families across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia have trusted North Star for the freshest, highest-quality Christmas trees.
Volunteer Opportunities
The holiday season is all about giving, but not everything you give has to be wrapped in paper and a bow. You can give the gift of your time and support. Volunteering is also something wonderful to share with your kids.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
We know some of our neighbors need extra help as they age in place. The Community Services Department facilitates a program to match these two groups. This program is designed to bridge the gap between elderly and disabled residents and adults and organizations looking for ways to reach out and help someone in need.
Maryland Food Bank
As demand for food continues to remain high due to current economic conditions, we need your help more than ever. Far too many Marylanders still find it difficult to achieve financial stability, and your time spent volunteering can make all the difference in the world to a neighbor in need.
Catholic Charities
All of Catholic Charities’ volunteer positions can be discovered by visiting our online volunteer portal. There, you can search for opportunities by program, service type, time length, location, physical capabilities, and more.
Resource Directory
The City of Bowie has an extensive resource directory with a wide range of volunteer opportunities. Every hour you serve can make a world of difference.
Happy Holidays from GDH Law
On behalf of everyone from GDH Law, we want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays. Here’s hoping all your holiday wishes come true!
