GATHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS: FESTIVE DINING AND EVENTS IN HOWARD COUNTY

By Visit Howard County

Twinkling lights, clinking glasses, and tables full of smiling faces – the perfect ingredients for a wonderful celebration season. Find everything you need for holiday magic and festive feasting in Howard County, Maryland, just a short drive from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. From group-friendly dining to exciting winter events, it’s easy to plan a festive trip in Howard County.

Celebrate Together: Group-Friendly & Private Dining

Set the tone with a family dinner in one of Columbia’s most elegant classics, The King’s Contrivance. Feast on exceptional cuisine in an elegant historic manor with multiple private rooms tailor-made for memorable gatherings.

Embrace farm-to-table flavors at The White Oak Tavern, featuring scratch-made dishes, regional ingredients, and a can’t-miss burger. For wood-fired pizzas and a taste of history,

Manor Hill Tavern in Historic Ellicott City brings cozy charm to every plate.

Wine lovers will feel right at home at Iron Bridge Wine Company, an intimate find for special-occasion toasts, and warm evenings. Settle into the candlelit bistro for a curated bottle list, generous by-the-glass pours, rotating flights, and seasonal plates for your fall feasts.

Raise a Glass: Breweries & Cheers-Worthy Spaces

Make merry memories with a stop at a unique brewery or winery perfect for hosting holiday events. Sapwood Cellars, known for fresh hoppy ales and barrel-aged sour beers, rents its taproom and offers a warm barrel room for smaller celebrations. Manor Hill Brewing is located on a picturesque farm and features two private event spaces that are perfect for rustic-chic gatherings of all kinds. For locally crafted wine, visit the gorgeous space at Penn Oaks Winery for sips and a scenic view.

Can’t-Miss Holiday Events

● Merriweather Symphony of Lights (Columbia): Nov. 29, 2025 – Jan. 3, 2026 – Drive or walk through Merriweather Post Pavilion for a beloved spectacle of larger-than-life light displays and colorful holiday decorations as The Symphony of Lights brightens up winter evenings.

● Holiday Train Garden at the B & O Ellicott City Station Museum: Nov. 28, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026 – Watch model trains glide through charming winter scenes inside America’s oldest surviving railroad station, then stroll Historic Ellicott City’s Main Street for festive lights and great gift shopping in galleries, indie boutiques, and specialty shops.

● Holiday Market in the Merriweather District: Dec. 5 – 7, 2025 – Explore Color Burst Park as it transforms into a magical and merry market filled with artisan vendors with gifts and goodies.

● Midnight Madness (Historic Ellicott City): Dec. 5, 2025 – The first Friday in December brings late-night shopping, live music, and a festive tree lighting on Main Street – an iconic HoCo holiday tradition.

● Savage Mill Yuletide Festival: Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 29 – Dec. 21, 202 – Catch the Bollman Truss Bridge lighting on Dec. 6 then explore artisan shops and seasonal happenings at Historic Savage Mill.

Shop and Source Local on Your Getaway

Keep the celebration going with an overnight stay at The Inn at Mary’s Land Farm where you can experience life at a beautifully restored farmhouse on a 160-acre working farm. Wake to a made-from-scratch farm breakfast, stroll the grounds, and pop into the Farm Store for locally crafted goodies to take home.

For more artisan finds and treats, stock up at Breezy Willow Farm Country Market. You’ll find the best local produce, meats, dairy, jams, and gifts that turn any table into a holiday showstopper.

Ready to discover more? Book your stay in Howard County, Maryland this holiday season to gather, savor, and celebrate. For more dining suggestions, trip ideas, and an up-to-date events calendar, head to VisitHowardCounty.com.

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