Montpilier Arts Center- Winter Classes

Montpelier Arts Center  9652 Muirkirk Road Laurel, MD 20708 Gallery Hours: 10 am-5 pm, Seven Days a week Office Hours: 8:30 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm 301-377-7800, 410-792-0664; TTY 301-490-2329 montpelier.arts@pgparks.com Visit the new Montpelier web pages on arts.pgparks.com Register now  for Winter clasess: Download Winter 2013 Class Brochure    Animation  Ceramics  Drawing  Painting  Photography  Printmaking  Rug Hooking  Sewing  Sculpture  Tie Dye  Watercolor  Writing  and more! Classes begin the week of January 12th. Call the Arts Center at 301-377-7800/ 410-792-0664 for details.

Montpelier Arts Center- Open House

National Theater Holiday Films

CLASSIC HOLIDAY FILMS AT

THE  NATIONAL  THEATRE

Mondays at 6:30 PM ♦ Free admission ♦ Tickets required: first come - first seated Tickets distributed 30 minutes prior to screening ♦ You must be in line to receive a ticket Take METRO to the Metro Center or Federal Triangle stations The National Theatre ♦ 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW ♦ Washington, DC 202-783-3372 Click on the film title for a video preview

December 3 Miracle on 34th Street starring Maureen O'Hara, Edmund Gwenn, John Payne and Natalie Wood A jolly old gentleman named Kris Kringle is hired as a department store Santa , filling everyone with good cheer - except his cynical boss and her disbelieving six-year-old daughter.  But a series of magical events challenge everyone's belief, causing all to wonder if the kindly gent is actually the real thing!

December 10    Scrooge starring Alastair Sim, Kathleen Harrison Mervyn Johns and Hermoine Baddeley Cranky and curmudgeonly Scrooge learns the error of his unkind ways and is taught the true meaning of the holidays when he is visited by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future.  This classic version of Charles Dickens' tale of redemption is one of the most popular and beloved holiday films of all time!

December 17 White Christmas starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen It's the most wonderful time of the year, and nothing could be better than Irving Berlin's beloved holiday musical White Christmas.   Chock full of timeless classics such as "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep", "Sisters", and of course "White Christmas", this family favorite is sure to fill your heart with cheer! National Theatre Cinema is made possible by the generous contributions of Chuck Fazio Media and Baldwin Graphics

American History Museum

Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963

The Museum has partnered with the National Museum of African American History and Culture to explore two pivotal events, separated by 100 years, but linked together in a larger story of freedom and the American experience. Standing as milestone moments in the grand sweep of American history, these achievements were the culmination of decades of struggles by individuals—both famous and unknown—who believed in the American promise that this nation was dedicated to the proposition that "all men are created equal." 

Port Discovery - Holiday Festivities

Special Events! 

Winter Break Festivities

December 26 - January 1

Join us for a fun-filled week of holiday themed programs and performances.

Wednesday, December 26

• Drum Jam: 9:30 am - 12 pm
• Jazzy Snowflakes: 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
• Winter Science: 10:30 am - 1 pm
• Mother Goose on the Loose: 10:30 am
• Jingle Jangle Music Time: 11:30 am; 12:15 pm
• Circus Games: 1 pm; 2 pm 

Thursday, December 27

• World Rhythm Drum Circus: 10 am - 1 pm
• Winter Science: 10 am - 12 pm
• Jazzy Snowflakes: 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• Wild Life Adventures: 1 pm - 3 pm
• Pop Up Science: 1 pm and 1:30 pm

Friday, December 28

• Mother Goose on the Loose: 10:30 am
• Pop Up Science: 11 am; 11:30 am
• Jingle Jangle Music Time:11:30 am; 12:15 pm; 1 pm 
• Jazzy Snowflakes: 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• Wild Life Adventures: 1 pm - 3 pm
• Winter Science: 1 pm - 3 pm

Saturday, December 29

• Jazzy Snowflakes: 10 am - 1 pm

·        Pop Up Science: 11 am; 11:30 am

·        Circle Time: 11 am; 12 pm

·        Snow Pals: 11 am - 1 pm

·        Wild Life Adventures: 1 pm - 3 pm

·        Winter Science: 1 pm - 3 pm

Sunday, December 30

• Drum Circus: 12:30 pm - 3 pm; 4 pm - 5 pm
• Mother Goose on the Loose: 1:30 pm
• Jingle Jangle Music Time: 2:30 pm; 3:15 pm; 4 pm
• Kamishibai Story Time: 3:30 pm

Monday, December 31 - Noontime New Year (See below.)

Tuesday, January 1 

• Bubble Wands: 10:30 am - 12 pm; 1 pm - 2:30 pm 
• Super Sound Effects: 10 am - 11 am; 2 pm - 3:30 pm
• Once Upon a Door Step: 11:30 am

Programs are subject to change. Please check "Cool Things To Do" upon arrival.   

Port Discovery - Dec. Events

Happy Holidays! We are so excited that the holidays are here and our calendar is jam-packed with fun and exciting programs and performances your whole family will enjoy!    Get into the holiday spirit and decorate gingerbricks on Saturday, December 8th and 15th. Our friends from McCormick® will use the gingerbricks to assemble a gingerbrick replica of Port Discovery! If you're looking for something fun to do with the kids when school is out, be sure to stop by the Museum during Winter Break, December 26th through January 1st. And be sure to mark your calendar for Port Discovery's annual Noontime New Year Super Hero Spectacular with Eric Energy on Monday, December 31st. Come dressed as your favorite Super Hero, or in the costume of your choice, and count down to the New Year at 12 noon! (Details below.)    Give the Gift of Play! Offer Ends December 17th! Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Take 10% OFF all New, Gift, and Renewal Memberships plus receive an additional 3 months for FREE!  Click here  to purchase online and use discount code: holiday12 Dollar Day - Sunday, December 9th Every year, Port Discovery participates in Downtown Partnership's Dollar or Less Days. General admission for all Museum guests on Sunday, December 9th is one dollar. If you plan to visit, please arrive early and dress appropriately for the weather as we expect long lines. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, we recommend you plan your visit on another day. Discount Parking on Tuesdays & Thursdays Through December 20th By popular demand, we have reinstituted Thrifty Tuesdays and Thursdays where general admission is $8 after 1 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays through December 20th.  Plus, Port Discovery members and guests may enjoy discount parking at the Harbor Park Garage Roof Top for $7 on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. You must enter the Garage after 12:30 pm and exit by 5 pm and park on the Roof Top to receive the discount. Vouchers may be picked up at the Box Office. (Discount parking available through December 20th.) Holiday Hours Just a reminder that the Museum is closed on Christmas Eve (December 24th) and Christmas Day (December 25th), but will re-open December 26th for winter break fun for the whole family!   Holiday Hours Dec. 24 & 25: Closed Dec. 26 through Dec. 28: 9:30 am - 5 pm Dec. 29: 10 am - 5 pm Dec. 30: 12 pm - 5 pm Dec. 31: 9:30 am - 5 pm Jan. 1: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm We wish you and your family a very Happy and Healthy Holiday Season! For a complete list of Port Discovery's events, visit our website. To read our November/December e-newsletter, click here .

Holiday Tree Lighting - Bowie, MD

Spread holiday cheer and help illuminate the City of Bowie Christmas Tree. Santa arrives by Fire Truck. Caroling and seasonal fun for all. Belair Mansion, Bowie. 7 p.m.

Candlelight Tours, Tree Lighting and a Visit from Santa at Belair Mansion - Sunday, December 2

On Sunday, December 2 there will be a very special holiday celebration at Belair Mansion. It starts with candlelight tours of the mansion from 3 to 7 p.m. , and continues with caroling outdoors at 7 p.m. and the lighting of the City's holiday tree. The evening culminates with the arrival of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus on a fire truck, courtesy of the Bowie Volunteer Fire Deparment!

There's more than 250 years of Christmas history at Belair. Traditional decorations and flickering candles offer a glimpse of the past through the eyes of the many residents of this historic house. The music of “Bedlam” will fill the air. In colonial times, Belair’s residents feasted, sang and visited – but there was no decorated tree in anyone’s parlor. That holiday tradition didn’t find its way to America, or Bowie, until the mid-19th century.

The City’s holiday tree lighting has been a tradition for over 50 years. The City invites you to be part of that tradition at the Mansion, following the candlelight celebration. Bundle up for caroling outdoors. Once the tree is illuminated,
Santa and Mrs. Claus’ will arrive to join the celebration. The music of the
Christian Community Presbyterian Church (CCPC) Bell Choir will entertain visitors inside while they wait to have a chat with Mr. Claus!

Admission is free, but please bring a canned food donation for the Bowie Food Pantry to help those in need this holiday season. Belair Mansion is located at 12207 Tulip Grove Drive. For more information, contact Matt Corley, Special Events Coordinator, at 301-809-3078 or mcorley@cityofbowie.org.

Tours: 3 - 7 p.m.
Caroling and tree lighting: 7 p.m.