This has been a festive year in Cecil County, as the county celebrated the 350th anniversary of its founding throughout 2024. The festivities continue this fall and this holiday season with many activities and attractions to enjoy throughout Cecil County. Here’s a look at just a few of the upcoming events:

Book Lover's Market

A Book Lover’s Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Elkton Library at 301 Newark Avenue in Elkton. This will be a festive celebration of books and authors. Meet authors, purchase books and have them signed and shop the offerings of book-themed vendors. For more information, visit www.cecilcountylibrary.org/event/book-lovers-market-66896.

The Mount Harmon Paper Chase

The Mount Harmon Paper Chase will take place on Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Mount Harmon Plantation in Earleville. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be ribbons and prizes for teams closest to optimum time.  Explore the gardens and grounds. Bring a tailgate to enjoy after your ride on the scenic grounds. Hearth cooking and light refreshments in the Colonial Kitchen. The Manor House Tours & Gift Shop will be open 10 a.m. to  3 p.m.

Cecil County Independent Film Festival

The Cecil County Independent Film Festival is a yearly celebration for filmmakers and film lovers alike in the greater Mid-Atlantic area. With films from as close as Cecil County and as far away as the Ukraine, this festival aims to bring new voices and bold choices to the Cecil County community, be it in narrative, short form, documentarian, animation, and everything in between. The dates for this year’s festival are Nov. 15, 16, and 17. Visit the website www.milburnstone.com/filmfestival for more information.

The Party of the Year: Gatsby

Channel the exuberance, decadence, and spirit of the Roaring Twenties at the biggest party of the year at the Chesapeake Inn Restaurant. The Party of the Year: Gatsby will take place on the evening of Nov. 22. Perfectly timed with the centennial of the Roaring Twenties, The Party of the Year: Gatsby has been tailor-made to dazzle. Live music and more add an air of possibility as flapper ladies and dapper gentlemen sip on era-inspired cocktails and bubbly developed specifically for the event. Channeling the glamour of the roaring twenties, the ethereal entertainment, elegant fare, and flowing drinks will create a truly transportive experience. The restaurant is located at 605 2nd Street in Chesapeake City.

Christmas Village

The Sonetta Community Market, located at 2084 Jacob Tome Memorial Highway in Port Deposit, will host a Christmas Village on Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find local artisans and craft-makers in the Christmas Village. Find Fair Trade, high quality and unique items in the Market Building. Also, get a picture with Santa!

Chesapeake City Lion's Club tree lighting

The Lion’s Club presents the annual Christmas tree-lighting in Pell Gardens on Dec. 1. Santa will use his Christmas magic to light up the tree and all of the lights throughout the town. This is a free, family-friendly event and no ticket is necessary. The tree-lighting event takes place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pell Gardens is located at 98 Bohemia Avenue in Chesapeake City.

Cecil County Christmas Parade

A day of Christmas celebration featuring marching bands, vintage and modified cars, commercial floats, equestrian and animal showcases, and so much more. The parade takes place on Main Street in North East from noon to 2 p.m. 

Holiday Port Deposit Candlelight Tour

Celebrate the season of giving at the Donaldson Brown Riverfront Event Center at 200 Mt Ararat Farm Road in Port Deposit. Bring your family and friends to share a meal which will include Sue’s famous cream of crab soup. Take a history tour through two floors of the stunning mansion while you enjoy the holiday décor. Candlelight Tour is open from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

Yuletide Festival and Holiday Marketplace

Get into the holiday spirit and shop for hand-crafted wreaths, decorations, and artisan gifts at the Friends of Mount Harmon’s Yuletide Festival & Holiday Marketplace. This festive holiday event on Dec. 7 and 8 features the famous Yuletide Decorations & Greens Sale, Yuletide Manor House Tours, Holiday Artisan Marketplace in Carriage House Visitor Center, Hearth Cooking Demonstrations & Wassail in the colonial kitchen, Colonial Reenactors, and Live Tree & Plant Sale. The Mount Harmon Plantation is located at 600 Mount Harmon Road in Earleville.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast

The Milburn Stone Theatre brings one of the biggest shows in its thirty-plus year history, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, back to the main stage. The enchanting and timeless musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast once again will dazzle the Milburn Stone Theatre stage. This magical tale of love and redemption comes to life in a spectacular fashion through an Oscar-winning and Tony Award-nominated score. Performances take place on December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 with the Friday evening performances starting at 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday matinees starting at 2 p.m.

Christmas at Milburn Orchards

The Milburn Orchards Farm Market and Big Backyard will be open to help spread some holiday cheer with special December hours. On Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a chance for guests to visit with Santa in the Farm Market.

There is no charge to visit with Santa. Bring your camera, and take as many photos as you want. Many folks find that there is something very special about visiting the farm at Christmas time. The big Backyard is open for farm fun and the Barnyard Buddies love to have the visitors. Make holiday memories with a day of fresh air on the farm. Pay admission inside the Farm Market.

Old Fashioned Christmas

Downtown Elkton celebrates an Old Fashioned Christmas on Dec. 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Join the community and visitors downtown for complimentary carriage rides, hot cocoa, music, and more. Information is available at  https://www.elktonalliance.org/events.

New Year’s Eve Gala

Ring in 2025 at Bohemia Manor Farm with the New Year's Eve Gala celebration from 8 p.m. to midnight. Enjoy an elegant evening with a top-shelf open bar from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., followed by a cash bar until midnight. Savor heavy hors d'oeuvres featuring Chesapeake favorites like oysters, shrimp cocktail, and more. Dance the night away with music from a DJ, and toast the new year with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine at midnight. Bohemia Manor Farm is located at 237 Bohemia Manor Farm Lane in Chesapeake City.

The Cecil County Tourism page on the county website at www.ccgov.org has a calendar of many exciting events, activities, and attractions. Visit the page for more information about events that you can enjoy while in Cecil County.