UP to SPEED
Feel the love tonight:
Experience the phenomenon of Disney’s The
Lion King. Marvel at the
breathtaking spectacle of
animals brought to life by
award-winning director
Julie Taymor, whose visual
images you’ll remember
forever. Thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African
Pridelands and an unforgettable score, including
Elton John and Tim Rice’s
Oscar-winning song “Can
You Feel The Love Tonight”
and “Circle of Life.” France-Merrick Performing Arts
Center, Baltimore. Dec. 7–
Jan 8. 410-547-SEAT;
800-551-SEAT; broadway
acrossamerica.com.
A monumental occasion: Baltimore’s aglow for
the holiday season with the
official lighting of the Washington Monument on the
first Thursday in December.
Enjoy featured entertainment, fireworks and refreshments. 600 N. Charles St.
Pre-event festivities begin
at 5: 30 p.m. with the official
ceremony at 7 p.m. Dec. 1.
promotionandarts.com.
New Year’s Eve Spectacular: Be a part of a giant
holiday celebration with a
night of music, the official
countdown to 2012 and an
amazing, colorful midnight
fireworks display. Dec. 31.
9 p.m.–12: 30 a.m. Baltimore
Inner Harbor.
For the Baltimore events, save 30 percent on the
best available coach rail fare for
one companion traveling with
a paid regular (full) fare adult.
Valid for travel on the Northeast
Regional service to Baltimore.
Valid for sale through Dec. 17,
and for travel through Dec. 20,
2011. Reservations are exclusively
available at Amtrak.com through
visitbaltimore.org/amtrak. See
page 127 for blackout dates and
other restrictions.
Eastport Yacht Club
Lights Parade: Every year
on the second Saturday in
December, magic happens
on the water of the Annapolis Harbor—boats suddenly
appear out of the cold wintry night, illuminated by
thousands of colorful lights.
Families and friends gather
at their favorite viewing
spots along the waterfront
to see this yearly spectacle
and to celebrate the holiday
season. The Eastport Yacht
Club Lights Parade is one of
Annapolis’ signature holiday
events. Dec. 10. 410-267-9549;
Eastportyc.org.
Tug o’ War:
Drawing on
a decades-
old
rivalry,
this
annual
charitable
event fea-
tures the lon-
gest tug-of-war
over a body of water in the
world, pitting downtown
Annapolitans against the
rebels of the mock-break-
away Maritime Republic
of Eastport. Dubbed the
“Slaughter across the
Water,” it features a 1,700-
foot rope, 450 tuggers and a
thousand spectators. Down-
town Eastport and Annapo-
lis are transformed into a
festival-like atmosphere
beginning at 11 a.m. Nov.
5. Eastport & Annapolis.
Themre.org.
For the Annapolis events, save 30 percent on the
best available coach rail fare for
one companion traveling with
a paid regular (full) fare adult.
Valid for travel on the Northeast
Regional service to (BWI) Baltimore Washington International rail
station only. Valid for sale through
Dec. 17, and for travel through Dec.
20, 2011. Reservations are exclusively available at Amtrak.com
through visitannapolisspecials/
amtrak/ index.aspx. See page
127 for blackout dates and other
restrictions.
MASSACHUSETTS
Fiber Festival: The Fiber
Festival of New England
features 250 exhibitors from
New England and beyond,
animals, hands-on work-
shops, shopping and much
more. Fun for the whole
family. West Spring-
field. Nov. 5–6.
Fiberfestival.org.
Fall Chrysanthemum
Show: Enjoy this festive
collection of brilliant mums
housed in the Botanic Gar-
den at Northampton’s Smith
College, Nov. 5–20. Nov. 4 at
7: 30 p.m., Paula Deitz, author
of Of Gardens: Selected Essays
lectures on campus. Smith
College, Northampton.
413-585-2740; smith.edu.
Old Deerfield Christmas Sampler: Exquisite
handcrafted items for sale
to enhance the home or
add to your holiday decorations. Paintings, ornaments,
accessories and more can
be found at this popular
craft fair held at Eastern
States Exposition in West
Springfield. Voted one of
“200 Best” by Sunshine Artist. Nov. 18–20. 413-774-7476;
deerfield-craft.org
For the Massachusetts events, save 20 percent
on the best available regular
(full) adult coach rail fare. Valid
for travel on the Northeast
Regional and Downeaster
service to all cities within Massachusetts. Note: Travel not
allowed to originate in Massachusetts. Valid for sale through
Dec. 12, and for travel through
Dec. 15, 2011. Reservations are
exclusively available at Amtrak.
com through bostonusa.com/rail.
See page 127 for blackout dates
and other restrictions.
NEW JERSEY
Christmas in the Bal-
lantine House: Step back
in time for a traditional
Victorian Christmas at the
Newark Museum’s annual
exhibition, “Christmas in the
Ballantine House: Feasting
with Family and Friends,” on
view through Dec. 31. Two
floors of the 1885 Ballantine
House, a restored National
Historic Landmark man-
sion and part of the Newark
kVANTIL/ FOTOLIA.COM
