A Bel Air Holiday Tradition

For generations, families throughout Harford County have kicked off the Christmas season with a visit to the Bel Air Lions Club Christmas Tree Lot — our biggest fundraiser of the year! Every tree purchased helps fund the Lions Club’s programs right here in our community, supporting vision care, youth initiatives, local nonprofits, and much more.

Each year, we sell approximately 1,000 premium-quality trees, helping families bring the scent and spirit of the holidays home while supporting a great cause.

A Big Thank You!

A big thank you to the high school students, the Bel Air Explorers, the scouts and other volunteers for coming out to help unload the trucks bring the Christmas Trees to Bel Air!

Get into the Christmas spirit with a trip through the magical and unique train garden designed especially for Bel Air! The garden features a lighted Christmas train, ice skaters, and plenty of town and countryside scenes that are sure to delight people of every age!  Admission is free. The train garden will be open starting the Friday after Thanksgiving during the following hours:

November 28 @ 5-9pm

November 29 @ 2-9pm

December 5 @ 5-9pm

December 6 @ 2-9pm

December 7 @ 3-9pm – Mt. Ararat Lodge will hold an official holiday lodge lighting at 6 pm. Following the lighting, Santa will be available in the lodge room, where children can sit with Santa and have pictures taken with him. Each child can also choose a FREE toy. This event is open to the public and free to attend. At the Christmas Train Garden, cookies, popcorn, & hot chocolate will be served.

December 12 @ 5-9pm

December 13 @ 2-9pm

December 19 @ 5-9pm

December 20 @ 2-9pm

Special thanks to volunteer and town resident, Joe Bragg, and his team of volunteers for bringing this amazing display to life for our community.

Ballet Chesapeake has developed a sensory-friendly Nutcracker Program for preschool children held at the Bel Air Armory in December. 

Ballet Chesapeake invites children, ages 2 through 6, from Harford County Preschools, childcare facilities, and Kindergarten programs to attend an age-appropriate performance that introduces children to the magic of live theater. 

This show includes excerpts from the Nutcracker ballet, performed as a narrator explaining the story of Clara and her magical toy. After the performance, costumed dancers lead the children to a decorated Tea Party area for refreshments.

Sponsored in part by the Bel Air Cultural Arts Commission.

The Society’s annual Candlelight Christmas Tour returns with docent Julie Brasch. Participants will enjoy Christmas stories of days gone by, caroling, delicious treats, and much more. Tours will begin on Friday, November 28, and run every Friday and Saturday until December 26.

Nighttime Walking Tours are weather-dependent. If the outdoor temperature at 6 pm is below 32°F, the event will be moved indoors to the Hays House Museum for a virtual tour and celebration.

Tickets are $20 and non-refundable unless the Historical Society cancels the tour. Tickets are limited and must be purchased online at least 24 hours before the tours at www.harfordhistory.org. 

Tours start at the corner of Main and Fulford St., 221 S Main Street at M&T Bank.

The Belle Aire Holiday Market is an open-air, holiday-themed artisan market that is an extension of our Belle Aire Market series! The Belle Aire Holiday Market is held on the 4 Saturdays from after Thanksgiving to before Christmas at 121 S Main St in Downtown Bel Air from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Featured at the market are dozens of unique artisan vendors selling everything from home decor to jewelry and body care products and more! After you’ve shopped with us, make sure to check out the rest of downtown’s shops and restaurants – Shop Small this holiday season (and all year round!).

The Belle Aire Holiday Market is a rain or shine event. The only circumstances which will lead to cancellation are those that are severe and/or life threatening weather conditions that may jeopardize our vendors and patrons; a decision to cancel will be made as far in advance as possible. In that case, the Bel Air Downtown Alliance will post a message to their website and Facebook and Instagram pages.

A Bel Air Holiday Tradition

For generations, families throughout Harford County have kicked off the Christmas season with a visit to the Bel Air Lions Club Christmas Tree Lot — our biggest fundraiser of the year! Every tree purchased helps fund the Lions Club’s programs right here in our community, supporting vision care, youth initiatives, local nonprofits, and much more.

Each year, we sell approximately 1,000 premium-quality trees, helping families bring the scent and spirit of the holidays home while supporting a great cause.

A Big Thank You!

A big thank you to the high school students, the Bel Air Explorers, the scouts and other volunteers for coming out to help unload the trucks bring the Christmas Trees to Bel Air!

Visit the Liriodendron Mansion from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday, December 6, 2025 for a beloved holiday tradition!

Tour our beautifully decorated historic mansion and enjoy holiday favorites including:

• • Art and craft vendors selling one-of-a-kind gifts and decorations

• • Greenery and arrangements for purchase

• • Live music throughout the day

• • Special holiday decor by Blush Floral Design Studio

• • Refreshments for sale from 1120 Espresso and Waffle Bar

• • Activities for kids

• • Visits with Santa

• • A holiday raffle basked filled with lots of goodies (link to purchase entries coming soon)

And more!

$5 suggested donation per adult to benefit the non-profit Liriodendron Foundation

Please note: Due to the historic nature of our venue, our 2nd floor has limited accessibility.

11 am Concert

When: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Where: Bel Air High School, 100 Heighe Street, Bel Air, MD 21014

Cost: up to $20, or $0-$20

Contact: Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra www.ssorchestra.org

Ticket link: https://www.purplepass.com/ssoconcert2025120611am

Join the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra for a shortened family-friendly version of our annual holiday concert!

The SSO will premiere local composer Richard Maltz has composed ‘Dance of the Inflatables’ (picture a lawn full of Santas and the like). The concert will include popular Christmas and Chanukah tunes and, of course, audience participation and the usual fun and frolic!

Doors open at 10:15 p.m. for patrons to enjoy concessions from Coffee Coffee and shop with local artist and author vendors.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for college students and students 11-18. Children 10 and under are free but must have a ticket. Tickets are available at the door but are $5 more.

Bring your young ones to the Hays House Museum to enjoy holiday crafts, games, and holiday treats. A local storyteller will share a special holiday selection with attendees, bringing the Christmas spirit to life.

Tickets are nonrefundable unless the Historical Society cancels the program. Tickets are limited. Fee $ 7.50.