Bel Air Christmas Events 2026: Winter Wonderland, Markets & Santa

by Josh Tessier

Last updated: Oct. 22, 2026

Bel Air's 2026 holiday season starts with Winter Wonderland on Saturdays Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, plus holiday markets and Santa sightings around downtown, and it wraps up with the Christmas Parade on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3:30 p.m. Looking for just the parade? See my Bel Air Christmas Parade 2026: Time, Route, Tree Lighting & Parking.

Part of my 2026 guide to Christmas events in Harford County.

Harford County Courthouse on Main Street in downtown Bel Air, MD — *The Harford County Courthouse in downtown Bel Air. The Route 66 Band plays out front at 2:30 p.m. on parade day.*
Photo: “Bel Air Courthouse Historic District, Harford County” by Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped.

What is the Bel Air Christmas Parade schedule?

Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026 (details from the Bel Air Downtown Alliance):

2:30 p.m. Route 66 Band in front of the courthouse
3:30 p.m. Parade starts
4:15 p.m. Music, a bonfire, hot chocolate and food trucks in Shamrock Park
About 4:30-5 p.m. Tree lighting in Shamrock Park

Santa and Mrs. Claus come in at the end. Even the miniature horses dress up as reindeer.

The parade starts at Churchville Road (Route 22) and S. Main St., heads north on Main St., turns right on Lee St. and ends at Hickory Ave. Weekend parking is free, and streets on the route close for the parade. It is weather permitting and is not rescheduled if cancelled. For the full route, parking, Shamrock Park tree lighting and rain policy, see my Bel Air Christmas Parade 2026 guide.

Bel Air Christmas 2026 key dates, from Winter Wonderland on Nov. 28 to Noon Year's Eve on Dec. 31 — *Key dates as of Oct. 17, 2026. Times can change, so check before you go.*

Graphic: joshtalksharford.com. Background photo: "Bel Air Courthouse Historic District, Harford County" by Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped, text added.

When is Winter Wonderland in Bel Air 2026?

Three free Saturday nights downtown (Winter Wonderland details):

Sat., Nov. 28, 5-8 p.m. Opening night and Main Street lighting (the town calendar says 5-9 p.m.)
Sat., Dec. 5. Second Winter Wonderland night, plus a craft fair at the Armory
Sat., Dec. 12, 5-8 p.m. Last night

Heads up on Dec. 5: two sources list different times. The town's Arts & Entertainment District lists 5-8 p.m., with the craft fair at the Armory from 3-8 p.m. Bel Air Brief lists 2-8 p.m. for both. Check the Winter Wonderland Facebook page before you go. I'll update this once it's settled.

What to expect on opening night: free horse and carriage rides, train rides, Santa at Office and Main streets, carolers and a strolling princess. Carriage sign-ups open at 4 p.m. in front of the Bel Air Armory. It's first come, first served, so get there early.

The Winter Wonderland Train Garden has a new spot this year: the back room of the Tower at 29 S. Main St. Enter from Burns Alley.

The town says Winter Wonderland has over 100,000 lights on Main Street. The organizers say the lights stay on until Jan. 2 and the Train Garden runs through Dec. 20. Want more lights? See our list of more Harford County light displays.

Where can I shop local in Bel Air for the holidays?

Authors & Artists Holiday Gift Sale: Sat., Nov. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Bel Air Armory, 37 N. Main St. Free.
Small Business Saturday: Sat., Nov. 28, all day downtown.
Belle Aire Holiday Market: Saturdays Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, 9 a.m.-noon, 121 S. Main St. Free.
Bel Air Christkindl Markt: Sat., Dec. 5, noon-6 p.m., 2 S. Bond St.
Bel Air Farmers' Market winter market: Saturdays Nov. 28, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, 9 a.m.-noon, 2 S. Bond St. Local produce, baked goods, meats and gifts. Confirm before you go.
Liriodendron Holiday Open House: Sat., Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 502 W. Gordon St. Gift and greenery vendors, live music, kids' activities and Santa in a decorated historic mansion. Confirm before you go.
Winter Wonderland Craft Fair: Sat., Dec. 5, Bel Air Armory. (See the time note above.)

Where can I see Santa in Bel Air?

At Office and Main on Winter Wonderland opening night, Nov. 28, 5-8 p.m., at the Liriodendron Holiday Open House on Dec. 5, and at the end of the parade on Dec. 6. More spots across the county are in my Santa guide.

Mt. Ararat Lodge lighting (2025 date, 2026 not yet announced): In 2025, the Mt. Ararat Lodge Christmas Train Garden held its official lighting on Sun., Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. It was free, with Santa, a toy for each child and snacks. For 2026, the Winter Wonderland train garden is listed at the Tower, 29 S. Main St.

What does a Bel Air holiday weekend look like?

Here's how I'd do the first weekend in December:

Saturday, Dec. 5

Belle Aire Holiday Market or the Liriodendron open house in the morning
Christkindl Markt after lunch (noon-6)
Stay for the Winter Wonderland night. It makes a good date night too.

Sunday, Dec. 6

Get parked by 2:15 p.m.
Route 66 Band at 2:30, parade at 3:30
Walk to Shamrock Park for the bonfire and tree lighting

What about New Year's Eve in Bel Air?

Two free family countdowns on Thu., Dec. 31, 2026: the Noon Year's Eve at the Bel Air Library, 11:30 a.m.-noon, and the Harford County Running Club's NYE Gala & Run at Cedar Lane Park, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Both are posted only by their hosts, so confirm before you go. More in my New Year's Eve guide.

Why do these traditions matter?

The parade has run for over 30 years. It's one of the days you see the whole town on Main Street. If you're thinking about living in Bel Air, or nearby in Forest Hill or Fallston, this is a good weekend to visit. For more ideas, check out a local mom's guide to Harford County. Questions? Call or text me at (443) 617-2099.

FAQ

What time does the Bel Air Christmas Parade start in 2026?

3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6. The Route 66 Band plays at the courthouse at 2:30 p.m.

What is the Bel Air Christmas Parade route?

It starts at Churchville Road (Route 22) and S. Main St., goes north on Main St., turns right onto Lee St., and ends at Hickory Ave.

Where is the Bel Air tree lighting?

In Shamrock Park after the parade, around 4:30-5 p.m. Music, a bonfire and food trucks start there at 4:15 p.m.

What happens if it rains?

The parade is weather permitting. If it's cancelled, it is not rescheduled. The town announces a cancellation by noon that day.

Where do I park for the Bel Air parade?

Use town lots, the Bel Air Parking Garage on Hickory Ave., or streets off the route. Parking is free on weekends.

When is Winter Wonderland in Bel Air 2026?

Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12. Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 run 5-8 p.m. Dec. 5 times differ between sources, so check before you go. The organizers say the lights stay on until Jan. 2.