🍦Where to get a real Christmas tree in Annapolis

Good morning, Annapolis. TIL a UK animal hospital called Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital (yes, really) received an “injured exotic bird” after good samaritans rescued him from the side of the highway. Turns out he wasn’t exotic at all and was merely a seagull who had somehow gotten completely covered in curry, which prevented him from flying. One very splashy bath later, he happily flew away.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins

Looking to make this holiday season unforgettable? Nemacolin, just a scenic 3-hour drive from Annapolis, invites you to experience the wonder of the Hardy Holiday Village – a festive celebration full of magic, lights, and joy for all ages.

Stroll through dazzling displays, enjoy seasonal treats, shop for unique gifts, and take part in cherished traditions like ice skating, carriage rides, and visits with Santa. Whether it’s a romantic winter getaway or a family weekend full of holiday cheer, Nemacolin delivers luxury, warmth, and memory-making moments at every turn.

Book your stay now and unwrap the magic of the Hardy Holiday Village.

Visit nemacolin.com to plan your holiday escape.

Because the best memories are made just a short drive away.

Sometimes, you just can’t beat the authenticity of a real evergreen tree in your living room for the holidays. The scent of cedar and pine? It’s every bit as festive as the scent of homemade gingerbread (okay, now we’re hungry). So if you’re in the market for a real Christmas tree and exploring all your options, here are some of our top recs (along with links to their Facebook pages or websites if they have them):

🌲 Hemlock Farm 31 Old South River Rd, Edgewater
🌲 Miles Tree Farms 2101 West St, Annapolis
🌲 Greenstreet Gardens 391 West Bay Front Road, Lothian
🌲 Diehl’s Produce 50 W McKinsey Rd, Severna Park
🌲 Homestead Gardens 743 West Central Ave, Davidsonville 522 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park
🌲 Earleigh Heights VFC 161 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park

And if you want to cut your own trees (yes, some of these are a little far away — but sometimes it’s worth the drive for the adventure of cutting your own tree):

🌲 Friendship Trees 6950 Old Solomons Island Rd, Friendship
🌲 Gunpowder Tree Farm 12025 Philadelphia Rd, Kingsville
🌲 Wolfe's Pine Valley Farms 1150 Fannie Dorsey Rd, Sykesville
🌲 Cawley Family Farm 24320 Willow Pond Rd, Denton

Before ending their previous terms, the Annapolis City Council approved a measure giving the next council, mayor, and city manager raises. Aldermen were previously paid $20,247 annually, and will now receive salaries of $32,000 per year.

Incoming Mayor Jared Littmann will receive $120,000 per year, compared to Gavin Buckley’s $98,000. And the new city manager will receive between $250,000 and $294,000, an increase of at least 25 percent from the previous salary of $200,630.

While these increases are significant, they’re in line with the pay rates of other comparable cities of similar jurisdictions. To read more, click here. ($)

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Annapolis real estate is keeping us on our toes. Hyatt Commercial just completed two notable Eastport sales: 130 Severn Avenue and 412–418 Sixth Street. The 130 Severn Avenue property, sold for $3.53M, is a 2013-built trophy mixed-use office and retail building designed by Hammond Wilson. It features 10,000 SF of office space, a 1,200 SF retail shop occupied by Annapolis Maritime Antiques, four balconies, parking, a loft with Spa Creek views, and LEED Silver certification.

Hyatt also brokered the $2.2M sale of 412–418 Sixth Street, a historic mixed-use property of ~6,195 SF with retail and residential units, modern renovations, B1 zoning, and a rare 20-space parking lot. The original structure dates back to 1916. Farmers Bank rebuilt the property within the last 30 years, with a full renovation in 2022.

For those curious about what’s happening to the tenants of both properties, you’re not alone. For the Severn Ave spot, an office user will move into the office building and Annapolis Maritime Antiques will remain. Nancy Hammond Editions is currently at 416 Sixth Street. An additional tenant is TBD.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

If you haven’t heard, there’s a super moon happening on Thursday evening, which means all week we’re going to be running around like headless chickens. Here’s where you’ll find us.

THURSDAY

DTA and Inner West Street | Midnight Madness | All of Annapolis will look like a Hallmark Movie trailer, albeit with alpacas. Just a quick reminder it’s not an invitation to reconnect with your high school crush. Leave the past in the past, baby.

FRIDAY

DTA | Learn to Decorate Cookies with HERE. | Their latest give-back event will teach you how to make your cookies look extraordinary, and less like a gingerbread homicide. 5 to 8 PM at 6 Fleet St. $10 suggested donation to support Bernie House.

Maryland Hall | A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Eric Byrd Trio | This season is all about nostalgia, and those first notes of Vince Guaraldi’s classic music always bring us back to our childhood. Get tickets now because a few of the shows are already sold out. Runs Friday and Saturday at 6 and 8 PM.

SATURDAY

Millersville | Jingle Bell Hayride | Kinder Farm Park has a fun hayride, Santa pics, and of course, drinks and snacks. 10 AM–1 PM.

Arts District | Chesapeake Light Craft Winter Open House | Free seminars and experts on-hand to help you get started in your next life as a wooden boatbuilder. 9 AM to 2 PM in their showroom at 1805 George Ave.

Crownsville | Holiday Paw-ty & Adoption Event | There is no better Christmas gift than a puppy, full stop. Noon to 3 PM.

West Annapolis | Annapolis Italian Christmas Market | Italians know how to live life to the fullest, and that includes their incredible celebrations. 10 AM–3 PM.

DTA | A Colonial Yuletide at the William Paca House | It’s the year 1775 and Christmas is coming to colonial Annapolis! Please don’t spoil the revolution for all the re-enactors who are still showing fealty to the king. 2 to 5 PM.

SUNDAY

Eastport | Eastport Holiday Market | Horn Point Marina and Oscar’s Coffee are celebrating the holiday with gifts and goodies from local artists, bakers, and merchants, along with hot drinks and delicious treats. Noon-4 PM.

Inner West St. | Chocolate Binge Festival | It’s a delicious festival with so many creative vendors, but it’s also a great opportunity to see all those friends who swear they don’t have a sweet tooth. 11 AM to 4 PM.

Severna Park | SPCC Holiday Market | It’s a superfun day of shopping with over 40 vendors and artisans. 1–5 PM

🎶 Arundel Vocal Arts Society presents A Winter Day Dec. 7 at 3 PM. Join this community choir for a festive winter concert featuring songs from around the world.

🩰 Ballet Theatre of Maryland presents The Nutcracker Dec. 13-21. Our state’s premier professional ballet company opens an all-new production of this holiday favorite.

👻 Colonial Players presents A Christmas Carol Dec. 3-14. This original musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens holiday tale is always hard to get tickets to, so don’t wait.

💐 Compass Rose Theater presents Pride and Prejudice Nov. 14-Dec. 14. Be among the first to see this new adaptation of the Jane Austen classic.

Kick off Midnight Madness with an Army–Navy–themed book signing at the Boatyard Bar & Grill on Thursday, December 4 from 5–6 PM. Annapolis author David Gendell and Rear Admiral Tom Lynch, USN (Ret.), former Navy football captain and 54th Superintendent of the Naval Academy, will sign copies of Battles at Annapolis, a new book exploring two Army–Navy games played at the Naval Academy (1893 and 1942). The book highlights how the games were scheduled, their impact on the academies and the sport, and the remarkable players — many of whom would soon serve in combat. It’s a perfect gift for sports fans and Navy supporters.

📍 400 Fourth St, Annapolis, MD 21403

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

The Board of Education will vote on the proposed 2026–2027 school calendar at its December 3 meeting at noon. Parents, it’s time to start color-coding like your lives depend on it. The recommended calendar starts school on August 19, 2026 (earlier than usual) and ends June 11, 2027, with possible inclement-weather adjustments. The Board will also vote on a charter agreement for New Village Academy and elect officers. The meeting will be held in the Parham Building (2644 Riva Rd) and broadcast on AACPS-TV and YouTube. Get the agenda and details for submitting public comment.

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40 🌡️ 41 | 🌧️ | 100% | 💨 N 10mph (9 knots)

42 🌡️ 32 | ☀️ | 5% | 💨 WNW 8 mph (7 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 47ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West | Unified Jazz Ensemble | 7:30–9:30 PM
Brian Boru | PJ & Neal's First Tuesday Hootenanny | 6–9 PM
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
The Point | Kavoossi | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Son Little w/ Candi Jenkins | 8 PM | Tickets

49 West | Dave Chappell & Friends | 5–7 PM
Brian Boru | Nikky Stacy | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
Pirates Cove | Loose Change | 6–9 PM
The Point | Aaron Hawkins | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Empty Pockets w/ Daphne Eckman | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Michael K. | 9 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Viands & Co | 9 PM

Men's Basketball (4-5)
12/3 @ Delaware State | 7 PM

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