The holiday season is alive and well in downtown Easton! Throughout November and December, downtown will be filled with festive fun for the entire family.

It all starts November 30th with Shop Small Saturday kicking off the holidays. Downtown businesses will showcase the latest styles and gifts for the season. Shop Small Saturday remains the perfect time to find fantastic presents while supporting locally owned businesses that make the community unique and special.

Easton Utilities will bring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’s phone booth and Santa Claus back to the Talbot Town Shopping Center from November 29th through December 24th. Young ones can share their Christmas wish list with Rudolph by phone and take a picture with the Jolly man himself.

Make room on your calendar for the Festival of Trees and Carols by Candlelight, which also begins November 30th. Magnificent, decorated Christmas trees with the theme “Holiday Traditions” will be displayed at the historic Tidewater Inn on 101 East Dover St. The trees are available for sale over Thanksgiving Weekend from November 30th to December 3rd and benefit Talbot Hospice.  The Carols by Candlelight celebration will be on South Harrison Street. Choral groups, choirs, and bell ringers will perform and all spectators will receive a complimentary candle and songbook. Enjoy hot cocoa and holiday treats provided by our local restaurants and stores. The celebration starts with Santa lighting a special Christmas tree.

Celebrate the Holidays with the Starlight Shopping Event in Downtown Easton on December 5th, 12th, and 19th! Easton’s downtown shops and restaurants will be open until 7 p.m. jam-packed with refreshments, snacks, and great holiday gifts to purchase. Enjoy live music, free carriage rides from Tanglao Carriage Drivers picking up at 11 S Harrison St, and a scrumptious gourmet hot cocoa trail to keep warm during shopping. Visitors who spend $50 in any business downtown during Starlight Shopping in December can receive a free signature Discover Easton Ornament with proof of purchase.

For All Seasons will once again host their Holiday Village with Frosty the Snowman event at Anchor Church (620 Goldsborough Street) on December 6th, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Stroll through their holiday village and enjoy free family activities, including professional photos with Frosty and friends, holiday crafts, complimentary cocoa, cider, and winter treats, and a continuous showing of Frosty’s Winter Wonderland on the big screen.

Bluepoint Hospitality’s Holiday market returns to the historic Ebenezer Theater from December 6th to December 24th. Visitors can expect a curated selection of holiday essentials for gifting and entertaining, from ornaments to fine wine, as well as complimentary photos with Santa on December 7th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Bluepoint will also host a free screening of the animated Christmas adventure The Polar Express on Sunday, December 8th at the Ebenezer at noon.

Easton Choral Arts will present Gloria! On Friday, December 6th, at 7:30 p.m. and December 8th, at 4:00 p.m. This concert will radiate the joy and splendor of the Christmas season. At the heart of this program is Vivaldi’s iconic Gloria, a timeless masterpiece that has warmed the hearts of countless audiences for centuries.

Easton’s annual Holiday Parade will take place on December 7th and kick off with a visit from Mr and Mrs. Claus at 5:30 p.m. at Thompson Park, followed by the yearly tree lighting at 6 p.m.  Get a picture with the jolly couple before they rush downtown to headline the parade at 6:30 p.m. The parade route begins at Talbot Town, heads south on Harrison Street, turns onto South Street, then heads north on Washington Street, and ends at Talbot Town. With over 65 vehicles, marching bands, and floats, this parade will surely showcase the very best of Easton during the Holiday season.

Delight in a Breakfast with Santa, a buffet tailored for children and their parents at the Tidewater Inn on December 8th at 9 a.m. The buffet will offer favorites like omelets, a waffle station, eggs benedict, as well as Bloody Marys and Mimosas for adults. Buddy the Elf will also make an appearance as the Master of Ceremonies. The Tidewater will also host their second annual Gingerbread Challenge on December 12th. It will be an evening of spirited competition, delectable treats, and the chance to claim the sweet champion title.

The classic musical The Sound of Music will be at the Avalon Theatre starting December 12th and running until December 22nd. A community experience wrapped up in a holiday celebration with a score of unforgettable songs, The Sound of Music promises to delight audiences of all ages!

Tom Maglio, the Marketing and Events Manager at Easton Economic Development Corporation, expressed his excitement for Easton’s festive happenings, “Downtown Easton is always beautiful, but this holiday season so many people are coming together to make downtown into a perfect backdrop to make memories. We have some truly spectacular restaurants and unique and plentiful local shops, all set to a picturesque backdrop to create the sort of experience those perfect holiday memories are made of.”

For more information on all these great downtown Easton holiday events, please visit our website www.DiscoverEaston.com and click on the Holiday in Easton tab.

Easton Economic Development Corporation was launched in 2013 to drive economic vitality, smart redevelopment, and business creation in the historic Town of Easton, Maryland, to foster a healthy quality of life for all generations. The Easton EDC works to catalyze Greater Easton’s continued prosperity as a diverse and healthy “smart town,” leading innovation where the land and water meet.

Join the holiday cheer downtown for the annual Easton Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 7th, at 6:30 pm. Enjoy over 60 decked-out vehicles, floats, and novelties ready to spread the festive spirit to all. Registration is open for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to sign up and join this well-loved community tradition. Registration will be open on September 16th and will remain open until October 17th.

The evening will begin with a visit from Santa at 5:30 pm in Thompson Park and the tree lighting at 6 pm. The parade will then start at 6:30 pm.  The parade route will run from Talbot Town, south on Harrison Street, loop on South Street, head north on Washington Street, and pass the panel of judges at the Talbot County Courthouse.  Entries will be judged on Best Nonprofit, Best Business, and Best Marching Band.

The Parade sign-up form will be online at discovereaston.com/christmas-in-easton/ on September 16th and close once capacity is reached. Late entries will be added to a waitlist. Please note that there will be limited capacity and parade registration always fills up long before the closing date.

For more information, email Lance Morris at [email protected].

About Easton Economic Development Corporation: 

Easton Economic Development Corporation was launched in 2013 to drive economic vitality, smart redevelopment, and business creation in the historic Town of Easton, Maryland, to foster a healthy quality of life for all generations. The Easton EDC works to catalyze Greater Easton’s continued prosperity as a diverse and healthy “smart town,” leading innovation where the land and water meet.

Easton Economic Development Corporation was launched in 2013 to drive economic vitality, smart redevelopment, and business creation in the historic Town of Easton, Maryland, to foster a healthy quality of life for all generations. The Easton EDC works to catalyze Greater Easton’s continued prosperity as a diverse and healthy “smart town,” leading innovation where the land and water meet.

Easton Economic Development Corporation (Easton EDC) has recently received funds from Project Restore to help with ongoing projects in downtown Easton. The funds originate from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, which awarded over $16.2 million to assist small businesses and support local revitalization projects on the Eastern Shore. The Grants from the Business Boost Microgrant Program, the Main Street Improvement Grant, and Project Restore 2.0 will facilitate community revitalization by attracting, retaining, and expanding small businesses, along with cultural attractions and events.

One of the local projects that will receive funding is Dover Station. The ongoing project involves revitalizing a former roofing supply center on Dover Street along the path of Rails-to-Trails. Dover Station is an exciting historical redevelopment in the heart of Easton. This local destination will feature a retail market showcasing a variety of local vendors, craftsmen, designers, and artists, all individually curated to provide a unique experience. The project is currently in phase one of planning and is a significant piece of the East End Small Area Plan for Easton.

Another project that will receive funding will be the future installation of a museum/visitor center that will show and tell the history of Talbot County’s native son, Frederick Douglass. Dock Street Foundation will take the lead role in the management and operation of the center. In addition to rotating displays and exhibits, the space will house the Bear Me Into Freedom project, a Frederick Douglass photography and film initiative created by Jeff McGuiness. The center will be the first of its kind in Talbot County. The funds will help with renovating a former downtown department store into a future museum space.

Holly DeKarske, Executive Director of the Easton EDC, shared her excitement for the development of both ventures and the positive effect they will have on the community going forward “The Easton EDC is thrilled to have received a fully funded Project Restore award. We are excited for our developers and their projects, both of which will have huge impacts on the Main Street and Arts & Entertainment Districts of Easton and its residents.”

For more information, email Lance Morris at [email protected].

About Easton Economic Development Corporation:

Easton Economic Development Corporation was launched in 2013 to drive economic vitality, smart redevelopment, and business creation in the historic Town of Easton, Maryland, to foster a healthy quality of life for all generations. The Easton EDC works to catalyze Greater Easton’s continued prosperity as a diverse and healthy “smart town,” leading innovation where the land and water meet.

Easton Economic Development’s new Marketing & Events Manager, Tom Maglio.

Easton Economic Development Corporation (Easton EDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Maglio as the Marketing & Events Manager for the Easton EDC. This position will combine the marketing and communication goals of the economic development organization that serves the greater Easton area and as well as tourism under the Discover Easton brand. Maglio will also help coordinate local events and festivals.

Maglio is a born and raised Marylander with a fifteen-year history of serving small towns in Delaware and Maryland with award-winning design and marketing strategies, dedicating his work to helping small communities grow and find success. He has created advertising and marketing for Kent Narrows Tourism, Dorchester Economic Development, Sussex County Tourism, and many others across Maryland. Maglio launched two successful regional magazines: Delaware Seaside Bride and Bay to the Beach. He has also helped organize and promote the Dover Comic Con.

Maglio’s newspaper background has given him a deep love of small, local communities and businesses. When asked about his new role, Maglio said, “I just want to keep supporting the communities I love through my expertise and skill set. I’m excited that through the Easton EDC, I’ll be able to devote myself completely to that one goal, that one mission, which has always been my North Star throughout my career.”

Maglio enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children when he’s not working. His hobbies include fitness, illustration, and tabletop games.

For more information, email Lance Morris at [email protected].

About Easton Economic Development Corporation:

Easton Economic Development Corporation was launched in 2013 to drive economic vitality, smart redevelopment, and business creation in the historic Town of Easton, Maryland, to foster a healthy quality of life for all generations. The Easton EDC works to catalyze Greater Easton’s continued prosperity as a diverse and healthy “smart town,” leading innovation where the land and water meet.

The Easton EDC, in partnership with the Town of Easton Department of Planning and Zoning, is launching a survey that is open to anyone who lives in Easton or Talbot County. The purpose of the survey is to provide input on a broader market assessment to identify opportunities and strategies for business retention and attraction. The assessment will also identify specific niches to create new business opportunities, especially in the areas of retail and entertainment.

The Town of Easton has served as a hub of commerce for the eastern shore for over 300 years. As we look to the future, we want to be sure that Easton is identifying the business opportunities in the most optimal locations to serve the current and future households of the town, the county, and beyond. The assessment will also guide land use decisions, objectives, and strategies for the Town’s ongoing East End Small Area Plan and the Dover Road Corridor, as well as the update to the Comprehensive Plan.

The survey is completely anonymous and we encourage everyone to participate. Please share the survey with your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors.  Anyone who lives in Easton or Talbot County and is willing to participate in the survey is welcome to do so as the more input received, the better and more likely the outcomes will represent the needs of our community.  The online survey can be accessed via this link: https://discovereaston.com/retail-market-survey/.

For more information or questions, please contact Holly DeKarske, 410.690.7348 or [email protected].

Get ready for the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in Easton, MD! This year, the focus is on people power! Join the Easton EDC and Talbot Thrive as we encourage everyone to come downtown and get moving. We are encouraging groups and individuals to join us on bicycles, skateboards and scooters! Let’s celebrate eco-friendly transportation! New this year, you can come as a team or join the giant Talbot Thrive group that will close out the parade. Participants are encouraged to wear green and distribute eco-friendly giveaways.

Following the parade, the annual Potato Race sponsored by the Talbot County Young Professionals and the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce is back! Register your team, get your team outfit ready, and join in the fun! There is a prize for the fastest and the most spirited – which one are you?

Date & Time
Sunday, March 17th, 5:30 PM

Registration Information
Parade and Potato Race entry forms can be found online. *Please note, there are no motorized floats, cars or golf carts this year. People power only!
https://discovereaston.com/st-patricks-day/.
*Space is limited so do not delay!

Special thanks to our presenting sponsors Preston Automotive Group/Bay Country Security/Safehouse LLC, Soistman Family Dentistry, Easton Utilities and the Town of Easton for helping to keep our events free of charge to the community.

The Easton EDC, in partnership with presenting sponsor Preston Automotive Group, is excited to announce the return of the two-day, spectacular family-friendly ice carving festival on Friday, February 16, 5:00 PM-9:00 PM & Saturday, February 17, 11:00 PM-9:00 PM, 2024. Larger-than-life sculptures made of solid ice will be on display throughout the historic downtown. Activities will include live demonstrations of ice carvings, live music, and a free outdoor ice skating rink sponsored in part by The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. Friday night will feature a Sizzling Sounds Pavilion on Harrison Street, kicking off the weekend with a lively performance from local favorite rock band, Less Than Zero! This year’s line-up also features Cascading Carlos, who will be juggling fire and other props Friday night and Saturday afternoon in Thompson Park.  There is no charge to enjoy the sculptures or enjoy the performances and all venues are accessible.

In conjunction with the festival, retailers and restaurants will be hosting a variety of tasting events, sales, and live music performances. A Fire & Ice Trail map featuring tasting spots for festival-themed food and spirits and noting location of the sculptures will be available. Don’t  miss the Ice Bar at Legal Assets, the Fire and Ice Lounge featuring What’s Up Media’s Ice Fireplace, and the Children’s Icehouse at the Talbot County Free Library sponsored by Soistman Family Dentistry.  Saturday will also feature the annual Stews & Brews event benefiting the Easton Firehouse. Maps will be available online at our festival website www.discovereaston.com/fireandice or picked up at the Easton Visitor’s Center, 11. S. Harrison Street, Easton MD.

Ice and Event partners are still needed! Sponsor an ice sculpture or other festival event feature today, interested parties please contact Deena Kilmon, Director of Strategic Initiatives, via email [email protected] or call 410-690-7348.

Chesapeake Fire & Ice is made possible by the generous support of signature sponsor Preston Automotive Group and Safehouse LLC, the Town of Easton, platinum sponsor Soistman Family Dentistry, The Town of Easton, and the Easton Economic Development Corporation.  For details on all of the activities, please visit: www.DiscoverEaston.com or email [email protected].  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or participating in this event, please contact [email protected].