Berlin Rings in the Holidays with Festive Events
Berlin is embracing the holiday spirit with a flurry of events throughout December, offering something for everyone to enjoy. From the twinkling lights of horse-drawn carriages to the glow of a giant menorah, the town is transforming into a winter wonderland.
Hanukkah Celebration Lights Up the Night
For the second consecutive year, Berlin is hosting a unique Hanukkah celebration. On December 31, The Inn Berlin will be the site of a festive menorah lighting ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. Chabad of the Eastern Shore generously provided the menorah, while Temple Bat Yam is supplying dreidels for the occasion. The Inn Berlin, known for its warm hospitality, will be serving up delicious potato latkes and gluten-free donuts to guests.
“After last year, we had so many people say they had never experienced something like [the menorah lighting] before and what a wonderful celebration and they didn’t know the story of the holiday,” said Ivy Wells, the Berlin Economic and Community Development Director. “It’s a history lesson, and people really enjoyed learning about the culture of what Hanukkah is… there will be a giant menorah, and the entire community is invited.”
The Hanukkah celebration coincides with the town’s annual New Year’s Eve bash. Families can enjoy the festivities from 5 p.m. onwards, with Radio Ocean City keeping the energy high and games for kids adding to the fun. A special ball drop at 6 p.m. will mark the arrival of the New Year in Berlin, Germany, according to the town’s website.
A Tradition Returns: Holiday Carriage Rides Through Historic Downtown
Returning for its eleventh year, the popular tradition of holiday carriage rides provides a charming way to experience Berlin’s historic downtown. Visitors and residents can climb aboard the festively adorned carriages every weekend in December from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting on Saturday, December 7th, continuing through Sunday the 8th, the 15th, Friday the 20th, Saturday the 21st, and concluding on Sunday the 22nd.
Randy Davis, owner and operator of the carriage rides, partners with the town to provide this cherished experience. Davis is committed to using rescue horses for the rides, adding an extra touch of warmth to the tradition.
“Everyone looks forward to coming to Berlin during the holidays,” Wells said. “We are a historic town, and the carriage rides add to the magic and the allure of being in a small town.”
The five-to-ten-minute rides, which can accommodate several passengers at a time, wind through the heart of downtown, allowing riders to soak in the holiday ambiance.
Those wishing to hop on a carriage can find the pickup location on Pitt Street next to Pitt Street Treasurers.
“Just come to the location and get in line, and the line moves accordingly,”Wells said.
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## Lighting Up Berlin: A Conversation about Hanukkah Celebrations
**Interviewer:** Ivy, it’s wonderful to have you share about the upcoming Hanukkah celebration in Berlin. This is the second year you’ve hosted this event; what inspired its creation?
**Ivy Wells:** Thanks for having me! Last year’s celebration was such a success, it really showed us the need for more culturally diverse events in our town. [[It wasn’t hard to see how many people]] [[had never experienced something like the menorah lighting before]] [[and what a wonderful celebration it was]]. Everyone loved learning about the history and culture behind Hanukkah, and that’s what we hope to achieve again this year.
**Interviewer:** That’s fantastic! Can you tell us a bit more about what attendees can expect?
**Ivy Wells:** Absolutely! We’ll have a beautiful giant menorah provided by Chabad of the Eastern Shore, and Temple Bat Yam has generously donated dreidels. Of course, no Hanukkah celebration is complete without delicious treats, so The Inn Berlin will be serving their famous potato latkes and gluten-free donuts.
**Interviewer:** This sounds like a truly inclusive and festive event.
**Ivy Wells:** Definitely!
Our goal is to create a welcoming space for everyone in the community to come together and experience the joy of Hanukkah.
**Interviewer:** We wish you all the best for a successful and illuminating Hanukkah celebration!
**Ivy Wells:** Thank you! We hope to see everyone there.
