Poplar Hall's Christmas Market and Parade of Horses

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Chesapeake City, Maryland! Shops all along Bohemia Avenue are trimmed in red and green decorations, ready for holiday shoppers. The twinkling lights that adorn trees and buildings along the canal reflect and shimmer off the water. And where else but Maryland would you expect to see a giant Christmas tree made of crab traps? Our Victorian town is charming any time of year, but stay with us at the Inn at the Canal in December to see how merry and magical it can be!

One of Chesapeake City's star attractions during the holiday season is the Poplar Hall Christmas Market and Parade of Horses, set for Saturday, December 10, 2022. Artisans selling handcrafted wares, Christmas performances, festive food from Chesapeake restaurants – all ushered in by a grand Parade of Horses! It's an Old World Christmas experience that you'll want to make an annual tradition.

This spectacular event got its start six years ago at Poplar Hall, an 18th century Georgian home and farm in Newark, Delaware – just 10 minutes from the Inn at the Canal. Built by a wealthy land-owning family in the 1780s, it's now owned by Greg and Dawn Shelton. The Sheltons held the first Christmas Market on the grounds of Poplar Hall in 2016. It was such a huge hit that it quickly outgrew the venue. In 2018, the market was moved here to Chesapeake City, Greg Shelton's hometown.

Pell Gardens is now the home of the Christmas Market, which draws thousands of visitors each year. Everything at the market is handmade by skilled artisans, who are on site to talk about and occasionally demonstrate their craft. Holiday shoppers can purchase one-of-a-kind handmade gifts from more than 30 artisan vendors – everything from hand-carved Christmas figurines and hand-blown glass ornaments to soaps and lotions, jewelry, and more. At the Food Court, indulge in some chef-made market fare featuring delicious creations from local restaurants. Grab a beer, wine or cider to enjoy as you walk around and shop. And don't miss the special musical performances on Pell Garden's main stage.

Preceding the market is the Christmas Parade of Horses, which was first added to the event in 2021 to celebrate Chesapeake City's equine heritage. A Highland bagpiper will lead the parade, followed by mounted police units, horse rescue organizations, fox hunting teams, horse-drawn carriages and more on a grand promenade through town. This year's special parade guest will be Olympic and Pan American Games medalist Phillip Dutton, one of the most accomplished American equestrians of all time.

Book your stay at the historic Inn at the Canal and come experience this Old World holiday atmosphere that harkens back to simpler times. It's such a special event that Food and Wine magazine rated it as one of the Top 50 Christmas Markets in America. Check it out for yourself and see if you agree!