The organizers of the beloved German Christmas Village at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor have secured permission to continue their festive tradition for an additional four years.
On Wednesday, Baltimore’s Board of Estimates granted approval for a modified licensing agreement with German American Marketing Inc., the company behind the annual Christmas market. This new agreement covers the period from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2029, encompassing the Christmas celebrations in 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Inspired by Nuremberg’s famed Christkindlmarkt, the Christmas Village in Baltimore has been a cherished holiday highlight on the West Shore of the Inner Harbor since its inception in 2019. The market typically runs from around Thanksgiving through the end of the holiday season. Visitors can explore a variety of vendor stalls, enjoy a grand ornament tent, ride a Ferris wheel and carousel, listen to live music, and indulge in traditional German cuisine.
The Department of Real Estate in Baltimore confirmed that, “The City and the Licensee, alongside the Department of Recreation and Parks, are eager to extend this partnership to continue hosting authentic German Christmas Market events in Baltimore.” This statement accompanied the request submitted to the Board of Estimates regarding the terms of the license amendment.
The original agreement between the city and German American Marketing permitted the organization to utilize a section of West Shore Park from November 11 to December 31, 2019, along with five options for renewal.
Although the market was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the licensing agreement has been extended five times since its return in 2021, encompassing the years 2021 through 2025, thus exhausting all previously approved renewal options. The only significant change to the license occurred in 2022 when city officials increased the security deposit from $10,000 to $15,000.
In its communication to the Board of Estimates, the Real Estate Department cautioned that the license agreement may require adjustments in light of the upcoming redevelopment of the Harborplace pavilions, situated just north of West Shore Park and the Baltimore Visitor Center.
MCB Real Estate has announced plans for a $900 million mixed-use development, which will replace the two pavilions at Pratt and Light streets with residential units, retail shops, dining options, office spaces, and public parks.
“The involved parties recognize that West Shore Park might be affected by the upcoming Harborplace redevelopment, anticipated to start as early as fall 2026,” the Real Estate Department reported. “The City reserves the right to relocate the Licensee to a different location at any point during the term to facilitate these developments.” All other terms and conditions from the previously established agreement will remain intact, they added.
