Bowie Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony 2026

Free, no reservation required. Food trucks on site (purchase).

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About this adventure

Bowie's tree lighting has run for more than 50 years and fills a whole late afternoon at the Bowie Senior Center grounds. From 4 to 6:30 p.m. children can make a festive craft, two food trucks (Smash Up Burger and Stony Man Coffee) sell food and warm drinks, and at 5:30 p.m. the Bowie State University Music Department and the Greater Mount Nebo AME Church Youth Choir lead caroling. A community "snowball fight" starts at 6 p.m., the tree is lit at 7 p.m., and Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive afterward to meet children. The event is free and needs no reservation; the city asks families to bring non-perishable food donations for neighbors in need. Families with toddlers can come early for the craft and caroling; older kids will want to stay for the snowball fight and Santa.