Built the day after Thanksgiving, the bushel basket tree in Cambridge, at the corner of Race and Gay streets, will also ring in the New Year with a family friendly crab basket drop on the Dec. 31, usually around 9 p.m. (Photo courtesy Cambridge Main Street/Downtown Cambridge)

Hallmark movies always feature a picturesque town strung with Christmas lights, but even with all their television glamour, they don’t hold a candle to a charming and crabby Eastern Shore Christmas!
From crab pot trees to bushel baskets to PVC trees — Maryland lights up for the holidays like no other.
This holiday season, bundle up and take a stroll after shopping or dining to take in the unique festive atmospheres all over the Shore.
One spot to visit is the cluster of bushel basket trees in front of the Fisherman’s Crab Deck in the Kent Narrows of Grasonville.
The trees feature painted bushel baskets that have been purchased and painted by community members and local organizations and businesses to create a work of art.
Now in its seventh year, the fundraiser for the Queen Anne’s County’s Watermen’s Association has quickly gained popularity, reaching 300 baskets.
Want to be a part of the festivities but a little intimidated? L&M Design Studio will be holding a workshop at the Grasonville VFW on Tuesday, Nov. 17 where you can purchase a basket and decorate it there with all the supplies!
Or design and paint on your own — the baskets are due back the week before Thanksgiving.
The official Crab Basket Tree Lighting and Vendor Fair will be Saturday December 5th.
Talbot County Waterman’s Association has bushel basket trees on both Tilghman Island and Talbot Street in St. Michael’s, benefiting the Aaron Correa Memorial Fund for watermen in need due to injury or illness.
Check out the small town fun festivities of “Christmas in St. Michaels” from Dec. 10-13, featuring a jolly boat parade on the 12th at 6PM that will wind through the Miles River, to Fogg’s Cove, through the harbor and back to the Miles River.
Even if you aren’t much of a night owl, the bushel basket trees are as fun to see during the day as the evening, and you’ll see lots of local names, workboats and local lore featured.
Down the road a bit, Oxford Business Association heads up “Christmas on the Creek,” with more than 70 lit Christmas “trees” on the docks along Trippe Creek.
Volunteers assemble the structures, with 10 foot high PVC pipes and strings of white lights to give off the perfect nautical Christmas feel. For the best views during the lighting ceremony at sunset, try Cutts & Case Shipyard and Campbell’s Town Creek Boatyard.
Later in the evening, the Oxford Bellevue Ferry will be lit up for the holidays, with Santa Claus himself turning on the twinkle.
Head to Oxford earlier in the day and peek at the holiday trains and “Grammy’s Nutcrackers” exhibits at the Oxford Museum. Follow the Port of Oxford website for final information on the tree lighting and other festivities from Dec. 4 through Jan. 9.
The bushel basket tree in Cambridge at the corner of Race and Gay street isn’t painted, but the 20 foot high beauty is festive just the same with lights and buoys.
Built the day after Thanksgiving, it’ll also ring in the New Year with a family friendly crab basket drop on the Dec. 31, usually around 9 p.m.
Rock Hall’s bushel basket tree on Main Street will be lit on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m., complete with a crab in lieu of an angel on top, benefiting Rock Hall Parks & Recreation. Santa will also visit by boat at the public bulkhead.
Nearby, catch Chestertown’s Dickens of a Christmas on Dec. 4-5 which will be more olde town London than Eastern Shore, but delightful all the same.
Up for a mini but still in Maryland adventure?
Head up north to Chesapeake City for its crab pot tree, lit up in green with a star on top.
Their boat parade will take place on December 5th, while the Poplar Hall Christmas Parade of Horses and Market is on De. 12.
Crisfield also has excellent eats and a crab pot tree at the city parking lot.
On the Eastern Shore, getting crabby at Christmastime carries its own meaning.