How is it possible that the Eastport Yacht Club’s Lights Parade was ranked ninth on USA Today’s annual list of best holiday parades?

Ninth? Bah, humbug. We was robbed!

There are a handful of parades around Maryland, and lots of them take place on the same day as the floating lights parade in Annapolis. They include the Great Lisbon Farmers Feed the Hungry Christmas Parade, which starts at noon; the Whobilation Christmas Parade and Celebration, which kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday in Arbutus, followed by Christmas in the Park in Perryville at 2:30 p.m. and even the Lighted Boat Parade in Solomons Island at 6 p.m.

But if you’re in Annapolis, none can compare to the annual flotilla of decorated boats glowing brightly 6-8 p.m. along Spa Creek and Ego Alley, the channel into City Dock. It even contributed to the city’s No. 15 ranking on Travel + Leisure’s list of 25 Best Christmas Towns in the U.S.

It’s so popular that after more than 40 years, it has its own poster contest.

This is the third year for the Eastport event on USA Today’s national ranking of parades. So, how did it fall from No. 4 in 2023 to the penultimate spot on the USA Today list? It’s chosen by vote, and it looks like somebody forgot to cast theirs.

Eastport was beaten by parades in New Orleans, Philadelphia and even Reston, Virginia. Reston!

The top of the list was America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, Michigan. It’s the third year in a row for that event, which takes place on Thanksgiving morning.

With December racing by, many holiday events are selling out. Check before you go. Here are some other great things to do in the coming week.

Waterfront market

Thursday-Sunday

Holiday markets are all the rage, but in Annapolis, only one stretches over four days. The Annapolis Holiday Market at City Dock will feature 120 artisans and vendors.

The market coincides with several other events, including the second week of late-night shopping during Midnight Madness and the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade. It starts at 4 p.m. Thursday, with the final day closing at 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

Navy holiday

8 p.m. Thursday

The Naval Academy Band performs its annual Holiday by the Bay concert at the Main Chapel, featuring an eclectic selection of traditional to modern favorites.

Driving onto the academy grounds requires a military ID or handicapped driver tag, but Gate 3 at Maryland Avenue will be open to pedestrians, 7-10 p.m. The chapel is a short walk through the gate. Shuttle service from Navy-Marine Corps Stadium will be provided from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Holiday Pops

7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday

Mezzo-Soprano Katherine Sanford Schrock returns to her hometown for a guest appearance at the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops concert.

The ASO will perform “The Nutcracker Suite Overture” by Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” and other classical, traditional and holiday classics.

Tickets are $66.75 to $87.75 for the Friday performance at Maryland Hall, $39.75 to $49.75 Saturday afternoon at Severna Park High School.

Handel this

Friday-Sunday

You’ve got three chances to hear the Annapolis Chorale Chamber Chorus, the Annapolis Chamber Orchestra and guest soloists perform Handel’s “Messiah” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church.

Performances in the historic church take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by at 3 p.m. matinee Sunday. General admission for adults is $50, with discounts for seniors, active duty military and students.

Happy Kwanzaa

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum.

The daylong event includes a sacred spaces art workshop led by Jabari Jefferson for a coming exhibit, a holiday market and a performance by Ni Dembaya African Drum & Dance Ensemble. Admission is free.

The big dance

Saturday-Dec. 22

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland is celebrating the 20th anniversary of founding artistic director Dianna Cuatto’s production of “The Nutcracker” with performances in Annapolis.

Performances begin at 7 p.m. Friday at Maryland Hall, followed by two matinees on Sunday. All three shows repeat the following weekend. Members of the audience can mingle with dancers and take photos at the Sugar Plum Party before each Sunday performance.

Tickets are $67.63, with discounts for seniors, military, students and children. A pass to stream the ballet at home is $36 per household.