Winter Lights, Cecil Nights 2025

The 5th annual “Winter Lights~ Cecil Nights” is from January 6 – February 28, 2025. The town of North East, MD is proudly participating again in this campaign to support our Main Street shops and restaurants and chamber members during the tough winter months of January and February. We’re lighting up the town, lift community spirits, and create compelling reasons for folks to come to North East, MD in winter!

Events Coming Up on Main Street:

North East area events happening:

Chilly Weather Dishes

  • Bella Pizza – Homemade Pasta Fagioli Soup, Italian Wedding Soup, Homemade Lasagna, Bella Famous Chicken Parm Pasta
  • Forge Southern Comfort – Red Pepper Cream of Crab Soup, Shrimp & Grits, Third Way Farm Meatloaf, Forge Smoked Ribs, Sweet Potato Cheesecake, Crème Brulee
  • Leo’s Smash Burgers & Dogs (Take Out) – PB&J Burger, Leo’s Dog with Chili & Cheese Hand Spun Milkshakes
  • Pier One Restaurant – Turkey Noodle Soup, Italian Sausage Sub, Mini Vinny Crab Balls, Fresh Baked Turkey & Stuffing
  • Snatcher’s Creekside – Cream of Crab Soup, Crab Imperial Dip and Crackers, Crab Pretzel, Smothered Chicken, Prime Rib
  • Steak and Main – Baked French Onion Soup, Cream of Crab and Asparagus Soup, Filet Mignon Meatloaf, Steakhouse Pit Beef & Fries, Molten Lava Chocolate Cake
  • North East VFW Post #6027 – Appetizer Sampler – Tenders, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, breaded mushrooms, french fries, jalapeno poppers; eat in or take-out
  • Woody’s Crab House – Crab Bisque, and Crab Cakes – Dinner, Sandwich, or Woody Melt Fan favorite Sides – Twice Baked Potato, Old Bay Mac & Cheese
  • Woody’s Tacos & Tequila – Fajitas (Portabella & Oyster Mushroom; Shrimp & Chicken; and more!) Del Mar Seafood Enchiladas
  • Chesapeake Bay Coffee Company – Warm breakfast sandwiches, seasonal donuts, Cannoli’s Theme Lattes – Black Beard, Davy Jones, and Treasure Chest

Thank you Event Sponsors!

This event is part of the Winter Lights, Cecil Nights festival happening throughout Cecil County in January and February 2025. These WLCN events are made possible with a grant provided by the Upper Shore Regional Counsel and Cecil County Tourism. The North East specific events are made possible by the North East Chamber, Town of North East, and AUI Power. View ALL of the Cecil County the events, click here.

Message to Main Street Businesses…

Happy 2025!!!  The NECOC is kicking off the new year with a bang! We have a full line-up of Winter Nights, Cecil Lights events coming up, that will surely amp up commerce in our North East shops and restaurants. 

Our theme this year is “Glow” So, take down your holiday reds and greens and decorate using bright blues, purples, silver, and white lights! Think Mardi Gras! Also please add in snowflakes and snowy winter trees. Make it glow!!! Any business that decorates will automatically be entered to win a free NECOC 2025 membership! The winner will be announced at our 1st Annual Winter Glow Party and Dance at the VFW on Friday, February 28th from 7-11 pm.

Following (and with links above) are the planned activities and events. We sure hope that everyone will join in and make this a successful first quarter.

  • Thirsty Thursday’s. Woody’s, Taco & Tequilas, Pier One, Snatchers and the VFW will be featuring a Specialty Glow in the Dark Cocktail each Thursday. We are providing the specialty glowing ice cubes to each of these restaurants! It should prove to be some “glowingful” fun!
  • Hot Chocolate Sunday’s Anyone can participate! Just serve up some hot chocolate and warm your customers hearts. It’s even better served in a NECOC Insulated Tumbler! Our Tumblers are available for purchase at Kathy’s Corner Shop, Silver and Sassy and The Twisted Vine. They are 40 oz. tumblers for only $24. If anyone is interested in selling these in their establishment, just email Kathy Jamison at silverandsassy@verizon.net This is a fundraiser for the chamber, your participation would be so appreciated!
  • Hot Chocolate Social on the Green featuring Hot Chocolate from Chesapeake Bay Coffee Co., Happy Piped Party Music, Leo’s Smashburger and Hot Dog Cart, Les Petit Bisous Dessert Truck, Firepits, Creative Achievers Family Activities, and Plush Snowball Cornhole Board Play on “The Green” The date is Saturday, January 25th, 2-4pm.  We are asking that you participate by having shop and restaurant specials. Please email your specials to silverandsassy@verizon.net ASAP so that we can get your info out there!
  • Winter Bash & Glow Party Dance at the VFW.  Come break up the winter blues with some fun! The band Northeast River Rocks will be helping us party the night away. The charge for this event will be $15 each or 2 for $25.You can register and pay on our website.  The date will be Friday, February 28th from 7pm-11pm. Party food included! Cash Bar, 50/50 contest We will feature black lights, strobes and glow sticks at the dance party! We are hoping to make this an annual event!

There will also be Hay Wagon rides throughout January and February, Horse and Carriage rides on Valentine’s , our annual Sweethearts on Main contest, Full Moon Hikes at The Turkey Point Lighthouse, and a Winter themed coloring contest at the North East Library. Further details of all will be available in our newsletters, on our Facebook and on our website. Keep an eye out!!!

If you wish to further participate in any of our activities or have any comments or ideas, please let me know!! Let’s make 2025 Our Best Year in North East, MD!

Kathy Jamison
President of The North East Chamber of Commerce
silverandsassy@verizon.net