New Vibes, MLK Service Day + Happy Holidays! 🎄

Happy Tuesday, Laurel! 👋

Merry Christmas week! As we gather with loved ones and celebrate the season, there's still plenty happening in our community—and exciting things on the horizon for 2026!

In today's edition, we're spotlighting a Laurel artist bringing the vibes, sharing important details about the City's Martin Luther King Day of Service event, and honoring the American Legion Post 60 Color Guard's appearance in the Military Bowl Parade. Plus, we've got 5 events happening THIS WEEK including Christmas Eve services and the Inaugural Kwanzaa Showcase!

And looking ahead? We've got 12 events lined up through February, from New Year's Eve celebrations to Valentine's brunches!

Let's dive in! 👇

Social media sensation Swisher3x made a special trip back to his hometown! The TikTok and Instagram star, who was born right here in Laurel, brought his signature positive energy to both the Laurel Walmart and Sam's Club, spreading smiles and good vibes throughout our community.

For those who haven't caught his content online, Swisher3x has built a massive following by creating uplifting, feel-good moments—dancing, engaging with people, and brightening everyone's day with pure positivity. His videos radiate joy, and when he brings that energy in person, it's something special.

And he chose to bring it here, to Laurel. The place where he started.

Seeing Swisher3x pop up at local stores to surprise shoppers and spread happiness is exactly the kind of positive representation our community deserves. He's using his platform and influence to make people smile, laugh, and feel good—and he's doing it in the town where his story began.

That hometown connection matters. It shows young people growing up in Laurel that success is possible, that you can build something meaningful, and that coming back to share it with your roots is something to be proud of.

Thank you for bringing the vibes back home, Swisher3x! Laurel appreciates you!

The City of Laurel is honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy with a community Day of Service! This is your opportunity to give back, serve your neighbors, and embody Dr. King's vision of beloved community through action.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not just a day off—it's a day ON. Dr. King believed that "everybody can be great, because everybody can serve." This annual Day of Service invites residents to put that philosophy into practice by volunteering on projects that strengthen our community.

Whether you're painting, cleaning, organizing donations, or helping neighbors in need, service projects bring people together across backgrounds and create tangible improvements in our city. It's hands-on community building at its finest.

Mark your calendars and plan to participate! Details about specific service projects, times, and how to sign up are available through the City of Laurel. Let's honor Dr. King's legacy by serving together!

Laurel pride will be on full display as the American Legion Post 60 Color Guard represents our community in the Military Bowl Parade on December 26th in Annapolis, honoring veterans and showcasing the dedication of our local veterans organization.

The Color Guard performs a solemn and important duty—presenting the colors with precision, respect, and reverence. Whether at parades, ceremonies, or community events, they remind us of the sacrifices made by those who served our nation in uniform.

American Legion Post 60 has been a cornerstone of Laurel's veteran community for decades, providing support, camaraderie, and service to those who served our country. Seeing them represent Laurel in the Military Bowl Parade fills us with pride.

To all the members of American Legion Post 60 and the Color Guard—thank you for your service, both in uniform and in our community. You make Laurel proud!

Powerful theater is heading to Laurel! Laurel Mill Playhouse will present "Save My Black Soul," a compelling production that promises to move audiences and spark important conversations.

Theater at its best challenges us, makes us think, and helps us see the world through different perspectives. Productions like this remind us why local theater matters—it brings stories to life right in our own backyard, performed by talented local actors, and gives us shared cultural experiences to discuss and reflect on together.

Laurel Mill Playhouse continues to bring quality theater to our community, offering everything from classic comedies to thought-provoking dramas. Support local arts by getting your tickets!

Calling all creative middle schoolers! A new program is offering Laurel students the chance to learn video production and storytelling fundamentals—skills that are increasingly valuable in today's media-driven world.

This hands-on program teaches kids how to craft compelling stories, shoot video, edit footage, and express their creativity through digital media. These aren't just fun skills—they're career-building skills that can open doors in journalism, filmmaking, marketing, and countless other fields.

Programs like this give young people tools to tell their own stories, amplify their voices, and see their community through a creative lens. If you have a middle schooler who loves creating content, this could be perfect for them!

Our community photo spotlight continues! Each edition, we feature a photo from a Laurel resident that captures the beauty and spirit of our town.

Connie captured a stunning moment of natural beauty right in her own front yard. The brilliant red cardinal against the ice-covered berries and blue winter sky—it's Maryland winter at its most beautiful. Sometimes the best moments happen when we take time to notice what's right in front of us. Thank you for pausing to capture this, Connie!

Want to be featured? Email your photos to [email protected] with the subject line "Show Us Your Laurel" and you might appear in an upcoming edition!

It's Christmas week, Laurel! A quieter calendar this week as families celebrate the holidays. Here's what's happening around Laurel THIS WEEK (December 23-29):

Lunch Social at the Cabana 📅 1:00 PM 📍 Greenview Drive Cabana, 14403 Greenview Dr, Laurel, MD | The City of Laurel kicks off Christmas Eve with a community lunch! Join neighbors for good food and fellowship before the evening celebrations begin. It's a casual, warm gathering for those looking to connect before the holiday festivities.

Christmas Eve Family Service at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 📅 4:00 PM 📍 Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 7607 Old Sandy Spring Rd, Laurel, MD | A Christmas Eve service designed for families! Holy Trinity Lutheran welcomes all ages for this special celebration of Christ's birth. Music, candlelight, and the Christmas story create a magical, meaningful evening for families to share together.

Christmas Eve Service at First Baptist Church of Laurel 📅 6:00 PM 📍 First Baptist Church of Laurel, 15000 First Baptist Ln, Laurel, MD | Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas at this special Christmas Eve service. Join the First Baptist Church community for worship, scripture, and the timeless story of hope, peace, and joy that Christmas brings.

Inaugural Kwanzaa Showcase 📅 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM📍 Carroll Baldwin Hall, 9035 Baltimore St, Savage, MD | Celebrate Kwanzaa at this inaugural community showcase! This event honors African American culture, heritage and the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Join the celebration with performances, vendors, food and community connection.

Modern Calligraphy for Beginners 📅 2:30 PM 📍 Ragamuffins Coffee House, 385 Main St, Laurel, MD | The holidays aren't over yet! Learn beautiful hand lettering at this beginner-friendly calligraphy class. Perfect for creating New Year's cards, thank-you notes, or just exploring a creative hobby during the holiday break. Coffee, creativity, and cozy vibes await!

Planning ahead for 2026? Here are 12 upcoming events through February—from New Year's celebrations to Valentine's brunches!

New Year's Eve Party at The Caribe 📅 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM 📍 The Caribe, 338 Main St, Laurel, MD | Ring in 2026 at The Caribe! Celebrate New Year's Eve with music, dancing, food, and festive fun. Toast to the new year with your Laurel community! 🎟️ Get tickets:

New Year's Day Free Ice Skating Session 📅 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM 📍 Gardens Ice House, 13800 Old Gunpowder Rd, Laurel, MD | Start the new year on ice! The Gardens Ice House offers a FREE skate session on New Year's Day. Whether you're an experienced skater or trying it for the first time, it's a fun, active way to kick off 2026. Skate rentals available. Bring the family and glide into the new year!

Teen Trip: Ice Skating at Colorburst Ice Rink (Columbia, MD) 📅 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM 📍 Departs from Robert J. DiPietro Community Center | More winter skating fun! Whether you're a pro or wobbling on your ankles, ice skating is pure winter joy. Bundle up and hit the ice at Colorburst Park!

Teen Trip: Lucky Stripes Bowling 📅 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM 📍 Departs from Robert J. DiPietro Community Center | Laurel Parks & Rec takes teens bowling! Strike up some fun with friends at Lucky Stripes. It's the perfect midweek activity to kick off the new year.

Teen Trip: UMD Wrestling 📅 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM 📍 Departs from Robert J. DiPietro Community Center | Catch UMD wrestling in action! Laurel teens can cheer on the Terps and experience the intensity of collegiate wrestling up close.

Teen Trip: UMD Women's Gymnastics 📅 4:30 PM to 9:15 PM 📍 Departs from Robert J. DiPietro Community Center | Watch incredible athletes flip, vault, and soar! UMD Women's Gymnastics puts on a spectacular show, and Laurel teens get front-row seats.

Teen Trip: Winter Hike 📅 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM 📍 Departs from Robert J. DiPietro Community Center | Get outside and enjoy winter nature! This guided hike lets teens explore the beauty of Maryland's winter landscapes with friends. Dress warm and bring your sense of adventure!

Free Friday Indoor Movie: Lilo & Stitch (2025) 📅 7:00 PM 📍 Partnership Hall, 811 5th St, Laurel, MD | Ohana means family! Enjoy a FREE screening of the new Lilo & Stitch movie. Perfect for families looking for a cozy Friday night activity.

Teen Trip: UMD Women's Basketball 📅 4:00 PM to 9:15 PM 📍 Departs from Robert J. DiPietro Community Center | Cheer on the Lady Terps! Laurel teens can watch UMD Women's Basketball and experience the energy of college hoops at its finest.

Adult Trip: Planet Word (18+) 📅 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM 📍 Departs from Robert J. DiPietro Community Center | Adults, take a field trip! Planet Word in DC is an interactive museum celebrating language, words, and communication. It's educational, entertaining, and perfect for word nerds of all kinds.

Family Valentine's Day Brunch 📅 9:00 AM 📍 The Mansion at Laurel, 13910 Laurel Lakes Ave, Laurel, MD | Celebrate love with the whole family! This special Valentine's brunch lets families share a delicious meal together before Valentine's Day. Reservations required! 💕

The Heart of Black Excellence: Honoring HBCUs Then & Now 📅 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 📍 Laurel Branch Library, 507 7th St, Laurel, MD | Celebrate the legacy and ongoing impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities! This special event honors HBCU excellence, culture, and contribution to education, leadership, and Black achievement in America.

Thanks for reading this week’s edition. As we celebrate Christmas and prepare to welcome 2026, we're grateful for this incredible community and for YOU—our readers who care about what's happening in Laurel.

From everyone at I LOVE LAUREL, we wish you a Merry Christmas, a joyful holiday season, and a Happy New Year! 🎄

We'll see you in 2026! Our next edition arrives on December 30th with a look back at 2025 and everything coming in the new year.

Got an event, story tip, or business we should feature? Just hit reply—I read every response.

See you next week!

— Mike Mondy
Founder, I❤️LAUREL

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