The days between Christmas and New Year’s exist outside the normal rules of time, responsibility, and calorie counting. Alarms are ignored. Emails go unanswered. Leftovers become a food group. If you don’t know what day it is without checking your phone, you’re doing it right.
In Annapolis, this in-between week is practically an art form. The town slows down, the crowds thin out, and the only real goal is to enjoy yourself without trying too hard. From brunch and naps to fresh air, festive holdovers, and just enough going out to feel like a person, here’s a five-day guide to fully embracing the art of a lazy week.
Day One (Dec. 26): Ease Back In
The day after Christmas is not for alarms or ambition. It’s for sleeping in and grabbing brunch. Start your lazy week with a late-morning meal in Annapolis where someone else is doing the cooking. We recently wrote up a few recommendations for you to check out!
After brunch, take a gentle stroll through downtown. Wander past City Dock, pop into a few shops if the mood strikes, or just enjoy the quiet that settles over town this time of year. No need to overdo it.
Head home mid-afternoon for a proper nap while kids relax and dive into their new gifts. Dinner is easy: leftovers.
As evening falls, pile into the car and head to Lights on the Bay before it disappears for the season—an effortless, festive finale that feels special without requiring any extra effort.
Day Two (Dec. 27): Burn Energy & Treat Yo’ Self
Sleep in…again. This is a lazy week, after all. Cabin fever may start to whisper for the kids. Start the day by letting them burn off some energy at DodgeArrows, where friendly competition and fast-paced fun make for a surprisingly great reset for the whole family.
From there, head over to Annapolis Town Center to tackle returns, do a little browsing, or finally treat yourself to something you didn’t unwrap on Christmas morning. You earned it.
When hunger hits, grab a relaxed meal at Julep Kitchen & Bar and fill up on comfort food. No lazy day is complete without dessert, so make a stop at Always Ice Cream, because between Christmas and New Year’s, calories are still on holiday.
Finish the night bundled up at home with a movie, blankets, and absolutely nowhere to be.
Day Three (Dec. 28): Fresh Air & Festive Cheer
It’s time for another slow morning. Once everyone is up and properly bundled, head out for an easy walk at one of the area’s parks. Quiet Waters Park, Kinder Farm Park, or Downs Park all offer wide paths, waterfront views, and plenty of space to roam and get a little fresh air without committing to a full hike.
In the afternoon, lean into the magic with Watermark Tours’ Jolly Express Cruise. Captain Santa or Mrs. Claus takes the helm, an elf spreads good cheer, and hot cocoa flows freely. It’s an easy win for families looking to stretch the holiday spirit just a little longer.
Wrap up the day with a relaxed dinner at Federal House Bar & Grille, where cozy interiors, crowd-pleasing favorites, and a solid cocktail list make it the perfect spot to wind down.
Day Four (Dec. 29): Treat Yo’ Self Part Two & Entertainment
Day Four is all about leaning into indulgence! Start with a trip to Annapolis Mall. This is your official invitation to spend those gift cards and Nana’s Christmas cash. Browse without urgency, return what didn’t quite fit, and maybe splurge on something just because it caught your eye.
After shopping, settle in for a movie at AMC Theatres. It’s the perfect low-effort way to rest tired feet and keep everyone entertained.
As evening rolls around, hand the kids off to a sitter and shift into date-night mode. Start with dinner at Rams Head Tavern, then head next door to Rams Head on Stage for a special night of live music. Stephen Kellogg will be performing with a dozen of his friends, including a few artists you’ll almost certainly recognize.
By the time you walk out, you’ll know this was exactly the right night to leave the house.
Day Five (Dec. 30): Calm Before the Confetti
This is the day that stays mostly horizontal.
Sleep in without guilt. Linger in bed longer than necessary. Let the morning pass with coffee, a book you’ve already started three times, and absolutely no urgency to check the clock. The goal today isn’t productivity, it’s preservation.
If you decide to leave the house at all, make it count. Even Keel Wellness & Spa is designed for exactly this moment, with private, tranquil rooms and therapeutic treatments that quiet both body and brain. It’s the kind of place where you hand over the day at the door and pick it back up later, lighter than you left it.
Or take the equally low-effort route at Swan Cove Spa & Salon, where a massage, facial, or fresh set of nails feels like a small reset before the calendar turns.
After that, go back home. Order something simple or eat whatever’s left in the fridge. Take a bath. Stretch out on the couch, let a movie or a show play in the background, and don’t worry about midnight plans. You’re not ringing in the new year yet, you’re resting up for it.
If you made it through the week without setting an alarm, cooking a real meal, or wearing anything with a button, congratulations—you nailed it. You treated yourself, rested when it felt right, and remembered that not every day needs a plan to be a good one.
The new year can wait. For now, enjoy the leftovers, the extra sleep, and the strange comfort of not knowing what day it is. This is the lazy week. You only get it once a year so use it wisely.
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