By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(Oct. 23, 2025) Berlin’s Christmas tree will be a little different this holiday season, with brighter lights and, as part of a community-wide effort, Eastern Shore-themed decorations.

At the Berlin Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 14, the municipality’s mayor, Zack Tyndall, and his executive administrative assistant, Sara Gorfinkel, announced that the community’s Christmas tree will this year be adorned with oyster shell garlands. The shellfish will be painted by students from the surrounding schools, and a few extra will be available for any town residents who want to contribute to the project.

Gorfinkel said that the ocean-themed tree is Tyndall’s vision. The mayor’s assistant has taken on the initiative and has started contacting the art teachers at schools in Berlin, including Berlin Intermediate School, Buckingham Elementary School, Worcester Preparatory School, Stephen Decatur Middle School, and Stephen Decatur High School.

The oysters were donated by Dan Worrell, owner of Fallen Pine Oyster Company, and will soon be distributed to the learning facilities. Students who want to decorate a shell will have the option to do so. Extras will likely be available at Town Hall for other Berlin residents who want to get in on the action.

The painted oysters do not have to be Christmas-themed, Gorfinkel added.

“They can be any piece of art that moves you or that you’re motivated to paint on your shells,” she said.

The shells, once the decorations are finalized, will be assembled into garlands to be wrapped around the town’s official Christmas tree.

Furthermore, Tyndall said that the municipality has received feedback in years past that the Christmas tree could be a little brighter. To create a more festive decoration that illuminates the town even more, the mayor said that Berlin Electric Utility Director Tim Lawrence and his team will wrap extra string lights around the holiday greenery this time around.

A new topper is also planned for Berlin’s Christmas tree. Tyndall said that the town has partnered with Worcester Technical High School to create a new crown, which is likely to be an anchor, or a similar icon aligned with the vibe of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

“The topper will hopefully be changed this year,” Tyndall said. “We are working with the tech school to build an anchor, but we’re going to give them some creative freedom.”

The town’s Christmas tree will officially be lit at Berlin’s annual Ice Ice Berlin. The event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 28, and will kick off at 5 p.m. The actual tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m.

An Oct. 2 Facebook post by the Town of Berlin Main Street and Arts and Entertainment District notes that Ice Ice Berlin, in addition to the tree lighting, will include “dozens of authentically hand-carved ice sculptures created by award-winning artists,” “festive sounds” by Ocean City Pipes and Drums, a visit from Santa at Kringle Cottage, and hot chocolate for sale to benefit the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum. Downtown shops and restaurants will also be open late, welcoming patrons throughout the holiday-themed event.