Together with

Hello Friends—

Welcome to the 197 new subscribers who joined since last week’s edition. Happy to have you in our (growing) community!

Quick note: Last call for early access to the Bel Air Bites Club! I’ll be sending out the launch email tomorrow to those who have expressed interest. If you’re interested but haven’t reached out, just drop me a line here. If you’ve already added your name to the list (thank you!) and keep an eye on your inbox tomorrow.

Well, the Christmas decorations went down in my house faster than you can say “Fire Harbaugh”. I hope you had a good holiday and new year, save for yet another Raven’s heartbreak. Anyways.

We’re rolling into 2026 with lots to get into… big news here at the Bel Air Brief headquarters: the winter edition of Harford County Restaurant Week starts January 16th… the 4-H January Barn Dance is on Saturday at Deer Creek Overlook… and the rescheduled Bel Air Community Band Winter Concert is finally happening on Sunday.

Scroll down, make plans, and enjoy your weekend!

Hardwood, Vinyl, Tile, Carpet — One Local Flooring Team You Can Trust

Whether you’re dreaming of warm hardwood, low-maintenance luxury vinyl, soft carpet, or long-lasting tile, Chesapeake Carpet & Flooring has everything under one local roof. 

As a family-owned business serving Bel Air and Harford County, they’ve earned a reputation for honest pricing, quality materials, and installations that last. 

From the first measurement to the final walk-through, you get a seamless, stress-free experience handled entirely by their friendly, local team.

Want to browse in person first? Chesapeake Carpet & Flooring also welcomes customers at their showroom on Route 1 — 3321 Conowingo Rd, Street, MD.

Call 443-560-0915 or click here to schedule your free estimate with Chesapeake Carpet & Flooring today. 

P.S. Tell them “Matt from Bel Air Brief” sent you!

Things To Do This Weekend In Bel Air & Surrounding Areas

Friday January 9th

Gather & Grow Breakfast Networking ($)
📅 Friday, January 9th | 8:30–10:30AM
📍 Silver Spring Mining Company, 705 Bel Air Rd, Bel Air
Enjoy a relaxed morning of breakfast and inspirational networking focused on connection, collaboration, and growing your business within the local community.

First Aid & CPR Training @ Abingdon Fire Company ($)
📅 Friday, January 9th | 9AM
📍 Abingdon Fire Company, 3306 Abingdon Rd, Abingdon
Learn adult, child, and infant CPR, AED use, and first aid in this American Heart Association–certified course, with same-day certification valid for two years.

Aberdeen Friends of HCPL Charity Book Sale (Free)
📅 Friday, January 9th | 12–4:30PM
📍 Aberdeen Library, 21 Franklin St, Aberdeen
Browse a wide selection of donated books while supporting the Friends of the Harford County Public Library at this community charity sale.

Winter Door Hangers Workshop @ Made Me Mine ($)
📅 Friday, January 9th | 6–8PM
📍 Made Me Mine, 3474 Emmorton Rd, Abingdon
Create a 12-inch winter-themed door hanger at a discounted workshop price, choosing from several seasonal designs to welcome (or humorously tolerate) winter.

🎵 Out of Time Band @ Main Street Tower (Free)
📅 Friday, January 9th | 7-11PM
📍 Main Street Tower, 29 S Main St, Bel Air

Saturday January 10th

Plant Swap & Sale Day @ Slate Farm Brewery (Free)
📅 Saturday, January 10th | 10AM–1PM
📍 Slate Farm Brewery, 2128 Whiteford Rd, Whiteford
Swap, sell, or shop houseplants and plant accessories during this casual meetup for local plant lovers hosted at Slate Farm Brewery.

Line Dance Workshop @ Fallston Barrel House ($)
📅 Saturday, January 10th | 12–4PM
📍 Fallston Barrel House, 2403 Bel Air Rd, Fallston
Learn new moves and sharpen your skills during this line dance workshop designed for both beginners and intermediate dancers.

Tails on Tap Adoption Event @ Falling Branch Brewery (Free)
📅 Saturday, January 10th | 12–4PM
📍 Falling Branch Brewery, 825 Highland Rd, Street
Grab a drink while meeting adoptable dogs and cats from BARCS during this laid-back afternoon of brews, cuddles, and potential forever friendships.

Bingo4Bailey: Hearts for Jamaica @ Bel Air Armory ($)
📅 Saturday, January 10th | Doors 6PM, Games 7PM
📍 Bel Air Armory, 37 N Main St, Bel Air
Play bingo for a cause during this special birthday celebration and fundraiser, with proceeds supporting heart health initiatives and hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica.

Country Line Dancing @ American Legion Post 47 (Free)
📅 Saturday, January 10th | 6–9:30PM
📍 Joseph L. Davis Post 47 American Legion, 501 St. John Street, Havre de Grace
Enjoy a lively evening of country line dancing with open floor time and beginner-friendly lessons in a welcoming, community-focused setting.

🎵 Last Call Rocks The Overlook! January Barn Dance ($)
📅 Saturday, January 10th | 7-11PM
📍 The Harford County 4-H Camp and Deer Creek Overlook, 6 Cherry Hill Rd, Street

🎵 Dock Marten & The Flannels @ Looney’s Pub (Free)
📅 Saturday, January 10th | 9PM
📍 Looney’s Pub, 312 S Main St, Bel Air

Sunday January 11th

St. Margaret Parish Winter Pop-Up Brunch Fundraiser @ Lib’s Grill (Free)
📅 Sunday, January 11th | 10AM–3PM
📍 Lib’s Grill of Bel Air, 1204 Agora Drive, Bel Air
Enjoy a relaxed Sunday brunch while supporting St. Margaret Parish, with a portion of each meal donated back to the parish.

🎵 Bel Air Community Band Winter Concert - Revised Date (Free)
📅 Sunday, January 11th | 3–5:30PM
📍 Bel Air High School, 100 Heighe St, Bel Air
Enjoy a festive afternoon of live music as the Bel Air Community Band brings holiday cheer into the new year with a free winter concert.

🎵 Local Musicians in the Spotlight @ Fallston Barrel House (Free)
📅 Sunday, January 11th | 4-8PM
📍 Fallston Barrel House, 2403 Bel Air Rd, Fallston
Catch live performances by local bands The Hazmatics and The New Brigade during this all-ages, no-cover afternoon celebrating homegrown music.

Starlight Starbright Ticketed Dinner Event @ One Eleven Main ($)
📅 Sunday, January 11th | 4–7PM
📍 One Eleven Main, 111 S Main St, Bel Air
Enjoy a special ticketed evening featuring wines, hors d’oeuvres, oysters on the half shell, and an upscale menu in a festive, candlelit setting.

Save the Dates:
New Year Bingo, Jan 13th, Conrad’s Seafood Abingdon
Contractors Connection Happy Hour, Jan 13th, Main Street Tower
Parent’s Night Out Valentines Day Drop-Off Event, Feb 14th, We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym
Double Groove Brewing 5th Annual Chili Cook-off, Feb 15th, Double Groove Brewing
The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour, Feb 17th, APG Federal Credit Union Arena

For more live music on the schedule this weekend, check out the “Harco Live Music Round Up” facebook group…

This Week in the Community…

Harford County Restaurant Week Returns January 16
Harford County Restaurant Week will run January 16–25, giving diners the chance to enjoy discounted menus and special offerings from restaurants across the county. Dozens of local spots are expected to participate, with the list of restaurants growing daily throughout the event. Read more…

Conrad’s Seafood Launches Dry January Mocktail Menu
Conrad’s Seafood Restaurant in Abingdon is offering a special Dry January mocktail menu through January 31, featuring creative, alcohol-free drinks crafted with the same care as their cocktails. Read more…

Falling Branch Brewery Announces Winter Hours
Falling Branch Brewery has shifted to winter hours through March, now closed Monday through Wednesday while continuing its regular lineup of trivia, live music, open mic nights, and weekend events. Read more…

Pet Of The Week: Presented by Our Friends at Shannon’s Pretty Paws Pet Grooming

We are more than just groomers, we’re a family!

Give your pet the 5-star treatment & book a grooming session at Shannon’s Pretty Paws today. Your furry friend will thank you (and so will your furniture).

This week’s reader submission is: Jasper

“Here is Jasper, our festive little heart-stealer who was soaking in the last bits of Christmas magic this week”

Jasper, not ready to let go of the holidays!

Have a furry, feathered, or scaly friend you’re proud of? Send a photo and a few fun facts, and we might feature them in an upcoming issue.

Real Estate Corner

Are you a realtor (or know one) who is looking to expand your local visibility & feature your active listings in this section to 6,200+ locals? Click here to submit your interest.

Date Spot Of The Week

Lin’s Hibachi (Havre de Grace)

📍 1007 Pulaski Hwy, Havre De Grace, MD 21078

This week’s date spot takes us to Lin’s Hibachi — a fun, interactive choice that’s perfect for couples who want dinner and a little built-in entertainment to break the ice.

Sit around the hibachi grill and let the chefs do their thing while you enjoy the show, or opt for a quieter table if you prefer a more laid-back meal. Start by sharing sushi rolls or appetizers like gyoza or crab rangoons, then settle in for hibachi favorites such as steak, chicken, shrimp, or a combo plate served with fried rice and vegetables. The portions are generous, making it easy to share or sample each other’s plates.

The atmosphere is lively without being overwhelming — great for double dates, celebratory nights out, or anytime you want a date that feels a little more memorable than the usual sit-down dinner.

👉 Check out the menu and plan your visit: linshibachi.com

Thanks for reading the Bel Air Brief today. Share it with someone who has already given up on their new years resolution.

Matt | Bel Air Brief

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