Festivals

Check back often to see updated festivals for each month of the year!

Festivals: Entertainment

2026 Working on updating now. Check back soon!

Maryland:

NOTE: web links at bottom of the page.

JANUARY

all month Frederick Carroll Creek: Winter Solstice. See many boats light up at night on the creek

FEBRUARY
7 FIRE & ICE - 1st Saturday in Frederick - 1 - 9 PM
https://www.visitfrederick.org/events/fire-in-ice/
https://www.visitfrederick.org/

17 Fat Tuesday

MARCH

7 St Michael's Chocolatefest 11-4

https://www.stmichaelsmd.org/chocolatefest

14 The Leprechaun Luau 4-8 PM - Frederick Fairgrounds (tickets are $65: includes food & 2 drink tokens)

https://theleprechaunluau.com/

14 St Patrick's - OC
21 Annapolis Oyster Roast & Sock Burning 12 - 4 PM (rain date Sun 22nd)
https://72332a.blackbaudhosting.com/72332a/Oyster-Roast--Sock-Burning-2025-General-Admission

April
3/27 - 4/6 19th annual Peep show (marsh mellow Peep display) 10 - 6:30
https://carrollcountyartscouncil.org/peepshow/
4 Berlin Celebration - Parade at 10:00 AM followed by easter egg hunt (10-5)

https://berlinmainstreet.com/spring-celebration/

23-26 SpringFest OC https://ococean.com/springfest

May

5/7 - 9/24 Frederick - Alive at Five

https://downtownfrederick.org/upcoming-events/aliveatfive/

9? Maryland Craft Beer event - Frederick (12-5) Carroll Creek

http://www.mdcraftbeerfestival.com/

5/9-5/16? St Peter & Paul Greek Gyro and Pastry Days

920 W. 7th St, Frederick 11-8 everyday

5/16? Festival of Spring - Caribbean Wine and Food! This one looks way better than Walkersville

16700 Barnesville Rd in Boyds, MD Noon 8 PM

Tickets ($20): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fest-of-spring-caribbean-wine-food-music-festival-tickets-699594976407?aff=oddtdtcreator

18 Caribbean Fest of Spring Festival (Walkersville) Starts at Noon

8785 Inspiration Ct, Walkersville

https://www.festofspringdmv.com/

Caribbean food, wine and Caribbean music

5/24-25? Caribbean Wine and music Fest (Linganore Winery) FEE 10:30-8 PM
https://www.linganorewines.com/caribbean-festival-2023/

June
EVERY Thursday - Alive at Five: 21+ only (IDs required) / $6 admission / $6 craft beverages

food available for purchase on site / different band every week

6-7 Italian Festival Baltimore (St Leo's, Baltimore) Sat 11-7, Sun: 11-6

Little Italy - https://saintleorcc.com/italian-festivals

20 Beer & BBQ Stroll Westminster, MD 12-4

https://www.westminstermd.gov/445/Beer-and-BBQ-Stroll

Admission: $15 (two beer tokens) Food extra cost

July

EVERY Thursday Alive at Five: 21+ only (IDs required) / $6 admission / $6 craft beverages

food available for purchase on site / different band every week

11 National Clustered Spires High Wheel Races

Watch old time bike with the big front wheel race through downtown Frederick!
August

EVERY Thursday - Alive at Five: 21+ only (IDs required) / $6 admission / $6 craft beverages

food available for purchase on site / different band every week

3 - 8 White Marlin Open OC
7 - 9 Pirates & Wenches - rockhall www.rockhallpirates.com
15 - 16 Augustoberfest - Hagerstown
Phone: 301-739-8577 https://augustoberfest.org/
24-25 OC Airshow http://ocairshow.com/

29th 159th Joust tournament-Calvert county
8/29 - 10/18 Renaissance - Crownsville www.rennfest.com

September

EVERY Thursday - Alive at Five: 21+ only (IDs required) / $6 admission / $6 craft beverages

food available for purchase on site / different band every week

all sept Renaissance - Crownsville www.rennfest.com

5-6? Ukrainian festival - Baltimore Sat: 12 - 8, Sun 12-6

https://www.stmichaelukrainiancatholicbaltimore.org/ukrainian-festival.html

12 In The Streets - Downtown Frederick 11 AM - 5 PM

https://www.celebratefrederick.com/events/in-the-street/

18 - 26 Frederick Fair

https://thegreatfrederickfair.com/

19 Pirate take over at Port Deposit, MD 10-5 FREE

https://communityconnecting.us/port-deposit-pirate-takeover

Marina Park, 160 South Main Street (North of Havre de Grace)

24-27 47th Annual Fallfest - Westminster (vendors and rides!)

https://westminsterfallfest.com/

26 Maryland Microbrewery Fest UNION MILLS HOMESTEAD PARK
3311 Littlestown Pike - Westminster, MD 11-6
http://www.marylandmicrobreweryfestival.com/
26? Heritage Festival - Middletown 10 - 5 Parade starts at 10:00 AM Main Street
https://www.middletown.md.us/
26 Rocktobierfest (Octoberfest) Town Center Rockville 11 - 5

https://www.rockvillemd.gov/1952/Rocktobierfest
October
Oct through 10/20 Renaissance - Crownsville www.rennfest.com

Every Fri & Sat in Oct - Haunted Farm 301-216-1248
Markoff's Haunted Forest - 19120 Martinsburg Rd Dickerson

https://www.markoffshauntedforest.com

3? Oktoberfest - FREDERICK, MD Fri: 6-10, Sat: 11-10 $6 - $10

http://www.frederickoktoberfest.org/ FAIRGROUNDS

3? Mt Airy Oktoberfest

https://carrollcountytourism.org/event/mount-airy-oktoberfest-2024/

3 - 4 Brunswick Railroad Days 10-5
Enjoy our food, drink, music, games, crafts, restaurants, businesses and vendors!
http://www.brunswickrailroaddays.org/

10 MD BBQ Bash Bel Air, MD Sat 12-10 FREE ADMISSION

http://belairmaryland.org/md-bbq-bash/ Phone: 443-945-7465

10 Oyster Stroll - Westminster

https://westminstermd.gov/417/Oyster-Stroll

10 The Good Beer Festival - Salisbury 12- 5 https://www.goodbeerfestival.org/

10 - 11 Catoctin Color Fest - Thurmont

https://www.thurmont.com/2236/Colorfest

Food, Music, vendors, BEER GARDEN - Garden is located - Thurmont Historical Society Backyard

11 North Church St (Up from the square on Main Street)

11? Octoberfest Kentlands (Gaithersburg) SUNDAY: 12-5

https://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/recreation/special-events/oktoberfest

17 Berlin, MD - Octoberfest

https://berlinmainstreet.com/oktoberfest/

17 Oktoberfest -Schifferstadt - Frederick Free 12-5

https://www.visitfrederick.org/event/oktoberfest-at-schifferstadt/16980/

17? Tighlman Is Day

https://www.facebook.com/p/Tilghman-Island-Day-100066410689340/

22 - 25 SunFest - OC

November
7 Oysterfest - St Michael's 10 Am - 4 PM

http://cbmm.org/events/annual-festivals-and-special-events/

7? Slaughter on the Water chili cookoff - Annapolis/Eastport - starts at Noon
https://www.visitannapolis.org/blog/stories/post/a-brief-history-of-the-tug-of-war/
100 2nd Street, Eastport (other side of Annapolis) tug o war event
10? Havre De Grace Oyster Festival 7 PM
11/20-22 Maryland Christmas Show Frederick $10 10 - 4 PM
11/27-29 http://marylandchristmasshow.com

December

FREDERICK (and Vicinity) Christmas 2026

All Season

Sailing through the Winter Solstice
Lights in downtown Frederick (See end of sheet)
Merry & Bright Holiday Lights (Double Decker bus – 45 min ride for $23) Dates in Nov & Dec
Christmas Marts (see below)
Festive Train Events:

Displays
- Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Department Train Garden Weekends in December (12-5)
- Holiday Train Display Weekends November 30-December 22, Thurmont
RIDES
- Santa Trains at the Walkersville Southern Railroad December 1, 7 & 8, Walkersville
- Winter Express Trains with Santa & Friends December 14 & 15, Walkersville Southern RR
- Holiday Spectacular at the Walkersville Southern Railroad December 21 & 22

12/6 Annual Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival 12-5
https://www.annapolischocolatefestival.com/ 40 Chocolate vendors

First Block of West Street in Downtown Annapolis|55 West St Annapolis

12/5 7:00 PM: Annual Christmas Tree Lighting December 4, Creamery Park

Walkersville. Experience the magic of the season at our annual Christmas Tree lighting event. Evening filled with FREE hot chocolate, scrumptious cookies, and

heartwarming performances by local choirs

12/6 (5:30 – 7:00 PM) Scents & Sweets Competition & Auction New Spire Arts, 15 W Patrick St

Walk Away With A Piece for Your Home: Select floral and gingerbread pieces will be available in the annual Scents & Sweets Silent Auction. Bid throughout the

night to take home a holiday piece for your home! People’s Choice – Your Votes Count! Don’t forget to grab a ballot as you enter the competition. All competitors

have the chance to win prizes based on YOUR votes.

12/5 10 am-4 pm Traditional Village Christmas: Join us for a European Christmas Market featuring

Artisans, Gift Market, Bake Table, Food Trucks, Children’s Activities & Holiday Wreath Making!

12610 Catoctin Furnace Rd Thurmont. 240-288-7396

12/5 Antietam Battlefield Illumination - Over 23,000 candles light through battle field

www.nps.gov/anti 301-733-7373

12/12 Festival of Lights: 6:30 PM (City Hall Courtyard, 101 N. Court Street) Free to Attend. Each year the Festival of Lights brings the true spirit of the season to young

and old alike. Holiday greetings, carols, and an inspirational messages are all part of this community tradition-based event that highlights the true meaning of the

holiday season. Attendees join in the program with a moving candle-lighting ceremony, filling the courtyard with magnificent light. This event is held outdoors.

Arrive early to grab a hot cup of cocoa, coffee, or a specialty latte from this year’s vendor, Eklectic Coffee Bar! They’ll be onsite at the City Hall courtyard from

6 PM to 8 PM.

12/13 6:30 PM, Kris Kringle Procession. The parade begins at the corner of South Carroll & East Patrick streets in Frederick and ends in Baker Park with the lighting of

the City Tree. After the tree lighting there will be carols & joyful messages from the Snow Queen & Kris Kringle! The Original Popcorn House will be onsite

selling popcorn flavors from 6:30 – 8:30

CHRISTMAS MARTS/VILLAGES

11/28 Christkindlmarkt (10-4) Union Mills Homestead 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster

Come and join us for a German-style Christmas market. Food and drinks will be available to purchase, along with a variety of hand-crafted and unique

gifts from vendors in the Grist Mill and Tannery. Our gift shop will be open for your holiday shopping as will the blacksmith and woodworking shops.

Parking is onsite, $5 per vehicle. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season at Union Mills, celebrating our German heritage!

11/22-22 Maryland Christmas Show – Frederick Fairgrounds

11/27-29 Dozens of vendors available offering seasonal gift ideas – ornaments, decorations and more – as well as home décor ideas and arts and crafts,

Dec 1 the Maryland Christmas Show covers many of your holiday needs.

12/5 10 am-4 pm Traditional Village Christmas: Join us for a European Christmas Market featuring Artisans, Gift Market, Holiday Bake Table, Food Trucks,

Children’s Activities and Holiday Wreath Making! 12610 Catoctin Furnace Rd Thurmont. 240-288-7396

12/12 10-4 Christkindl Market: Hagerstown (University Plaza: 10-4). Our mission is to continue to attract shoppers to the heart of downtown to experience quality

Artisan vendors and local food while harking to traditions that celebrate the city’s rich German heritage.

10:00am – 4:00pm: Kids Zone inside of the USMH lobby, crafts for all ages

10:30am – 11:30am: Live Handbell Choir

12:00pm – 2:00pm: Live acoustic holiday music

12:00pm – 3:00pm: Visit from Santa

Frederick Lights:

Disco Garage: in the southwest stairwell of Carroll Creek Public Parking Garage (Carroll Creek Way)
Starlite: on the Patrick Street side of the Carroll Creek Public Parking Garage (44 E Patrick St)
Light Drops: above the sidewalk that connects the Carroll Creek Public Parking Garage to Maxwell Ave (near the rainbow fence)
Snowfall: Everyday Square & Shab Row, in front of the Frederick Coin Exchange (20 N East St)
Kaleidoscope: Everyday Square & Shab Row, in the alleyway between The Frederick Basket Co (12 N East St) and Talbots (18 N East St)

OTHER KEY WEBSITES:
Maryland wine site - http://www.marylandwine.com/events-festivals/
Festivals website: https://www.everfest.com/maryland

https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/foods/html/foodfest.html

http://www.visitmaryland.org/events-calendar
http://www.visithowardcounty.com/happening/featured-events
http://www.harfordsheart.com/calendar.shtml
www.visitmontgomery.com
http://www.montgomerymag.com/
www.rockvillemd.gov/events
http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Magazine/Calendar/Events-Calendar/
https://www.visitfrederick.org/
www.celebratefrederick.com

https://www.fredericknewspost.com/72_hours/ - Look at every THURSDAY!
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/calendar/
http://www.southernliving.com/travel/mid-atlantic/maryland-events-calendar
http://www.whatsupmag.com/calendar
www.ococean.com
www.Beachandbeyond.com
www.visitworcester.com
http://www.coconuttimes.com/
http://www.marylandwine.com/events-festivals
http://www.beeradvocate.com/events/calendar/
http://www.ontaponline.com/events/
http://www.visitsoutherndelaware.com/events
https://www.wicomicotourism.org/
https://www.visitworcestershire.org/
https://www.visitdelaware.com/cities-regions/southern/

OCEAN CITY WEBCAMS:
From the Shark at Ripley's on the boards - https://oceancitylive.com/ocean-city-webcams/ocean-city-boardwalk-shark-eye-cam/
Beach at 21st Street - https://oceancitylive.com/ocean-city-webcams/ocean-city-beach-cam/
N OC at Carousel , towards bay - https://oceancitylive.com/ocean-city-webcams/north-ocean-city-webcam/
Macky's. 53rd & Bay - https://oceancitylive.com/ocean-city-webcams/mackys-bayside/

OCEAN CITY NEWSPAPERS:
www.exploreoc.com
www.oceancitytoday.com
https://mdcoastdispatch.com
http://www.delmarvanow.com/entertainment/
https://www.visitdelaware.com/events/
http://baysideoc.com/
http://www.oceancity.com/happy-hour-guide-and-daily-drink-specials/
http://www.coastalfisherman.net/
http://fishinoc.com/

Worth Noting (yearly events and web pages):
1. Montgomery Co , MD launched a new website with a great calendar of events
http://visitmontgomery.com/events/
2. Ocean City, MD has a great St. Patrick's party every year the weekend BEFORE St. Patty's Day
Check out EXPLOREOC.com for daily and weekly SPECIALS!!!
3. Mother's Day weekend has a great crab soup cook off on Somerset st
4. There is a wing cook off in OC at the Marina Deck every year. Usually the last weekend in June. Check my
blog for the post - IT'S NOT ADVERTISED!!
4. There is a Pirate & Wenches weekend every year in Rock Hall MD. Usually the 2nd weekend of August
5. There is great Augustoberfest in Hagerstown, MD in the end of August (3rd weekend?)
6. The MD Renaissance Festival runs from late Aug - Oct every year
7. Rockville has a wine festival downtown called uncorked every August
8. Tilghman Island Day is usually the 3rd weekend in October. Get a room. Lots of crabs and drinking!
9. Check out Christmas in Shepherdstown every year (1st week in Dec.). Follow this up with a drive through
Antietam Battle field at dark. They have a candle lit for every soldier killed or wounded. Over 23,000
candles! It's impressive. Grab a sub, get your car, and line up at least ONE HOUR BEFORE DARK on rt 34!!
10. Another great page for MD events - http://calendar.visitmaryland.org/Views/Events/Events.aspx?page=1

Winery & Beer websites

Redshed/Linganore https://redshedman.com/calendar-upcoming-events/