The fall is the perfect time to attend some of the best fall festivals in Maryland. Here we share over 30 options for some of our favorite fall events so you can enjoy pumpkin patches, wagon rides, mini mazes, jumping pillows, local artisans, some of the best corn mazes, picnic areas, fresh local produce and many more fun family activities.
Maryland’s fall festivals and fall festivities begin in mid to late September and run through early November.
#1 Japan Day Fall Festival
October 2, 2022 | Columbia, MD | Website
Interested in learning and celebrating Japanese culture? You have to check out the Japan Day Festival! The fair is complete with hands on activities and performances, such as:
- Karate, Ballet, and Choir performances
- Origami
- Calligraphy
- Tea ceremony
Don’t forget to try the Japanese snacks and compete in the cosplay contest!
#2 Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue Fall Festival
October 29, 2022 | Mount Airy, MD | Website
This festival caters especially to the equestrian lovers. Come see over 150 rescued draft horses on the grounds, and even ride one! Some of the highlights of the festival are:
- All day long live music
- Hayride on the 300+ acre grounds
- Beer and food trucks
- Witness the mounted archery team in action
- Carnival games
Check out the website for pictures from the first annual festival, last year!
#3 Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Fall Fair
October 2, 2022 | Silver Spring, MD | Website
The city of Silver Springs will be hosting their fair the first Sunday in October. Boasting a lineup of vendors that is sure to put you in the mood to celebrate the fall season, they will offer baked goods, apple cider, hot chocolate, and of course, holiday arts and crafts displays. Also, the kids will have the opportunity to decorate a pumpkin of their own!
#4 Savor Bowie Fall Fest
October 8-9, 2022 | Bowie, MD | Website
This 2 day festival will offer complimentary wine tasting from some of the superior wineries in the region, and showcase local talent on 2 stages! One of the cool features of this festival is that it benefits Concerts for Causes, a non-profit that is raising funds to provide musical instruments for students that come from underserved communities.
#5 Orange Festival
September 17, 2022 | Bowie, MD | Website
Celebrate the dawning of the fall season and the local cultural diversity at the Orange Festival this year! The very best of all things local – entertainment, food and drink, and more, will be on full display. Get ready for:
- Food trucks
- Beer tasting
- Novelty vendors
Use the link to their website to sign up for email updates for the festival.
#6 FrightReads Book Festival
October 1, 2022 | Millersville, MD | Website
Bring the whole family out to this Halloween themed festival! Featuring accomplished authors and artists, as well as craft tables for the kids, this year’s festival is shaping up to be bigger and better than last year. Check out the website link to see the full lineup.
#7 Fall Expo
October 28-30, 2022 | Columbia, MD | Website
Located in the mall, this 3 day expo will feature over 20 small local businesses. Shop for health and beauty aids, fashion accessories, food, and lots more, while supporting local businesses. Check the website to see a list of vendors that will be setting up shop at the expo this year!
#8 Heartland Fall Fest
September 11-12, 2022 | Frederick, MD | Website
Visit here for a day of family fun, music, giveaways, kids’ activities, and so much more. This is a FREE Family Event for everyone! RSVP IS required to enjoy all the family fun! There is also a Kids Corner with Moon Bounce, Craft station, caricaturist , and frozen treats!
#9 Oceans Calling Festival
September 30 – October 2, 2022 | Ocean City, MD | Website
This 3 day festival is held right on the Ocean City Boardwalk! Come and experience over 30 musical performances on 3 different stages. For food, there will be lots of local vendors cooking as well as culinary demonstrations to watch. Carnival rides and games make this a great festival to attend with the whole family. Check out the complete lineup of musical performances on the website!
#10 Sunfest
October 20-23, 2022 | Ocean City, MD | Website
The self proclaimed “biggest and best festival in Ocean City” will begin on Thursday, October 20th and will end Sunday the 23rd. Check out the website to see the schedule of events! The fair will showcase live entertainment, arts and crafts activities for the kids, hayrides and more!
#11 The Reisterstown Festival: Reisterstown Fest
September 10-11, 2022 | Reisterstown, MD | Website
Come out to the 35th annual Festival in Reisterstown, “where summer lasts a week longer!” Enjoy the parade, delicious food, live music, and much more. A few of the notable family friendly attractions are:
•Laser tag
•Petting zoo
•Car show
•Fireworks show
Head over to the website to see pictures of last year’s festival, as well as a schedule of events for the weekend, and a map of the grounds.
#12 Catoctin Colorfest
October 8-9, 2022 | Thurmond, MD | Website
Located at the base of the beautiful Catoctin Mountains, the Colorfest is a celebration of all things related to the fall season. The 58th annual Colorfest will showcase candles, petwear, jewelry, art, woodworking, and 3D printing, just to name a few. Plan to eat local at the festival, and choose from fun options like kettle corn, fudge, and of course, food trucks! The Catoctin Colorfest also donates some of its proceeds to several community programs, such as the food bank and first responders!
#13 Maryland Seafood Festival
September 24-25, 2022 | Annapolis, MD | Website
Check out a broad selection of seafood at the Maryland Seafood Festival! Maybe you want to try some crab, or possibly you are coming for the oysters, this festival will have you covered. There are plenty of attractions for everyone, like:
- Axe throwing
- Live music
- Art vendors
- Kids zone
- Contests
Make sure to check the website for a full schedule of events and to reserve tickets!
#14 The Great Frederick Fair
Setpember 16-24, 2022 | Frederick, MD | Website
Existing to promote agriculture education in young folks, the annual Great Frederick Fair is a 9 day fair that will give your whole family the outdoor fix it needs! Come see the fair crops and animals, learn from workshops, and support local agriculture. Expect good food, entertainment, and family fun when visiting. As you can imagine, a 9 day fair will have lots of events and activities, so check the website for the complete schedule.
#15 OC BikeFest
September 14-18, 2022 | Ocean City, MD | Website
The “largest motorcycle rally on the east coast” will be a sight to see. With concerts each of the 5 days, food and beverages, and official merchandise, it will be a festival to remember. There will be a great variety of large and small vendors, offering a wide range of goods and services!
#16 Autumn Glory Festival
October 12-16, 2022 | Oakland, MD | Website
Visit the beautiful town of Oakland during this 5 day festival to celebrate the beauty of the fall colors and fall foliage in the mountains of Maryland. Check out the farmer’s markets and craft show, the parade, and take one of the scenic driving tours to enjoy the beautiful scenery! Upon arrival in Oakland, grab a Turkey Trail flyer from the Garrett County Visitors Center to help guide you around several hot spots of the town.
#17 City Park Fall Fest
September 17, 2022 | Hagerstown, MD | Website
Spread across 6 different locations at the City Park, this festival will be educating and entertaining for the entire family. The butterfly parade, fireworks show, and recreation and art activities will keep you busy all day. Be sure to look for the food and drink vendors too!
#18 Summers Farm Fall Festival
September 17 – October 1, 2022 | Middletown, MD | Website
At Summers Farm, enjoy over 45 fun activities, events, and shows! Come see pig races, fireworks show, and everything in between! One of the coolest features of this festival is there are special events on certain weekends. September 25th is Sensory Weekend, and the farm will be open exclusively to guests with sensory sensitivities or on the autism spectrum.
#19 Fall Festival At Friends Store, Sang Run State Park
September 24, 2022 | Swanton, MD | Website
A day-long celebration of the fall season, this festival is unique, as it is in the state park. Come enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors as you pick your own pumpkins and get to carve them, make scarecrows, and go on hayrides! Make sure to attend the apple pressing and dutch oven cooking demonstrations.
#20 Gaver Farm Fall Fun Fest
September 2 – October 31, 2022 | Mt. Airy, MD | Website
Plan your visit to Gaver Farm and check out over 60 fall themed activities! The whole family will love the corn maze, the petting zoo, duck races, playgrounds, and more. There are plenty of great photo ops on this beautiful farm too!
#21 Montpelier Farms Fall Festival
September 17 – November 6, 2022 | Upper Marlboro, MD | Website
If you are interested in a festival that specializes in farm activities, this may be the one for you. This 8 week long festival has more to do than you can probably do in just one day! Check out:
- Corn mazes
- Hay rides
- Pumpkin bowling
- Roping range
- Scavenger hunts
- Barnyard basketball
- Bonfires
Use the link to find more information including tickets, hours of operation, and directions.
#22 Maryland Renaissance Festival
August 27-28, September 3-5, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, October 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 2022 | Annapolis, MD | Website
Go back in time to the year of 1536 at the Renaissance Festival! Watch more than 200 performers on 10 stages and taverns, but also look for them roaming the streets amongst you! There will be jousting matches to enjoy several times every day, as well as food and drink and merriment to go around.
#23 Calvert County Fair
September 28 – October 2, 2022 | Prince Frederick, MD | Website
Check out “The area’s prime agricultural showcase” at this 5 day fair! Come see the livestock, enter the talent contest, and enjoy the carnival as you experience some of the best local entertainment. September 30th is Youth Day at the fair, with several activities and shows catered specifically to young folks, so make sure to bring the entire family out!
#24 Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival
September 24 – October 30, 2022 | Germantown, MD | Website
There is no better way to celebrate the fall season than the Pumpkin Festival. Butler’s Orchard will be holding some of the most fun fall activities like:
- Pumpkin picking
- Hayrides
- Corn hole games
- Giant slides
- Straw maze
Check the schedule on the website to find which days they will have live music!
#25 Frederick’s Oktoberfest
September 30 – October 1, 2022 | Frederick, MD | Website
In Frederick County, Oktoberfest is a popular fall festival in Maryland! German food and beer will be in abundance as indoor and outdoor stages will host lots of live entertainment! Come to the Sports Tent to catch college football games, or visit the German Heritage Tent, all in a fun atmosphere. Do not forget to check out the Kids’ Zone as well!
#26 Das Best OktoberFest
September 17, 2022 | Baltimore, MD | Website
Boasting literally hundreds of craft beverages to sample, this is one festival to mark on your calendar. Get your commemorative souvenir glass for the drinks, but do not forget about the sausage and German food trucks as well! Come check out live entertainment on two stages and play beer games too.
#27 Bowie International Festival
October 1, 2022 | Bowie, MD | Website
Get a taste of other cultures from all over the world at the Bowie International Festival! They will have vendors offering foreign foods, apparel, and more. There will be plenty of educational activities for kids as well. With entertainment on 2 stages, there will be lots to see at this festival in Allen Pond Park!
#28 Darlington Apple Festival
October 1, 2022 | Darlington, MD | Website
Head over to Darlington and catch this awesome festival the first day of October! Enjoy the hay rides, pony rides, and multitude of vendors, and enter the corn hole tournament! There will be lots of entertainment and other contests for everyone.
#29 Maryland State Fair
August 25-28, September 1-5, 8-11, 2022 | Lutherville-Timonium, MD | Website
The Maryland State Fair is open for 3 weekends this year! There will be concerts, motorcycle races, livestock shows, and more! There will also be educational AGventure activities for kids that help them learn about everything from livestock to crops!
#30 Piney Orchard Street Festival
September 10, 2022 | Odenton, MD | Website
This street festival will have it all. Beginning at 11:00 A.M. come check out:
- Arts and crafts
- Food vendors
- Ice cream
- Live entertainment
- Kids activities
There will also be a wide selection of local business vendors from which to shop!
#31 Magnolia Meadow Fall Festival
September 16-18, 23-26, 30-October 2, 5, 7-10, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30, 2022 | Thurmont, MD | Website
Come enjoy over 20 different activities including the largest corn maze in Maryland! There will also be farm interactions, hay rides, mini zip lines, and much more at this family favorite fall festival. Come hungry! There will be plenty of food and drink vendors to choose from.
#32 Willow Oak Flower & Herb Garden Fall Harvest Day
October 2, 2022 | Severn, MD | Website
Enjoy many different outdoor activities including pumpkin picking, pumpkin painting, and even build a dried flower pumpkin! Make sure to check out the website for a complete list of all the classes this nursery has to offer.
#33 La Plata Fall Festival
October 9, 2022 | La Plata, MD | Website
Head to the La Plata Fall Festival and enjoy petting zoos, live music, and lots of food and craft vendors. Be sure to look for all the scarecrow decorations throughout downtown La Plata!
#34 Cockeysville Fall Festival
October 15, 2022 | Cockeysville, MD | Website
This will be a big day featuring food trucks, a beer garden, live music, and lots of vendors! The festival will benefit The Cool Kids Campaign, which is a non-profit that supports pediatric oncology patients and their families! Check the website for a festival schedule that will be posted in the coming days.
#35 American Indian Festival
October 15, 2022 | Upper Marlboro, MD | Website
Ath the 14th annual American Indian Festival, experience the rich culture of Native Americans. There will be singing and dancing, storytelling, educational exhibits and demonstrations, and lots more. Be sure to get a bite to eat from one of the traditional food vendors!
#36 Celebrate Africa!
September 25, 2022 | Greenbelt, MD | Website
Celebrating the African culture and impact it has made in the area, this festival will not be one to miss. Showcasing African cuisine, singing, dancing, and storytelling, there is something for everyone here! Check the website for more information about the entertainers who will perform this year.
#37 St. Mary’s County Fair
September 22-25, 2022 | Leonardtown, MD | Website
Buckle up for 4 days of fair rides, food, vendors, and lots more. Come see the livestock show and even meet some of the farm animals! There will be many local vendors to check out and other attractions as well.
