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Fairs and events

What's on, and when

The annual fixtures around Deep Creek Lake. Dates come straight from the organizer. Where they haven't put next year's out yet, this page says so instead of guessing at it.

16
annual events
5
with dates we can point at
0
publish a recurring rule

That last number surprised me. Not one of these publishes a pattern like "the third weekend in August". They all announce a year at a time. So this page shows the year I've confirmed and then goes quiet, instead of doing arithmetic that might be wrong.

Sang Run Fallfest

Sang Run Fallfest

McHenry

In 3 days — 26 September 2026

Pumpkin painting, apple cider pressing and the Friends Store open. The last Saturday in September.

The last Saturday in September, per the

Autumn Glory Festival

Autumn Glory Festival

Oakland

In 14 days — 7–11 October 2026

Five days built around the leaf change, with the Grand Feature Parade through downtown Oakland on the Saturday. It is the busiest weekend of the autumn in Garrett County, and the one where finding a room needs planning.

59th Annual

Discovery Center After Dark

Discovery Center After Dark

Swanton

17 October 2026

The Discovery Center open in the evening, with the aviary and the nocturnal end of the collection.

Mid October, announced a year at a time

Winter Market

Winter Market

Friendsville

4 December 2026

An evening holiday market spread through the town rather than held in one hall — handmade goods, gifts and food, from four until eight on the first Friday of December.

The ad names one date and no recurring r

Holiday Open House

Holiday Open House

Swanton

5 December 2026

The Discovery Center's December open house.

Early December, announced a year at a ti

Art in the Park

Art in the Park

Swanton

Mid July, announced a year at a time

Two days of artists and makers by the lake. The 2026 edition is the 24th.

Mid July, announced a year at a time

Deep Creek Lake Art, Wine & Spirits Festival

Deep Creek Lake Art, Wine & Spirits Festival

McHenry

Second weekend of September, announced a year at a time

Two days at the fairgrounds: a premium spirits tasting on the Friday evening and the main art and wine festival on the Saturday, with 200 wines, local artisans and live music. Proceeds go to HART for Animals.

Second weekend of September, announced a

Eggstreme Egg Hunt

Eggstreme Egg Hunt

Grantsville

Early April, announced a year at a time

The park's egg hunt, on the Saturday before Easter.

Early April, announced a year at a time

Friendsville's Makers Market

Friendsville's Makers Market

Friendsville

The ad names one date and no recurring rule

Artisans and growers along the main street of a very small town, on the last Saturday market of the year. The ad calls it the last one, which means there are earlier ones and I don't have their dates.

Last market of the year

Garrett County Agriculture Fair

Garrett County Agriculture Fair

McHenry

Early August — the fair publishes dates a year at a time and states no recurring rule

Eight days of livestock, 4-H judging, tractor pulls and food at the county fairgrounds. It is the county's biggest week and the fairgrounds are booked solid, so it also decides what parking around McHenry looks like.

69th Annual

Mountain Fresh Farmers Market

Mountain Fresh Farmers Market

Oakland

Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10am to 1pm — the ad states August only

Oakland's farmers market, running since 1987, under its own pavilion in the middle of town. Twice a week through the summer, and mornings only.

Established 1987

Mountain Maryland Dragon Boat Festival

Mountain Maryland Dragon Boat Festival

Oakland

Late August, announced a year at a time

Dragon boat racing on Broadford Lake, with craft and food vendors on the bank. Racing needs a team and pre-registration; watching costs five dollars a car, which is one of the few prices anybody in this county actually publishes.

5th Annual

Mountain Maryland Native Plant Festival

Mountain Maryland Native Plant Festival

Grantsville

Early May, announced a year at a time

Native plants for sale and the people who grow them, in the park.

Early May, announced a year at a time

Natural Egg Dying

Natural Egg Dying

Swanton

Early April, announced a year at a time

Dyeing eggs with onion skins, beets and whatever else the naturalists bring. At the Discovery Center.

Early April, announced a year at a time

Ramp Cook Off

Ramp Cook Off

Swanton

Late April, announced a year at a time

Ramps are the wild leek that comes up in these woods in April, and the county takes them seriously. Cooks compete.

Late April, announced a year at a time

Stage Wisp free concert series

Stage Wisp free concert series

McHenry

Wednesdays through July and August, 6pm to 8.30pm

Free live music outdoors at the resort every Wednesday evening through July and August, with an artisan market opening an hour before the band. Nine acts, all named a season ahead.

Wednesdays through July and August, 6pm

Why this list is short

Most local event pages get written once and then left alone. An out-of-date listing doesn't look broken, so nobody goes back and fixes it, and you find out the date moved when you're standing at the gate.

So the only events here are the ones I've confirmed with whoever runs them. That keeps the list short, and it grows as I work through more of them.

Know one that belongs here? Tell me. A link to the organizer's own page is enough to start.

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