I can’t tell you how many times I found out about a carnival after it already ended. Or saw someone post a funnel cake and instantly felt like I missed the best day ever.
So instead of letting that happen again, I pulled everything together in one place.
This is your complete 2026 Maryland fairs and carnivals schedule, running from spring through fall. We’re talking small-town fire department carnivals, county fairs, and the big ones like the Maryland State Fair. All organized so you can actually plan ahead this time.
Whether you’re looking for a family day, a low-effort date night, or something fun to do with friends that’s not another dinner reservation, you’re going to find something on this list.
Why Maryland Carnival Season Is Actually the Best
Maryland carnival and fair season is seriously underrated. We’re talking rides, live music, fried food, local vendors, farm animals, 4-H competitions, fireworks, and that specific kind of summer energy you can’t manufacture. It’s the kind of fun that feels nostalgic and brand new at the same time.
And the best part? Most of these events are free or very low-cost to enter — you just pay for rides and food. For families especially, it’s one of the most affordable ways to have a full day of entertainment all summer long.
From Baltimore and the DMV out to Frederick, Carroll County, the Eastern Shore, and everywhere in between, Maryland does carnival season right. I update this list throughout the year as I find new events, so bookmark this page and come back to it — you won’t want to miss anything.
Tips Before You Go
Before you dive into the list, a few things that will make your experience better:
Check dates before you go. Some of these carnivals are only a few days long and sell out of parking fast. Follow the event on Facebook or check their website to confirm hours and any changes.
Go on a weeknight if you can. Weekends at Maryland fairs get packed — especially the bigger ones like the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair and the Great Frederick Fair. Weeknights are calmer, lines are shorter, and parking is way easier.
Bring cash. Many carnival ride bracelets and food vendors are still cash-only or offer discounts for cash. ATMs on-site usually have fees.
Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk more than you think. Especially if kids are involved, because they will find the ride that’s the farthest from the entrance and want to go on it seventeen times.
Look for ride bracelet nights. Many of these carnivals offer unlimited ride wristbands on certain nights — it’s the best deal if you have kids who want to ride everything.
Best Maryland Fairs to Attend:
Based on last year here’s my recommendations of the best carnivals to visit. Now this all depends on where you live and drive time but these ones get the most type!
- The Great Frederick Fair – This is THE fair. Multiple weekends, huge crowds, concerts, rides, food… it’s basically the Super Bowl of Maryland fairs. They typically have a major performer attend like T.I. and Flo Rida came prior years.
- Maryland State Fair One of the oldest and biggest fairs in the state with concerts, motorsports, rides, and a full carnival fee
- Montgomery County Agricultural Fair (Gaithersburg)
Massive, high-energy, tons of food, rides, and family stuff. Known for being one of the busiest and most packed fairs - Cecil County Fair (Elkton)
Known for bigger events like rodeos, tractor pulls, and a full carnival midway. - Carroll County 4-H & FFA Fair (Westminster)
Classic old-school fair with demolition derby, tractor pulls, and strong local turnout. - St. Mary’s County Fair (Leonardtown)
Pulls big crowds (50K+) with rides, food, and strong community energy.
2026 Maryland Fairs & Carnivals Schedule (April – October)
I find out about different ones throughout the year and will edit this list — bookmark this page and come back! Last updated: April 2026.
April
- April 15-26 Clarksburg Outlet Spring Carnival (Clarksburg, MD)
- April 23-26 St John Carnival (Hydes, MD)
May
- May 1-9 Jarrettsville Lions Club Carnival (Jarrettsville, MD)
- May 2-3 Towsontown Spring Festival (Towson, MD)
- May 1-10 Our Lady of Hope Carnival (Dundalk, MD)
- May 13-16 Our Lady Queen of Peace Carnival (Middle River, MD)
- May 19–23 New Windsor Carnival (New Windsor, MD)
- May 22–30 Gamber Carnival (Finksburg, MD)
- May 22–30 Great Boonsboro Carnival (Boonsboro, MD)
- May 27–30 Mother Seton School Carnival (Emmitsburg, MD)
- May 29–31 Union Bridge Fire Company Carnival (Union Bridge, MD)
- May 29 – June 14 Capital Plaza Carnival – (Hyattsville, MD)
June
- June 1–6 4 County Lions Community Carnival (Mount Airy, MD)
- June 6–13 Sykesville-Freedom Fire Company Carnival (Sykesville, MD)
- June 8–13 Taneytown Fire Company Carnival (Taneytown, MD)
- June 24–27 Harney VFC Carnival (Taneytown, MD)
- June 29- July 4 Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company Carnival (Frederick County, MD)
- June 29–July 4 Manchester Fire Company Carnival (Manchester, MD)
July
- July 6–11 Winfield Fire Company Carnival (Sykesville, MD)
- July 8–12 North East Fire Company Carnival (North East, MD)
- July 9 –18 Earleigh Heights Fire Dept Carnival (Severna Park, MD)
- July 10–20 Hollywood Volunteer Fire Dept Carnival (Hollywood, MD)
- July 11–19 Allegany County Fair (Cumberland, MD)
- July 13–18 Urbana Fire & Rescue Carnival (Urbana, MD)
- July 13-18 Urbana Volunteer Fire Dept Carnival (Frederick, MD)
- July 18–25 Harford County Farm Fair (Bel Air, MD)
- July 20–25 Reese Carnival (Westminster, MD)
- July 20–25 Mount Airy Fire Company Carnival (Mount Airy, MD)
- July 20-25 Jefferson Ruritan Carnival(Jefferson, MD)
- July (TBD) North Point Edgemere VFD Carnival (Baltimore, MD)
- July 24–Aug 1 Cecil County Fair (Elkton, MD)
- July 27–Aug 1 Hampstead Fire Company Carnival (Hampstead, MD)
- July 31 –Aug 8 Carroll County 4-H & FFA Fair (Westminster, MD)
- July 31–Aug 23 Sharptown Firemen’s Carnival (Sharptown, MD)
August
- Aug 1 –Aug 8 Garrett County Fair (McHenry, MD)
- Aug 4–Aug 8 Prince Frederick Fire Dept Carnival (Prince Frederick, MD)
- Aug 8–15 Howard County Fair (West Friendship, MD)
- Aug 14–22 Montgomery County Agricultural Fair (Gaithersburg, MD)
- Aug 10–15 Rocky Ridge Carnival (Rocky Ridge, MD)
- Aug 14–16 Wicomico County Fair (Salisbury, MD)
- Aug 27–Sept 13 (Weekends) Maryland State Fair (Timonium, MD – weekends)
- Aug 29–Oct 25 (Weekends) Maryland Renaissance Festival (Annapolis, MD)
September
- Sept 4 –Sept 7 Greenbelt Labor Day Festival & Carnival (Greenbelt, MD)
- Sept 10–13 Prince George’s County Fair (Upper Marlboro, MD)
- Sept 16–20 Anne Arundel County Fair (Crownsville, MD)
- Sept 17–20 Charles County Fair (La Plata, MD)
- Sept 18–26 Great Frederick Fair (Frederick, MD)
- Sept 30 – Aug 4 Calvert County Fair (Prince Frederick, MD)
- Sept 24 – 27 St. Mary’s County Fair (Leonardtown, MD)
Don’t Miss a Single One
Like I said — I update this list throughout the year as new carnivals and fairs are announced, so bookmark this page and check back! You don’t need more ideas. You just need to actually catch them before they pass.
So save this, bookmark it, send it to your group chat, whatever you need to do.
And if you want real-time updates, I share these as they’re happening over on Instagram @itssomewherelocal so you don’t miss the good ones.
Also, if there’s a fair or carnival I missed, let me know. I’ll add it so we can keep this list as complete as possible.You can also follow me on Instagram at @itssomewherelocal where I post about local Maryland and DMV events all year long, including when I actually go to these — funnel cake photos included. 🍩
Feel free to email me ([email protected]) if there’s a fair or carnival I missed and I’ll add it to the list!
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