Frederick Christmas & Holiday Events

Bring children in costume to trick-or-treat at participating businesses and stop for face painting at 30 North Market Street.

Choose from hands-on Halloween projects, including painted decorations, cards and bracelets. Costumes are welcome.

Start with a dance lesson, then dance to Latin music with DJ Willie. The evening includes a costume contest.

See downtown's holiday lights, visit shops open late and stop for food during this evening celebration.

Arrange dried flowers, pinecones and foliage into a wreath with guidance from Lacey Walker.

Share Thanksgiving-inspired small plates from CarterQue BBQ paired with Maryland wines at Simple Theory.

Browse holiday gifts, handmade decorations and specialty foods at the fairgrounds.

An interactive holiday comedy uses a nativity mystery, a local choir and audience participation.

Walk beside Carroll Creek to see decorated sailboats. The display is accessible around the clock; lights come on around sunset.

Daily November 21–December 31 in this calendar; the display continues into March 2027. Open 24 hours, with lights around sunset.

Vocalists from The Miracles and The Contours perform Motown hits and holiday songs with a six-piece band.

Run or walk a Thanksgiving 5K or join the shorter 1K fun run. Pick up your race packet before Thanksgiving; there is no race-day registration.

Shop downtown the day after Thanksgiving, listen to holiday music and stop for seasonal activities throughout the day.

Tuba and euphonium players perform arrangements of traditional Christmas carols. Bring a canned-food or cash donation.

Run, walk or roll in this community holiday race supporting Girls on the Run. A shorter 1K gives families another way to take part.

Take a Saturday morning holiday-baking class through FCC’s Institute for Learning in Retirement.

Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Company presents the full-length ballet following Clara from a Christmas Eve party to the Kingdom of Sweets.

Watch the afternoon parade along West Potomac Street, followed by the tree lighting and Santa at Square Corner Park.

Visit privately owned historic homes decorated for the holidays on a self-guided tour.

Sing holiday carols with Frederick-area choirs at this outdoor gathering. ASL interpretation is available on site.

Take a living-history tour set in 1818 and see how the Sisters of Charity and students at Saint Joseph's School prepared for Christmas.

Watch costumed characters and community groups parade downtown, then follow the procession to the Baker Park tree lighting.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre presents Dickens’s story of Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

Visit museums and historic sites for holiday music, demonstrations and activities. Each site sets its own program and hours.

Gangstagrass brings together bluegrass and hip-hop in a concert of holiday songs and band favorites.

Watch the animated holiday film, then hear the Eric Byrd Trio perform Vince Guaraldi’s score live.

Join the choruses from Handel’s Messiah alongside the Frederick Children’s Chorus, orchestra and soloists. Vocal scores will be available to buy.

Step inside downtown churches decorated for Christmas and hear seasonal music as you walk between participating houses of worship.

Welcome the new year with stories, songs and a countdown for children ages 0–5 and their caregivers.

Spend New Year's Eve at JoJo's with Glamour Kitty playing from 9pm until midnight. Food and drinks are available throughout the evening.

Dress for a Gatsby-themed New Year's Eve party with live music, drinks, a raw bar, canapés and dessert in the historic ballroom.