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Fall Festivals in Frederick County

Fall Festivals in Frederick County

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September Brings the Fair, October Brings Colorfest

Frederick County's two biggest fall events fall in different months. The Great Frederick Fair runs in September with agriculture, rides, and grandstand shows, while Catoctin Colorfest fills Thurmont in October with one of the East Coast's largest craft shows. Knowing the timing helps you plan both into one season.

Frederick County runs one of the busiest fall festival calendars in the region, anchored by a major county fair in September and a massive craft show in October. This guide compares the season's biggest events so you can choose the right outing, whether you want agriculture, crafts, or a beer garden under autumn trees.

The Great Frederick Fair

The Great Frederick Fair is Maryland's largest county fair and the headliner of the early fall calendar. Held in September at the Frederick fairgrounds, it celebrates the region's agricultural heritage with livestock and home-arts exhibits, youth competitions, and farm showcases. Alongside the agriculture, the fair runs a full midway with carnival rides, grandstand entertainment, fair food, and well over a hundred commercial vendors.

The fair suits visitors who want a classic county-fair experience with something for every age. Because it lands in September, it opens the season before the leaves turn, making it an easy first stop in a fall lineup. Confirm the current year's dates and gate hours before you go, since the schedule moves slightly each year.

Catoctin Colorfest

Catoctin Colorfest is the county's signature October event and one of the largest outdoor craft shows on the East Coast. Established in 1963, the Thurmont festival draws around 100,000 visitors over its weekend, timed deliberately to the area's peak fall color. Attendees browse local art, jewelry, and crafts, sample a wide range of food, and gather at the Thurmont American Legion's Octoberfest beer garden for German food, beer, and music.

Colorfest's scale is both its draw and its challenge. The crowds bring energy and a huge vendor selection, but also traffic and parking pressure around Thurmont, so plan to arrive early and use any shuttle or satellite parking options. Because it sits in the Catoctin foothills during peak color, it pairs perfectly with a foliage drive or hike.

Harvest and Oktoberfest Events

Beyond the two headliners, smaller harvest festivals and Oktoberfest celebrations run across the county through September and October. Family farms like Gaver Farm and Summers Farm host their own fall festivals with corn mazes, hayrides, and food stands, doubling as both pumpkin patches and event destinations. Oktoberfest-style gatherings appear at various venues, including the beer garden tied to Colorfest.

These events vary year to year, so local listings are the best way to catch the current season's lineup. For the farm-festival side of the calendar, see our pumpkin patch guide, which covers Gaver Farm and Summers Farm in detail.

Choosing the Right Festival

Match the event to what you want from the day. For agriculture, rides, and a traditional fair atmosphere, the Great Frederick Fair in September is the clear pick. For crafts, food, and a festival timed to peak foliage, Catoctin Colorfest in October delivers, as long as you're ready for crowds. For a family farm day, the harvest festivals fit best.

Whatever you choose, confirm current dates first, since the calendar shifts annually. A Thurmont festival day also makes an easy pairing with a Catoctin foliage trip, covered in our foliage guide. For the full season at a glance, return to our Frederick County fall guide.

Fall Festival Dates

Upcoming dates from our Frederick event calendar. Check the organizer for admission and registration details.

Tue, Sep 15 10:00 AM

Gaver Farm Fall Fun Fest

Gaver Farm, Mount Airy

Fall farm outing with a corn maze, farm animals, pedal karts, slides and other family attractions.

All dates & admission ages
Paid admission; see organizer
Event details
Fri, Sep 18 Opening-day admission collection starts 4pm; daily attraction schedules vary.

The Great Frederick Fair

Frederick Fairgrounds

Agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, food and grandstand entertainment.

Runs through Sat, Sep 26; daily hours vary.

See organizer
Event details
Fri, Oct 2 6:00 PM

Frederick's Oktoberfest

Frederick Fairgrounds

German heritage festival with food, beer, music and dancing supporting community causes.

All dates & admission ages
Friday $25; Saturday adult $22, ages 3–12 $8, under 3 free
Event details
Browse the full calendar

Tips & Guidelines

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Plan Around the Crowds

Catoctin Colorfest draws around 100,000 visitors over its weekend, so plan for traffic and parking near Thurmont. Arrive early and consider shuttle or satellite parking options when available.

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Check Dates Each Year

Festival dates shift annually. Confirm the current year's schedule before planning your trip, since both the fair and Colorfest can move by a week or two season to season.

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Mix a Festival with Foliage

Catoctin Colorfest is timed to the changing leaves, so a Thurmont festival day pairs naturally with a Catoctin foliage drive or hike before or after the crowds.

Related Articles

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Apple Orchards Near Frederick

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Pumpkin Patches Near Frederick

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Fall Hiking in Frederick

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest fall festival in Frederick County? ▼

Catoctin Colorfest in Thurmont is one of the largest outdoor craft shows on the East Coast and draws roughly 100,000 visitors over its October weekend. The Great Frederick Fair, Maryland's largest county fair, is the other major fall event, held in September at the Frederick fairgrounds.

When is Catoctin Colorfest? ▼

Catoctin Colorfest takes place in October in Thurmont, timed to the area's changing fall leaves. It typically runs over a single weekend with crafts, food, music, and a beer garden. Exact dates shift year to year, so check the current schedule before planning your visit.

When is the Great Frederick Fair? ▼

The Great Frederick Fair is held in September at the Frederick fairgrounds and runs for several days. It features livestock and agricultural exhibits, a midway with carnival rides, grandstand entertainment, fair food, and commercial vendors. Confirm the current year's dates before you go.

Are there Oktoberfest events in Frederick County? ▼

Yes. Oktoberfest-style celebrations appear around the county each fall, including a beer garden tied to Catoctin Colorfest in Thurmont. Specific Oktoberfest events vary by year and venue, so check local listings for the current season's lineup.

Want to explore more?

← Return to Fall Activities in Frederick County

Plan Your Frederick Fall Festival Weekend

Explore attractions and events across Frederick County and build a fall weekend around the season's festivals.

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