Holiday Events in Frederick County, MD (2026): Lights, Tree Lightings and Markets
Photo: Bohemian Baltimore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frederick turns its historic downtown into a holiday postcard, with candlelit tours, carols in the park and a procession to Baker Park for the lighting of the City Tree. Here's our 2026 list for downtown Frederick and Brunswick, with the dates, times, costs and addresses we checked in early November. Tap any photo to go straight to the event's page.
Before you go: holiday hours and weather can change plans, so check the event's website the day you head out.
Frederick County holiday events, in date order
Maryland Christmas Show
Photo: Visit Frederick. Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Starts Friday, Nov. 20
Cost: See website
Good to know: A big indoor craft and gift show.
Where: Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E. Patrick St., Frederick, MD 21701
Event page: visitfrederick.org/event/maryland-christmas-show/9126
Brunswick Hometown Holidays
Photo: Visit Frederick. Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Saturday, Dec. 5
Cost: See website
Where: Downtown Brunswick, MD 21716
Event page: visitfrederick.org/event/brunswick-hometown-holidays/8850
Candlelight House Tour
Photo: Celebrate Frederick. Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Saturday, Dec. 5
Cost: Tickets required
Good to know: A look inside historic downtown homes dressed for the holidays.
Where: Downtown Frederick, MD 21701 (self-guided)
Event page: celebratefrederick.com/events/holidays/candlelight-house-tour
Carols by Candlelight
Photo: Visit Frederick. Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 9
Cost: Free
Where: City Hall Park, Frederick, MD 21701
Event page: visitfrederick.org/event/carols-by-candlelight/9552
Kris Kringle Procession and City Tree Lighting
Photo: County photo (Wikimedia Commons). Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Friday, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Good to know: The route runs up Market Street to Baker Park. ASL interpreting on site.
Where: Starts at S. Carroll and E. Patrick streets, ends at Baker Park, Frederick, MD 21701
Event page: celebratefrederick.com/events/holidays/kris-kringle-procession
Museums by Candlelight
Photo: Visit Frederick. Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Saturday, Dec. 12
Cost: Free
Where: Historic sites across Frederick County
Event page: visitfrederick.org/event/museums-by-candlelight/9358
Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship
Photo: Visit Frederick. Tap the photo for the event page.
When: Monday, Dec. 28
Cost: See website
Where: Downtown Frederick, MD 21701
Event page: visitfrederick.org/event/candlelight-tour-of-historic-houses-of-worship/8944
Frederick County holiday events: quick answers
When is the Kris Kringle Procession in Frederick in 2026?
Friday, Dec. 11, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. It starts at S. Carroll and E. Patrick streets and ends at Baker Park with the lighting of the City Tree. It's free.
Are there free holiday events in Frederick?
Yes: Carols by Candlelight (Dec. 9), the Kris Kringle Procession (Dec. 11) and Museums by Candlelight (Dec. 12) are free.
Make it a holiday quest
How many can you check off before New Year's? A tree lighting, a lights show and a holiday market. One is Elf level, two is Reindeer, all three is Santa. Tag us on Instagram when you finish your quest.
More Maryland holiday guides
Visiting family in another county? Our Maryland holiday events guide links to every county we cover. Maryland holiday events by county
Thinking about home in Frederick County?
If the holidays have you thinking about a move within Frederick County or anywhere in Maryland, or you're just curious what your home is worth, we're happy to help. No pressure.
We're Steven and Jacqui Saucedo of The Saucedo Team. For more than 10 years we've helped people buy and sell homes across Maryland, and we're proud to be one of the top-performing teams in the DMV and one of the top bilingual (English/Spanish) teams in the region. Questions about your home or the market? Reach out anytime at steven@thesaucedoteam.com or (240) 778-8260.
We welcome everyone, and we follow federal, Maryland and DC fair housing laws in every home search and sale.
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