A three-day holiday market comes to the Charles County Fairgrounds in La Plata, Maryland, from Friday, December 11 through Sunday, December 13, 2026. Now in its 14th year, the volunteer-run gathering offers holiday shopping, family activities and an evening fireworks display, and adult admission is $5.

What can visitors see and do?

Organizers describe the weekend as a take on the traditional German Christmas market. More than 180 artisans and vendors will sell handmade gifts, decorations and seasonal food. Local school choruses and bands perform, carolers stroll the grounds, and a living nativity is part of the program. Other attractions include a contest for best cookies, a display of model trains, various activities for kids and a walking path decorated with lights.

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Two historic buildings, the decorated McConchie School House and the Digges Farm Museum, will be open for tours. Shoppers can also buy fresh holiday greenery from Cardinal Creek Plant Farm's Garden Center, and local non-profit groups such as the Boy Scouts will run sales tables. An official map and vendor list by building are available for planning.

Why you should go

  • One-stop local shopping. More than 180 artisans and vendors gather in a single spot, which suits anyone hunting for handmade gifts and decorations.
  • Two set-piece moments. Santa arrives and the tree is lit at 5 p.m. Friday; the musical fireworks go up at 6 p.m. Saturday.
  • It is built for families. Children 10 and under enter free, and the schedule includes crafts, a train display and a living nativity.
  • The entry fee goes to local causes. The organizers say every dollar of admission is split three ways: the regional food bank, the county's volunteer fire and emergency medical services associations, and the fair itself.
  • It has a track record. The market launched in 2013 and has become a Southern Maryland seasonal fixture.

What to know before you go

Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The grounds are at 8440 Fairgrounds Road in La Plata. Adults pay $5; children 10 and under are free. Guests are encouraged to bring nonperishable food for the food bank. The 2026 entertainment lineup had not been posted when the event was announced, so check the organizer's website for updates.

FAQ

When is the holiday market at the Charles County Fairgrounds?

It runs December 11-13, 2026. Santa arrives and the tree is lit at 5 p.m. Friday, and fireworks are scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday.

How much does it cost, and who benefits?

Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 10 and under. According to the organizers, proceeds are divided among the Southern Maryland Food Bank, the county volunteer fire and EMS associations, and the Charles County Fair.