Frederick County Community Events:
Every Friday from 8:00-10:00 pm in the Cocktail Lab we’ll be servin’ up our deliciously wild concoctions and some sweet tunes to get your weekend started off right.
Price: No charge
Time: 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Friday
55 E Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21701
First Saturday is a day to show your love for local!
Support local businesses by shopping with an independent retailer, eating at a local restaurant, supporting local artists and exploring Downtown Frederick.
Where you spend your money matters.
Whether you’ve lived here for years, or you’re a first time visitor, First Saturdays are a great time to discover something new about our beautiful downtown.
The Cellar Door is the place to be every Sunday night for a comedy show to remember! Shows begin at 7pm and there is cover charge and order minimum. Check out the website to confirm details.
See the Boats Day or Night
The 2025-26 Sailing Through the Winter Solstice display takes place from November 2025 to March 2026. Open 24 hours a day.
You can view the boats anytime day or night. In fact, you may want to take a look while it's light out and again after it gets dark and the lights come on. Lights typically turn on at sunset, so this is a great time to see them both ways.
Sailing Through the Winter Solstice is a fundraiser - visitors can vote on their favorite boat, with donations supporting local non-profit organizations. The 2024-25 season raised more than $140,000 for charities in Frederick County!
Don’t miss one of the holiday season’s most inspiring events.
Carols by Candlelight, formerly the Festival of Lights, brings the true spirit of the season to young and old alike. Holiday greetings, carols, and an inspirational message are all part of this community tradition-based event that highlights the true meaning of the holiday season. Attendees join in the program with a moving candle lighting ceremony, filling the courtyard with magnificent light.
Time: 6:30pm
Join us for the Annual Kris Kringle Procession sponsored by Wawa and presented in partnership with Key 103 through the streets of Downtown Frederick! The event begins at the corner of South Carroll and East Patrick streets and ends in Baker Park.
The procession mirrors the small town charm that makes Frederick so special during the holidays. Local children dressed as reindeer, snowflakes, angels, elves, and gifts will accompany costumed characters, some modern, some traditional, through Frederick’s downtown streets.
Follow the procession to the Baker Park Band Shell for a closing ceremony full of holiday cheer including carols, lighting of the City Christmas Tree and, special messages from much-loved characters including the Snow Queen and Kris Kringle himself!
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Downtown Frederick
A Holiday Haunting. A Timeless Tale. A Universal Lesson.
Celebrate the spirit of the holiday season with A Christmas Carol, presented by Maryland Ensemble Theatre. This beloved stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic brings to life the unforgettable tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly man whose cold heart is transformed through a powerful journey of redemption.
On one fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by three mysterious spirits—the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future—who guide him through prominent moments of his life, reveal the consequences of his actions, and offer him a chance to change his ways. Along the way, memorable characters including the cheerful and kind-hearted Bob Cratchit and his beloved son Tiny Tim, whose moving words, “God bless us, every one,” capture the story’s enduring message.
With heartfelt performances and magical staging, this production captures the warmth, wonder, and enduring message of hope and compassion that make A Christmas Carol a must-see holiday tradition.
Price: $28 per person
This is a cookie social and NOT a class; children 6+ permitted with adult. Buy multiple seats at once and save; select option that works best for you. (If you are interested in learning special cookie decorating techniques, you should sign up for a Chef Missy cookie decorating class: November 1, November 15, or December 6.)
The Learning Kitchen at Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm is providing painted cookie samples for viewing and inspiration, holiday music for listening, plus:
75-minutes of social time with (note that times vary by date):
- Gingerbread cookies in the shapes you selected at registration. You will select one of the following for the group you are registering:
- All Gingerbread Men
- Mix of 12 Winter, Christmas, and Toys (for example snowflakes, Christmas tree, train, and gingerbread man)
- Mix of 6 Hanukkah and Winter (for example dreidel, mitten, gingerbread man)
- Mix of 6 Winter and Toys (for example snowman, teddy bear, and gingerbread man)
- Mix of 4 Winter (for example snowflake, snowman, mitten, and gingerbread man)
- The number of cookies per person varies based on adult or child registration
- 12 cookies for each person registered as an adult
- 6 cookies for each person registered as a child (please register children 6-10 years as children)
- Cookie paints in multiple colors and paint brushes (up to 3 paint brushes per person)
When you leave the social:
- Your cookies
- A container for bringing home your painted cookies
- Recipes for making your own gingerbread cookies and cookie paints
In this 75 minute session, you will enjoy time with friends and family while you paint gingerbread cookies and listen to holiday music.
- We will assign your seats to particular tables based on how you register.
- Please look for your group's name to find you seat. Your pre-selected cookies will be waiting for you!
ALLERGEN/DIETARY NOTE: cookies contain gluten and eggs; cookie paint contains milk.
We will have hot tea, hot chocolate, and cold water available, Feel free to bring nonalcoholic beverages with you.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or call/text Chef Mark at 571-271-2686. Check out what other classes we have and what else is going on at the farm at: www.chocolatesandtomatoes.com
Price: $36 one adult; $62 one adult and one child together/ other variable adult/child combos
Hop aboard our iconic, vintage London Double Decker bus for a Merry & Bright Holiday Lights Tour in the heart of Downtown Frederick! This enchanting experience invites you to revel in the festive spirit as we meander through twinkling streets adorned with spectacular light displays. Each turn reveals a new scene, sure to fill you with joy and wonder.
After the delightful 45-minute adventure, you’ll have the chance to snap a free digital photo with Santa himself, adding a special touch to your holiday memories. His jolly presence is sure to bring smiles to everyone, making this a truly magical outing for the whole family.
In addition, warm up with a complimentary hot cocoa from Frederick Social, the perfect treat to enjoy as you relive the sights and sounds of the evening. This is an ideal opportunity to gather your loved ones and create cherished memories together. Whether you’re a local or visiting for the season, this tour promises a jolly good time for all! So don your finest festive attire, grab your friends and family, and let’s spread some holiday cheer on this charming adventure with Maryland Double Deckers!
There are limited tickets available for this signature event, so be sure to purchase your ticket(s) before they sell out! Go to Maryland Double Deckers and click on the ONLINE BOOKING button at the top of the page!
Ticket Includes: 45-minute tour throughout Downtown Frederick, a digital photo at our “Selfie Station,” and a complimentary hot cocoa from Frederick Social.
Start/End Location: Frederick Social, 50 Citizen’s Way, Frederick, MD 21701
EARLY BIRD PRICING: $12-$28 per person
Time: 5:30-9:15pm
The beloved Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship returns this holiday season in Downtown Frederick. This special open house celebrates Frederick’s stunning architecture, local history, and the holiday season on Friday, December 26, 2025 from 3PM-8PM. This is Frederick's most popular church tour and is a great opportunity to step inside some of its most beautiful buildings.
Learn more and plan your visit HERE
- Time: 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Step into a world of winter magic to kick off 2026 with a Winter Wonderland Whimsical Lights Tour, hosted by Maryland Double Deckers! Hop aboard an authentic London Routemaster double-decker bus—the only one still in service across the Northeast USA—and enjoy a truly charming and nostalgic journey through the heart of Downtown Frederick.
This delightful 45-minute tour winds its way through Frederick’s picturesque streets, aglow with twinkling lights and sparkling displays. You’ll also glide past the stunningly illuminated "Sailing Through the Winter Solstice" boats along Carroll Creek, making for an utterly enchanting experience. Whether you're a long-time local or a first-time visitor, this tour offers a uniquely British way to revel in Frederick’s wintertime wonder.
But the charm doesn’t stop there! Once you’ve taken in the sights, you’ll be treated to a complimentary cup of hot cocoa from Frederick Social. It’s the perfect cozy touch to round off your evening of merriment.
Ideal for families, couples or groups of friends, our Winter Wonderland Whimsical Lights Tour is a smashing way to celebrate the start of a new year! So, why not bring a bit of British flair to the winter months and reserve your spot today? You’re sure to leave with warm hearts, happy smiles and memories to cherish for years to come. Cheers to a brilliant start to the New Year!
- Price: $12 to $25 (special pre-season pricing)
- Time: 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Join us on the last Tuesday of every month for Music Bingo! It’s bingo with a musical twist!
Play for free and check off your bingo cards by identifying the title of the songs played. We create themed playlists with enjoyable and recognizable tunes. Test your music knowledge against your friends or use a song-identifying app and help everyone at your table! Every round uses a different bingo pattern of varying difficulty with prizes for each. The finale is the blackout round. Achieve blackout within that week’s song limit and you could win our progressive jackpot. That means you could win $$$ just for playing!
Price: Free
Time: 7pm
Location: 526 N Market St in Frederick
Please join us as we RING IN THE NEW YEAR with the Civitan Club of Frederick at the annual NEW YEAR’S EVE KEY DROP ON CARROLL CREEK! This handcrafted lighted key will slowly descend from the William O. Lee Memorial Bridge at the stroke of midnight.
Founded in 1947, the Frederick Civitan Club is a community-service organization dedicated to the support and encouragement of persons with developmental disabilities.
Be sure to join in the fun at the Candlelights on the Creek event starting at 9PM - hosted by Sailing Through the Winter Solstice!
11:30 PM to 12:30 AM
Join Heritage Frederick Archivist Jody Brumage, McClintock Distillery’s Braeden Bumpers, Twin Bear’s Bakery’s Andrew and Emily Roy, and the Delaplaine for an engaging look into the history of each of our buildings and the industries that shaped the Carroll Street area of downtown Frederick. You can also enjoy a whiskey tasting from McClintock, bread tasting from Twin Bears, and the art in our galleries! FREE
Time: 7-8pm
