🏖Welcome to Summer in Frederick Maryland!

Summer is a beautiful time in Frederick County, and there are lots of things to do, as Frederick is open again! I think everyone is ready to celebrate the 4th of July, as well as the laid back summer we love to enjoy in our beautiful county. What to do? Let’s start with just 20 fun events:

July 4th Celebrations in Central Maryland

Central Maryland:

Frederick County:

Frederick Independence Day Celebration – Baker Park, 121 N. Bentz St. July 4, 2023. The largest Independence Day celebration in Frederick County with two stages of entertainment along side family friendly rides, activities, food and fireworks from Noon to Dusk.
Brunswick Independence Day Festival – Downtown Brunswick, July 2. 1 pm – 5 pm. Vendors, Inflatables, Petting Zoo, Beer Garden, and live music.
Walkersville Carnival – July 3 through July 8. Fireworks Friday, July 7.
Mt. Airy Fireworks – July 3. Mt. Airy Carnival Grounds, Twin Arch Road. Live band at 4 pm.
Fourth at the Furnace – Catoctin Furnace historical Society. July 2 – 4. 10 am to 4 pm. Blacksmith demonstrations, Museum tours, children’s activities, African American cemetery trail.

Montgomery County

Upper Montgomery County July 4th Fireworks. Soccer Fields at 14650 Hughes Rd, Poolesville.
German Glory – July 4th, 7 pm. South Germantown Recreational Park.
Summerfest – Gaithersburg, Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm. July 1, from 6 to 11:30 p.m.
Mid-County Sparkles – Albert Einstein High School, Kensington. July 1. Live music at 6 pm. Fireworks 9:15.
Rockville Independence Day Celebration – July 4th at Mattie J. T. Stepanek Park in King Farm. 7 pm.

Howard County

Free Concert at The Chrysalis, Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods 10431 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. July 4th, 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM.
Friends of the 4th Picnic before the fireworks in Columbia, Columbia Lakefront Plaza.

Baltimore

Baltimore Independence Day Celebration – Multiple locations along the Inner Harbor Promenade. July 4th4 – 10 pm.

Anne Arundel County

City of Annapolis Parade and Fireworks. July 4th. Starts at Amos Garrett Blvd and West Street, ends at Susan Campbell Park. 6:30 – 9:45 pm.

For those who like to stay home: The Capital Fourth will be televised starting 8 pm. PBS, and on YouTube.

🏞The Great Outdoors

Go Outdoors. Hike, walk, or stroll in any of Frederick County’s beautiful parks. Swim, sunbathe or fish in any of our parks or pools. You can find lots of activities in the Frederick County Recreater and the Frederick City Parks and Recreation Guide.- Baker Park Pool, 301-663-5666,
– Diggs Memorial Pool, 301-600-6364,
– Hood College Pool, 301-696-3484,
– Brunswick Pool – 301-834-7567
Frederick has several city parks, including Baker Park, which has several ball fields, tennis courts, a city pool, playgrounds and picnic areas. An amphitheater is the location of summer concerts and outdoor theater.
Frederick is close to several state parks: Cunningham Falls State Park, South Mountain State Battlefield, and Gathland, Greenbrier (with its 42-acre man-made lake and beach), and Gambrill State Parks.
National parks include Monocacy National Battlefield, Catoctin Mountain Park, Applalachian National Scenic Trail, the C & O Canal, (check out the C & O Canal Bicycling Guide) and Antietam National Battlefield.
Around Frederick, you can enjoy several outdoor activities:
– Frederick Bicycle Loop, a self-guided tour through the City of Frederick, download the brochure.
Rafting, Tubing and Kayaking: River & Trail Outfitters, River Riders Inc., Harpers Ferry Adventure Center.
🛍Eat and Shop
Dining in the Street…every 4th Saturday until August 28, 2021, Market Street is closed to vehicle traffic and tables are set up in the street for outdoor dining. Eating out in our city is a treat, as Frederick is known as a foodie paradise! Add shopping for a winning combination. There are many unique restaurants and shopping venues in downtown Frederick, as well as all over town.
Don’t miss your favorite food truck! Visit Frederick website has a handy list of food trucks, not to mention wineries, breweries, distilleries and events.
Go to a Keys game. The Keys are our own hometown Triple A Ball Team. They play several nights a week at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. Fireworks follow what is always a good time. The Keys game schedule can be found on their website.
Walking tours and ghost tours are a fun way to explore downtown Frederick.
Enjoy music of all genres. There are several concert series all summer long:
– Wednesdays at Westview – Concerts on the Promenade
– Sunday Night Concerts in the Baker Park Amphitheater
– Alive @ Five – Thursday nights on Carroll Creek
Visit the Farmers Market. There are several farmers markets around Frederick and in every town in Frederick County.
– Frederick City Market in the Old Carmack Jay parking lot at 331 N. Market Street, open Sunday’s 9 am to 1 pm.
– Everedy Square & Shab Row Farmer’s Market, Thursday’s 3 to 6 pm.
-Frederick Farmers Market, 1215 W. Patrick Street, Saturdays 10 am to 1 pm.
– Lake Linganore Farmer’s Market, Thursdays 4 to 7 pm.
-Baker Park, Key City Farmer’s Market, 11 am to 1:30 pm.
-Field Fresh Farmer’s Market, The Great Frederick Fair Grounds, Saturdays, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm starting June 21.
– Thurmont Farmer’s Market open on Saturdays, 9 am to noon
– I found this Google Map of local Farmer’s Markets, thanks to whoever created this, it’s great!
If you are the DIY type, like me, there are several orchards and farms where you can pick your own. The blueberries are in season right now!

– Sycamore Spring Farm, 6003 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick
– Catoctin Mountain Orchard, 15036 N. Franklinville Road, Thurmont
– Pryor’s Orchards, 13841 Pryor Road, Thurmont
– Gladelink Farms, 12270 Woodsboro Pike, Keyman
– Rock Hill Orchard, 28600 Ridge Road, Mt. Airy

Fun In and Around Frederick County

History buffs will be happy to know there are several museums in Frederick, where learning is fun. The Rose Hill Manor Park has several living history events for the entire family. The Civil War Medical Museum and the Frederick County History Museum have lots of events.
The Sky Stage is open again, with music and entertainment. The Summer Nights Jazz Festival is on the 4th Saturday until August 28th.
Alive @ Five at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater, Thursday evenings.
Catoctin Mountain Wildlife Preserve and Zoo is always a fun and educational place. It’s a great place to have a party or book a group. They also love having volunteers.
Family Movie Night on the Creek. On Carroll Creek in downtown Frederick, the 3rd Friday June through October.
Summerfest Family Theater in Baker Park, weekly on Thursdays, 1o am. See details on the Celebrate Frederick website.
The summer concert series returns to Baker Park with live music every Sunday evening.
Visit the Earth & Space Science Lab at 210 Madison Street. Children and adults will enjoy planetarium shows and the arboretum.