These county and state fairs in the area are sure to contain fun for the whole family. Enjoy everything from pig racing and a demolition derby to a Beautiful Baby contest, all while partaking in fair classics such as funnel cake and soft pretzels.
Carroll County Fair
Now through Aug. 8, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Carroll County Ag Center | 700 Agricultural Center Drive, Westminster, MD 21157
The 129th annual Carroll County Fair is set to feature farm truck racing, a demolition derby, a tractor-pulling competition and more.
Free; $5 parking | carrollcountyfair.com
Howard County Fair
Aug. 8-15, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Howard County Fairgrounds | 2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship, MD 21794
Over the course of a week, the 80th annual Howard County Fair will be offering fun for the whole family with rides, games, animal exhibits and a focus on everything that makes Howard County great.
$5-$10; 12 and younger free | howardcountyfairmd.com
Queen Anne’s County Fair
Aug. 10-15, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park | 100 Dulin Clark Road, Centreville, MD 21617
Since 1942, this county fair has been serving families in the Chesapeake Bay area and beyond. In 2026, visitors can expect fun events including a watermelon-eating contest (Aug. 15), a rodeo, variety show, antique tractor pull, various contests and tournaments and more agricultural entertainment.
Cash only $3 (Monday-Friday); $5 (Saturday); 12 and younger, 4H and FFA members free (adult supervision required for age 13 and younger) | qacfair.com
Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
Aug. 14-22, 3 p.m.-midnight
Montgomery County Fairgrounds | 501 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
The 77th annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair is back with everyone’s favorite rides, farm animals and fair food. Family day is Aug. 17 (which includes a sensory-friendly mid-way morning from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.). The day includes family-friendly entertainment such as magic, NASCAR, pig races, honey bee demonstrations, a dog show, a rabbit hopping contest, rocket launching and more.
$17.15 advanced online through Aug. 10; $18-20.24 general admission; 11 and younger free; $20 parking on site or free with shuttle from Montgomery College campuses
Maryland State Fair
Aug. 27-30, Sept. 3-7 and Sept. 10-13 | 5 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day Monday
Maryland State Fairgrounds | 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093
This fair brings in visitors from all over the state every year. This year’s event features goat yoga (Sept. 6-7), puppy yoga (Aug. 29, Sept. 5 & Sept. 12), a sensory-friendly morning Sept. 11, a rodeo (Aug. 27 & Sept. 10) and more special events, as well as common fair favorites like Robocars and pig racing.
$8.35-$13.35 advanced tickets; 5 and younger free | marylandstatefair.com
Prince George’s County Fair
Sept. 10-13, 5-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Show Place Arena | 14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro, MD. 20772
Come for carnival games, 4-H exhibitors, performers, vendors, carnival games and contests like the Beautiful Baby contest for Prince George’s County residents (free to enter) at Maryland’s oldest running fair, since 1842.
$5-6; 4 and younger free; discount of $2 for kids and free for seniors on family night (Sept. 10) | countyfair.org
Anne Arundel County Fair
Sept. 16-20 | Times vary; Special days: Senior and Disabled Persons Day Sept. 17 (open 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. & 2-5 p.m.) and Kid’s Day Sept. 18 (ages 10+ $5 entry until 2 p.m., extended fair hours through 11 p.m.)
Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds | 1450 Generals Highway, Crownsville, MD 21032
This county fair has two new free family shows in 2026 — a dino-themed show with a T-Tex meet-and-greet, science experiments and fossil casts, as well as an interactive fire fighter training show with kid volunteers and a play station. Families interested in the rodeo Sept. 16 must purchase tickets in advance (which include fair admission).
$10.95-$16.95 general admission; ages 9 and younger free | aacountyfair.org
The Great Frederick Fair
Sept. 18-26, 4-10 p.m. Friday (9/18), 9 a.m.-10 p.m. all other days
The Great Frederick Fair | 797 E. Patrick St., Frederick, MD 21705
A community tradition continues with carnival rides, livestock, agricultural exhibits and a 4-H youth royalty contest open to all youth exhibitors in 2026 (6 p.m. Sept. 15). Special days this year include Kids Day (Sept. 25), where all youth younger than 18 enters free and a free admission days from Sept. 21 through Sept. 24 when you buy lunch at the fair.
$10-$15; 10 and younger free; $35 Jack Pass (ticket and unlimited carnival rides); $60 carload (up to 8 passengers); parking $10-$15 (cash only for $10 lots)
Calvert County Fair
Sept. 30-Oct. 4, Hours TBA
Calvert County Fair | 140 Calvert Fair Drive, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Since the 1880s, the Calvert County Fair has welcomed visitors the last weekend of September for 4-H exhibits, agricultural education, carnival traditions and all the classic county fair staples such as a royalty contest – crowning Miss Tranquility and Lord Calvert. The 2026 schedule for the Calvert County Fair has not been updated yet, but for the most up-to-date information, follow the fair on Facebook at facebook.com/CalvertCountyFair. A children’s contest for ages 6 months to 5 years who are Calvert County residents has been confirmed for Oct. 3.
Tickets TBA | calvertcountyfair.com
Additional Fairs
Traveling in Southern Maryland or through the Eastern Shore? Here are some additional local fairs you can visit while in town to get a slice of Maryland life.
Caroline-Dorchester County Fair | Denton, MD
Aug. 5-8 | carolinedorchestercountyfair.com
Worcester County Fair | Snow Hill, MD
Aug. 7-9 | worcestercountyfair.org
Wicomico County Fair | Salisbury, MD
Aug. 14-16 | wicomicofair.com
St. Mary’s County Fair | Leonardtown, MD
Sept. 24-27 | smcfair.somd.com
