Things to Do

These 6 Fall Maryland Festivals Are Worth the Drive

Find fall fun activities like pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and petting zoos.

By Kate Oczypok September 10, 2025 at 6:00 am

If you’ve made your way through Virginia’s fall festivals and are looking for more ways to have fun this season, head to these Maryland festivals perfect for celebrating all that autumn has to offer. There are miles of corn mazes, lots of live music, craft fairs, and more.

Gaver Farm Fall Fun Fest

Now through November 2

Try your hand at finishing a seven-acre corn maze great for both families and friends. Gaver Farm also offers barnyard animals to visit including goats, cows, alpacas, ducks, chickens, peacocks, and a donkey. 5501 Detrick Rd., Mt. Airy

a little girl at the Gaver Farm Duck Races — *Gaver Farm Duck Races (Courtesy Gaver Farm)*

The Maryland Corn Maze

Weekends now through November 2

This year’s theme is “Get Lost in the Land of Oz.” Find and scan QR codes along the way, so don’t forget to charge your phone before you head out. You’ll find other farm activities like corn pits and ziplines too. 389 Gambrills Rd., Gambrills

MD Corn Maze — Courtesy Maryland Corn Maze

Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival

September 20 to November 2

Butler’s Orchard’s Pumpkin Festival is celebrating 45 years this year. Kids will love the giant slides, corn maze, live music, hayloft jump, and more. Additional activities for 2025 include pony rides, face painting and pick your own pumpkins (all for additional fees). 22222 Davis Mill Rd., Germantown

Magnolia Meadow Farms Fall Festival

September 27 to November 2

Pick pumpkins, gourds, sunflowers, and cut flowers at Magnolia Meadow. It boasts Maryland’s biggest corn maze with more than five miles of trails. Family-friendly activities include apple cannons and mini ziplines. 13001 Creagerstown Rd., Thurmont

31^st Annual Harvest Festival at Agricultural History Farm Park

October 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Check out hands-on farm activities like candle dipping and building scarecrows at this Derwood, Maryland fall festival. There will be live music and puppetry, as well as historic games, farm equipment demonstrations, and the chance to meet farm animals (the live sheep herding demo is a must-see!). Agricultural History Farm Park is on 455 acres of land. In addition to be a historic farm, it is also a modern farming activity center. Admission is $20 per car and cash only. 18400 Muncaster Rd., Derwood

Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Fall Fair

October 12, 1 p.m.

Celebrate fall at this arts and crafts fair showcasing pottery, handmade jewelry, home décor, and seasonal items like knitted scarves and pumpkin-inspired decorations. Local food vendors will be offering tasty treats, and a live DJ will be spinning tunes to create a festive mood. 1 Veterans Plz., Silver Spring

Feature image courtesy Gaver Farm

Kate Oczypok

Contributing Writer

Kate Oczypok has been a freelance writer since 2011, and is proud to be a regular contributor to Northern Virginia Magazine in digital and print since 2020. Her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, People.com, Better Homes and Gardens, and locally The Georgetowner and Washingtonian Magazine, among others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism from American University and a M.Ed. in Education from Penn State. She also teaches virtual piano lessons in the after school hours and does portrait photography on weekends.