Show your love for local this holiday season!
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 Saturday (and every Saturday in December) is a great time to discover something new about our beautiful downtown.
Each weekend you’ll find something special happening! Streets are filled with musicians and carolers performing your favorite holiday classics, fire pits are set up all around town so you can warm up and roast a marshmallow as you stroll between shops, and your eyes will be dazzled by a spectacular display of holiday lights and decorations.
December Saturdays are presented with support from AARP Maryland
SPECIAL FOR DECEMBER SATURDAYS
In December, Downtown Frederick is filled with holiday fun! The tree lights sparkle overhead, storefronts are decked out in greenery and bows, and Santa makes appearances here and there!
December First Saturday – Holiday Kids’ Craft @ 30 N Market St (12-4pm)
December Second Saturday – FREE Gift Wrapping @ 30 N Market St (12-5pm)
Holiday Lights & Light Walk – all around town through the new year
Sailing Through The Winter Solstice – Carroll Creek Linear Park through early March ’24
Downtown Frederick’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
See below for even more holiday events organized by our amazing small businesses. They work incredibly hard to make the holidays special just for you! Downtown Frederick is unique because of them – it’s flourishing because of you! Happy holidays!!!
DECEMBER FIRST SATURDAY, 12/2
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. From in-store tastings and gallery openings, to artist and vendor exhibitions… there’s always something new to explore!
Arts Expo – Holiday Artists Market @ Delaplaine Arts Center, 10am-4pm
Tea Tasting @ Shab Row Tea Emporium, 10:30am-1:30pm
Free Beer & Wine Tastings 11am to Midnight! @ Atomic 97 Beer & Wine, 11am-12am
National Bartender Celebration Day @ Crash & Catharsis Rage Factory, 11am-9pm
Sip and Shop @ Gravel and Grind, 11am-3pm
New Navel Orange Olive Oil! @ Lebherz Oil & Vinegar Emporium, 11am-8pm
Adult beginning Modern Dance @ The Center • Sound • Mind • Body, 11am-12:30pm
Santa Savings @ Bailey’s Treasures, 12pm-6pm
Frederick MADE Holiday Market @ Frederick MADE, 12pm-5pm
Deck the Walls @ Gallery 322, 12pm-8pm
McClintock’s Seven Year Anniversary Party and Bottled in Bond Whiskey Release @ McClintock Distilling, 12pm-9pm
Holiday Market w/ Rockwell Brewery & Showroom @ Rockwell Brewery, 12pm-5pm
Savor the Sweet Spirit of the Season! @ Zoe’s Chocolate Co., 12pm-7pm
Holiday Gift Mart @ Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 1pm-7pm
Christmas Cocktail Party! @ Sweet Clover, 1pm-7pm
Craft Party and Craft Kit Sale @ Give Rise Studio, 2pm-4pm
Artist Reception with Callie Badorrek @ The Muse, 2pm-4pm
Frederick Artists Night Featuring Jennifer Boyer @ Cowork Frederick, 3pm-7pm
Sip and Shop @ A Lit’le Irish Too, 4am-8pm
Holiday Festivities! @ South Mountain Creamery, 4pm-8pm
Santa & S’Mores!!! @ United Steam Fire Engine Co #3, 4pm-8pm
Meet the Artists! @ DISTRICT Arts, 5pm-7pm
Glyphs @ NOMA Gallery, 5pm-8pm
Art Exhibition – Tony Gianni @ Give Rise Studio, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick @ Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick, 7pm-8:30pm
Live Musicians
Every First Saturday, the streets are filled with live music and entertainment. Here’s a list of this month’s musicians and other entertainment:
Brach Cobb @ Magpie Fibers, 154 N Market St (1-4pm)
Clustered Spires Chorus of Sweet Adelines @ Roaming around town, Everedy Square to N Market St (2-4pm)
Ronni Weiss @ Vintage MC, 24 E Patrick St (2-5pm)
The Wretched Elves @ Luv Pup, 119 E Patrick St (4-7pm)
Frederick High School Show Choir @ County Permits Building, 30 N Market St (5-7pm)
Stonehouse Brass Band @ Potters’ Guild of Frederick & County Permits Building, 14 S Market St & 30 N Market St (6-9pm)
Painted Trillium @ Dancing Bear Toys & Games, 15 E Patrick St (6-9pm)
Nan-Ana @ Velvet Lounge, 203 N Market St (6-9pm)
Marshmallow Roasting Fire Pits
Cozy up next to a crackling fire and roast a special treat as you bounce between shops and restaurants. Fire pits are available at the following locations from 4pm-8pm (while supplies last) and are staffed by some of our wonderful nonprofit organizations and community volunteers!
79 S Market St – United Steam Fire Engine Company #3
15 E Patrick St – Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association
122 E Patrick St – Cowork Frederick
30 N Market St – AARP
241 N Market St – United Way of Frederick County
11 W Patrick St – Community Volunteers (4-6pm)
Carroll Creek Trellis (intersection of Carroll Creek and S Market St) – Boy Scouts*
*For an extra special treat, a few local Boy Scouts troops have designed a hanging yule log fire pit! Stop by early to watch them construct it right before your eyes and roast some locally-grown chestnuts over the open fire. What’s more holiday than that?!
DECEMBER SECOND SATURDAY, 12/9
On December Second Saturday, get your holiday shopping and gift-wrapping knocked out in a single night in Downtown Frederick! Our local businesses are gearing up to offer you unique gifts, special deals, and a cheerful shopping atmosphere.
FREE GIFT WRAPPING for gifts purchased in Downtown Frederick today! Come by 30 N Market St between 12-5pm and chat with our volunteer elves while they help you prepare for the holidays with cute, festive paper.
Find your Pot of Gold @ A Lit’le Irish Too, 10am-8pm
Free Beer & Wine Tastings 11am to Midnight! @ Atomic 97 Beer & Wine, 11am-12am
Museums by Candlelight: Local Author Showcase @ C. Burr Artz Public Library, 11am-4pm
Fusti Tap: Black Currant Dark Balsamic @ Lebherz Oil & Vinegar Emporium, 11am-8pm
Warm Up Your Holidays: Artisan Hot Chocolate Now Brewing Downtown! @ Zoe’s Chocolate Co., 11am-7pm
Sleigh Emptying Event @ Bailey’s Treasures, 12pm-6pm
Museums By Candlelight, Tour the Delaplaine and Make a Craft @ Delaplaine Arts Center, 12pm-5pm
Frederick MADE Holiday Market @ Frederick MADE, 12pm-5pm
MEET THE ARTIST: Lissa Abrams @ Gallery 322, 12pm-5pm
Holiday Gift Mart @ Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 1pm-5pm
Holiday Night Market! @ Sweet Clover, 2pm-8pm
Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick @ Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick, 7pm-8:30pm
Rockwell Brewery’s Annual BAD SANTA PARTY! @ Rockwell Brewery, 7pm-11pm
Live Musicians
Every First Saturday, the streets are filled with live music and entertainment. Here’s a list of this month’s musicians and other entertainment:
Elizabeth Chase @ Magpie Fibers, 154 N Market St (2-5pm)
Mike Schirf @ Potters’ Guild of Frederick, 14 S Market St (4-7pm)
Stonehouse Brass Band @ Everedy Square – Patrick St/Market St – Midar Fashion, 100 N East St – 318 N Market St (4-7pm)
Brach Cobb @ County Permits Building, 30 N Market St (6-9pm)
The Wretched Elves @ Velvet Lounge, 203 N Market St (6-9pm)
Marshmallow Roasting Fire Pits
Cozy up next to a crackling fire and roast a special treat as you bounce between shops and restaurants. Fire pits are available at the following locations from 4pm-8pm (while supplies last) and are staffed by some of our wonderful nonprofit organizations and community volunteers!
79 S Market St – United Steam Fire Engine Company #3
15 E Patrick St – United Way of Frederick County
122 E Patrick St – Cowork Frederick
30 N Market St – AARP
241 N Market St – Community Volunteers
Carroll Creek Trellis (intersection of Carroll Creek and S Market St) – Boy Scouts
DECEMBER THIRD SATURDAY, 12/16
Mark your calendars for an extraordinary holiday experience on December Third Saturday! Downtown will be buzzing with festive cheer as our local businesses host special events. From unique shopping opportunities to delightful seasonal activities, there’s always something new and exciting to discover in Downtown Frederick!
Shop for Mugs to Sip Your Favorite Beverage: Wheel-Thrown Ceramic Mugs – Or Mugs With Frederick Scenes! @ Delaplaine Arts Center, 9am-5pm
A Holiday with Guinness @ A Lit’le Irish Too, 10am-8pm
National Ugly Sweater Day Rage Event @ Crash & Catharsis Rage Factory, 11am-9pm
Sip our Crisp Apple Spritzer! @ Lebherz Oil & Vinegar Emporium, 11am-8pm
Ugly Sweater Party! @ Sweet Clover, 11am-8pm
Tipsy Elf Shopping @ Bailey’s Treasures, 12pm-8pm
Frederick MADE Holiday Market @ Frederick MADE, 12pm-5pm
MEET THE ARTIST: Ann Schaefer @ Gallery 322, 12pm-5pm
Holiday Gift Mart @ Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 1pm-5pm
Winter Solstice Holiday Market @ Give Rise Studio, 1pm-5pm
Holiday Mindfulness Reset @ C. Burr Artz Public Library, 2pm-3pm
Santa, S’mores & Hot Chocolate @ United Steam Fire Engine Co #3, 4pm-7:30pm
Local Beer, Wine & Non-Alcoholic Wine Tasting @ Atomic 97 Beer & Wine, 5pm-8pm
Glyphs: Artist Talk @ NOMA Gallery, 5pm-6pm
Sip, Shop and Savor! @ Zoe’s Chocolate Co., 5pm-8pm
Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick @ Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick, 7pm-8:30pm
DECEMBER FOURTH SATURDAY, 12/23
For those last-minute shoppers out there, don’t forget to take a look at our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide to find the perfect item for anyone on your list! Many shops will be open special hours on December 23rd, and a full list of business hours will be coming soon…
Saving the Best for Last! @ Delaplaine Arts Center, 9am-5pm
Save the Best for Last @ A Lit’le Irish Too, 10am-8pm
Shop with Santa! @ Colonial Jewelers, 10am-1pm
Sample Saturday @ Zoe’s Chocolate Co., 10am-4pm
Humbug Weekend @ Crash & Catharsis Rage Factory, 11am-9pm
One Stop Shop – We Gift Wrap! @ Lebherz Oil & Vinegar Emporium, 11am-8pm
Holiday Wrap Party! @ Sweet Clover, 11am-7pm
Grinchmas @ Bailey’s Treasures, 12pm-6pm
Frederick MADE Holiday Market @ Frederick MADE, 12pm-5pm
MEET THE ARTIST: Tom Ritchie @ Gallery 322, 12pm-5pm
Holiday Gift Mart @ Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 1pm-5pm
Moon Market Frederick Presents a Mystical Market for the Holidays @ Give Rise Studio, 1pm-4pm
Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick @ Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick, 7pm-8:30pm
PARKING & TRAVEL
Parking is FREE in Downtown Frederick every weekend from Thanksgiving through New Years! Enjoy free parking in each of downtown’s five public parking garages every weekend from November 28 through the end of the year (8AM Saturdays through 6AM Mondays).
Access travel and parking information for Downtown Frederick at www.parkfrederick.org and download a map of downtown businesses here.
Public Restrooms can be found in the Church Street (17 E Church St) and Carroll Creek (44 E Patrick St) Public Parking Garages. Restrooms are open daily from 9AM-10PM and cleaned regularly by the City of Frederick.
