THE DORF HOLIDAY GUIDE • UPDATED WEEKLY
Tree lightings, Christmas markets, Santa, shows, and lights to see, all in one place for Waldorf, La Plata, Indian Head, and the rest of Charles County. New dates get added every week as they’re announced.
Want new events as they drop? They land in The Dorf every Sunday morning.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Nov 20 – Dec 13
The Great Christmas Cookie Bake-Off at Port Tobacco Players
Sun, Dec 6
La Plata’s Olde Tyme Holiday Gathering and tree lighting
Dec 11 – 13
Kris Kringle Christmas Market at the fairgrounds, with fireworks Saturday
01 • TREE LIGHTINGS & FESTIVALS
CONFIRMED FOR 2026
📅 Sunday, Dec 6, 2026 • 3 to 6 p.m.
📍 Town Hall circle, 305 Queen Anne St., La Plata
La Plata’s official tree lighting, with music, kids’ activities, refreshments, horse-drawn carriage rides from Suttler Post Farm, and a visit from Santa.
2026 DATE TBA • PAST INFO SHOWN
📅 Last year: Friday after Thanksgiving, 6 to 8 p.m.
📍 Shops at Waldorf Center, Festival Way, Waldorf
Waldorf’s tree lighting, plus a menorah lighting for Hanukkah. Last year they asked guests to bring a toy for the toy drive. It’s on their 2026 events list, but the date isn’t posted yet.
2026 DATE TBA • PAST INFO SHOWN
📅 Last year: Saturday, Dec 6, 4 to 9 p.m.
📍 Village Green Park, Indian Head
A tree lighting, s’mores, hayrides, bounce houses, crafts, food trucks, a live nativity, a caroling contest, and a community light display around the park.
2026 DATE TBA • PAST INFO SHOWN
📅 Last year: Friday, Dec 5, 5:30 p.m.
📍 Main lobby, UM Charles Regional Medical Center, La Plata
A quieter, meaningful one. Lights on the tree are bought in honor of loved ones, and the money supports the hospital.
02 • MARKETS & HOLIDAY SHOPPING
CONFIRMED FOR 2026
📅 Dec 11 – 13, 2026 • Fri 4–8 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
📍 Charles County Fairgrounds, 8440 Fairgrounds Rd., La Plata
🎟️ $5 adults • kids 10 and under free
The big one: 180+ local artisans, a tree lighting with Santa’s arrival Friday at 5 p.m., fireworks Saturday at 6 p.m., carolers, a living nativity, a model train display, and a lighted holiday path. Proceeds support the food bank, EMS, and volunteer firefighters.
COMING IN 2026 • OPENING DATE TBA
📅 Opening date not announced yet
📍 3009 Waldorf Market Place, Waldorf (the former DSW)
Spirit Halloween’s Christmas store is back in Waldorf, its only Maryland location. Expect decor, lights, animatronics, and gifts.
2026 DATE TBA • PAST INFO SHOWN
📅 Last year: Sunday, Dec 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
📍 3785 Leonardtown Rd., Waldorf
A long-running local craft fair that benefits the Humane Society of Charles County.
2026 DATE TBA • PAST INFO SHOWN
📅 Most run the first two weekends of December
📍 All over the county
Last year included the Green Acres holiday bazaar in La Plata, a Shop Local market at Apehangers in Bel Alton, and the Merry and Bright bazaar in Waldorf. We’ll add 2026 dates as they’re posted.
03 • SHOWS & CONCERTS
CONFIRMED FOR 2026
📅 Nov 20 – Dec 13, 2026 • Fri & Sat 7:30 p.m., Sun 3 p.m.
📍 Port Tobacco Players, 508 Charles St., La Plata
🎟️ $20 adults • $17 seniors, youth & military
A holiday musical comedy from our local community theater. Check the box office for exact performance dates before you go.
2026 DATE TBA • PAST INFO SHOWN
📅 Last year: Dec 4 – 13, most at 7:30 p.m.
📍 Fine Arts Center, College of Southern Maryland, La Plata
🎟️ Most were $5
Last December brought the Winter Chorale, a Big Band Holiday Jam, a Latin ensemble, a winter dance show, and the Southern Maryland Concert Band. Cheap, local, and a great night out.
04 • SANTA & FAMILY FUN
2026 DATE TBA • PAST INFO SHOWN
📅 Daily through Dec 24 (select times)
📍 St. Charles Towne Center, 11110 Mall Circle, Waldorf
The classic mall Santa visit. Hours vary by day, so check before you head over.
2026 DATE TBA • PAST INFO SHOWN
📅 Usually mid-December
📍 Newburg, Waldorf, and around the county
In past years, Newburg Volunteer Rescue Squad & Fire Department hosted Breakfast with Santa, and Westlake Station 12 in Waldorf held Santa visits plus Santa Runs through nearby neighborhoods. Watch your station’s Facebook page.
2026 DATE TBA • PAST INFO SHOWN
📅 In past years: around Dec 22, afternoons
📍 Capital Clubhouse, 3033 Waldorf Market Place, Waldorf
Winter break fun on the ice with a very green guest.
CONFIRMED FOR 2026
📅 Dec 11 – 13, 2026, all market hours
📍 Charles County Fairgrounds, La Plata
🎟️ Included with $5 admission
Santa arrives at the Friday tree lighting and stays on site the whole weekend.
05 • LIGHTS TO SEE
CHECK THEIR CHANNEL FOR 2026 DATES
📅 Show dates posted on their YouTube channel
📍 Wakefield neighborhood, near Lambeth Hill Dr. and Wakefield Circle, Waldorf
🎟️ Free to look
A local home holiday light display that posts its shows on YouTube. If you go, be a good neighbor: drive slow, keep it quiet, and don’t block driveways.
CONFIRMED FOR 2026
📅 Dec 11 – 13, 2026
📍 Charles County Fairgrounds, La Plata
🎟️ Included with $5 admission
A walk-through lighted path plus a giant lit tree, and fireworks on Saturday night.
Reply to any issue of The Dorf and tell me about it. No event is too small. New dates get added here every week, and they land in your inbox first every Sunday morning.