🌸 COMMUNITY & SEASONAL PICKS
Your county is doing something this week. A lot of somethings, actually.
🎉 WGTS STICKER STOP & DIAPER DRIVE AT LA PLATA TOWN HALL
Tuesday, May 19 | 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM 📍 La Plata Town Hall, 305 Queen Anne St., La Plata 💵 Free
WGTS 91.9 is rolling into La Plata for a live broadcast and community diaper drive benefiting the Maryland Diaper Bank. If you've got size 3–6 diapers to donate, that's what they need most. Even if you don't, swing by, it's a good time and a good cause, all free.
🌿 CSM QUANTUM COMPUTING FORUM
Wednesday, May 20 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM 📍 Center for Business & Industry Building, College of Southern Maryland, 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata 💵 Free (RSVP required)
CSM is hosting a full-day forum on quantum computing: what it is, why it matters, and what it could mean for local industries and the workforce here in Southern Maryland. If you work in tech, government, or education, this one is genuinely worth your time. Free to attend with an RSVP, so register before it fills up.
🎊 15TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN MARYLAND HIRING EVENT
Thursday, May 21 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 📍 College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus, 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata 💵 Free
This is the region's biggest job fair and it's back for its 15th year, with 65+ employers hiring across health care, public safety, trades, education, government, and tech. Free professional headshots are available to all attendees, which alone makes it worth the trip over to CSM. Whether you're actively looking or just seeing what's out there, this is one of those events Charles County residents should know about every single year.
🍕 PIZZA HOTLINE FUNDRAISER NIGHT — 10TH DISTRICT VFD
Tuesday, May 19 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM 📍 Tenth District Volunteer Fire Department, 7035 Poorhouse Rd, Pisgah / Indian Head 💵 See link
Pizza Hotline is supporting the 10th District Volunteer Fire Department with a community fundraiser night in Indian Head. Good food, good people, and a great reason to head down to the southern end of the county Tuesday evening. Check the Facebook link for full details.
🏛️ MARYLAND 400 SYMPOSIUM & UNIT TRIBUTE
Saturday, May 23 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM 📍 Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park, 11000 Crain Highway North, Newburg 💵 Free
A full-day symposium honoring the Maryland 400, the soldiers who held the line at the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776. Held at the Maryland Veterans Museum in Newburg, speakers include historians from the Maryland State Archives, the US Army Center of Military History, and the Journal of the American Revolution. Catered lunch included, plus a social hour and book signings. This is a genuinely remarkable event happening right here in Charles County. Free to attend.
Note: A separate tribute ceremony on Sunday, May 24 is held at the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir, VA (out of county).
🌸 WINNING FROM WITHIN WOMEN'S BRUNCH
Saturday, May 23 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 📍 2770 Old Washington Rd, Waldorf 💵 $71
This year's Winning from Within Women's Brunch theme is "Pack Light: Tea Party in the Garden," a faith-based morning built around letting go of what you've been carrying and stepping into summer a little lighter. Good food, community, and a meaningful Memorial Day weekend start for anyone looking for something more intentional this Saturday. Tickets are $71 on Eventbrite.
🎵 LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
From a free lawn concert to a late-night Jersey party, this weekend has layers.
🎶 LA PLATA SUMMER CONCERT SERIES — KICKOFF NIGHT
Friday, May 22 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM 📍 La Plata Town Hall West Lawn, 305 Queen Anne St., La Plata 💵 Free
It's back. La Plata's free Summer Concert Series opens its 2026 season this Friday and runs every Friday night through August 28. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and coolers. The specific artist for this week's opener hasn't been posted yet, so check the Town of La Plata's site closer to Friday. But save it either way, this series is one of the best free things Charles County does all summer.
🎸 LINE DANCE MAY 23RD @ GRACES EVENT CENTER
Saturday, May 23 | 7:00 PM 📍 Graces Event Center, 4045 Renner Rd, Waldorf 💵 See link
Lace up your dancing shoes, Graces Event Center is hosting a line dance night to kick off Memorial Day weekend. Whether you're a seasoned stepper or just want to figure out the Electric Slide once and for all, this is a solid Saturday night option.
🎺 JERSEY PARTY FT. NEW IMPRESSIONZ
Saturday, May 23 | 9:00 PM 📍 Shark Bar And Seafood House, Crain Highway, Waldorf 💵 See link
New Impressionz brings the Jersey club sound to Shark Bar for a late-night Saturday party. If you're still out after line dancing, you know where to go next.
🎵 JAZZ GOSPEL BRUNCH — YPD OF NEW HOPE AME CHURCH
Sunday, May 24 | 12:00 PM 📍 12310 Washington Square, Waldorf 💵 See link
The Young People's Division of New Hope AME Church hosts this Jazz Gospel Brunch on Memorial Day Sunday, and it's exactly the kind of thing that makes Sunday mornings in this county feel special. Great music, community energy, and a meal. Check the link for tickets and full details.
🎨 ARTS, WELLNESS & CREATIVE EXPERIENCES
Make something. Try something. Feel something different this week.
☕ THIRD PLACE | A SOCIAL EXPERIENCE
Thursday, May 21 | 6:30 PM 📍 Cup of Sugar Tea Lounge, 12540 Mattawoman Dr, Waldorf 💵 See link
"Third Place" is a community social event designed around connection and good conversation at one of Waldorf's warmest spots, Cup of Sugar Tea Lounge. Good tea, new faces, low pressure. If you've been wanting to meet more people in this area, this is a solid Thursday night option. Check Eventbrite for the ticket price.
🥊 BOXING AND BOOKS
Saturday, May 23 | 5:00 PM 📍 The Bloom Bar Studio, Waldorf 💵 See link
This is a genuinely Waldorf kind of Saturday afternoon: boxing meets books at The Bloom Bar Studio. Fitness for the body, fuel for the mind. Check the link for registration details and what to bring.
🎨 BEATS N BINGO
Sunday, May 24 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM 📍 Paint N Sip, 11110 Mall Circle (St. Charles Towne Center), Waldorf 💵 See link
Paint N Sip is closing out Memorial Day weekend with Beats N Bingo, a fun afternoon mix of music, line dancing, art, and bingo vibes. A perfect Sunday activity that doesn't require you to commit to anything intense. Grab tickets early, these tend to sell out.
🪚 AR WORKSHOP LA PLATA — YOU PICK ALL WOOD WORKSHOP
Wednesday, May 20 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 📍 AR Workshop, 317 Charles Street, La Plata 💵 Starting at $39
Pick your project, grab your tools, and make something real. AR Workshop's "You Pick" session lets you choose from their in-house collection of wood decor projects and customize it with paints, stains, and finishes while their instructors guide you through. Youth options available. A solid Wednesday night out in La Plata if you want to do something with your hands.
🎨 THE ARTISTRY LAB: BLOOMING REIGN 3D MIXED-MEDIA WORKSHOP
Friday, May 22 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 📍 Paint N Sip, 11110 Mall Circle (St. Charles Towne Center), Waldorf 💵 $55
Artist CéYvonne (pronounced "Shuh-von") guides you through creating "Blooming Reign," a silhouette piece with 3D floral elements that literally pop off the canvas. This isn't a regular paint night, it's textured, tactile, and designed for all skill levels. If you've been curious about mixed-media art, this is a great Friday night starting point. Tickets are $55 on Eventbrite.
👜 CUSTOM HANDBAG PARTY
Saturday, May 23 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 📍 Paint N Sip, 11110 Mall Circle (St. Charles Towne Center), Waldorf 💵 $75
Design and build your own custom handbag at Paint N Sip's Saturday afternoon party, all supplies included and a selection of patches to choose from. Light snacks provided. A fun, creative daytime activity before the rest of your Saturday plans kick in.
🌿 STEP INTO SUMMER: A WELLNESS EXPERIENCE
Sunday, May 24 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 📍 The Green Coterie, Waldorf 💵 $25
The Green Coterie is hosting a walk-through wellness experience on Memorial Day Sunday, a flowing, no-schedule space where you explore local wellness offerings at your own pace. Sound elements, grounding moments, real conversation, and simple ways to try something new in holistic wellness. Pick up an Experience Card at the door for a chance to win a giveaway. A thoughtful way to close out the long weekend.
👨👩👧 KIDS & FAMILY
Keep the little ones busy in the best way this Memorial Day weekend.
🦕 MOBILE MONDAY: DINOSAUR STORY TIME — WHITE PLAINS REGIONAL PARK
Monday, May 18 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM 📍 White Plains Regional Park, White Plains (Mobile Library) 💵 Free
The CCPL Mobile Library rolls into White Plains Regional Park Monday morning for a preschool-friendly Dinosaur Story Time plus crafts, library card services, and free Wi-Fi. A great outdoor morning for the little ones, no registration needed, just show up.
🐾 PAWS TO READ — WITH PETS ON WHEELS THERAPY ANIMALS
Thursday, May 21 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM 📍 Potomac Branch, Charles County Public Library 💵 Free
Kids read to certified therapy animals from Pets on Wheels at the Potomac Branch. It's as good as it sounds. Builds reading confidence, brings pure joy, and the animals are certified so everyone stays happy. Register at the CCPL website, spots are limited.
🛍️ POP-UP & GROW WEEKEND MARKET
Saturday, May 23 & Sunday, May 24 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM 📍 3000 Festival Way, Waldorf (Shops at Waldorf Center) 💵 Free admission
75+ vendors every weekend with handmade goods, boutique finds, local eats, and things you'll actually want. Great for a Memorial Day weekend browse with the kids or as a warm-up before the rest of your day's plans. Free to walk through, rain or shine.
🌟 KID'S NIGHT OUT: GLOW-N-DARK & LASER TAG PARTY
Saturday, May 23 | 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM 📍 My Gym of Waldorf, Waldorf 💵 $49 per child
Drop the kids off for 3.5 hours of non-stop glow-in-the-dark fun at My Gym of Waldorf. Laser tag, glownastics and tumbling, swings and games, arts and crafts, plus a movie and pizza to close it out. Open to kids ages 3.5–12 who are bathroom independent. A perfect built-in date night or parents-night-off on Memorial Day Saturday.
📚 LIBRARY & LEARNING
Your library is doing more than you think this week. A lot more.
Note: All CCPL locations are CLOSED Saturday, May 23 in observance of Memorial Day.
📚 ABCD'S OF MEDICARE
Tuesday, May 19 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM 📍 La Plata Branch, Charles County Public Library 💵 Free
Your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) breaks down Medicare Parts A, B, C, D, supplemental insurance, and savings programs in plain English. Free, no registration required, and genuinely useful. If you or someone you know is approaching Medicare age, this is the one to send them to.
🌱 MOBILE LIBRARY: POLAROID PAINTING AT LA PLATA FARMERS MARKET
Wednesday, May 20 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM 📍 La Plata Farmers Market, La Plata (Mobile Library stop) 💵 Free
The CCPL Mobile Library parks at the La Plata Farmers Market Wednesday morning. Customize a Polaroid painting, grab a library card, use the free Wi-Fi, and then pick up produce while you're there. A two-for-one Wednesday morning.
🌿 FORAGING WALK — MALLOWS BAY PARK
Thursday, May 21 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM 📍 Mallows Bay Park, Charles County (Mobile Library) 💵 Free (join waitlist)
A guided foraging walk at Mallows Bay Park, home of the famous Ghost Fleet, led by a special presenter who knows their native plants. Registration is full but the waitlist is worth joining, and check the CCPL calendar for future foraging programs. This is the kind of local experience that doesn't come around often.
🤖 LEGO ROBOTICS CLUB (SPIKE ESSENTIALS)
Thursday, May 21 | 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM 📍 Waldorf West Branch Library 💵 Free (waitlist)
Kids build and program robots using LEGO Spike Essentials. This program meets every other month, so join the waitlist now to catch the next session. Check the CCPL calendar for the next open date.
🏛️ Local Government & Civic Meetings
Your county is making decisions this week. Here's where to show up.
🏛️ BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS — PUBLIC HEARINGS
Tuesday, May 19 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 📍 Charles County Government Building, 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata 💵 Free / Open to public
Three items on Tuesday's agenda worth knowing about: the Animal Matters Hearing Board meets from 6–8pm, and there are two public hearings, one on Proposed Bill 2026-03 establishing an Office of the Inspector General, and one on Proposed Bill 2026-05 offering a property tax credit for volunteer emergency responders. Public comment is welcome. Can't make it in person? Virtual attendance is available by calling (240) 776-6709 between 8am and 4pm to register.
📺 How to Watch
Many county meetings are streamed live or recorded on CCGTV.
Agendas, links, and recordings are posted here:
👉Here
🛍️ SHOP LOCAL & POP-UPS
Support the people who make this place feel like home.
🥕 WALDORF FARMERS MARKET
Saturday, May 23 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 📍 3003 Festival Way, Waldorf 💵 Free
Your weekly Saturday market is back with fresh local produce and seasonal goods through November. Waldorf Farmers Market runs every Saturday 10am–2pm. Show up early for the best selection.
🌱 LA PLATA FARMERS MARKET
Wednesday, May 20 & Saturday, May 23 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM 📍 La Plata, MD (downtown) 💵 Free
The La Plata Farmers Market runs both Wednesdays and Saturdays through the season. Midweek shopping has never made this much sense. Fresh produce, local vendors, and the bonus of having the mobile library parked there Wednesday morning if you want to make a morning of it.
🛍️ PIVOT POP-UP MARKETPLACE — HUGHESVILLE
Saturday, May 23 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM 📍 8395 Old Leonardtown Rd, Hughesville 💵 Free admission
A community celebration in Hughesville with food trucks, local vendors, and free admission for the whole family. Great Saturday option if you're in the southern part of the county or want to explore a different corner of Charles County this weekend. Also a chance to learn about Libby's Busy Bee Early Learning Center if early childhood education is on your radar.
🧠 Quick Reminders
🎶 La Plata Summer Concert Series kicks off Friday, May 22 at 7pm, free on the Town Hall lawn, runs every Friday through August 28
💼 Southern Maryland Hiring Event at CSM is Thursday 10am–4pm, free entry and free professional headshots for all attendees
🐾 Paws to Read at Potomac Branch is Thursday at 6pm, register now before spots fill
📚 CCPL is CLOSED Saturday, May 23 for Memorial Day
🌿 Foraging Walk at Mallows Bay is Thursday at 5pm, registration is full but the waitlist is worth joining
🎨 Beats N Bingo at Paint N Sip is Sunday May 24 from 2–4:30pm, grab tickets early
🥕 La Plata Farmers Market is open Wednesday AND Saturday this week, 9am–2pm both days
🌟 Kid's Night Out: Glow-N-Dark at My Gym of Waldorf is Saturday 6–9:30pm, $49, great drop-off option for parents
🎨 Artistry Lab: Blooming Reign 3D Workshop is Friday at 6pm at Paint N Sip, $55, spots are limited
🏛️ Maryland 400 Symposium is Saturday at the Veterans Museum in Newburg, free and genuinely worth the drive south
🏪 KNOW A HIDDEN LOCAL BUSINESS?
Got a favorite spot that deserves more love? A new restaurant, boutique, artist, or service that your neighbors should know about?
Submit a nomination
Know a hidden local business?
You can nominate one for a future issue → Here
That’s it for this week.
Before you go,
If you make it to anything this weekend, the concert series opener, the job fair, hit reply and let me know how it was. These events are worth covering when real neighbors share real experiences, and your tips are honestly how this list keeps getting better week after week.
That's the week. Enjoy your Memorial Day.
From one local to another 🧡
— Candace