⭐ FEATURED THIS WEEK
LA PLATA SUMMER CONCERT SERIES, FINAL NIGHT OF THE SEASON
Friday, August 28 | 7:00 to 9:00 PM 📍 La Plata Town Hall lawn, 305 Queen Anne Street, La Plata 💵 Free
Every Friday since May, the lawn at La Plata Town Hall has filled up with lawn chairs, coolers, and people who figured out that a free outdoor concert is one of the better deals in the county. This is the last one of 2026.
Doors are the lawn, so bring blankets and chairs. Food vendors will be on site, and it runs rain or shine unless the weather turns genuinely dangerous. Get there closer to 6:30 if you want a good spot, because closing night tends to draw the people who meant to come all summer and never did.
The series has run pop rock, R&B, Latin, jazz, soul, reggae, and classic rock this year, along with military bands. The town hadn't posted the closing-night lineup as of Friday, so check the link before you head out if the performer matters to you.
If you only make it to one free thing this week, make it this one. It won't come back around until next May.
🏘️ COMMUNITY & SEASONAL PICKS
The last full week of summer, and the county is not going quietly.
PROPAGATION SWAP AT THE PARK
Monday, August 24 | 6:00 to 7:00 PM 📍 Laurel Springs Regional Park, La Plata 💵 Free
Bring a cutting, take a cutting. The library's mobile team sets up outside for a plant swap where neighbors trade propagations and growing advice. You don't need a greenhouse to participate, one clipping in a jar gets you in the door.
SMYO BACK TO SCHOOL DESIGNER BAG BINGO
Friday, August 28 | 5:00 PM 📍 Waldorf Jaycees, 3090 Crain Highway, Waldorf 💵 From $33.85
Designer bag bingo is basically a Southern Maryland sport at this point, and this one raises money for SMYO's back to school effort. Expect a packed room, a lot of good-natured shouting, and a real chance at walking out with a very nice handbag. Bring your lucky dauber.
TRINKET TRADING AT LAUREL SPRINGS PARK
Friday, August 28 | 6:00 to 7:30 PM 📍 Laurel Springs Regional Park, La Plata 💵 Free
Another mobile library pop-up, this one for small treasures. Bring things you're done with, leave with something someone else was done with. It's low stakes, oddly delightful, and a solid excuse to be outside on a Friday evening.
THE SHOPS AT WALDORF CENTER CLASSIC CAR SHOW
Saturday, August 29 | 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM 📍 The Shops at Waldorf Center, 2983 Festival Way, Waldorf 💵 Free to walk through, registration fee to show a car
DMV Rods and Classic's Car Club take over the Waldorf Center lot with classic cars, bikes, and trucks. The Pop-Up & Grow vendor market runs the same day in the same place, so you can knock out both in one trip. Bring a chair and expect to spend longer than you planned.
NIGHT ON THE RIVER
Saturday, August 29 | 6:00 PM 📍 Port Tobacco Restaurant, 7536 Shirley Blvd, Port Tobacco 💵 $75 to $150
The Port Tobacco River Conservancy throws its summer fundraiser on the waterfront, and it's the dressiest thing on this week's list. Buffet dinner, signature drinks, live music, silent auction, sunset views off the deck, and an Eagle Cam experience that is exactly as cool as it sounds. There's a VIP early access hour if you want first crack at the auction.
Proceeds support the Conservancy's river health work, including the Junior River Keepers program for local kids. Waterfront cocktail attire suggested, which is a fun sentence to read in August.
FREEDOM BASH, SOUTHERN MD NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION
Saturday, August 29 | 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM 📍 Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department, 15245 Prince Frederick Road, Hughesville 💵 $100 to attend, $75 raffle only
Drawings every ten minutes with 25 chances to win per ticket, plus a 50/50, silent auction, and gun raffles. Soda, beer, and wine come with the ticket. Questions go to Becky Hoffman at (301) 843-2410.
NEW HOPE COG GENERATION SUNDAY COOKOUT & GAMES
Sunday, August 30 | 1:00 PM 📍 4200 Old Washington Road, Waldorf 💵 Free
A church cookout with lawn games and food, open to whoever shows up. It's the kind of easy Sunday afternoon you can bring kids to and leave when you're ready, no commitment required.
🎵 LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
One free lawn concert, one touring rapper, and two very different paint nights.
$1 WING SUMMER NIGHTS
Monday, August 24 | Starts 10:30 AM, runs into the evening 📍 3059 Waldorf Marketplace, Waldorf 💵 Wings $1 each
A recurring summer special that pulls a steady weeknight crowd. Cheap wings, casual room, nothing to overthink. Good Monday reset.
KARAOKE SIP & PAINT
Saturday, August 29 | 6:00 PM 📍 Martinis Lounge, Waldorf 💵 $28
Painting and karaoke in the same room, which is either a great idea or a very great idea. No painting experience needed, and absolutely no singing experience required.
DEREZ DE'SHON AT SHARK BAR
Saturday, August 29 | 8:30 PM 📍 Shark Bar and Seafood House, Crain Highway, Waldorf 💵 From $28.52
Atlanta rapper Derez De'Shon brings a live set to Shark Bar. A real touring artist playing Waldorf isn't a weekly occurrence, so grab tickets ahead rather than hoping at the door.
CHAOTIC BEHAVIOR BAND, SIP AND PAINT EDITION
Saturday, August 29 | 10:00 PM 📍 Martinis Lounge, Waldorf 💵 $28
The late set at Martinis, live band this time, with the sip and paint format carried over from earlier in the night. Come for the second half if 6:00 PM felt too responsible.
🎨 ARTS, WELLNESS & CREATIVE EXPERIENCES
Make something, say something, or just sit still for an hour.
STORY TIME FOR ADULTS: LISTEN, LAUGH, CONNECT
Tuesday, August 25 | 10:30 to 11:30 AM 📍 Waldorf West Branch, 10405 O'Donnell Place, Waldorf 💵 Free
An hour of storytelling, crafts, and music built specifically for grown-ups. Turns out story time was never just for the little ones, we just stopped getting invited.
RHYME TIME, POETRY WRITERS' GATHERING
Tuesday, August 25 | 6:00 to 7:30 PM 📍 Waldorf West Branch, 10405 O'Donnell Place, Waldorf 💵 Free
Poets brand new and long practiced gather to read, write, and workshop together. Bring something to share or just come listen, both count as showing up.
JOKES & STROKES WITH COMEDIAN JAYSKI
Saturday, August 29 | 6:00 to 8:00 PM 📍 Paint N Sip, 11110 Mall Circle, Waldorf 💵 See link
Comedian Jayski is fresh off the We Them Ones tour and he's doing a set while you paint. Two hours of jokes, canvases, and good vibes. This is the low-effort creative night for people who don't want to take the painting part too seriously.
UNHIDDEN: THE GIFTS WE DON'T TALK ABOUT
Saturday, August 29 | 2:00 to 4:00 PM 📍 The Green Coterie, Waldorf 💵 $25
An open conversation about intuition, spiritual sensitivity, and the parts of ourselves we learned to question or keep quiet. The Green Coterie keeps these small on purpose, so it stays an actual conversation instead of a lecture. Worth it if that's your thing.
SOUND BATH SUNDAY
Sunday, August 30 | Time TBD, check the link 📍 The Green Coterie, Waldorf 💵 $30
Held the last Sunday of every month, this is a guided reset using crystal singing bowls and other sound instruments. Good for a rough week, good for first timers, good for anyone who wants a quiet hour before Monday shows up again.
👨👩👧 KIDS & FAMILY
Six straight Blue Crabs home games, and yes, one of them is for the dogs.
MATH TIME
Tuesday, August 25 | 6:00 to 7:00 PM 📍 La Plata Branch, 2 Garrett Avenue, La Plata 💵 Free
Hands-on early math for ages 2 to 5 that feels like play instead of school. Count, sort, build, repeat. A good pre-K warmup with the school year about to start.
BLUE CRABS vs. GASTONIA, TRIVIA TUESDAY
Tuesday, August 25 | 6:35 PM 📍 Regency Furniture Stadium, 11765 St Linus Drive, Waldorf 💵 See link
First of six straight home games against the Gastonia Ghost Peppers. Trivia runs between innings, and midweek games are where you get good seats without planning ahead.
ALIEN ART
Wednesday, August 26 | 2:00 to 4:00 PM 📍 Waldorf West Branch, 10405 O'Donnell Place, Waldorf 💵 Free, registration required
What do you think aliens actually look like? Kids build their own out-of-this-world creature from recycled craft materials. Register ahead, this one fills.
BLUE CRABS vs. GASTONIA, WOOF WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, August 26 | 6:35 PM 📍 Regency Furniture Stadium, 11765 St Linus Drive, Waldorf 💵 See link
Bring the dog to the ballgame. Woof Wednesday is presented by Dees Mutts, and honestly the leashed good boy turnout is half the entertainment.
BLUE CRABS vs. GASTONIA, THIRSTY THURSDAY
Thursday, August 27 | 6:35 PM 📍 Regency Furniture Stadium, 11765 St Linus Drive, Waldorf 💵 See link
Drink specials on the concourse presented by Craft Crush, plus the most relaxed crowd of the homestand. Easy weeknight out.
BLUE CRABS vs. GASTONIA, POST-GAME FIREWORKS
Friday, August 28 | 6:35 PM 📍 Regency Furniture Stadium, 11765 St Linus Drive, Waldorf 💵 See link
Friday means the full post-game fireworks show. This is the best family night of the week and the stands fill up accordingly, so get there early if you want to sit together.
WALK-ON PAINTBALL, AIRSOFT & GELLYBALL
Friday, August 28 (12:00 to 5:00 PM), Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30 (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) 📍 Southern Maryland Paintball, 11272 Edge Hill Road, Newburg 💵 Per session, see link
No group and no reservation needed, walk-ons get dropped into games with whoever else turns up. Airsoft, GellyBall, and axe throwing are all on site. Show up at least two hours before closing if you want a real session in.
BLUE CRABS vs. GASTONIA, SATURDAY SUPPORTS
Saturday, August 29 | 6:35 PM 📍 Regency Furniture Stadium, 11765 St Linus Drive, Waldorf 💵 See link
The weekly Saturday game that fundraises for a local organization. Baseball plus a good cause is an easy sell.
BLUE CRABS vs. GASTONIA, KIDS RUN THE BASES
Sunday, August 30 | 1:05 PM 📍 Regency Furniture Stadium, 11765 St Linus Drive, Waldorf 💵 See link
Sunday afternoon baseball, and afterward the kids get player autographs and run the bases, presented by Raising Cane's. The homestand closer and the most kid-friendly game of the six.
📚 LIBRARY & LEARNING
Two free ways to cut your SMECO bill, two bestselling authors, and a Spanish club with a wait list.
SPANISH CONVERSATION CLUB
Monday, August 24 | 6:00 to 7:00 PM 📍 Virtual 💵 Free, currently full with a wait list
Practice your Spanish and make new amigos in a friendly virtual circle. Basic vocabulary expected. It's full at the moment, but the wait list does move.
EVERYDAY ENERGY WITH SMECO, WALDORF WEST
Monday, August 24 | 6:00 to 7:00 PM 📍 Waldorf West Branch, 10405 O'Donnell Place, Waldorf 💵 Free, registration required
SMECO walks through practical ways to cut your carbon footprint and your power bill at the same time. Real tips you can act on before the next billing cycle, which is the only kind worth an hour.
CPR/BLS CERTIFICATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
Tuesday, August 25 | 10:00 AM 📍 AllCPR Training Waldorf 💵 From $64
American Heart Association CPR and Basic Life Support certification for healthcare providers. Multiple session times are offered, so check the listing for one that fits your schedule.
AUTHOR TALK WITH BERONDA MONTGOMERY
Tuesday, August 25 | 2:00 to 3:00 PM 📍 Virtual 💵 Free, registration required
Beronda Montgomery discusses America's Black botanical legacy as part of the library's virtual author series. Worth the hour if you're into plants, history, or the places those two overlap.
EVERYDAY ENERGY WITH SMECO, P.D. BROWN
Wednesday, August 26 | 6:00 to 7:00 PM 📍 P.D. Brown Memorial Branch, 50 Village Street, Waldorf 💵 Free, registration required
Same SMECO session, east side of Waldorf this time. If Monday at Waldorf West doesn't work, this is your second shot.
AUTHOR TALK WITH LUCY FOLEY
Thursday, August 27 | 2:00 to 3:00 PM 📍 Virtual 💵 Free, registration required
Bestselling author Lucy Foley talks high altitude and high stakes in her latest mystery. Second author talk of the week, and both are free from your kitchen table.
🏛️ LOCAL GOVERNMENT & CIVIC MEETINGS
Two public meetings this week, plus free legal help every weekday.
CHARLES COUNTY SELF-HELP CENTER, FREE LEGAL ADVICE
Monday, August 24 through Friday, August 28 | Weekday hours 📍 200 Charles Street, La Plata 💵 Free
Free limited legal advice, open to the public every county weekday. This is one of the more useful free resources in La Plata and almost nobody knows it exists. Pass it along.
CHARLES COUNTY ETHICS COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, August 24 | 6:00 PM 📍 Charles County Government, La Plata 💵 Free, open to the public
The regular public meeting of the county Ethics Commission. Check the listing for the room and any virtual access details.
CHARLES COUNTY BOARD OF APPEALS, HYBRID
Tuesday, August 25 | 6:00 PM 📍 Charles County Government, La Plata, and online 💵 Free, open to the public
A hybrid in-person and virtual public hearing before the Board of Appeals. Agenda and connection details are on the county listing.
How to Watch: Can't make it in person? Charles County Government TV (CCGTV) streams most public meetings live and archives them afterward. Check charlescountymd.gov for the viewing schedule.
🛍️ SHOP LOCAL & POP-UPS
Peak tomato season, and the Wednesday market may be closing out for the year.
ROOTBOUND FARMS MARKET & LOCAL PROVISIONS
Tuesday, August 25 through Friday, August 28, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Saturday, August 29, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 📍 106 St. Mary's Avenue, La Plata 💵 Free to browse, EBT accepted
A downtown La Plata provisions shop stocked almost entirely from Charles County farms, including Next Step Produce, Shlagel Farms, Wee Bean Coffee, and Mama Kim's Bagels. There's a small kids' area, which makes it an easy stop with little ones. Closed Sunday and Monday.
LA PLATA FARMERS MARKET, WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, August 26 | 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM 📍 209 Washington Avenue, La Plata 💵 Free, SNAP/EBT, WIC and Senior FMNP accepted
The county's oldest market, running since 1978, and Wednesdays are the smaller easier version. Heads up: the town's 2026 vendor packet lists August 26 as the last Wednesday of the season, so call ahead if you were counting on more.
LA PLATA FARMERS MARKET, SATURDAY
Saturday, August 29 | 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM 📍 Main lot behind the Charles County Courthouse complex, 209 Washington Avenue, La Plata 💵 Free, SNAP/EBT, WIC and Senior FMNP accepted
The big weekend market: produce, meats, eggs, plants, honey, jams, baked goods, food trucks, and local brewery, winery, and distillery vendors. No pets, no smoking, no open containers.
WALDORF FARMERS MARKET
aturday, August 29 | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 📍 2935 Crain Highway, Waldorf 💵 Free
A producers-only market, meaning the person selling it grew it or made it. Seasonal produce, home baked goods, jams, plants and flowers, plus local artists with jewelry and crafts.
SHLAGEL FARMS ON-FARM MARKET
Saturday, August 29 | 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM 📍 12850 Shlagel Road, Waldorf 💵 Free to visit, cash, credit, SNAP, WIC, Maryland Market Money
A hundred-plus-year family farm with a year-round Saturday store: seasonal fruit and vegetables, eggs, honey, jams, and farm-raised beef, pork, and chicken. No pick-your-own this week, strawberries are done and pumpkins don't start until October.
POP-UP & GROW VENDOR MARKET
Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30 | 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM 📍 The Shops at Waldorf Center, 3000 Festival Way, Waldorf 💵 Free to attend
Roughly 75 local vendors, artisans, and food trucks fill the lot every weekend. Jewelry, candles, baked goods, small-batch everything, and the lineup rotates so it's never quite the same market twice. Saturday it runs alongside the classic car show.
BRYANS ROAD FARMERS MARKET
Sunday, August 30 | 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, rain or shine 📍 Bryans Road Ace Hardware, 3060 Livingston Road, Bryans Road 💵 Free, free parking, EBT accepted
A community-centered Sunday market with rotating local farmers, prepared food vendors, food trucks, cottage bakers, jams, jewelry, and crafters. Leashed pets welcome and the site is ADA accessible. Season runs through early October, so this is peak produce.
FLOATING LOTUS FARMSTEAD ON-FARM STORE
Sunday, August 30 | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 📍 10400 Griffith Lane, White Plains 💵 Free to visit
A chemical-free regenerative farm selling straight from the source every Sunday: nutrient dense vegetables, herbs, eggs, and broiler chickens. They're also at the La Plata market on Saturdays if Sunday doesn't work for you.
🧠 Quick Reminders
🎵 Friday is the last free La Plata concert of the summer. Lawn chairs, 7:00 PM, Town Hall.
🎆 Blue Crabs fireworks Friday night, and six home games total Tuesday through Sunday.
🐕 Woof Wednesday means you can bring the dog to the ballpark.
🚗 Classic car show and the Pop-Up & Grow market are the same day, same lot, Saturday in Waldorf.
🥕 Wednesday, August 26 may be the final Wednesday La Plata market of the year. Go if you've been meaning to.
💡 Two free SMECO energy sessions at the library, Monday at Waldorf West and Wednesday at P.D. Brown. Both need registration.
⚖️ Free legal advice at the Self-Help Center in La Plata, every weekday.
🌊 Night on the River Saturday in Port Tobacco if you want one dressed-up evening before summer ends.
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? → Here
That’s it for this week.
Before you go,
If you make it to the last La Plata concert or you end up at the car show Saturday, hit reply and tell me how it went. I want to know whether closing night drew a crowd. And if you know about something happening next week that I missed, send it my way, that's how half of this newsletter gets built.
That's the week.
From one local to another
— Candace