Saturday–Sunday, Oct 17–18 | Times on ticket page 📍 Charles County Fairgrounds, La Plata 💵 Kids tickets from $15

🔗 Get tickets

Monster Truck Wars 2026 brings car-crushing trucks back to the Charles County Fairgrounds for two days, and it's the loudest thing on the calendar by a mile. Along with the main show you get Quad Wars, Kids Powerwheel Races, a pre-show pit party, and the chance to ride in a real monster truck.

It's built for families. Kids tickets start at $15, and the ticket page is where you'll find adult pricing and show times, since neither made it into the listing we pulled. Buying early saves money, per the promoters, so don't wait until you're sitting in the parking lot.

If you're not going, you'll still want to know about it. Expect extra traffic around the fairgrounds both days, so build in extra time if you're driving through La Plata that weekend.

Your county is doing something this week. A lot of somethings, actually.

Wednesday, Oct 14 | Reception 4:30 p.m., program 5:00 p.m. 📍 Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park, Newburg 💵 Free

🔗 Event details

A reception kicks things off, then the lecture starts at 5. This week's topic is "War Fighter Advance." It's a low-key, free evening that's a good fit for history lovers and military families.

Wednesday, Oct 14 | 6:00–7:30 p.m. 📍 Charles County Department of Health, 4545 Crain Hwy, White Plains (also virtual) 💵 Free

🔗 Event details

A community conversation about substance use disorder and getting access to care. You can show up in person or join online, and the whole point is that neighbors get to ask questions and connect with local resources.

Thursday, Oct 15 | 5:00–7:00 p.m. 📍 Melwood Recreation Center, 9035 Ironsides Rd, Nanjemoy 💵 Members free, non-member price on event page

🔗 Event details

The Charles County Chamber's monthly mixer heads down to Nanjemoy this time around. If you run a small business or just like knowing who's who in the county, this is a friendly room to walk into.

Friday–Saturday, Oct 16–17 | Qualifying Friday evening, racing Saturday 📍 Maryland International Raceway, 27861 Budds Creek Rd, Mechanicsville 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

Drag racing fans, this one's for you. FAST and Factory Stock cars run qualifying on Friday night and eliminations on Saturday, with a Quick 8 ladder in both classes. Racers can also roll in Saturday and join the program.

Friday, Oct 16 | Time TBD, check the link 📍 Various locations on Cobb Island 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

Stroll the streets of Cobb Island and spot scarecrows made by local artisans and neighbors. You can vote for your favorite and stop in at the businesses along the way. It's an easy, photo-friendly fall outing for the whole family.

Saturday, Oct 17 | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. 📍 Calvary United Methodist Church, 3235 Leonardtown Rd, Waldorf 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

The church is calling it "a day of fall fun and fellowship," and that about covers it. A neighborly seasonal festival right on Leonardtown Road. Check the link for what's on the schedule.

Saturday, Oct 17 | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. 📍 Indian Head Rail Trail, 10410 Theodore Green Blvd, Indian Head 💵 Free to $90, see link for details

🔗 Event details

The first annual Hearts N Bloom Family Fun Run is a casual run with games and activities for all ages, and strollers are welcome. It's more about community than competition, and a good way to learn what Hearts N Bloom is all about.

Saturday, Oct 17 | 12:00–2:00 p.m. 📍 Grace Lutheran Church & School, 1200 Charles St, La Plata 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

Trunk-or-treat, crafts, games, a moon bounce, and Italian ice. That's a solid two hours for the little ones, and it's a nice early-afternoon option if you're already in La Plata for the Book Bazaar.

Saturday–Sunday, Oct 17–18 | 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. 📍 Historic Maxwell Hall, 17388 Teagues Point Rd, Hughesville 💵 Free

🔗 Event details

The Colonial Faire and Fall Festival returns to Historic Maxwell Hall with food, fun, tours of the hall, and plenty of photo spots. Free for the whole family and open both days, which makes it an easy pick for fall weather.

Sunday, Oct 18 | 12:00–4:00 p.m. 📍 PTR Waterfront Restaurant, 7536 Shirley Blvd, Port Tobacco 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

Jeep fans are gathering on the Port Tobacco waterfront Sunday afternoon. Details are light, so check the link before you roll out.

Tacos, cornhole, a live band, and a flamenco dinner show. Pick your kind of night.

Tuesday, Oct 13 | 6:00 p.m. 📍 Bar 919 (Red Lounge), 2736 Crain Hwy, Waldorf 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

Every Tuesday at Red Lounge: three tacos for $6, $8 cocktails and shots, and a night party to follow. A cheap way to make Tuesday feel like a weekend.

Wednesday, Oct 14 | 7:00–10:00 p.m. 📍 Fiesta Cancun, 3610 Crain Hwy, Waldorf 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

Fiesta Cancun is turning two and throwing a party with Coty The Artist & 4Ever Fam Band and DJ HefBeats. Live music on a Wednesday night is a good problem to have.

Thursday, Oct 15 | 6:00 p.m. 📍 Pier House, 16320 Cobb Island Rd, Newburg 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

A weekly cornhole night by the water at the Pier House. Bring your friends, form a team, and play for prizes, and if you're new to it, nobody's going to judge your toss.

Friday, Oct 16 | Time TBD, check the link 📍 Martini's Lounge, 10553 Theodore Green Blvd, White Plains 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

A monthly meet-up at Martini's Lounge for drinks, snacks, and conversation. Good for networking or just meeting a few new faces, and you can come solo.

Friday, Oct 16 | 9:00 p.m. 📍 Apehanger's Bar & Grill, 9100 Crain Hwy, Bel Alton 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

A late Friday night out at Apehanger's with a Tokyo theme. The listing is short on specifics, so check the link before you head to Bel Alton.

Sunday, Oct 18 | Doors 5:45 p.m., show 6:00 p.m. 📍 The Cove at Cobb Island, 12133 Neale Sound Dr, Cobb Island 💵 $75 per person plus tax and gratuity, includes 3-course dinner and a glass of sangria

🔗 Get tickets

Members of the Furia Flamenca Dance Company, whose résumés include the Kennedy Center Honors and the Washington National Opera, perform live with dancers and a guitarist-singer. Dinner is family-style appetizers, a choice of three entrées, and dessert. Seating is communal, tickets are limited, and you need to buy in advance.

Make something. Try something. Feel something different this week.

Wednesday, Oct 14 | 11:00 a.m. 📍 2670 Crain Hwy #419, Waldorf 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

A supportive gathering for survivors of domestic violence, focused on healing and strength. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this is the kind of local resource worth passing along to someone who might need it.

Thursday, Oct 15 | 6:00 p.m. 📍 3410 Leonardtown Rd, Waldorf 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

A Breast Cancer Awareness Month evening that goes beyond the pink ribbon. The listing is light on specifics, so check the link for the full program.

Thursday, Oct 15 | Time TBD, check the link 📍 Paint N Sip, 11110 Mall Circle, Waldorf 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

Exactly what it sounds like, with dancing optional and painting guaranteed. Hear your song, move if you want to, and leave with a canvas you actually made.

Friday, Oct 16 | 7:00 p.m. 📍 Joyful Studio, 115A La Grange Ave #103, La Plata 💵 $90-100

🔗 Get tickets

Grab your girls for a DIY bag design night. You'll customize a one-of-a-kind statement bag with patches, embellishments, and more, and walk out with something nobody else has.

Friday, Oct 16 | 8:00 p.m. 📍 4185 Indian Head Hwy, Indian Head 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

The listing asks, "Love endures, or does it?" and leaves you to find out. Details are thin, so check the link before you make plans.

Saturday, Oct 17 | 10:00 a.m. 📍 12100 Jefferson Farm Pl, Waldorf 💵 Free

🔗 Reserve your spot

A free fall home-design workshop that styles one room two different ways. Handy if you're itching to refresh a space without a big budget.

Saturday, Oct 17 | 2:00 p.m. 📍 The Green Coterie, 3438 Rockefeller Ct, Waldorf 💵 $69

🔗 Get tickets

Not your mama's vision board. You'll build a mixed-media book for clarity, hope, dreams, and whatever beautiful thing comes next.

Pumpkins, bats, and scarecrows. The little ones have a packed week.

Tuesday, Oct 13 | 2:00–3:00 p.m. 📍 Potomac Branch Library, Indian Head 💵 Free, registration required

🔗 Register here

The monthly STEM Club is back, and this month the kids are cracking binary code. Hands-on experiments with a little science, technology, engineering, and math mixed in.

Tuesday, Oct 13 | 6:00–7:00 p.m. 📍 P.D. Brown Memorial Branch, Waldorf 💵 Free, registration required

🔗 Register here

Tweens make their own needle-felted animals. It's a calm, creative hour and a fun way to try a craft most people have never touched.

Tuesday–Thursday, Oct 13–15 | Four stops: Tue 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Wed 3:00–4:00 p.m., Wed 6:00–7:00 p.m., Thu 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 📍 Nanjemoy Community Center; RallyPoint Games; White Plains Regional Park Skate Park; Village Green Park / Indian Head Senior Center 💵 Free

🔗 Tue: Nanjemoy | Wed: RallyPoint Games | Wed: White Plains skate park | Thu: Indian Head

Are you brave enough for the bat expedition? The Mobile Library rolls out a bat-themed challenge at four spots around the county this week. Check which stop is closest to you, because each one is a different day and time.

Wednesday–Thursday, Oct 14–15 | 2:00–3:30 p.m. both days 📍 Potomac Branch Library, Indian Head 💵 Free, registration required

🔗 Register for Wednesday | Register for Thursday

Kids and tweens dig into Mexican folk art with hands-on projects. Same program both days, so pick whichever fits your schedule.

Wednesday, Oct 14 | 6:00–7:30 p.m. 📍 La Plata Branch Library, La Plata 💵 Free, registration required

🔗 Register here

Read to a certified therapy animal or just hang out with one. It's a great low-pressure way for a nervous reader to build confidence, and the dogs don't correct your pronunciation.

Friday, Oct 16 | 6:00–8:00 p.m. 📍 Waldorf West Branch Library, Waldorf 💵 Free, registration required

🔗 Register here

A teen-only after-hours event to celebrate the end of a long week. Games, friends, and no adults hovering.

Saturday, Oct 17 | 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 📍 Location on event page 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

A morning of pumpkin carving and scarecrow building for ages 3 to 12. One pumpkin, tools, straw, and a large clear bag for your scarecrow are included. You supply an old shirt, pants, and a pillowcase.

Saturday, Oct 17 | 3:00 p.m. 📍 Paint N Sip, 11110 Mall Circle, Waldorf 💵 $35

🔗 Get tickets

Paint night, dancing, karaoke, and fun for the kids. Dressing up like MJ is optional, but we'd love to see a sequin glove.

Your library is doing more than you think this week. A lot more.

Tuesday, Oct 13 | 2:00–3:00 p.m. 📍 Virtual 💵 Free, registration required

🔗 Register here

Part of the CCPL Virtual Author Speaker Series, this talk digs into "The Power of Limits: How Constraints Drive Genius." Join from your couch on your lunch break.

Tuesday, Oct 13 | 6:30 p.m. (Spanish session at 5:00 p.m.) 📍 Virtual 💵 Free, registration required

🔗 Register for English | Register for Spanish

A Social Security expert answers your questions about benefits and protection for workers and their families. There's a Spanish-language session earlier in the evening.

Tuesday, Oct 13 | 6:00–7:00 p.m. 📍 Waldorf West Branch Library, Waldorf 💵 Free, registration required

🔗 Register here

The Southern Maryland Human Trafficking Collaborative explains the signs of grooming and exploitation online. It's aimed at teens and their families, and it's practical info every parent should hear.

Thursday, Oct 15 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. 📍 La Plata Branch Library, La Plata 💵 Free

🔗 Event details

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. teams up with the library to build the collection at the Charles County Public Library's Detention Center Branch. Drop off a book and help give people inside something good to read.

Thursday, Oct 15 | 6:00–7:00 p.m. 📍 Kanto Games & Collectibles (library partner event) 💵 Free, registration required

🔗 Register here

The library takes trivia night on the road to Kanto Games & Collectibles. Bring your useless pop culture knowledge and your friends.

Thursday, Oct 15 | 6:00–7:00 p.m. 📍 Virtual 💵 Free, registration required

🔗 Register here

Maryland poet Adam Tavel reads from work that explores mental health, resilience, and the digital age. A quiet evening of poetry you can enjoy from home.

Friday–Saturday, Oct 16–17 | 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. both days (Friday is Members Only Day) 📍 La Plata Branch Library, La Plata 💵 Prices vary

🔗 Friday: Members Only | Saturday: open to all

The annual used book sale is back, and it's one of the best deals in the county for bookworms. Friday is for Citizens for CCPL members, and Saturday is open to everyone. Go early for the best picks.

Friday, Oct 16 | 2:00–3:30 p.m. 📍 Waldorf West Branch Library, Waldorf 💵 Free, registration required

🔗 Register here

Learn the basics of Mahjong with other players, and all ages are welcome. Beginners are exactly who this is for.

Saturday, Oct 17 | 10:00–11:00 a.m. 📍 P.D. Brown Memorial Branch, Waldorf 💵 Free, registration required

🔗 Register here

Learn how to ask AI tools better questions, give them context, refine the answers, and spot when a result needs more work. Useful whether you're curious or already using it at work.

Saturday, Oct 17 | 2:00–3:00 p.m. 📍 Waldorf West Branch Library, Waldorf 💵 Free

🔗 Event details

Players of all ages are invited to sit down for a game. Walk-ins are welcome, whether you're a beginner or a bit of a shark.

Sunday, Oct 18 | 2:00 p.m. 📍 Historic Port Tobacco Courthouse, 8430 Commerce St, Port Tobacco 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

A celebration of the written word at the Historic Port Tobacco Courthouse. Meet authors, hear their stories, and pick up writing tips from people who actually finished their books.

Sunday, Oct 18 | 2:00 p.m. 📍 Online 💵$5

🔗 Event details

An online workshop for first-time buyers in Charles County. If you've been thinking about buying, this is a good place to start asking questions.

Your county is making decisions this week. Here's where to show up.

Monday, Oct 12 | All day 📍 All Charles County Public Library branches and Charles County Government offices 💵 No cost, just a heads up

🔗 County closure notice | Library closure notice

Both are closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day. Plan your library returns and county errands for Tuesday.

Tuesday, Oct 13 | 6:00 p.m. 📍 Charles County Government (hybrid, see link for details) 💵 Free

🔗 Meeting details

The Board of Appeals meets in a hybrid format, so you can attend in person or join remotely. Open to the public.

Wednesday, Oct 14 | 3:00 p.m. 📍 Charles County Government (see link for location) 💵 Free

🔗 Meeting details

A county committee meeting open to the public. Check the link for the agenda and location.

Wednesday, Oct 14 | 6:00 p.m. 📍 Charles County Government (see link for location) 💵 Free

🔗 Meeting details

A public hearing board that handles nuisance abatement matters. Check the link for the agenda and location.

Thursday, Oct 15 | 7:00 p.m. 📍 Charles County Government (see link for location) 💵 Free

🔗 Meeting details

The board that oversees fire and rescue matters in the county meets Thursday evening. Open to the public.

Two things to know. The Historic Preservation Commission meeting on Wednesday, Oct 14 is listed as cancelled, and there's no County Commissioners meeting this week. The next one is Tuesday, Oct 20.

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.

Support the people who make this place feel like home.

Saturday, Oct 17 | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. 📍 Somers Community Center, 300 Willow Ln, La Plata 💵 Free admission to shop

🔗 Event details

Shop pre-loved baby, toddler, and maternity items indoors at Somers Community Center. Shoppers are admitted at 10 a.m., and kids need to be supervised the whole time. Free to get in and easy on the budget.

Saturday, Oct 17 (open every weekend) | 10:00 a.m. 📍 The Shops at Waldorf Center, 2925 Festival Way, Waldorf 💵 See link

🔗 Event details

Local makers and small businesses set up shop at The Shops at Waldorf Center every weekend. A solid stop if you want to buy local before the holiday rush.

Saturday, Oct 17 | 12:00 p.m. 📍 Regency Furniture Stadium, 11765 Saint Linus Dr, Waldorf 💵 See link

🔗 Get tickets

"Where Business Meets Entertainment" is the pitch. Shop, network, and connect with local vendors at the Blue Crabs ballpark.

🚙 Monster Truck Wars is Saturday and Sunday at the fairgrounds, kids tickets start at $15

📗 The Citizens for CCPL Book Bazaar is Friday (members only) and Saturday (everyone), 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. in La Plata

🏰 The Colonial Faire and Fall Festival at Maxwell Hall is free, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

🍃 The Cobb Island Scarecrow Trail is Friday, check the link for time and details

💃 Viva Flamenco is Sunday at 6 p.m. on Cobb Island, $75 with dinner, tickets are limited

🎁 Fall Baby Bazaar is Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in La Plata, free admission

🚫 Libraries and county offices are CLOSED Monday for Indigenous Peoples Day

🦇 The Mobile Library Bat Expedition has four stops Tuesday through Thursday, all free

You can nominate one for a future issue → Here

Before you go,

If you make it to the scarecrow trail, the Colonial Faire, or the Book Bazaar, hit reply and let me know how it was. Your tips are how this list keeps getting better, and I'm always looking for the stuff the calendars miss.

That's the week.

From one local to another

— Candace