FUN-FILLED 4TH: CHARLES COUNTY'S FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Saturday, July 4 | 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM 📍 Regency Furniture Stadium, Waldorf 💰 FREE
If you only do one thing this weekend, make it this. The county is throwing its big free Independence Day bash at Regency Furniture Stadium, and this year it's tied to America's 250th in partnership with the MD Two Fifty Commission. This is the one everybody shows up for.
Expect a high-energy circus show, an interactive foam party the kids will lose their minds over, food vendors, family activities, and a Blue Crabs game folded right in. It all builds to fireworks to close out the night.
It's free, it's all in one place, and it's got something for every age. Get there early if you want a good spot for the foam party and the fireworks.
🏘️ COMMUNITY & SEASONAL PICKS
Your county is celebrating America's 250th this week, and it is not doing it quietly.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND BLUE CRABS VS. STATEN ISLAND FERRYHAWKS
Friday, July 3 | 6:35 PM 📍 Regency Furniture Stadium, Waldorf 💰 See link for tickets
Kick off the holiday weekend with a little baseball. The Blue Crabs host the FerryHawks Friday night, so grab a seat, a hot dog, and settle in before the Fourth really gets going.
CHARLES COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS JULY 4TH CELEBRATION
Saturday, July 4 | 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM 📍 Charles County Fairgrounds, La Plata 💰 FREE
This is the classic small-town Fourth: food, pony rides, and live music leading into fireworks after dark, around 9:30. Parking's easy too, with a free continuous shuttle running between the Charles County Courthouse and the fairgrounds.
INDIAN HEAD FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Saturday, July 4 | 3:30 PM start (fireworks after dark) 📍 Village Green Park, Indian Head 💰 FREE
Indian Head does its Fourth on the waterfront, opening with a patriotic ceremony at 3:30 and closing with fireworks over the green. DJ Rockin' Roger and 4th Wall Break handle the music, and there's a solid spread of food trucks and local vendors.
250 AT THOMAS STONE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Saturday, July 4 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM 📍 Thomas Stone National Historic Site, Port Tobacco 💰 See link
On America's 250th birthday, the home of a Declaration signer opens up in a way it hasn't in decades. The day starts with a ceremony and wreath-laying, then visitors can walk through the restored first floor, now filled with period-accurate furnishings. If you've got a history lover in the family, this one's worth the drive to Port Tobacco.
4TH OF JULY BINGO FUNDRAISER
Saturday, July 4 | 6:00 PM 📍 The New Historic Inn & Tavern @ Bryantown 💰 See link for cost
Bring your daubers and your luck. This is a festive holiday bingo night at the historic Bryantown tavern, and it's all for a good cause. A nice low-key alternative if the big crowds aren't your thing.
🎵 LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
From a free lawn concert to a homecoming show to a literal yacht party, this weekend has range.
LANDON CUBE HOMECOMING SHOW AT PTR
Saturday, July 4 | 6:00 PM 📍 Port Tobacco Restaurant, 7536 Shirley Blvd 💰 See link for tickets
Hometown artist Landon Cube is back for a homecoming show, and it's right here in Charles County on the Fourth. If you want live music with your holiday, this is the local pick.
JOE COX LIVE @ THE COVE
Thursday, July 2 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 📍 The Cove at Cobb Island 💰 See link
Waterfront music down at Cobb Island to ease into the long weekend. Joe Cox plays The Cove on Thursday evening, and it's hard to beat a sunset set by the water.
LA PLATA SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Friday, July 3 | Evening 📍 Town Hall Lawn, La Plata 💰 FREE
La Plata's free Friday-night concert series rolls on at the Town Hall Lawn. Pack a chair and a blanket and settle in for music under the stars. Quick note: the series sometimes pauses for holiday weekends, so check the link for this week's performer before you go.
LOVE JONES EVENTZ: FIRST FRIDAYS FISH FRY NETWORKING EXPERIENCE
Friday, July 3 | 6:00 PM 📍 Graces Event Center, Waldorf 💰 See link
Good food, good company, and a laid-back way to start the holiday weekend. Network with neighbors over a classic fish fry. Easy yes if you like meeting people without the stuffy mixer energy.
YACHT PARTY AT PTR
Sunday, July 5 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM 📍 Port Tobacco Restaurant, Port Tobacco 💰 See link
The All Funked Up Experience is bringing the yacht club energy to PTR. Dress code is coastal chic, think crisp whites and linen, with prizes for the top three outfits. Live music, good food, drinks, and river views to wind down the weekend.
LOVE JONES EVENTZ: FIRST SUNDAYS GOSPEL KARAOKE BUFFET EXPERIENCE
Sunday, July 5 | 3:00 PM 📍 Graces Event Center, Waldorf 💰 ~$23
Close out the holiday weekend with gospel karaoke and a buffet. It's warm, family-friendly, and full of music and fellowship. A nice soft landing after all the fireworks.
🎨 ARTS, WELLNESS & CREATIVE EXPERIENCES
Make something, learn something, pour something. Plenty to do with your hands this week.
WOOD AND CANVAS FAMILY WORKSHOP
Saturday, July 4 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM 📍 AR Workshop La Plata, 317 Charles Street 💰 $39
A hands-on workshop the whole family can do together, choosing between a wood or canvas project. A nice indoor, air-conditioned break if the Fourth of July heat gets to be too much.
CUSTOM JUNKBAG PARTY
Friday, July 3 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 📍 Paint N Sip, Waldorf 💰 $44
This pop-up purse party has been the hottest thing in the shop lately. You build a handbag that's all your own, picking from different bag styles and patches until it matches your personality. Bring a friend and make a night of it.
STARTENDER ACADEMY BY THE BRUNCHIN BARTENDERZ
Sunday, July 5 | 12:00 PM 📍 11110 Mall Cir, Waldorf 💰 See link
A hands-on bartending class for anyone who wants to level up their cocktail game, whether you're thinking about the work or just want to impress people at your next cookout. The Brunchin Bartenderz team walks you through the craft.
WHAT IS THIS TRYING TO TEACH ME? FINDING THE LESSON BENEATH THE PATTERN
Thursday, July 2 | 6:30 PM 📍 The Green Coterie, Waldorf 💰 See link
A reflective workshop at Waldorf's wellness space about finding meaning in the patterns that keep showing up in your life. A grounding midweek reset before the holiday rush takes over.
32ND ANNUAL OPEN ALL-MEDIA JURIED EXHIBITION
Through July 12 | Fri-Sun, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM 📍 Mattawoman Creek Art Center, Marbury 💰 See link
The juried show is up at Mattawoman Creek Art Center through July 12, open Friday through Sunday. Work across every medium, all in one of the prettiest little gallery spots in the county. Worth a quiet hour away from the holiday noise.
👨👩👧 KIDS & FAMILY
School's out, the heat is on, and the library has a plan for both.
MOBILE MONDAY: WATER DAY
Monday, June 29 | 10:30 AM 📍 Laurel Springs Regional Park 💰 FREE
The library's Mobile unit rolls into Laurel Springs with a splashy Water Day. The best kind of way to beat the heat and kick off summer break, and it's free.
DINOSAUR BONE MOSAICS
Tuesday, June 30 | 11:00 AM 📍 Waldorf West Branch Library 💰 FREE
Kids piece together their own dino "bone" mosaics in this drop-in craft. Part of the library's summer dinosaur run, and an easy win for a weekday morning.
JURASSIC JAUNT! WITH ECHOES OF NATURE
This week | See link for date and time 📍 Charles County Public Library 💰 FREE
Live animals meet prehistoric fun in this Summer Learning Challenge program. If your kid is in a dinosaur phase, this one's a slam dunk. Check the link for the exact time.
BILINGUAL MUSIC WITH MR. LILO / MÚSICA BILINGÜE CON EL SR. LILO
This week | See link for date and time 📍 Charles County Public Library 💰 FREE
Sing, dance, and pick up a little Spanish and English at the same time. A lively bilingual music program for families, part of the Summer Learning Challenge.
GIRLS FASHION & MODELING SUMMER PROGRAM
Monday, June 29 | 8:00 AM 📍 Glam Dolls Salon & Spa, Waldorf 💰 See link
A confidence-building summer program covering fashion and modeling basics. A fun, creative weekday camp option if you're looking to fill some of those long summer days.
KIDS EAT FREE WEDNESDAY AT BONCHON WALDORF
Wednesday, July 1 | From 10:30 AM 📍 Bonchon, 3059 Waldorf Marketplace 💰 Kids eat free with purchase
Kids eat free with a qualifying purchase at Bonchon on Wednesdays. An easy, budget-friendly way to get out of cooking on a weeknight.
📚 LIBRARY & LEARNING
The 250th theme is all over the library calendar this week, and it's more fun than it sounds.
250 YEARS OF AMERICA! DIY PICTURE FRAME
Monday, June 29 (and select days) | 9:00 AM 📍 La Plata Branch Library 💰 FREE
Make a patriotic picture frame to mark America's 250th. A festive, all-ages drop-in craft to get you in the Fourth of July spirit early.
GAMES IN 18TH-CENTURY AMERICA
Wednesday, July 1 | 2:00 PM 📍 P.D. Brown Memorial Branch Library 💰 FREE
Step back in time and play the games colonial kids actually played. A hands-on history program timed perfectly for the 250th, and a good one for curious kids.
MATH TIME
Tuesday, June 30 | 6:00 PM 📍 La Plata Branch Library 💰 FREE
An evening of hands-on math games and activities for kids and families. Numbers have honestly never looked this fun.
🏛️ LOCAL GOVERNMENT & CIVIC MEETINGS
No meeting scheduled for this week.
🛍️ SHOP LOCAL & POP-UPS
Stock up for the cookout and support the people who make this place feel like home.
LA PLATA FARMERS MARKET
Wednesday, July 1 & Saturday, July 4 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM 📍 La Plata 💰 FREE to attend
Fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade finds from local growers and makers. Both the Wednesday and Saturday markets are running this week, so you've got two shots at it.
WALDORF FARMERS' MARKET
Saturday, July 4 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 📍 3003 Festival Way, Waldorf 💰 FREE to attend
Grab local produce and goods for your holiday cookout at the Saturday market. Everything you need for the grill, straight from the people who grew it.
🤝 COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Not events exactly, but worth knowing about if you or someone you love could use them.
VETERANS RESOURCE VISITS
Thursday, July 2 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 📍 Potomac Branch Library 💰 FREE
A Disabled Veterans Outreach Specialist and a Local Veterans Employment Representative from the MD Department of Labor will be at the Potomac Branch to walk veterans through available resources. If you've got a vet in your life looking for support or work, point them here.
THE SCOOP: CHARLES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER NEWSLETTER (JULY)
Monthly 📍 Charles County Aging & Senior Services 💰 FREE
The July edition of the county's senior center newsletter is out, with the month's classes, trips, meals, and activities for older adults. If you or a parent uses the senior centers, this is the one to bookmark.
⏰ QUICK REMINDERS
🎆 Three firework shows Saturday: Fun-Filled 4th (Waldorf), the Fairgrounds (La Plata), and Indian Head's waterfront
⚾ Blue Crabs back home Friday at 6:35
🏛️ Thomas Stone house opens its restored rooms for the 250th, Saturday
🎤 Landon Cube homecoming show at PTR, Saturday at 6
💦 Mobile Monday Water Day at Laurel Springs, Monday at 10:30
👜 Custom Junkbag pop-up party, Friday at 6
🥕 Two farmers markets this week: La Plata (Wed & Sat) and Waldorf (Sat)
📕 Library branches and county offices closed Friday July 3 and Saturday July 4
📣Summer Camp Guide
Parents, this one's for you. I just put together a full 2026 Summer Camp Guide, every local camp I could find sorted by age, with prices, dates, and signup links. The free and low-cost ones fill fast, so don't wait on it.
Know a hidden local business?
You can nominate one for a future issue → Here
That’s it for this week.
Before you go,
Hit reply and tell me which fireworks you plan to end up at, I'm genuinely curious to se if people will split between the three this year. And if you spot something I missed for next week, send it my way.
That's the week.
From one local to another
— Candace