Hagerstown Gears Up for a Spring Packed with Festivals, Film, and Sports

Hagerstown residents can anticipate a vibrant spring season filled with a diverse array of events, from cultural celebrations and film festivals to athletic competitions and culinary explorations. The City of Hagerstown and Downtown Hagerstown Main Street have announced a comprehensive schedule of activities kicking off in March and extending through May 2026, promising entertainment and engagement for all ages.

The festivities begin on Saturday, March 14, 2026, with the “2nd Saturday: St. Patrick’s Day Festival.” This event will span the day, featuring a “Baile Bagels & Brews” segment from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Earlier in the day, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., attendees can participate in the “RUN FEST,” offering one-mile, 5K, and 8K races suitable for various skill levels. Live Irish music will be provided by Poor Man’s Gambit at Hub City Brewery between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., with further activities continuing at Baile from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Following the St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the Maryland International Film Festival will take over downtown Hagerstown from Thursday, March 26, to Sunday, March 29, 2026. This marks the 14th annual iteration of the festival, which will feature a weekend filled with film screenings, parties, and an awards ceremony across six downtown venues.

The month of March concludes with the Washington County Running Festival on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Meritus Park from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to run a half-marathon through the heart of downtown Hagerstown.

April brings a new set of events, starting with “2nd Saturday: Taste of Downtown” on April 11, 2026. From 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., downtown restaurants will offer sample-sized portions of their culinary offerings. Additional details and ticket information for this event are expected soon.

The sporting calendar heats up on Friday, April 24, 2026, with the Opening Day of the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars’ 2026 season at Meritus Park, with the game scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

The following day, Saturday, April 25, 2026, University Plaza will host “One Love Fest” from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Organized by Afro Soca Love, this event promises a culturally immersive music experience featuring genres from around the world, including Soca, Afrobeat, Reggae, Dancehall, Salsa, Reggaeton, Merengue, Zouk, Kompa, hip hop, and R&B.

May opens with a dual event on Friday, May 1, 2026. University Plaza will feature “Music in the Plaza” with live music from The Cruisers, performing hits from the 60s and 70s, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Concurrently, “Thunder in the Square,” an annual classic car show hosted by the Alsatia Club, will begin at 5:00 p.m.

The Hagerstown Arts & Entertainment District will present the “Hagerfest Music & Art Festival” on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in downtown Hagerstown. This all-day event, running from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., will celebrate the local arts and entertainment scene with free performances and activities, including the National Mural Awards. Free live music will be offered at University Plaza by the Mack Berry Band and The Reagan Years, hosted by Renewal by Anderson. Attendees can also witness live painting by multiple artists creating new murals, alongside graffiti art, spoken word performances, poetry, and a latte art competition. A post-festival party, “Party in the U-S-A,” is slated to take place at Hub City Brewery.

The “2nd Saturday” series continues on May 8, 2026, with two distinct events. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., downtown Hagerstown will host an “Art Walk,” featuring a chalk walk and guided tours of the Cultural Trail. More details are forthcoming. On the same day, the South Prospect Street neighborhood will come alive with “Porchfest” from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., offering free live music on front porches. Information regarding performers will be shared at a later date.

The month concludes with the inaugural “Battle of the Cheesesteaks” on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in the Elizabeth Hager Parking Lot from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This event is being organized by One Room Media. Details regarding participating vendors and ticket sales are expected to be announced soon.

Downtown Hagerstown, designated as a Maryland Main Street Community, aims to foster a thriving downtown environment. Individuals interested in participating in or learning more about these events can contact events@downtownhagerstown.org.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the City of Hagerstown and Downtown Hagerstown Main Street.

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