Hagerstown Gears Up for Packed Spring and Summer Event Lineup

Hagerstown residents can anticipate a vibrant season of cultural, culinary, and community events as Downtown Hagerstown Main Street and various local organizations have announced an extensive schedule for spring and summer 2026. The lineup features a diverse array of activities, from food festivals and musical performances to family-friendly gatherings and community beautification efforts, promising to engage a wide range of interests within the city.

The “2nd Saturday” series will kick off on April 11 with “Taste of Downtown,” offering attendees the chance to sample bite-sized flavors from participating downtown restaurants for $10, which includes tastings at six different establishments. This event is hosted by Downtown Hagerstown Main Street. Following this, on April 18, the “Hub City 100-Miler Final Walk” will take place at the City Park Train Hub at 9:00 a.m. This event celebrates the 100th day of the Hub City 100 Miler challenge and includes a final one-mile walk at 10:00 a.m. The event is open to the public and offers free admission to the Train Hub, with Hagerstown Parks & Recreation serving as the host. Also on April 18, the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA) will present its 15th all-school musical, “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” at The Maryland Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances of the musical are scheduled for Sunday, April 26, at 2:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m.

April will also see community involvement in beautification efforts. On Wednesday, April 22, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., “Earth Day Spring Planting” will take place on Franklin Street. This event, hosted by Good News Hagerstown and the Downtown team, aims to refresh the Franklin Street planters. Those interested in volunteering can sign up in advance. The month concludes with the Opening Day for the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars on Friday, April 24, at Meritus Park, with the game starting at 6:30 p.m. Additionally, on Saturday, April 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., “Spring Planting” will occur at Market Walk. This event, a collaboration between Good News Hagerstown, the Hagerstown Youth Council, and Downtown Hagerstown Main Street, invites volunteers to participate in beautifying the area.

May is set to be a busy month, beginning on Friday, May 1, with “Music in the Plaza & Thunder in the Square” at University Plaza from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This event will feature live music from The Cruisers, performing hits from the 60s and 70s, and the Alsatia Club’s annual classic car show, “Thunder in the Square,” which starts at 5:00 p.m. The following day, Saturday, May 2, Hagerstown will host the “Hagerfest Music & Art Festival” throughout Downtown Hagerstown from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. This free festival will showcase the city’s arts and entertainment scene, including performances by the Mack Berry Band and The Reagan Years at University Plaza, live mural painting, a graffiti art battle at Hub City Brewery, spoken word and poetry at Next Chapter Cafe and Book Shop, a performance by Miss Teen Maryland Kinsley Potts, and various dance classes and an afterparty at Hub City Brewery.

The “2nd Saturday” series continues on May 9 with “Art Walk” in Downtown Hagerstown from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., featuring walking tours of the Cultural Trail and an artisan marketplace at University Plaza. On the same day, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Hagerstown Parks & Recreation will host “Touch a Truck & Train” at the City Park Train Hub, offering free family-friendly activities, including music and face painting. The weekend of May 16 will be particularly active. On Saturday, May 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the “Porchfest” event will bring free live music to front porches along South Prospect Street, with more details on performers to be announced. Also on May 16, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Elizabeth Hager Parking Lot, One Room Media will host the inaugural “Battle of the Cheesesteaks,” allowing attendees to vote for their favorite vendor out of ten participating establishments. Limited VIP tickets will be available, including a meet-and-greet opportunity. The month concludes with the grand opening of the 2026 City Farmers Market season at Hub City Brewery on Sunday, May 31, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., where residents can purchase fresh food and shop from local vendors.

The summer season will commence with the return of the “Western Maryland Blues Fest” on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, at Hub City Brewery. This event will feature prominent blues artists, with ticket information available for purchase. Following the Blues Fest, the City Farmers Market will continue its season on Sunday, June 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Hub City Brewery.

These events are organized by various entities, including Downtown Hagerstown Main Street, Hagerstown Parks & Recreation, Good News Hagerstown, the Hagerstown Youth Council, The Maryland Theatre, One Room Media, and the Alsatia Club, with support from the City of Hagerstown and the Hagerstown Arts & Entertainment District. Residents interested in participating in volunteer efforts or seeking further information about these events are encouraged to contact events@downtownhagerstown.org.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the City of Hagerstown Community Engagement Office.

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