Carroll County Tourism | Carroll County, Maryland

Farm Museum’s holiday tour – 'A Reel Farmhouse Christmas’
2025-12-21 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 South Center St, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Event Details

Join us from December 1-21 and tour the Farmhouse all decorated for the holiday season. Special events on the weekend. Stay tuned for more details.
December 1 – 21, 2025. Mon. – Fri. 10 am – 3:00 pm (guided tours on the hour); Sat. and Sun. Noon – 3 pm (self-guided).
This year the Farm Museum’s holiday tour – ‘A Reel Farmhouse Christmas’ features the rooms decorated to represent different classic holiday movies.
Regular admission applies

Black Barn Alpacas’ Fleece Navidad: A Camelid Christmas
2025-12-21 10:00 - 16:00 | Black Barn Alpacas 2401 Bollinger Mill Rd, Finksburg, MD 21048, 2401 Bollinger Mill Rd, Finksburg, MD 21048, Finksburg, 21048, United States
Event Title: Black Barn Alpacas’ Fleece Navidad: A Camelid Christmas
Dates & Times:
Dates: Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21
Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM (last admission 3 PM)
Location:
Black Barn Alpacas
2401 Bollinger Mill Rd, Finksburg, MD 21048
Event Description:
This holiday season, the fluffiest VIPs in Maryland are waiting to meet you. At Black Barn Alpacas’ Fleece Navidad: A Camelid Christmas, nearly 150 alpacas, including the season’s cutest baby alpacas, steal the show in a seasonal celebration just 90 minutes from D.C and 40 minutes from Baltimore.
This isn’t your average holiday outing. Guests can:
Hand-feed alpacas (yes, they really do nibble right from your hand)
Complimentary Fleece Crafting Christmas Ornaments (featuring fleece from their herd)
Let the kids can play in the Mrs. Clause’s Bakery, send their Christmas wish lists at the North Pole Express Post Office, and explore Santa’s Workshop
Snap perfect holiday photos down Candy Cane Lane and in front of the towering Christmas tree
Cost:
Adults (Ages 3+): $25
Young Children (Ages 2 and under): Free
No hidden fees, everything is included with your admission!
Tickets:
Don’t miss out on the holiday fun! Click here to purchase tickets and secure your spot at this limited time event.
More Information:
For more details and to learn about other exciting events, visit our website: https://www.blackbarnalpacas.com/book-a-tour

Farm Museum - Santa in the Schoolhouse
2025-12-21 12:00 - 15:00 | Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 South Center St, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Welcome home for the holidays with Santa visiting us on select weekends in December. Museum admission is $10 per family. Please bring your own camera to snap a photo with Santa.
December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21: noon to 3pm only.
Food/drinks for purchase weekends only
Please stay tuned for more info.

My First Maryland Nutcracker: A Ballet Adventure for All Ages featuring Ballet Embody
2025-12-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main St, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
My First Maryland Nutcracker is the perfect way for families and friends of all ages to experience the joy of this holiday tradition in a perfect, 50-min, Old Bay sprinkled, bit-size treat! Perfect for ages 6 and under.
$5 Group Photo-Op!
Come Meet-and-Greet with the stars of the show! Following the performance, ticket holders will be welcomed onstage and will have an opportunity to take pictures alongside their favorite Maryland Nutcracker character! Only 1 ticket required per group or family. Volunteers will be available to assist with taking pictures on patron devices. A professional photographer will not be provided.

Christmas Open House & Cookie Exchange
2025-12-22 16:00 - 19:00 | Sunday Morning at Savannah’s, 111 South Springdale Ave., New Windsor, 21776, United States
Join us for a festive Christmas Open House filled with:
🎅 A visit from Santa
🎶 Carolers filling the manor with holiday music
🍪 A community Cookie Exchange
☕ Hot chocolate, coffee, and small bites
Cookie Exchange:
Bring two dozen of your favorite cookies to share and swap with others. Homemade, store-bought, secret family recipe—everything is welcome!
Bring your family, your friends, your neighbors—this is a free, community-wide celebration of joy, warmth, and holiday cheer at Sunday Morning at Savannah’s.

The Beatles Story
2026-01-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Carroll County Public Library, Westminster Branch, 50 East Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
For ages 8 – Adults. This presentation will discuss who The Beatles were, key points in their history and recordings, and why they continue to have such an impact on pop culture. We will look at the times and the progression of music from danceable pop tunes to music that became an art form. We will learn about The Beatles progression from musicians to artists and some of their more prolific and profound songs. Lastly, we will discover why The Beatles broke up, having gone as far as they could both musically, professionally and personally, and their lasting impact on a generation. We hope to answer the question: did The Beatles change history or did history change The Beatles? Registration is required. Visit site for details.

History: Shaken & Stirred – Untold Stories of Industry in Carroll County
2026-01-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Covalent Spirits, 118 E Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Stop in for a drink at Covalent Spirits Westminster on January 8th at 6pm as HSCC continues History: Shaken and Stirred. Once again there will be five speakers telling three 5-minute, untold, local history stories shared with the crowd in a fun, relaxed setting. This quarter, Untold Stories of Industry in Carroll County will be told. A special history-themed drink will be developed by owners Jenn and Drew. Please have dinner before you come, as the refreshments are light and meant for snacking. Light refreshments provided by Collision Course. No RSVP or reservation required.
Covalent Spirits is located at 118 E Main St, Westminster, MD 21157 in the 1920s building that served as the City Garage. More information can be found here: https://covalentspirits.com/home
Please contact Laura Bankard, Outreach & Events Director at lbankard@hsccmd.org or 410.848.6494 ext. 200 with any questions.

What in the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat and Tears? Documentary Series 2026
2026-01-09 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main St, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
DOCUMENTARY SERIES
What in the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat, and Tears?
2024 | 1 h 52 min | Rated R
The documentary offers a unique glance at the rise and fall of Blood, Sweat and Tears. The band first made its mark in the late ’60s and soon earned multiple Grammy Awards. As they entered mainstream music, they became beloved icons with countless rock hits. The band’s rising star crashed suddenly by 1972, and the backstory involves rockstar drama and political coercion.

4 – H Farm Toy Show and Auction
2026-01-10 09:00 - 15:00 | Carroll County Agriculture Center, 706 Agricultural Center Dr, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Carroll County 4-H & FFA Fair Board will be hosting their annual 38th Farm Toy Show on Jan. 10, 2026.
Toy Tractor Show is 9 A.M. – 3 P.M. located in the upper buildings at the Carroll County Ag Center.
Toy Auction will begin at 5:30 P.M.
Food will be available for purchase. Admission $3.00. Ages 7 and under are FREE. All proceeds go to the Carroll County 4-H & FFA Fair.
If anyone is interested in a vendor space or has questions please call 410-984-0552.
Event will go on regardless of bad weather.

The ABCs of Self Defense
2026-01-10 12:00 - 13:30 | Carroll County Public Library, Mount Airy Branch, 705 Ridge Avenue, Mount Airy, MD, 21771
For ages 16 – Adults. Would you like to increase your safety awareness in public or private locations? Learn how to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations from Carl Minkel, founder and chief instructor of the Taekwondo Arnis Academy. Carl has over 50 years of martial arts experience and holds Master rank in Korean Taekwondo and in the Filipino martial art of Modern Arnis.
Free guest demonstrations and resources will help you learn what you need to stay safe in your home, your car, and on the street. Inclement weather date: January 24, 12PM.
Registration is required. Visit site for details.

Carroll County’s 189th Birthday Celebration
2026-01-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
This year’s 189th Carroll County Birthday Party will also start the celebration of the 250th Birthday of the United States of America. The title of the celebration …
Patrician Patriot: Charles Carroll and his Fellow Maryland Signers
Charles Carroll of Carrollton and three other Marylanders were among the fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, pledging their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor in support of America’s revolutionary cause. Historian Glenn E. Campbell profiles the personal lives and political careers of Charles Carroll and his fellow Maryland Signers: Samuel Chase, William Paca, and Thomas Stone.
Glenn E. Campbell earned degrees in History from the U.S. Naval Academy and University of Maryland, College Park. Following his naval service, he joined the staff of Historic Annapolis in 1997 and was named Senior Historian of the non-profit historic preservation and education group in 2008. Since retiring in 2022, Mr. Campbell has pursued his passion for international travel while remaining engaged in public history as an independent scholar.
This is a free event and no registration is required. We will have cake and beverages to help celebrate Carroll County’s 189th Birthday and the 250th Birthday of the United States. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
The snow date for this event is Saturday, January 17th.

Winter Sowing Workshop: Growing Together on Main Street
2026-01-15 18:30 - 19:30 | Downtown Sykesville, 7547 Main Street, Sykesville, MD, 21784, United States
Winter Sowing Workshop: Growing Together on Main Street
Date: January 15
Time: 6:30–7:30 PM
Location: Downtown Sykesville Connection – 7611 Main Street, Sykesville
Registration: https://SykesvilleWinterSowing.eventbrite.com
🌱 What better way to warm your gardening heart during the cold months than to get a head start on spring planting?
Join us for a hands-on Winter Sowing Workshop and learn the winter sowing method—a simple, low-maintenance, plant-it-and-forget-it approach that lets winter weather do most of the work for you.
This workshop will be led by Mandy Davis, Children’s Library Associate at the Carroll County Public Library (Finksburg Branch), and reflects the same winter sowing programming offered through the library in partnership with the Carroll County Master Gardeners.
Participants will plant seeds in clear plastic containers that they’ll take home and place outdoors, where they naturally cultivate throughout the winter with minimal interaction. As the season shifts toward spring, these plantings can become part of a larger, ongoing community effort—including future use of the community cold boxes on Sandosky Road near Main Street.
🌿 What’s included
Instruction on the winter sowing method
Seeds, soil, and clear plastic containers provided
Participants are welcome to bring their own clean, clear containers if preferred (for sustainability)
🌎 Why this matters
This workshop is part of OnGROWING, an ongoing community project centered on native plants, seasonal gardening, and shared stewardship. The goal is to spark participation and momentum around how we grow—at home and together as a community.
🍵 Tea service provided by Intentional Tea Time.
This is a free event. Space is limited and registration is required. Register today – https://SykesvilleWinterSowing.eventbrite.com
🪧 Optional add-on: Keep the momentum going after the Winter Sowing Workshop with a Plant Marker Crafting session from 7:30–8:30 PM at Moonshadow Collective, just next door. Hosted by Maryland certified professional horticulturist and multi-passionate creative Dawn Pritchard, this hands-on add-on helps you create personalized plant markers so you can actually remember what you planted. Functional, creative, and low-pressure. All materials included. $11 per person. Register for the add-on Plant Marker Craft, here: https://square.link/u/zF94KfM9

Unseen -Documentary Series 2026
2026-01-16 13:00 - 14:30, 2026-01-16 19:30 - 21:00 | Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main St, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Unseen
2023 | 1 hr & 25 min | Rated 16 +
A disability rights documentary.
An aspiring social worker, Pedro faces restrictions as a blind, undocumented immigrant to get his college degree.
Friday, January 16th 1PM (captioned) and 7:30PM

C Is for Crime Scene: Forensics at the Library
2026-01-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Carroll County Public Library, Eldersburg Branch, 6400 West Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg, MD, 21784
For ages 6 – 12.
Join Dr. Judy Stavely for an interactive reading of C Is for Crime Scene: A Forensics A to Z Book, a fun and educational introduction to science and forensic discovery for young readers.
Families can explore hands-on activities such as fingerprinting demonstrations and STEM-themed coloring pages that bring the book’s concepts to life.

Adult Workshop: Painting Winter Landscapes in Watercolor
2026-01-17 10:00 - 16:00 | Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main St, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
DATES/TIMES: Saturday, January 17th, 2026 | 10:00am-4:00pm
Snow date: Saturday, January 24th, 2026 | 10:00am-4:00pm
AGES: 18+ (unless accompanied by a participating adult)
Workshop Description:
After introductions, and a look at various winter inspired examples, students will be introduced to or review a substantial # of watercolor techniques through instructor demonstration. They will attempt and practice each of the techniques on small papers. Comparing these to their selected photos, they may want to note where techniques will be used in a sketch of their painting and number the order in which they will be applied. The instructor will assist each studentsin this process. Paint! During several breaks the instructor will address problems found in common as the composition progresses. Towards the end, students will display their work and discuss the techniques, problems executing them, successful areas and photo graph the works.
Instructor bio:
Barb Steele majored in painting at The Maryland Institute College of Art and taught art in high school for 15 years. She left teaching to found Alloway Creek Gardens where she continued teaching many workshops on plants, companion planting, dyes and tinctures from plants, and painting plants. She continues to publish articles about plants and is active in teaching in courses like Plants Speak! In it s third year during Week 1 of Common Ground on the Hill June 23-28, 4-5:30 each afternoon. Students are encouraged to consider registering for that classcommongroundonthehill.org! Barb is teaching acrylic or watercolor water based painting techniques in “Plants and Their Polinators” Week 3 July 14-18 in the mornings.
Materials Student Should Bring from home
Please bring a bag lunch and beverage in a cooler.
A work apron, cup for water and any watercolor supplies you already have, including tube paints, brushes, plastic palette or a ceramic plate to use as a watercolor palette. Pencil, sketchbook. Bring photos of your favorite winter scenes preferably with snow and sky!

Box Lunch Talk: The Miller’s Apprentice: The Murder of Abraham Lynn and the Execution of Joseph Davis
2026-01-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 East Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Presented by Dave Owings
Joseph Davis, 22 years old, murdered his friend and employer Abraham Lynn on April 5th, 1872. Lynn was a husband and father, a prosperous businessman, and just shy of his 28th birthday.
The murder resulted in two trials, several hearings by the Court of Appeals, the State Legislature, and ultimately ended with Governor Pinkney Whyte interviewing witnesses himself.
The final act in this story was the dramatic execution of Joe Davis before a crowd of thousands behind the old jail in Westminster.
This tragic episode is a precedent–setting legal case and a peek into the lives of average Carroll Countians in the 1870’s.
Dave Owings was born and raised in Carroll County. He was a public school teacher for 30 years in Baltimore and Carroll Counties, most recently at South Carroll High School. He is currently an adjunct English professor at Carroll Community College. He has two adult daughters and lives in Finksburg with his wife, Lucy, and his dog, Roscoe.
**NOTE** – As of January 2026, our Box Lunch Talks are moving to the Society. All Box Lunch Talks will be at 210 E. Main Street in the auditorium and exhibit space. Parking is available in our back parking lot, behind Ascension Church in the municipal lot (off of Ralph Street), and on Main Street. Some Main Street parking is metered and some is free.
As always, there is no registration for Box Lunch Talks. You bring your lunch, and we provide the drinks and desserts (thanks to our volunteers and staff). The cost is $3 for HSCC members and $5 for nonmembers.

Art Exhibition: Nostalgia, Art in Reflection - Art of the Carroll County Artists Guild
2026-01-20 12:00 - 2026-02-21 16:00 | Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main St, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Presented by the Carroll County Artists Guild, Nostalgia: Art in Reflection, invites viewers to step into the gentle pull of memory. Through painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, artists explore the emotional landscape of nostalgia—capturing the warmth of familiar places, the rhythm of routine, and the fleeting beauty of moments long past. Each piece offers a personal reflection on how memory shapes our sense of self and community, transforming the past into something tender, timeless, and alive.
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 22, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Free and open to the public. Come meet the artists while enjoying lite fare and thought-provoking art.
Appropriate for all ages.
Free and open to the public. See the Carroll Arts Center website for hours.

Art Exhibition: Witness to Transformation
2026-01-20 12:00 - 2026-02-21 16:00 | Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main St, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
A collaboration with the Carroll County Historical Society and featuring the art of Carroll County artist Ruth Aukerman
Community Gallery
As part of the Maryland 250 commemoration, the Carroll County Arts Council and the Historical Society of Carroll County present “Witness to Transformation” an exhibition focused on the theme of revolution, both in its historical context during the Revolutionary era, and in ways that connect to today.
Revolution can mean a turning point, a dramatic shift, or a movement toward renewal and transformation. It might be found in technological innovation, cultural change, personal growth, or community resilience.
This exhibition highlights the spirit of revolution as a force for creativity and change, both past and present. While the theme invites current perspectives, the artists have focused on universal ideas of progress, transformation, and renewal.
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 22, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Free and open to the public. Come meet the artists while enjoying lite fare and thought-provoking art.
Appropriate for all ages.
Free and open to the public. See the Carroll Arts Center website for hours.

The Barkley Marathons Documentary Series 2026
2026-01-23 13:00 - 14:30, 2026-01-23 19:30 - 21:00 | Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main St, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
The Barkely Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Own
2014 | 1 hr. 29 min | NR
Every year, 40 international runners descend upon a small town in Tennessee to test their mental and physical limits against the Barkley Marathons. Devised as a mockery of James Earl Ray’s historic prison escape gone awry, the race has seen only 10 finishers in its first 25 years.

Adult Art Class Series: Figure Drawing
2026-01-24 14:00 - 16:30 | Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main St, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Adult Figure Drawing Series with Instructor Eric Westbrook
Learn to draw the human form accurately and expressively. Students will learn techniques to translate the model’s proportions and pose onto paper, emphasizing the under-lying structure as well as the details of the figure. This workshop series features nude models. 18+
All levels welcome.
Saturdays January 24th, January 31st, February 7th from 2:00pm – 4:30pm
$175.00 for three sessions. Payment plan available.

HSCC's Hard Hat Open House (Day 1)
2026-01-29 16:00 - 18:00 | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 East Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
We are excited to offer a one-of-a-kind open house to everyone! Join us on January 29 (one of two days) for our evening open house from 4 pm – 6 pm which will start at our 210 E. Main Street Kimmey building. Enjoy a look at our progress for our Capital Campaign with our Cockey’s Tavern library and Kimmey building renovations, have some yummy food and drinks, and ask any questions you may have of our staff. No reservations required for this free event.

Carroll 250 Event: Doing History: An Archivist’s Approach to Uncovering the Past
2026-01-29 18:30 - 19:30 | McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Join Kyle Dalton (Union Mills Homestead), Adrienne Smith (Gatehouse Museum), and Gwen Coddington (McDaniel College) for an engaging session exploring the theme of Doing History as part of the Semiquincentennial celebration. This conversation invites participants to step into the historian’s role—examining how archivists interpret evidence, uncover silences in collections, and craft inclusive narratives. Through an archivist’s lens, attendees will gain insight into the historical method, learn how community knowledge and oral histories shape our understanding of the past, and discover how they too can “do history” in meaningful ways. This session emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and the evolving nature of historical interpretation, encouraging public engagement with history as a dynamic and participatory process.
Registration is required and is now open for this event. Visit this link to register today: Carroll 250: Doing History: An Archivist’s Approach to Uncovering the Past | Carroll County Public Library

California Typewriter Documentary Series 2026
2026-01-30 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-30 19:30 - 21:30 | Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main St, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
DOCUMENTARY SERIES
California Typewriter
2016 | 1 hr 44 min | Rated PG
A documentary portrait of artists, writers, and collectors who remain steadfastly loyal to the typewriter as a tool and muse, featuring Tom Hanks, John Mayer, David McCullough, Sam Shepard, and others

HSCC's Hard Hat Open House (Day 2)
2026-01-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 East Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
We are excited to offer a one-of-a-kind open house to everyone! Join us on January 30 (one of two days) for our afternoon open house from 2 pm – 4 pm which will start at our 210 E. Main Street Kimmey building. Enjoy a look at our progress for our Capital Campaign with our Cockey’s Tavern library and Kimmey building renovations, have some yummy food and drinks, and ask any questions you may have of our staff.

Sweeney Todd
2026-01-30 19:30 - 22:30, 2026-01-31 14:00 - 17:00 | Coppermine Pantherplex (formerly NCHS), 1400 Panther Dr, Hampstead, MD, 21074, United States
An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which, he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up… and the carnage has only just begun!
Friday, January 30 at 7:30pm
Saturday, January 31 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, February 1 at 2:00pm
General Admission: $25
Student/Senior: $20
