Grab your funnel cake and buckle up for the tilt-a-whirl — it’s fair season in Maryland, baby! From fried Oreos to prize-winning pigs, Maryland knows how to throw a party on a fairground. But not all fairs are created equal.

We’ve ranked 10 of the most popular county and state fairs (plus one festival that insists it’s not a fair but absolutely is) based on the only criteria that really matter: 

Food, rides, animals, vibes, crowds, and cost. 

Oh, and yes — we included the Maryland Renaissance Festival. But spoiler: it’s not #1 (even though it tried to joust its way there).

Let’s start the rankings, from worst to wow. 

10. Charles County Fair – La Plata, MD (September 12–15, 2025)

Food: 6/10 | Rides: 6/10 | Animals: 7/10 | Vibes: 5/10 | Crowds: 8/10 | Cost: $10

We wanted to love this one — really, we did. But the Charles County Fair feels like it’s stuck in time, and not in a charming “vintage carnival” way. The food is fine, but predictable. The rides? Also fine. The petting zoo is solid, but overall, it lacks the energy and sparkle of other fairs on this list.

9. Allegany County Fair & Ag Expo – Cumberland, MD (July 12–20, 2025)

Food: 7/10 | Rides: 5/10 | Animals: 8/10 | Vibes: 6/10 | Crowds: 6/10 | Cost: $9

This Western Maryland fair is surprisingly charming. It's got that small-town Americana feel and a genuinely impressive livestock scene. But the rides? Eh. Still, if you’re there for 4H contests and tractor pulls, you’ll be delighted.

8. Maryland Renaissance Festival – Crownsville, MD (August 24–October 20, 2025)

Food: 9/10 | Rides: 2/10 | Animals: 4/10 | Vibes: 6/10 | Crowds: 0/10 | Cost: $30+

Costumes, turkey legs, music, jousting — it belongs here. The Ren Fest dominates the vibes category. The food is next-level greasy glory. But with steep ticket prices, packed weekends, and a serious lack of rides or animals, we’re keeping it mid-pack.

7. Calvert County Fair – Prince Frederick, MD (September 25–29, 2025)

Food: 7/10 | Rides: 6/10 | Animals: 8/10 | Vibes: 7/10 | Crowds: 5/10 | Cost: $5–$10

Refreshingly low-key — perfect for families. Calvert County puts a real focus on agriculture and youth programs. It lacks the high-octane carnival feel, but sometimes, a cozy fair is exactly what you want.

6. Baltimore County 4-H Fair – Timonium, MD (July 11–14, 2025)

Food: 6/10 | Rides: 3/10 | Animals: 10/10 | Vibes: 7/10 | Crowds: 4/10 | Cost: Free

A "fair lite" — it’s free, low-pressure, and focused mostly on youth agriculture. Not a destination fair, but a lovely local afternoon.

5. Howard County Fair – West Friendship, MD (August 3–10, 2025)

Food: 8/10 | Rides: 7/10 | Animals: 9/10 | Vibes: 8/10 | Crowds: 7/10 | Cost: $10

Howard County hits a nice balance. Rides are better than you'd expect, and the food lineup is stacked with local vendors. A solid choice.

4. Anne Arundel County Fair – Crownsville, MD (September 11–15, 2025)

Food: 8/10 | Rides: 8/10 | Animals: 7/10 | Vibes: 9/10 | Crowds: 7/10 | Cost: $7

A great lineup of rides, food vendors, and an extremely photogenic vibe. If the weather’s good, this one is a sleeper hit.

3. Montgomery County Agricultural Fair – Gaithersburg, MD (August 8–17, 2025)

Food: 10/10 | Rides: 9/10 | Animals: 8/10 | Vibes: 9/10 | Crowds: 6/10 | Cost: $15

Massive, chaotic, joyful madness. Top-tier rides, more food trucks than you can handle, and pig races! The energy is unmatched.

2. The Great Frederick Fair – Frederick, MD (September 12–20, 2025)

Food: 9/10 | Rides: 10/10 | Animals: 9/10 | Vibes: 9/10 | Crowds: 8/10 | Cost: $10

Huge, well-organized, and packed with entertainment. From concerts to prize veggies, it’s a total crowd-pleaser.

1. Maryland State Fair – Timonium, MD (August 22–September 8, 2025)

Food: 10/10 | Rides: 10/10 | Animals: 10/10 | Vibes: 10/10 | Crowds: 10/10 | Cost: $10–$50

The Maryland State Fair has everything — concerts, rides, farm animals, food, and more. It's big, loud, iconic, and totally worth it.

Honorable Mention: Cecil County Fair – Fair Hill, MD

Didn’t make the top 10, but worth checking out for a great rodeo, fireworks, and local charm.

Final Thoughts:

Whether you’re chasing thrill rides or deep-fried pickles, there’s a Maryland fair with your name on it. The Ren Fest might bring the drama, but the Maryland State Fair wears the crown.