October Festival

October Festival is a community celebration presented in partnership with the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce and supported by funding from the county executive and council. The 2026 festival will feature a parade, live music, DJ entertainment, a beer garden, a free carnival, a business expo, food trucks, and specials from local restaurants, bringing together Germantown’s diverse community for an afternoon of activities.

The event organizers are still developing the 2026 program and encourage visitors to check back for updates. Attendees will also be able to RSVP for a chance to win a prize pack valued at more than $500.

When: October 10, 2026

Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Venue: BlackRock Center for the Arts

Presented by: The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with county executive and council funding

Activities: The festival is planned to include an 11:30 a.m. parade, The MoCo Show Beer Garden, a live music stage, DJ entertainment, a free carnival, the GGCC Business Expo, food trucks, and specials from local restaurants.

2026 Schedule: The complete 2026 schedule has not yet been announced.

Previous Schedule Preview: Last year’s sample lineup included a Spooky Dance Party at 11:00 a.m.; a parade break at 11:30 a.m.; CCACC Dancers from 12:20 to 12:30 p.m.; Polka Terps from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.; Traditional German Dancers from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m.; Nine Days from noon to 3:00 p.m.; Traditional German Dancers again from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m.; and Uncle Jesse from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. This lineup is provided as a look back at the previous festival and is not confirmed for 2026.

Admission: Price information is not available.

RSVP: An RSVP option is expected to be provided, with participants entered into a drawing for a prize pack worth more than $500.

Vendors: Local artists, designers, quilters, bakers, gardeners, authors, and makers of specialty foods such as hot sauce are invited to express interest in becoming vendors. The online form is an interest form rather than a formal vendor application.