At 9 a.m. on a Saturday, the holiday market opens at The Barns at New Market on Thompson Corner Road. The St. Mary's County tourism listing has it running Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Through December 19, that Saturday morning anchors most of Mechanicsville's holiday calendar. The Amish quilt auction falls on a Saturday. The nearest tree lighting falls on a Saturday. The one big farm open house starts on a Saturday and is the only event here that carries into Sunday.
The reason is practical. The county's Amish and Mennonite farm shops along Route 236 South and Route 247 close on Sundays, and the Barns' holiday market runs on Saturdays only. So the plan for the season comes down to picking the right Saturday. Here is what each remaining one holds, starting from today, Thursday, November 12.
| Date | What's happening | Where | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., Nov. 14 | Barns holiday market | 29133 Thompson Corner Rd. | 9 a.m.–3 p.m. |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Barns holiday market + Amish Quilt Auction | Thompson Corner Rd. and 37689 Grove Farm Ln. | 9–3 and 9–5 |
| Fri., Nov. 27 | Christmas on the Square | Leonardtown Square | 4:30–8:30 p.m. |
| Sat., Nov. 28 | Barns holiday market + Hollywood VFD tree lighting | Thompson Corner Rd. and 24801 Three Notch Rd. | 9–3; lighting events from 4 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | Barns holiday market | 29133 Thompson Corner Rd. | 9 a.m.–3 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 12 | Barns holiday market + Suttler Post Farm open house | Thompson Corner Rd. and 38750 Chaptico Rd. | 9–3 and 11–4 |
| Sun., Dec. 13 | Suttler Post Farm open house, day two | 38750 Chaptico Rd. | 11 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 19 | Final Barns holiday market | 29133 Thompson Corner Rd. | 9 a.m.–3 p.m. |
Six Saturdays left at Thompson Corner
The Barns' holiday market started November 7 and runs every Saturday through December 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. That leaves six market Saturdays after this post goes up. The tourism listing describes local goods, handmade gifts and baked treats. Outdoor seasonal produce shows up on select days, when individual vendors choose to bring it. If you're after something specific from a farm table, a December Saturday may not have it.
In June, The BayNet reported that Boone's Bagels was adding a Saturday spot at The Barns, with service starting June 13.
The site also changes how a market morning can go. The Barns has a large parking lot, bike racks, picnic tables and public restrooms. A boardwalk along the market buildings connects to the Three Notch Trail. That means a Saturday can begin with a walk or ride on the trail and end at the vendor tables, with no need to re-park. With the market wrapping up at 3 p.m., the late-morning hours work best for that.
November 21 is the morning to bring cash
On November 21, two events start at the same hour. The Barns opens at 9 a.m., and the 2026 Amish Quilt Auction begins at 9 a.m. at 37689 Grove Farm Lane in Mechanicsville. The auction runs until 5 p.m., and admission is free.
The county tourism listing says the event dates back to the first Amish settlers in St. Mary's County. Besides the hand-stitched quilts, the sale includes throw blankets, potholders, towels, aprons, quilt racks, clocks, shelves and toys. The food table has baked goods and the chicken soup the listing calls "locally-legendary." According to the listing, the county's Amish community is about 350 families, and the proceeds support its medical expenses and schools.
Plan your wallet around one line on that page. The auction accepts cash and checks only. If you plan to bid on a quilt or buy a rack, a shelf or a few pies, the amount you can spend is whatever you bring.
Since both events open at 9, you'll be choosing an order. The auction runs two hours past the market's 3 p.m. close, which gives the afternoon more room on Grove Farm Lane than on Thompson Corner Road. The county's tourism office also keeps a broader page on the Amish and Mennonite farms and shops along Route 236 South, Route 247 and the back roads around Loveville. It notes that visitors are welcome at farms with signs posted at their entrances.
Thanksgiving weekend moves south on Three Notch Road
Thanksgiving week breaks the Saturday pattern once. Leonardtown's free Christmas on the Square is Friday, November 27, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Leonardtown Square. It is the only evening event on this calendar that isn't on a weekend.
The next day, Saturday, November 28, puts the Barns market in the morning and a tree lighting at dusk. The BayNet reports that Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department will hold its tree lighting at its Social Hall, 24801 Three Notch Road. Fire-truck rides start at 4 p.m., and Santa is scheduled to light the tree at 6 p.m. Three Notch Road connects the two stops, so Thanksgiving Saturday can be the market from 9 to 3 and then Hollywood from 4 on.
December 12 is the busiest day, and December 13 is the only Sunday
The Southern Maryland News Net reports that Suttler Post Farm Clydesdales will hold its 8th Annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 12, and Sunday, December 13. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at 38750 Chaptico Road in Mechanicsville. Admission is $10 per person, and children 6 and younger get in free.
This year's plans include local craft vendors, wineries, food trucks, pony rides and family activities. Visitors can also meet and photograph the farm's Clydesdales. The open house raises money for Hospice of St. Mary's. As of the 2025 event, the farm had given more than $175,000 over the previous five years. That money has paid for improvements at the hospice house in Callaway, including patio furniture and sunshades.
The overlap is what makes December 12 the most crowded day of the season. The Barns market runs from 9 to 3, and Suttler Post opens at 11. Anyone hoping to do both in one day has from 11 to 3 at Suttler Post, or can start at The Barns at 9 and get to Chaptico Road by late morning.
Sunday, December 13 is the alternative. Suttler Post runs the same 11-to-4 hours that day, and it is the only Mechanicsville event this season scheduled on a Sunday. If you want the farm on a quieter calendar, that's the day to go. For music, the COSMIC Symphony has free holiday concerts at 3 p.m. that same weekend. The December 12 concert is at Huntingtown High School, and the December 13 concert is at St. Mary's College of Maryland.
The last market Saturday, December 19, has nothing else scheduled against it. With the holiday close, it's the last market day before Christmas.
Trees, wreaths and the stops along Three Notch Road
For a tree you cut yourself, the state's Maryland's Best producer listing includes Evergreen Acres at 27118 Queentree Road in Mechanicsville. The listing describes a choose-and-cut farm with more than 10 species and wreaths made on site from its own trees. Call the farm for this season's days and hours before you head out with a saw. Some older tree-farm directories still list Quail Field Farm on New Market Turner Road, but that farm sold its last Christmas trees in 2021.
Three Notch Road has also added stops this year. 10X Pilates opened at 29015 Three Notch Road, Unit 2B. According to the Southern Maryland Chronicle, founding-member classes ran October 26 through 31, and classes opened to all members on November 2. Up the same road, La Tazza Coffee Co. announced a July 7 grand opening at 26945 Three Notch Road, in the former Pizza Boli's space, according to The BayNet.
Before December 19 gets busy, a few things are worth sorting out:
- Bring cash or a checkbook to Grove Farm Lane on November 21.
- Pick December 12 or December 13 for Suttler Post, depending on whether you also want the Barns market.
- Call Evergreen Acres before driving to Queentree Road.
- Keep Thanksgiving Friday evening open for Leonardtown and Saturday at 4 p.m. open for Hollywood.
At Prestige Home Team, we live and work in Southern Maryland, and keeping track of these Saturdays is part of how we know Mechanicsville. If you're thinking about a move in the new year, whether you're listing a home near Thompson Corner or relocating with a PCS order, we're happy to talk it over. Get your instant home valuation, and we'll help you plan your timing around the season.
