Five Maryland Fall Events That Could Help You Go Viral

School has started again. There are plenty of pumpkin spice lattes. The temperatures (occasionally) drop below 27 degrees. Finally, signs of fall.

You might even see them online, as TikTok algorithms increasingly prioritize baking tips, sweater ads, and back-to-school content. Here's how to celebrate fall at events in Maryland—and maybe make an impression on social media in the process.

Ren Fest + Chappell Roan

The Maryland Renaissance Festival – “Renn Fest,” as its loyal attendees call it – is a statewide tradition. For years, it has drawn locals to Crownsville, north of Annapolis and best known as the site of a massive old psychiatric hospital. Festival-goers don their best silver armor and elf ears and gorge themselves on turkey legs.

This year, the festival is attracting a whole new crowd: Gen Z members who love 26-year-old singer Chappell Roan. Her style leans toward kitschy and theatrical, making her a soul mate to the Renn Fest crowd.

Whether it's the sword fighting dance of the Vixens en Garde or the whips of professional circus artist Jacques Ze Whipper, the festival's artists sing Roan's songs all day long.

These tributes to the “Princess of the Midwest” have left their mark on the Internet, with participants posting videos following the same script.

The festival takes place most weekends in September and October at 1821 Crownsville Road in Annapolis. General admission tickets are $26.

Corn + Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift took over the world and social media when she launched her Eras Tour last year. Now she's taking over a cornfield in Maryland.

The Maryland Corn Maze is located on the largest remaining piece of farmland in Anne Arundel County. This year, the maze is called “Everything Taylor” and features a larger-than-life guitar, musical notes and friendship bracelets carved into the field.

Losing yourself in Taylor Swift for $17.95 might not be for everyone. Luckily, the event offers a ton of other fun activities, like a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, and hayrides.

The maze is open most weekends and select weekdays through November at 389 Gambrills Road in Gambrills.

Baltimore + Cucumbers

It was the summer of cucumbers, according to articles in Forbes, the New York Times and many other publications. So why not carry that thinking over into the fall?

Viral TikTok pickling videos led to cucumber shortages around the world and brands launched cucumber-themed products, including a limited-edition cucumber-flavored Goldfish cracker.

Maryland is ready for the pickle trend. On September 21, Power Plant Live! in Baltimore will host the fifth annual Big Dill Pickle Festival, touted as “the biggest in the world,” from noon to 7 p.m. A standard ticket costs about $25.

And on Oct. 13 from 2 to 5 p.m., Charm City Meadworks, 400 E. Biddle St. in Baltimore, is hosting a pickle party. Attendees can sample homemade pickles and participate in a pickle-eating contest.

Salty vegetables plus mead, a sweet and heavy wine-like drink? Why not?

Parks + Opera

Maybe fermented foods and pop stars aren't your thing. Maybe you're looking for something more sophisticated to fill your fall.

For the next few weekends, Opera Baltimore is hosting a free series called “Fall for Opera,” tailor-made for chasing influence on Instagram.

The series is described as follows: “It is designed for everyone, young and experienced listeners, and offers many a first taste of the magic of opera.”

Locations vary from weekend to weekend, from Mount Vernon Place to Patterson Park.

Books + Witches

Fall means school, apples and cinnamon. It also heralds the start of the spooky season.

Book fairs aren't always conducive to selfies and TikToks, but this one is different. The Attaboy Barrel House in Frederick, normally a wedding venue, transforms into a witches' coven in late October.

The book fair will feature an aura photographer, witch merch, food trucks, and Alice Markham-Cantor, author of The Once and Future Witch Hunt.

Costumes are welcome!

The event is free and will take place on October 24th from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Curious Iguana, 12 N. Market St. in Frederick.