Okay, WashCo — this is the week we’ve been waiting for.
The Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown is officially here, and downtown is about to spend four days being cooler than usual. Add in an AC/DC tribute show on Saturday, Irish dance on Sunday, and a few low-effort spring outings the rest of the week, and you’ve got yourself a very respectable end of March.
Here’s what’s worth your time.
Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown
Thursday, March 26–Sunday, March 29 • Multiple downtown Hagerstown venues
Passes start at $25
This is the big one. The 14th annual festival is bringing 100+ films to six downtown venues, including the Maryland Theatre, ACT Black Box, Grand Piano Ballroom, USMH Event Center, Washington County Free Library, and Barbara Ingram’s black box. There are after-parties, filmmakers, lots of venue-hopping energy, and a very strong excuse to pretend you’ve always had thoughts about cinematography.
Dirty Deeds – The AC/DC Experience
Saturday, March 28 • 7:30 PM • Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown
Tickets available
If your ideal Saturday night involves loud guitars, zero subtlety, and at least one person yelling “THUNDER,” this is your move. Dirty Deeds is bringing the full Bon Scott / Brian Johnson tribute treatment to the Maryland Theatre, which feels like an excellent use of a historic venue, honestly.
Upcoming events
A Taste of Ireland
Sunday, March 29 • 3:00 PM • Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown
Tickets from $40
If you’d like your weekend to end with world-class Irish music and dancing instead of laundry, here you go. This touring production comes straight from bigger stages and gives Sunday afternoon a little more drama, rhythm, and passport-free escapism.
Arts & Culture / Family-Friendly
Amazing Tablescapes Celebration
Friday, March 27 • 6:00–8:00 PM • Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Dr., Hagerstown
Check museum for ticket details
Want something a little more polished than a brewery stool? WCMFA is hosting its Amazing Tablescapes Celebration Friday night, and the museum already had a pretty good case for being one of the easiest culture outings in town. This just adds a little extra sparkle.
Things to Do This Week
Here are a few easy wins for the days when you want to leave the house but don’t need a whole production:
Do the film-fest version of downtown wandering. Even if you don’t go all-in on a full pass, this is a great weekend to park once and bounce between screenings, coffee, and people-watching.
Spend an hour at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Current exhibitions include The Scandinavian Home: Art and Identity 1880–1920, Kindred Spirits, and the Cumberland Valley Artist Exhibition. Quiet, beautiful, and a strong antidote to doom-scrolling.
Current exhibitions
Use the library like the local cheat code it is. The Washington County Free Library is one of the film festival venues this weekend, and festival materials note that library screenings are free. Very solid value proposition.
Festival info
Take the easy spring route outdoors. The C&O Canal towpath in Williamsport and the Western Maryland Rail Trail are ideal right now if you want fresh air without signing up for a full outdoor identity.
Do the history lap at Antietam. The battlefield grounds and visitor center are open for self-guided exploring, and spring is one of the best times to go before summer starts showing off.
NPS site
Hidden Gem of the Week
The Grand Piano Ballroom is one of those downtown places that feels like a local secret until you finally go. Tucked upstairs at 20 W. Washington Street, it’s one of the festival venues this weekend, and it has exactly the kind of old-building charm that makes an event feel more interesting before anything even starts. If you’ve never been up there, film fest weekend is a very good excuse to fix that.
Food & Drink Pick
Hub City Brewery is an easy call this week.
It’s right downtown at 25 W. Church Street, it’s open Wednesday and Thursday 12–10, Friday and Saturday 12–12, and Sunday 12–10, and it’s exactly the kind of place you want within walking distance of a film festival. Grab a pint, regroup between screenings, pretend you’re at a much bigger-city festival, and enjoy the fact that WashCo occasionally sneaks up on us in a good way.
Free Family Picks
Need low-cost wins that don’t involve hearing “I’m bored” 14 times?
Washington County Free Library branches for storytimes, crafts, and kid-friendly drop-ins
Hagerstown City Park for ducks, playground time, and easy picnic territory
C&O Canal towpath in Williamsport for stroller-friendly walking
Antietam National Battlefield for open-space exploring and sneaky educational points
Museum stop at WCMFA if you want a quieter outing with free admission
One More Thing
The county’s 250th anniversary page actually includes the Maryland International Film Festival in its “What’s Ahead” lineup, which is a nice little reminder that this weekend isn’t just a fun downtown detour — it’s part of a bigger year for WashCo.
Which is to say: if you’ve been waiting for a weekend to actually go do something, this would be a strong one.
Did You Know?
Washington County turns 250 this year. That’s right — 2026 is our county’s 250th anniversary year, and the county is building toward a major celebration on July 4, 2026 at the Agricultural Education Center. So yes, your local history is officially having a milestone birthday.
Know someone who’s always asking, “So… what are we doing this weekend?”
Forward them this email and tell them to subscribe at whatsupwashco.com.
See you next Thursday,
Georgie @What’s Up WashCo
