This year, in addition to the regular concerts, one really big one is Justin Bieber, which has caused a huge stir all around Baltimore and sold out right away.

The two other Maryland State Fair concerts are Bret Michaels and Gretchen Wilson, both of which still have general admission tickets available.

Get up close & personal with a llama!

A large portion of the Maryland State Fair is designated for livestock and horse shows as well as demonstrations. This year, the Timonium Farmers Market will be open each day to get local foods from local farms to enjoy!

Certain days have ride and admission specials, like a $20 wrist band for all day rides, and Food Lion has a $5 off coupon for 5 days of the Fair. Ride tickets are $1 each, and depending on the rides, they take 1-6 tickets. A book is available at the ride booth for $45 you get 50 ride tickets, and that is available to anyone on site.

Admission to the Maryland State Fair is $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, $3 for children 6-11 years old, and free for children under 6 years old.

Parking is $3 in the main lot, and there are many other parking lots around where one can pay to park. Just north of the Timonium Fairgrounds is the Deereco Lightrail Park & Ride, where parking is free.

The Maryland State Fairgrounds are located at 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093.

The trees are always full & pretty, their prices reasonable, the selection large, and the people unbelievably nice. A few years back, we even bought a special tree stand where a hole is drilled in the bottom so your tree stands up straight right away. They drill the hole right there in front of you, then they shake the dead needles off the tree, and wrap it in netting for you to take home. They even provide string for you to tie the tree to your car!

A few pointers, I will share with you, if you plan to get your tree there.

1) They also have wreaths and greens — already decorated or plain for what your needs are!

2) BRING CASH. They do not accept any other form of payment.

3) If it has rained or snowed recently, IT WILL BE MUDDY. Make sure to wear boots to traipse around to find your tree!

4) WEAR GLOVES. It is cold & also the tree needles can hurt when you are tying it to your car. (They do not tie the tree to your car for you).

5) Have an old blanket or sheet with you to put under the tree to protect your car.

6) Don’t forget your free candy cane!

The entrance to the trees is the large main entrance to the Fairgrounds – the most northern one on York Road, not the one with the changing sign.

Enjoy your trip & your tree. Another great reason to live in Timonium!

The Maryland State Fairgrounds are located at 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093.

As they put it on their website: “If Santa had a Themepark, this would be it!”

We thoroughly enjoyed this last year and are looking forward to this year! Our son LOVED the train garden last year, while my niece was onstage dancing with the entertainers.

This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Festival of Trees, and they are offering a special: $2 off Adult Admission when you buy your ticket online.

I will share with you something we learned quickly last year, at our first visit to the Festival. If you have children over the age of 1, BUY THE $20 ACTIVITY PACKET (which you can order online with your tickets or buy at the door if you buy your tickets there). It includes a wrist band for unlimited train rides, moon bounce, and carousel, plus a ticket for a pony ride, and 20 activity tickets. We did not originally, and ended up going back to wait in line to get them. Kids will WANT TO PLAY these activities and ride the rides.

The Festival of Trees is Friday & Saturday November 27 & 28 from 10 am – 9 pm and Sunday, November 29 from 10 am -6 pm at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. The cost before discount is $10 adults, $5 for children 5-12 years old & senior citizens. Children under 4 are free.

The Maryland State Fairgrounds are located at 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093.