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Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission

Events and Promotions

Do you want to participate in an off-site event or host a festival? Are you planning a tasting at a retail store?

Events that allow alcohol in Maryland include county and state fairs, farmer’s markets, non-profit festivals, off-site events permitted by local jurisdictions, and on-premises promotions at retailers.

Only bona fide non-profit organizations may host a Non-Profit Festival. Other businesses and organizations may host events with permits issued by their local city or county liquor board.

Alcohol manufacturers that hold an off-site permit are allowed to attend county agricultural fairs or the Maryland State Agricultural Fair, Farmer's Markets listed on the official Farmer's Market Directory, and additional events that fall under other categories.

Suppliers, wholesalers, and retailers are permitted to sponsor planned promotions that take place on a retailer’s licensed premises.

Additionally, sweepstakes or contests held by suppliers and wholesalers are allowed with prior approval from the ATCC.

Host a Non-Profit Festival

Non-Profit beer, wine, and liquor Festivals may be hosted only by legally defined non-profit organizations. These events can last from one to three days, and the primary purpose must be to promote Maryland beer, wine, and liquor.

Applications for these festivals require a list of invited alcohol manufacturers or retailers and a copy of the 501(c) determination letter, and must be submitted at least 30 days before the event. This permit can be applied for through Maryland OneStop.

Submit your intent to participate

In order for manufacturers to attend any off-site event, they must first hold an off-site permit and, for each event, submit an Intent to Participate no later than the 20th of the month preceding the event. The Intent to Participate can be submitted through Maryland OneStop. For listed Farmer’s Markets or Non-Profit Festivals, the permit holder must also notify the local licensing board.

When filling out the Intent to Participate, the off-site permit holder will select the type of event that will be attended. If this is a Non-Profit Festival, the NP permit number must be included. If it is an other off-site event, the owner of the premises where the event is taking place must sign the Intent to Participate; this informs the ATCC that the permit holder is allowed to attend the event.

Attend an off-site event

At events, off-site permit holders may provide beverages they manufactured as samples and products to sell to consumers. Sample sizes must be limited to 1 oz for each offering of wine, 1 oz for each offering of beer, or 0.25 oz for each offering of liquor. Breweries may sell up to 288 ounces of beer for off-premises consumption.

Off-site permit holders are not limited to the number of Non-Profit Festivals and listed Farmer’s Markets they attend. However, they are limited to attending 32 other off-site events that have a purpose other than promoting alcoholic beverages in one year.

Sponsor a planned promotion

A brand owner, supplier, marketing agency, or wholesaler may hold promotional tastings at licensed retailers; these promotions are restricted to 24 per year per retailer. A limited number of prizes and give-aways are allowed as long as each item is of nominal value. A licensed retailer may also sponsor their own promotion at their premises; these events would not include suppliers or wholesalers although the retailer may purchase bar kits or rent other promotional materials from them. 

Information on planned promotions must be submitted to the ATCC using Form 304 no later than the 20th of the month preceding the promotions. These are submitted via email to [email protected].

Hold a contest or sweepstakes

Suppliers, licensed wholesalers, and authorized third-parties may sponsor a sweepstakes or contest for participants that are of legal drinking age. Entries may be provided on neck hangers, caps, or containers as long as there is another way to enter that does not require the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

Proposals for these contests must be submitted to the ATCC in time to be approved 14 days before the beginning of the contest. The rules must include the beginning date and deadline for entry, the prizes and chances of winning, and how the winner is chosen. Proposals and rules should be submitted via email to [email protected].