The Magic Behind Markoff’s Christmas Farm

Markoff cousins gather around Mema and Dedo under "Match's Mistletoe" at Markoff's Christmas Farm 2024.

Nick and Mary Markoff, grandparents of 19 and entrepreneurs of the award-winning Halloween event Markoff’s Haunted Forest, have always seen family as their number one priority. 

In 2023, the Markoff family was faced with the devastating loss of their 20-year-old cousin and grandson Sotir Markoff. That following Christmas, Mary, also known as Mema by the Markoff grandchildren, decided it was time to bring a long-kept vision to life with the goal of honoring her beloved grandson. Years of Haunted Forest success inspired Mema with more magical ideas. She dreamed of pivoting to something sweeter and more sincere to put on after the spooky festivities were over. 

Mema and Dedo enjoy the event they worked hard to create.

“At the loss of Sotir, I said to the kids at that Christmas, ‘We’re gonna do a Christmas trail, and we’re gonna set up a foundation for Sotir, and do something in his name,’” Mema said.

The grandchildren loved the idea. Losing their cousin was the kindling in the fire that united the family in planning a Christmas event. It would honor Sotir and bring families around the community together, and it would be called Markoff’s Christmas Farm.

Maryland’s Newest Christmas Event

Christmas season 2024 marked the debut of the event. The family kept Sotir in their hearts as they brainstormed, built, and banded together. Each grandchild contributed their unique talents: Mitchell sold Christmas trees, Maren and Anna made toffee, Match took the lead in marketing, all grandchildren working together.  

A boy mails his letter to Santa at the Christmas Village.

But the highlight of the event was the Christmas trail, a 20-minute long festively decked walk through the forest featuring magical scenes from classic Christmas stories like “The Polar Express” and “A Christmas Carol.”

Head trail builder Nick Markoff, son of Nick and Mary, built the trail scenes with the help of his brothers, his daughter Camille, and other family members and friends. Their goal was to set their trail apart from other Christmas events in the area. 

“Everyone does the light show, and there’s no way we can compete in that market,” Nick explained. “One thing we do very well is build stuff organically, so we decided we would build Christmas classics…all the stories that we grew up with.”

Built for the Entire Family

They designed the trail, keeping family members of all ages in mind.

“I feel very strongly that children need to be delighted…to have their eyes shine and see something memorable.”

Mema highlighted. “I love the classic Christmas stories. We used to read them all the time, and it’s fun to pass on that love of great stories.”

The Polar Express was a fan favorite on the trail.

And make children’s eyes shine, they did. A fan-favorite scene was the life-size Polar Express train with actors, music, and a mini train circling the inside. Stepping into the train felt as if you were really boarding the Polar Express, on your way to meet Santa Claus. 

“Everyone was asking, ‘How’d you get a train down there?’” Nick said. A little bit of Christmas magic was all they needed.

Other highlights included the 15-foot Abominable Snowman from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and Dickens Village.

Camille and Lulu Markoff get the last trail details in order.

Nick highlighted how content trailgoers were for the bang they got for their buck. He said he heard nothing but glowing reviews; the originality and attention to detail blew attendees away. 

“These are homemade props and massive sets that you just can’t find anywhere else,” Camille agreed. “Walking it with family was so cool…It’s Christmas spirit…It has such a good feeling to it.”

But the trail was not complete without a reminder of the real reason for the season. A live Nativity could be found at the end of the trail as the grand finale, bringing true Christmas spirit to wrap up the walk.

Annie Bankhead sits half on Santa's and half on her mom, Maren's, lap, unsure about this whole "Santa Claus" thing.

Outside the trail, attendees enjoyed food and activities in the Christmas Village. Local vendors sold festive dinner items and traditional Christmas treats, while children met Santa in his sleigh. Massive bonfires dotted the area, and a Christmas tree lot sold beautiful Frasier Firs.

Uniting Families with Christmas Cheer

Attendees spread the word throughout the community, and Markoff’s Christmas Farm well surpassed their expected amount of visitors.

“The first weekend was such a success…that the second weekend we really weren’t prepared for,” Mema said, pleasantly surprised.

Anna and MJ Affleck love on their three-month-old, Darcy, under the mistletoe.

This year will also include a special tribute to Sotir. Years back, Sotir opened a donut shop at Markoff’s Haunted Forest. Now, his siblings and cousins will run the very same donut shop at

Markoff’s Christmas Farm. Proceeds will be contributed to the Sotir Foundation. 

Mema and Dedo’s vision truly came to life last year. Not only did Markoff’s Christmas Farm 2024 bring the Markoff family closer, but it brought all in attendance closer in celebration of the most wonderful season of all.