All events were scheduled at the time of posting. Please confirm with event hosts before making plans.
Sarah's Family Friendly Event Picks
January
Through January 19
Inner Harbor Ice Rink. Skate at the Inner Harbor Ice Rink for a memorable experience under the stars with beautiful views of the waterfront and the downtown skyline. Perfect for a date night or family outing. Check out the special events on Thursday evenings including HBCU Night, Glide with Pride, Date Skate and more. Other special events happening throughout the season such as Grinch Steals Christmas on 11/25, Santa Visit on 12/6 and 12/20, Army Navy Celebration & Veteran's Discount on 12/11 and more. Skate rentals are included in pricing. Prices vary depending on age and options chosen. Season passes available. Open 10AM-11PM Saturday, 10AM-8PM Sunday, 12PM-10PM Monday through Thursday and 12PM-11PM Friday; Holiday hours differ. Inner Harbor Ice Rink, 201 E Pratt St., Baltimore. https://www.waterfrontpartnership.org/inner-harbor-ice-rink
19
MLK Dare to Dream Day. A free celebration honoring one of history's greatest visionaries, Martin Luther King Jr. Event includes an art workshop, a choir performance, a reading and interactive workshop, open mic and slam poetry, dance performance and more. See link for schedule. The museum will be collecting donations to prepare survival kits for the homeless; see link for details. FREE; ticket reservation required. 10AM-5PM. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy., Baltimore. https://www.avam.org/event-details/free-mlk-dare-to-dream-day-2
24
Harbor Point Ice Fest. The Central Plaza at Harbor Point will transform into an icy wonderland, featuring spectacular live carvings, frosty fun, and unforgettable moments. Watch master sculptors transform massive blocks of ice into dazzling works of art right before your eyes, then experience a packed line-up of interactive ice sculptures, delicious food and drinks, and plenty of live family-friendly entertainment all day long. FREE Admission. 11AM-5PM. Harbor Point Central Plaza, 1310 Point St., Baltimore. https://www.harborpoint.com/hp-ice-festival
February
1-22
Capoeira with Bohasha Porto. Capoeira is a dynamic Brazilian art form that blends self-defense, acrobatics, and dance. It helps improve balance, coordination, and physical strength while introducing participants to a different language and culture. Practiced with music and rhythm, Capoeira encourages learning through movement in an engaging and energetic way. Each class in this series is beginner-friendly and family-friendly, so bring the whole family and enjoy moving together! Ages 7+; children must be accompanied by an adult. Classes are Sundays from 2/1-2/22. $20 per session; $17 Members; $70 for a 4-class package. Sundays from 12PM-1PM. Creative Alliance Creativity Center, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/capoeira-with-bohasha-porto/2026-02-01/
6-8
2026 Baltimore Crankie Festival. Watch the world’s greatest stories unroll before your eyes! Baltimore’s beloved festival of scrolled panoramas, known as “crankies,” returns for its 12th year of fireside wonder! The festival, the largest of its kind in the country, works with artists to showcase crankies from Baltimore and beyond! A crankie is basic in concept: it is a scroll that provides the visual narration to a story or song. Versions of the crankie have been around for hundreds of years, if not longer; their most recent iteration is directly linked to moving panoramas popular in the 19th Century. In recent years, artists have begun to embrace the intimacy of the format, creating multi-layered, immersive experiences for audiences. Tickets are selling fast and some dates are already sold out! $35 General Admission (discount for members); $15 Virtual (Saturday). 8PM Friday; 4PM or 8PM Saturday; 3PM Sunday. Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/2026-baltimore-crankie-festival/
7
MSC Winter Games. It's science for the win! The sports in the Winter Olympics are challenging, competitive, and inspiring—and science! Discover the scientific principles at play in your favorite sport as you recreate the action throughout three floors of exhibits. Take on a game of curling while you explore the concept of friction. It’s bobsled time - design a sled, load in your egg-head driver, and let gravity do the rest. Got spin - explore the physics behind the perfect figure skating routine. Drop by Make to design your own medal and take home the gold. FREE with paid admission. 12PM-4PM. The Maryland Science Center 601 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.mdsci.org/events/msc-winter-games/
21
Havre de Grace Ice Festival. With over 50 enchanting ice sculptures crafted by The Ice God to set the mood throughout the downtown Havre de Grace area, you will find lots to do and see, including live ice-carving demonstrations, a chili cook-off, outdoor hot toddy garden, live performances, character meet & greets, corn hole boards made of ice, fire pits, s'mores station, in-store specials, and more! You can even try your hand at ice sculpting by carving your name into our graffiti wall of ice or play ping pong on a table made of ice! The ice sculptures will bring your imagination to life and you can vote for your favorite! Ballots are available the day of the event at the STAR Centre, Hot Toddy Bar, and at the Havre de Grace Visitor Center. Everyone who votes is entered into a drawing for a chance to win prizes! Food trucks will be on site, and trolley transportation will be available during the event free of charge. FREE admission; some events are ticketed (see link for details). 2PM-7PM. Downtown Havre de Grace. https://explorehavredegrace.com/event/the-havre-de-grace-ice-festival-4/