Calendar of Events - Family Friendly Events

All events were scheduled at the time of posting. Please confirm with event hosts before making plans.

Sarah's Family Friendly Event Picks

September

21-24

Westminster Fall Fest. The 44th annual Fall Fest! Join the festivities as Fallfest begins with the annual parade along Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in historic downtown Westminster on Thursday evening! Bring your entire family to enjoy the amusement rides. Rides operate through out the fall fest weekend. Visit over 80 vendors with a variety of crafts and gifts along with information about local businesses on Saturday and Sunday. FREE admission; some attractions have fees. 6PM-10PM Thursday & Friday, 10AM-10PM Saturday, 12PM-6PM Sunday. City Park, 11 Longwell Ave., Westminster. https://westminsterfallfest.com/

Summer in the Squares (Rescheduled): Ed Hrybyk Trio. Returning to Mount Vernon Place is the Ed Hrybyk Trio. Multi-talented Hrybyk is not only an upright and electric bassist, but a composer, arranger, and educator emerging from Baltimore. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy an evening of music in the beautiful West Square of Mount Vernon Place! FREE. 6PM-7:30PM. Mount Vernon Place, Washington Pl. at W Mt. Vernon Pl., Baltimore. https://www.facebook.com/events/585323197012579

22-24

Artscape. The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts is excited to announce the return of Artscape for its 38th year, after a three-year hiatus! The beloved Baltimore arts festival is where art lovers, families, and tourists come together to celebrate art, culture, and performance! Artscape is proud to showcase artists and makers, live concerts, visual arts experiences, performing arts, fashion designers, kid-focused activities, film, experimental music, improv and comedy, literary arts programming and culinary delights. We encourage artists and festival goers to embrace Artscape for what it is – a fully accessible, 100% FREE, world-class arts festival – right here in the heart of Baltimore City. Everyone’s invited to Artscape, let's celebrate the arts in Baltimore together! FREE admission. 5PM-10PM Friday, 11AM-10PM Saturday, 11AM-5PM Sunday. Bolton Hill & Mount Royal Neighborhoods, 1300-1800 blocks of Charles St. and along Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore. https://www.artscape.org/

23-24

Maryland Renaissance Festival. The 47th Annual Maryland Renaissance Festival is back and open weekends through October 22! With 8 stages, jousting, street entertainment and pub/tavern performances all included with your admission, there is so much to do and see, that not all of it can be experienced in one day. It is suggested that guests bring cash. Ticket are available online only; prices vary and are subject to change. See link for more info. 10AM-7PM. Maryland Renaissance Festival, 1821 Crownsville Rd., Annapolis. https://rennfest.com/

Festival for the Animals. Festival for the Animals is one big day of peace, love, and paws. People and pets of all ages are invited to explore a pet lover's paradise. Whether athlete or couch potato, there's something for everyone including vendors, contests, a scavenger hunt, DIY crafts, and more! Come with family and friends. All proceeds benefit the animals needing the MD SPCA’s care. $29.99; FREE for children under 14. 10AM-2PM. Padonia Park Club, 12006 Jenifer Rd., Cockeysville. https://support.mdspca.org/event/2023-festival-for-the-animals-tickets/e493735

Jazz Family Jam Song Workshop with Alison Crocket. Jazz Family Jam Song Workshops are a fun 60-90 minutes of learning about jazz elements, history and how to sing jazz songs. These workshops are aimed at all ages. The goal is for everyone to enjoy learning about how to sing Jazz. Participants will listen to different artists perform the song and learn the elements of jazz singing like swinging to the rhythm, feeling the pocket, the sound of the blues, and even the beginnings of scat singing and improvisation. Each session will teach a different aspect of jazz singing and performing. This will allow the class to go a little deeper and grow their vocal skills along the way. $15 General Admission for one caregiver + 2 kids; $5 Virtual. 12PM. The Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/alison-crockett-jazz-family-jam-workshop-2/

Susquehanna Wine & Seafood Fest. 3rd Annual Susquehanna Wine & Seafood Festival, a family-friendly event showcasing the best of Maryland seafood restaurants and food trucks. The waterfront festival will feature 20+ local restaurants and food trucks including Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, Conrad’s Crabs, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, The Local, Faidley’s Seafood, Flash Crabcake Co., Shell & Barrell, Sobeachy Haitian Cuisine, London Chippy, Cream Cruiser and more! Locals and visitors will get a chance to experience some of Maryland’s best seafood in a fun, casual, waterfront setting. $16 General Admission. 12PM-8PM. Concord Point Lighthouse, 701 Concord St., Havre de Grace. https://www.susquehannawineandseafoodfest.com/

Trifecta Food Truck & Music Festival. Returning for its 7th year, this festival brings 35+ food trucks, awesome bands, local craft beers and cocktails, 50+ local vendors, and fun activities like axe throwing and free mechanical bull rides. $30 General Admission; FREE for kids 12 and under. 12PM. Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Lutherville-Timonium. https://www.trifectafestival.com/

Twilight Stroll: Animal Investigations. Ever wonder what happens at the Zoo after hours and the lights go out? Bring your friends, family, and flashlight for this guided tour of the zoo as the sun goes down. Participants will tour an area of the Zoo* and engage in fun planned activities. Put on your detective’s cap and help uncover which mystery animal left clues throughout an African Journey! $45; $35 Members; $40 Scouts. 6PM-8PM. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/event_series/twilight-stroll/animal-investigators/

Summer in the Squares (Rescheduled): Maryland Opera. Maryland Opera will present Katerina Burton and Dane Suarez in a program of Opera and Broadway favorites, including selections from “Tosca”, “Carmen”, “La Boheme”, “South Pacific”, and “Porgy and Bess.” Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy an evening of music in the beautiful West Square of Mount Vernon Place! FREE. 6PM-7:30PM. Mount Vernon Place, Washington Pl. at W Mt. Vernon Pl., Baltimore. https://www.facebook.com/events/1649934332167708

29-October 1

Greek Festival. This festival has something to offer everyone young and old. Taste the wonderful flavors of Greece, enjoy folk dancing entertainment, listen to traditional Greek music, visit the many shops and explore the rich culture that only Greece has to offer. FREE admission. 5PM-10M Friday, 12PM-11PM Saturday, 12PM-6PM Sunday. St, Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2504 Cub Hill Rd., Baltimore. https://www.stdemetriosmd.org/ministries/greek-festival-2023

30-October 1

Pigtown Festival. 21st Annual Pigtown Festival, a family-friendly event celebrating the character and history of one of Baltimore’s most unique neighborhoods. Thousands will visit this funky neighborhood to experience another spectacular festival while dancing to live music, enjoying food and drink, and browsing arts and crafts tables. Families will enjoy an amazing KidZone, with hat making, baseball throwing, and cheering on their favorite pig at the iconic “Squeakness” pig races. FREE admission. 12PM-7PM. Pigtown, 700-900 blocks of Washington Blvd., Baltimore. https://www.pigtownmainstreet.org/events/pigtownfestival23

October

6

Sunset Jams: The Gayle Harrod Band. Sunset Jams is a FREE weekly concert series at Rash Field Park. Kick back and relax with a different performer each week! Plus, enjoy delicious food and drinks from the city’s favorite food trucks. This week enjoy tunes from the Gayle Harrod band. FREE. 5PM-6PM. Rash Field Park, 201 Key Hwy., Baltimore. https://www.waterfrontpartnership.org/events-calendar/sunset-jams-abbey-danna-34zk9-6ezrp-ysyeg-49xkc

Baltimore by Baltimore Festival. A music and makers festival series hosted every first Saturday of the month at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater. A free celebration of the music, makers, and munchies that make Baltimore truly special at the gem of the city, the Inner Harbor Waterfront. The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore team and a rotating selection of emerging Baltimore producers offer a day of unique family-friendly activities, food, and performances at the famed Inner Harbor Amphitheater. FREE. 12PM-8PM. Inner Harbor Amphitheater, Light St. and Pratt St., Baltimore. https://www.waterfrontpartnership.org/baltimore-by-baltimore

13-14

MD State BBQ Bash. The MD State BBQ Bash is a barbecue themed street festival featuring the Maryland State BBQ Championship, with more than 50 competition teams from the Mid-Atlantic area and beyond competing for cash prizes and the chance to compete in the annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, TN and The American Royal in Kansas City, MO. In addition, more than 40 amateur teams will compete in the MD State BBQ Bash Tailgate Challenge to see who has the best ribs and chicken while competing for cash, prizes, and bragging rights. For more than 10 years, the MD State BBQ Bash has grown to be one of the largest, most fun, and most anticipated events of the year in Downtown Bel Air. Great food, great music, great people, the Maryland State Barbecue Championship, and the MD State BBQ Bash Tailgate Challenge have combined to create a tradition that we hope you will want to be a part of this year and in the years ahead. FREE admission. 4PM-10PM Friday & 12PM-10PM Saturday. Downtown Bel Air, 2 S Bond St., Bel Air. https://downtownbelair.com/events/md-state-bbq-bash/

Sunset Jams: St. Veronica Steel Orchestra. Sunset Jams is a FREE weekly concert series at Rash Field Park. Kick back and relax with a different performer each week! Plus, enjoy delicious food and drinks from the city’s favorite food trucks. This week enjoy the sounds of the St. Veronica Steel Orchestra. FREE. 5PM-6PM. Rash Field Park, 201 Key Hwy., Baltimore. https://www.waterfrontpartnership.org/events-calendar/sunset-jams-abbey-danna-34zk9-6ezrp-ysyeg-49xkc-j7xfr

Wild Workshop: Bat String Art. A special edition of Wild Workshop—with a spooky twist! Hosted in the zoo's Maryland Wilderness near the bat cave on Friday, the 13th, you’ll build decorative bat string art that you get to take home. Plus, learn about the importance of bats in nature with a special bat keeper chat and hear wild bat “songs” in real-time through the echometer! Some of the zoo's favorite creepy-crawly animal ambassadors (think tarantulas, roaches, and snakes, oh my) will be making an appearance for an up-close presentation by Zoo Educators, too. Build, listen, and learn while enjoying delicious charcuterie and spooky-themed drinks. Ticket includes DIY project kit, 3 drinks, charcuterie board, special keeper chat, and an animal ambassador meet & greet. This event is for guests ages 12 and over. $70 Non-drinker; $65 Non-drinker Members; $90 Drinking Ticket (Adults 21+); $80 Drinking Ticket Members (Adult 21+). 6PM-8PM. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/event_series/wild-workshop/bat-string-art-friday-13/

20-21

Super Science Sleepover: Cryptid Hunt. The evidence is mounting; cryptids have made the Maryland Science Center their home. Search for clues and artifacts left behind by these elusive creatures and use science to reveal the invisible. Play a game to learn about the real-life creatures that have inspired the legends. Engineer a trap and create your own cryptid to take home. Event includes a planetarium showing, overnight sleepover, a light breakfast and IMAX film. Children must be 5+ and must have a paid adult in their party. $55. 5:30PM-9AM. Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.mdsci.org/event/cryptid-hunt/

Sunset Jams: Caleb Stine. Sunset Jams is a FREE weekly concert series at Rash Field Park. Kick back and relax with a different performer each week! Plus, enjoy delicious food and drinks from the city’s favorite food trucks. This week enjoy the fan favorite Caleb Stine. FREE. 5PM-6PM. Rash Field Park, 201 Key Hwy., Baltimore. https://www.waterfrontpartnership.org/events-calendar/sunset-jams-abbey-danna-34zk9-6ezrp-ysyeg-49xkc-j7xfr-c2r6r

21-22

OctoBEARfest. Fall-flavored beer sampling is back at the Zoo! OktoBEARfest features unlimited sampling of 80+ seasonal brews. Enjoy unlimited beer, wine, seltzer, and cider sampling, live music, local vendors, and, of course, all-day admission to the Zoo. VIP ticket holders gain access to a special VIP area behind the Main Stage with food provided by Mission BBQ, exclusive drink options, private portable restroom, and more. All BEAR guests can enjoy special "watering hole" stations throughout the zoo pairing delicious drinks with fun animal activities - like a pumpkin brew to enjoy during the elephant pumpkin smash! Ticket includes zoo admission 10AM-5PM, unlimited sampling of 80+ brews with a souvenir tasting cup, live music, access to food & artisan vendors, Charm City Trivia and Sten Hoisting Competition, photos with German princesses and Krampus, and scheduled animal activities. $65 Adult (21+); $30 Designated Driver/Under 21; $75 Super Sipper; $110 VIP; $55VIP Designated Driver/Under 21; FREE for children under 2. 1PM-6PM each day. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/special_events/oktobearfest/

21

Spooky Science. Celebrate the thrills and chills of Halloween with science! Take your Halloween costume out for a trial run and visit the Maryland Science Center, if you dare, for an afternoon filled with spooktacular science fun! Experiment with ghoulishly glowing lights. Creatively cast a spine-tingling shadow. Use leverage and elasticity to launch creepy catapults, and more! FREE with paid admission. 12PM-4PM. Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.mdsci.org/event/spooky-science/

22

Harbor Harvest Children’s Fall Festival. Family Friendly Fun awaits at the Inner Harbor for the Waterfront Partnership's annual Harbor Harvest Children's Fall Festival! Make those Autumn memories with your family as you pick pumpkins in our Cityview Pumpkin Patch, explore Rash Field Park, and get matching face paintings! Snack on some local food truck favorites while admiring that iconic harbor skyline from Rash Field. See your little ones smile and laugh with stilt walkers and other free activities! Don't forget to grab some tickets or carnival pass to our pony rides, trackless train, face painting, and carnival ride. Costumes are encouraged and receive free entries to the raffle. FREE admission. 10AM-3PM. Rash Field, 201 Key Hwy., Baltimore. https://www.waterfrontpartnership.org/events-calendar/harbor-harvest-childrens-fall-festival

Sunset Jams: John Tyler. Sunset Jams is a FREE weekly concert series at Rash Field Park. Kick back and relax with a different performer each week! Plus, enjoy delicious food and drinks from the city’s favorite food trucks. This week enjoy the music of John Tyler. FREE. 5PM-6PM. Rash Field Park, 201 Key Hwy., Baltimore. https://www.waterfrontpartnership.org/events-calendar/sunset-jams-abbey-danna-34zk9-6ezrp-ysyeg-49xkc-j7xfr-c2r6r-7t899

28-29

ZooBOO! Come celebrate Halloween and the fall season with the Zoo’s 40th annual Zoo BOO! festival. There will be games, prizes, contests, live entertainment, and free trick-or-treating! Guests are encouraged to wear costumes to ZooBOO! There will be two inflatables, two kids' crafting stations, two entertainers daily, a free hay maze, carnival games and face painting for an additional fee. FREE with zoo admission. 10AM-4PM both days. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/special_events/zoobooo/

Sarah's Family Friendly Event Picks

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​​​​September

​October

September

October