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

October

23-25

ZooBOO! Celebrate the fall season with the Maryland Zoo's annual ZooBOO! festival! This year’s festivities will span several weekends throughout the month of October and will include exciting seasonal activities. Enjoy an inflatable corn maze, pumpkin patch, seasonal crafts, sack races, costume contests, food trucks and vendors, face painting, trick-or-treating throughout the Zoo, visits from Zoo mascots, and more! Halloween costumes are encouraged all month long! ZooBOO! is included with Zoo admission. FREE. 10AM-4PM each day. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/special_events/zoobooo/

24-25

Maryland Renaissance Festival. The Maryland Renaissance Festival, a tradition for the entire family, begins its 50th season August 29th and runs Saturdays and Sundays and Labor Day Monday through October 25th for nine weekends of thrills, feasting, handmade crafts, entertainment and merriment in Crownsville, near Annapolis. The 27 acre Village of Revel Grove comes to life each autumn with more than 200 professional performers on ten stages, a 3,000 seat arena with armored jousting on magnificent steeds and streets filled with village characters. Join His Most Royal Highness King Henry VIII in the forests and glades with over 140 artisans exhibiting crafts in their own renaissance shops, five taverns featuring cool libations, 42 food and beverage emporiums providing a vast array of succulent and sweet treats to sate even the most hearty of appetites. $31 Adults; $27 Senior; $17 Children (ages 7-15); FREE for children 6 & under (ticket still required). 10AM-7PM each day. Maryland Renaissance Festival, 1821 Crownsville Rd., Annapolis. https://rennfest.com/

Fright Reads Book Festival. Terrify yourself at Fright Reads Book Festival! Veteran-owned and operated, this festival of horror, science fiction, fantasy, dystopia, and thrillers will have you screaming with delight! Featuring authors, actors, artists, and creators of all kinds, this event is family-friendly and full of spine-tingling fun! $25 General Admission Saturday; $20 General Admission Sunday; $40 General Admission Weekend Pass; $65 VIP Saturday; $60 VIP Sunday; $110 VIP Weekend Pass; FREE for children 12 & under. 12PM-6PM both days. Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd., West Friendship. https://www.frightreads.com/

BARCStoberfest. Support BARCS during their annual festival and fundraiser. Help save the lives of more than 12,000 homeless pets and have lots of pet-friendly fun with the Howl-o-Ween pet costume contest, Barkin’ Beer Garden vendors, the “Ready, Set, SNIFF!” 5K run, and more. FREE admission; $54 5K Run registration; $50 minimum donation to participate in the Pet Parade. 8AM-2PM. Patterson Park, E Baltimore St. at S Patterson Park Ave., Baltimore. https://www.barcstoberfest.org/

Fall, Fun, and Frights. Experience family-friendly autumn charm at Baltimore County’s working farm with hayrides, cuddly critters, and — for those who dare — the haunted barn. FREE. 10AM-4PM. Ag Center and Farm Park, 1114 Shawan Rd., Cockeysville. https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/recreation-and-parks/events/fall-fun-and-frights-ag-center-and-farm-park-0

The Great Baltimore Lantern Parade & The Dia de los Muertos Festival. With over 20 years of monumental lantern making and spectacle-creating under their belts, the diverse communities of Baltimore come together each year to create The Great Baltimore Lantern Parade and Festival in Patterson Park! Festival begins at 4PM, Parade is at 7PM. FREE. 4PM. Patterson Park, Pulaski Monument, Eastern Ave. at S Linwood Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/the-great-baltimore-lantern-parade-the-dia-de-los-muertos-festival/

ArBOOretum. Celebrate the Halloween season with your family at Cylburn “ArBOOretum”, a family-friendly event that celebrates the spirit of season in the heart of a beautiful public garden. This event brings together the community for guided moonlit nature walks, spooky trails, and memorable moments in front of the Cylburn mansion decorated in Halloween splendor. This is a candy-free Halloween event to prevent wrappers from littering the grounds. Every visitor will receive a glowstick! $5 in advance; $10 at the door. 5PM-7:30PM. Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore. https://cylburn.org/programs-events/arbooretum/

30-31

Trail or Treat. Gather treats as you venture deeper into the Marshy woods. Encounter frights along the way. Costumes are welcome! $3 per person. 11AM-1PM. Marshy Point Nature Center, 7130 Marshy Point Rd., Middle River. https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/recreation-and-parks/events/trail-or-treat-marshy-point-nature-center

Tricks and Treats on the Ridge. Dress up in your best costume and stroll through the woods and meadow to learn about the tricks plants and animals have up their “leaves”. Participants will get a treat at each stop so bring your treat bag. Hike is approximately one-half mile. Advance registration is required. Groups will leave from the Nature Center in 15-minute intervals. $3. 5PM-9PM. Oregon Ridge Nature Center, 13401 Beaver Dam Rd., Cockeysville. https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/recreation-and-parks/events/tricks-and-treats-ridge-oregon-ridge-nature-center

Breakfast with the Elephants: Halloween. Join the Zoo for this special Halloween edition of their famous breakfast series! Guests will enjoy a breakfast buffet alongside the elephant exhibit while the elephants receive some fun Halloween enrichment treats. During breakfast, guests will be treated to a special keeper chat. Don’t forget to bring your camera to this unique dining event! $75; $70 Members; FREE for children under 2 (ticket still required). 9AM-10:30AM. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/event_series/breakfast-with-the-animals/breakfast-elephants-pumpkin-smash/

November

Pumpkin Smash. Send your pumpkin flying off the roof of the Maryland Science Center! When the Halloween festivities come to an end, bring your jack-ó-lantern to the Maryland Science Center for a memorable send-off. Their pumpkin launch tube is ready to propel your gourd down four stories from MSC’s roof to the patio below. It’s bound to be a smashing good time! Pumpkin collection begins at 10AM, first smash is at 11AM. See link for details. FREE with admission; outdoor participation is FREE. 10AM-1PM. The Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.mdsci.org/events/pumpkin-smash/

Breakfast with the Big Cats. Rise and shine as this VIP experience takes you to the lion exhibit before the Zoo opens. Start your day with an unforgettable outdoor breakfast experience alongside our lions. Savor a freshly prepared buffet-style meal with a full menu designed to delight every palate. During breakfast, enjoy an exclusive Big Cat Keeper Chat, where you’ll get fascinating insights into the lives and habits of these incredible animals straight from the experts. Don’t forget your camera—this one-of-a-kind dining adventure is sure to be a roaring good time! Tickets include same day zoo admission. $75; $70 Members; FREE for children under 2 (ticket still required). 9AM-10:30AM. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/event_series/breakfast-with-the-animals/breakfast-with-the-lions/

Seeking the Kinetic-Curious. What does it take to be involved in Baltimore’s Kinetic Sculpture Race? Hosted by the American Visionary Art Museum in collaboration with Checkerspot Brewing Company, learn all about the Kinetic Sculpture Race from previous participants and enjoy an adult beverage while you do it! Explore tables that share details about building kinetic vehicles, race hazards, artistic decoration, and more, or explore how to get involved in the best volunteer gig in Charm City! Educators also have a special table with Kinetic lessons for the classroom. Join the KSR Family for a fun evening of information conversations, food and beer (for purchase). This event is family and pet friendly. FREE admission. 6PM-9PM. Checkerspot Brewing Company, 1421 Ridgely St., Baltimore. https://www.avam.org/event-details/seeking-the-kinetic-curious

Breakfast with the Chimps: Thanksgiving. Join the zoo for this special Thanksgiving edition of their famous breakfast series! Guests will enjoy a breakfast buffet inside Chimpanzee Forest while the chimp troop receives some fun Thanksgiving enrichment treats. After breakfast, guests will be treated to a special keeper chat. Don’t forget to bring your camera to this unique dining event! Tickets include same day zoo admission. $75; $70 Members; FREE for children under 2 (ticket required). 9AM-10:30AM. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/event_series/breakfast-with-the-animals/thanksgiving/

27-28

Bazaart: Holiday Craft Marketplace. Come to the best art market in Baltimore to kickoff or conclude your holiday shopping! Explore AVAM’s annual holiday marketplace of original creations by 50 regional artists and craftspeople! With works ranging from painting and sculpture to jewelry and handmade clothing, Bazaart has become a Baltimore tradition that attracts hordes of holiday shoppers each year for a truly one-of-a-kind show. After your shopping excursion, enjoy the AVAM galleries (regular admission applies) or stop by the amazing Sideshow gift shop in AVAM's Main Building to find additional unique gifts for your loved ones. FREE admission. 12PM-5PM Friday; 10AM-5PM Saturday. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy., Baltimore. https://www.avam.org/event-details/bazaart-holiday-craft-marketplace-friday-1

Sarah's Family Friendly Event Picks

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November

October