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

24

Rescheduled Summer in the Squares: Simone Baron Quartet. This is a rescheduled concert. Summer in the Squares returns with a great lineup of performances featuring Baltimore's amazingly talented musicians. The performance features The Simone Baron Quartet, who brings together accordion, cello, trumpet, and percussion for an evening of original creative chamber music that moves freely and imaginatively between sound worlds. The music weaves together playful grooves with cinematic post romantic harmony, folk textures, with engaging and spontaneous interplay. The ensemble is excited to bring this project to the Mount Vernon community. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy an evening of music in the beautiful West Square of Mount Vernon Place! FREE. 7PM-8:30PM. Mount Vernon West Square, 699 Washington Pl., Baltimore. https://www.facebook.com/events/991870460404879

26-27

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/

Breakfast with the Elephants. Rise and shine as this VIP experience takes you to the elephant exhibit before the Zoo opens. Enjoy breakfast while the elephants curiously peek at the guests! A full menu will be available as a freshly prepared buffet style meal. During the meal, guests are treated to a special elephant keeper chat. Last but not least, the keepers will give the elephants a special enrichment treat. Don’t forget to bring your camera to this unique dining event! $75; $70 Members; FREE for children under 2 but ticket required. 9AM-10:30AM. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/event_series/breakfast-with-the-animals/breakfast-with-the-elephants/

Conservation Day - Field Work Tools & Techniques. Celebrate the importance of conservation field work at the Zoo’s Conservation Day! Learn how the Zoo and our conservation partners track and observe animals of all sizes, from box turtles to elephants. Join us for keeper chats, complete a scavenger hunt, and explore education stations throughout the Zoo. Conservation Day activities are included with your Zoo admission, all activities are weather dependent and subject to change. FREE with admission. 10AM-2PM. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl., Baltimore. https://www.marylandzoo.org/event_series/conservation-day/field-work-tools-techniques/

24th Annual Pigtown Festival. The 24th Annual Pigtown Festival is primed to be another event of Epic-Pork-Portions & you are invited! Over 7,000 visitors will stroll along Washington Boulevard to cheer on their favorite swine at "The Squeakness" Pig Races, dance to Dj sets at the “Pigtown Lounge”, jam out to live music on the main stage, pig out on delicious food, or local libations, shop at over 70 arts and crafts vendors and enjoy the largest KidZone of any Baltimore festival. FREE admission. 12PM-7PM. Pigtown Main Street, 793 Washington Blvd., Baltimore. https://www.pigtownmainstreet.org/

Trifecta Food Truck and Music Festival. Boasting 30+ of Maryland’s most popular independently owned food trucks, festival-goers can expect a wide variety of savory and sweet options, including barbecue, seafood, burgers, vegan options, Jamaican, Greek, Indian, cupcakes, ice cream, and so much more. Attendees browse goods from local artisans and vendors, check out cool clothes and jewelry in several fashion trucks, and even try their hand at axe throwing, rock wall climbing and archery. In addition to the wide array of food trucks and vendors, the nucleus of Trifecta is, and always will be, the music! The diversity of the mostly local bands is the pride & joy of 24-7 Entertainment at Trifecta and the fan support for these bands on stage is amazing and infectious. Prices listed increase on September 8. $39.99 General Admission; $70.89 Trifecta Ticket (early admission, infield parking); FREE for ages 12 and under. 12PM-10PM (Early Entry at 11AM). Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Lutherville-Timonium. https://www.trifectafestival.com/

October

Urban Astronomy. Take a tour of the stars above Baltimore! City lights might make stargazing seem impossible, but with the right tools and expert guidance, you may be surprised to find out what is visible in the nighttime sky above our urban center. Using the Maryland Science Center’s rooftop observatory and a few smaller telescopes, you will have the chance to view planets, bright stars, and other celestial highlights that shine through urban light pollution. This is a facilitated experience intended for adults and children ages 8+. Expert guides will point out visible constellations, share tips for stargazing in the city, and explain what makes the autumn sky unique. $25. 7:30PM-8:30PM. The Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.mdsci.org/events/urban-astronomy/

2-4

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/

3-4

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/

3

Grown-Up & Me: Magic for Little Ones. In this special magic class for preschool and kindergarteners, School of Magic Arts will help little ones as they take their first exploration of stage magic. Students will get to dress up like real magicians for storytime and make a magic craft. After that, they’ll learn their very first magic trick (with the help of their grown-up!). “Grown-Up and Me:” Magic for Little Ones is an awesome and unique bonding experience that they won’t soon forget. $20; $17 Members. 10AM. Creative Alliance Creativity Studio, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/grown-up-and-me-magic-for-little-ones/

Costume Creations. Learn the basics of costume design and tips for building props and other accessories—just in time for trick-or-treat season! Participants will focus on crafting their own helmet, mask or headdress using a personalized template to insure it fits perfectly. Add the finishing touches on your handmade masterpiece by using a variety of painting techniques and cardboard props for a little extra flair. This workshop will require two people working together to create one piece (fit to one of the participants). The pair can either be an adult and child or two adults. Admission to the exhibits is not included. All necessary supplies are provided. $40. 10:15AM-12:15PM. The Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.mdsci.org/events/costume-creations/

Glass Art: Mosaic Crab Tray. Piece together a mosaic tray! Create your very own decorative mosaic crab tray in this 2.5-hour beginner friendly workshop designed for ages 8+. This workshop is the perfect opportunity for anyone curious about the art of stained glass and grouting. Cost does not include exhibit admission, however reduced admission tickets are available to participants. All necessary materials provided. $75. 1PM-3:30PM. The Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.mdsci.org/events/glass-art-crab-tray/

Clay & Sound: A Family Rattle-Making Workshop. Explore the magic of sound and clay in this hands-on, intergenerational rattle-making workshop for children ages 7+ and their parents or caregivers. Together, participants will discover ancient musical instruments of the Americas and explore how rattles have long been used for storytelling, celebration, and connection across cultures and time. Working side by side, caregivers and children will learn easy, step-by-step hand-building techniques and experiment with sound, texture, and form to create their own unique instruments. This welcoming, collaborative workshop invites families to slow down, make together, and create handmade rattles that carry ancient history and a shared creative memory. No prior experience with clay, instruments or music is needed. All materials, tools and instrument firing included. $18; $15 Members. 12PM. Creative Alliance Creativity Center, 3137 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. https://creativealliance.org/event/clay-sound-family-rattle-workshop-english/

9-11

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/

9-10

Pokémon Party. Pikachu, I choose you! Calling all pokémon trainers, masters, and enthusiasts! Grab your Pokédex and embark on a journey to the Maryland Science Center for an overnight adventure. Legend has it, there are pokémon hiding around every corner of the Science Center—and you gotta catch ’em all! Build and test Pokéball launchers, explore Ditto slime and create an evolution kaleidocycle. Battle and trade in the dedicated TCG arena and access a gym and multiple Pokéstops all from the comfort of your sleeping bag before lights-out! $71.21 Super Science Sleepover; $39.19 Pajama Party Only (no sleepover); FREE for children under 3 (no sleepover). 5:30PM-9AM. The Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.mdsci.org/events/pokemon-party/

Urban Astronomy. Take a tour of the stars above Baltimore! City lights might make stargazing seem impossible, but with the right tools and expert guidance, you may be surprised to find out what is visible in the nighttime sky above our urban center. Using the Maryland Science Center’s rooftop observatory and a few smaller telescopes, you will have the chance to view planets, bright stars, and other celestial highlights that shine through urban light pollution. This is a facilitated experience intended for adults and children ages 8+. Expert guides will point out visible constellations, share tips for stargazing in the city, and explain what makes the autumn sky unique. $25. 8PM-9PM. The Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.mdsci.org/events/urban-astronomy/

10-11

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/

Breakfast with the Penguins. Rise and shine with the Zoo’s 90+ African penguins at the Penguin Coast exhibit. This exclusive VIP breakfast experience lets you explore penguin life in a private event before the Zoo opens. Enjoy dining al fresco beside our penguin exhibit! A full menu will be available as a freshly prepared buffet style meal. During breakfast, guests are treated to a special penguin keeper chat. Plus, they will help feed the penguins their first meal of the day! Don’t forget to bring your camera for this one-of-a-kind event. $75; $70 for 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-penguins/

Spooky Science. Explore the mystical magic of Halloween with science! Calling all witches, wizards, and warlocks—gather on over to the Maryland Science Center for an afternoon filled with magical science fun! Create your own wearable amulet. Learn about the Science Center's favorite special effects using magic—well, science. Cast a spell to over a color-changing potion. And many more secrets hidden throughout the building! FREE with paid admission. 12PM-4PM. The Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., Baltimore. https://www.mdsci.org/events/spooky-science/

23-25

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/

30-31

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/

Sarah's Family Friendly Event Picks

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October

September