It’s no trick! We’ve got 25 treats for your family in October in the form of FREE fun events!
Monday, October 1
Crafternoon for a Cause: Dog Tug Toys
Learn how to make dog tug toys. No experience necessary. All products made will be donated to our local animal shelter. 3 – 4 pm. Broadneck Community Library. aacpl.net
Friday, October 5
Harry Potter Festival
Oct. 5–6. This townwide festival features Harry Potter magic, trivia, quidditch games, panel discussions, a scavenger hunt, costume contest and more. Free; some activities require a fee. Chestertown. chestertownhpfest.org
Saturday, October 6
Bowie International Festival
Travel around the world in a day. Enjoy international foods, music, dance performers, international bands and more. 11 am to 5 pm. 3330 Northview Drive, Bowie. cityofbowie.org/index.aspx?NID=1016
Could Our Library Be Haunted?
Delve into the paranormal with the Maryland Ghost Trackers. Hear stories of their investigations and learn about the equipment that they use. 2 pm. Maryland City at Russett Community Library, Laurel. aacpl.net
Darlington Apple Festival
All-day entertainment, crafts, fall produce, games and more. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 1024 Main St, Darlington. darlingtonapplefestival.org
PRAD: Patuxent River Appreciation Days
Oct. 6–7. Boatbuilding, live music, canoe rides and demonstrations, free harbor cruises, arts and crafts, food, wine tasting and a parade (Sunday, 2 p.m.) Free. Museum entry is additional. Adults $9; children $4. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons. calvertmarinemuseum.com
Edgar Allan Poe Festival and Awards
Oct. 6–7. Poe-themed vendors, books, music, performances and art. Plus the Poe Places death weekend bus tour, and the Black Cat Ball aboard the steamship yacht Raven at the Inner Harbor. Festival is free, tickets required for tour and Black Cat Ball. Festival Sat. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Poe House, Baltimore. poefestinternational.com
Sunday, October 7
First Sunday Arts Festival
The Arts Festival is held the first Sunday of every month from May 6th to November 4th from 11 am to 5 pm on West Street in Downtown Annapolis. Shop from 130 local and regional artisans and enjoy outdoor cafes and more than seven live bands each day. You can even explore galleries, take a game room challenge and even create your own artwork at shops on West Street. annapolis.com
Unstuck: An OCD Kids Movie
Six kids with OCD share how they learned to face their fears, stop their rituals and regain control of their lives in this documentary. Dr. Magda Rodriguez and Dr. Theresa Shank, from the board of the local chapter of the IOCDF will lead a discussion on resources and answer questions after the viewing. 2 pm. Severn Community Library, Severn. aacpl.net
Downtown Columbia Mini Maker Faire
This family-friendly showcase of invention brings together engineers, artists, and scientists as these makers to show hobbies, experiments and projects. Free. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. The Chrysalis in Symphony Woods. downtowncolumbia.makerfaire.com
Tuesday, October 9
Stories and a Snack
Young children enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes. Afterward, special guests will provide samples and coupons from mall restauarants. Free. 6:30 p.m. Discoveries: Library at the Mall, Annapolis. aacpl.net
Saturday, October 13
Bethesda Row Arts Festival
13–14. 190 Master artisans with original artwork at every price point will showcase at Bethesda Row. Plus live musical entertainment and performance art.
Free. Fri. 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Bethesda. bethesdarowarts.org
Sunday, October 14
Harbor Harvest
Urban Pumpkin Patch, petting zoo, face painting, hay maze, costume parade, pony rides, a trackless train, and more. Free; additional cost for some activities. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Rash Field, Baltimore. waterfrontpartnership.org
Horse Show and Family Fun Day
Celebrate the achievements of Maryland Therapeutic Riding participants with family, friends, and the community! Held on our on their beautiful, 25 acre farm located in Crownsville, Maryland, this event is free to participants and spectators. In addition to the horse show, there will be an area dedicated to family fun activities including games, crafts, pumpkin painting, pony bounces, face painting and more! Food will be available for purchase from a local food truck, and e Kona Ice, a make your own snowball truck. 10 am to 2 pm. Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Crownsville. horsesthatheal.org
Thursday, October 18
Homeschool Workshop: Ancient Art
Examine artifacts from Africa, Asia, and Europe that reflect the role of storytelling. For homeschoolers. Registration required. Free. 1:30–3:30 p.m. Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. thewalters.org
Friday, October 19
RocktoberFest
Family fun, 2 bands, 3 breweries, face painting, pumpkin painting, German food, par-3 Golf Tournament, and more. Free. 5–10 p.m. Renditions Golf Course, Davidsonville. renditionsgolf.com
Saturday, October 20
American Indian Festival
Celebrate the cultures of Native Americans with live performances of traditional music, dancing, drumming, singing, and storytelling. Free. 10 a.m.–
4 p.m. Patuxent River Park, Upper Marlboro. pgparks.com/709/American-Indian-Festival
Trick-or-Treat on the Square
Trick-or-treat at local businesses, plus face painting, a pet costume contest and more. Free. 3 p.m. Leonardtown Square, Leonardtown.
visitstmarysmd.com
Haunted Ship
Visit the Maryland Dove, transformed into a not-so-scary haunted ship. Trick-or-treating, face painting and games. Free; donations welcome. 4:30–8 p.m. Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC), St. Mary’s City. visitstmarysmd.com/events/haunted-ship
Great Jack-O’-Lantern Campfire
Hand-carved pumpkins, a glowing jack-o’-lantern hunt, hot cider, haunted Halloween tales and more. Free. 7–8:30 p.m. Darnall’s Chance House Museum, Upper Marlboro. history.pgparks.com
Saturday, October 27
Boo Bash
Costume contest, parade, trick or treat and more. Free. 3–5 p.m., register for kids costume parade 2:15 p.m. North Beach Business Loop, North Beach. northbeachmd.org
Spooktacular STEM
Come dressed in your spookiest costume as we explore simple preschool Halloween-based science challenges. For preschoolers. 10 am. Deale Community Library. aacpl.net.
HowlOWeen Pawty
This annual bash features Candy with a Cop, a safe trick-or-treating trail, adoptable animals, games, a children’s costume parade and more. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Anne Arundel County Animal Control, Millersville. aacounty.org
Sunday, October 28
Trick or Treat Fall Festival
Trick or Treating, costume contest, food, vendors, kids’ games, and a moon bounce. Supporting “Stand Up & Speak Out,” a domestic violence support group. Free. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Long Point Hall, Pasadena. facebook.com/events/1675303049213050/
Wednesday, October 31
Halloween Storytime
Not-so-scary stories, songs, activities and more. Wear your costume and join the parade. Free. 10:30 a.m. Discoveries: The Library at the Mall, Annapolis. aacpl.net
For more family fun visit our Calendar of Events!
