Just because school has started doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! We’ve compiled a list of 30 different events in September to keep the good time rolling and not break the budget – they are all free!
Friday, September 7
Star Trek Escape Room
Trekkies can enjoy solving puzzles and riddles to this escape room. Please register. Free. 9am-5pm. Riviera Beach Library. 410-222-6285, aacpl.net
Madonnari Arts Festival
Sept. 7–10. Street painting, art, food, music and more. Free. See website for full schedule. Little Italy Baltimore. littleitalymadonnari.com
First Free Friday
Featuring a performance by Navy Commodores Jazz Ensemble. The museum and the Drum Point Lighthouse are open to the public, plus 30-minute cruises on the Wm. B. Tennison. Free. 5-8pm. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons. calvertmarinemuseum.com
Saturday, September 8
Taste the Beaches Festival
A coming together of restaurants, breweries, beverage shops, and craft experts, live music and kids zone. Free. 1-5pm. Kellam’s Field, Chesapeake Beach. chesapeake-beach.md.us
Back To School Outdoor Movie Night
Movie night to watch “Avengers Infinity War.” Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Free. 7:30-10pm. South Bowie Community Center. pgparks.com
Sunday, September 9
Science Sundays
Explore the natural world of science with hands-on exhibits, outside hikes, crafts and more. All ages. Drop-in program. Free. 10am-noon. Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills. 443-738-9200, explorenature.org
Family Movies on the Potomac
Catch “The Wizard of Oz” on the Plaza screen. Bring chairs. Free. 6pm. National Harbor. nationalharbor.com
Tuesday, September 11
Sea Squirts: Terrific Turtles
Sept. 11, 13 and 19. Discover the museum together through music, stories, and special activities. Ages 1-3. Free. 10 and 11am. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons. calvertmarinemuseum.com
Wednesday, September 12
Maryland Horse & Pony Show
Sept. 12–16. A-rated horse and pony show. Free. The Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro.
301-952-7900, showplacearena.com
Thursday, September 13
Family Bingo
Enjoy a fun evening of playing bingo with family and friends. Small prizes and books for winners. 6:30pm. Linthicum Community Library. aacpl.net
Saturday, September 15
Easton Airport Day
Jet-pull contest, flyovers, plane rides and more. Free. 10am-2pm. Easton Airport, Easton.
eastonairportday.com
Goshen Farm Fall Open House
Games for kids, music, and farmhouse tours. Free. 10am-4pm. Goshen Farm, Annapolis.
goshenfarm.org
Artsfest
Sept. 15–16. Artist booths, live performances, kids’ activities, food and drinks, street performers, shopping and more. $6. Members and children
11 and under free. 10am-5pm. Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Solomons.
annmariegarden.org
A Taste of St. Mary’s
Children’s activities, car show, entertainment, food and more. Free. 1-3pm. Leonardtown Square, Leonardtown. smcchamber.com
Groovefest: Blues, Brews & Bbq
Soul, funk, jazz, and blues music and food. Plus kids activities, vendors and more. Free. 5-10pm. 500 block of Poplar Street and the 400 block of Race Street, Cambridge. downtowncambridge.org
Touch a Truck at Boys Latin School
Come to the third annual Touch-a-Truck at Boys’ Latin! At this fun and interactive event, kids in pre-school through grade 2 can get a glimpse of what hands-on learning looks like at Boys’ Latin through up-close encounters with an impressive line-up of trucks, classic cars and other cool vehicles. Bring the whole family and give your little ones a chance to sit in the driver’s seat. 10 am – 11:30 am. Boys Latin, Baltimore. www.boyslatinmd.com/page/touch-a-truck
Sunday, September 16
Lakefront Concert – Columbia Jazz Band
Free concert on the lakefront. No glass containers or alcoholic beverages permitted. Free. 3-5pm. Downtown Columbia Lakefront. columbiaassociation.org
Monday, September 17
Coco and Hispanic Heritage Month Crafts
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a special craft while watching “Coco.” Free. 6pm. Odenton Libray. 410-222-6277, aacpl.net
Saturday, September 22
Monarch Festival
Celebrate the monarch butterfly. Educational displays, children’s activities, games, crafts and more. Free. 9am-3pm. Patuxent National Wildlife North Tract, Laurel. 301-497-5887, fws.gov/refuge/patuxent
Escape Room: Curse of the Mummy
During a recent archaeological dig, you come across a mysterious chamber. Study the hieroglyphics on objects around the room to discover the key to opening an ancient treasure. Registration required. Free. 10am. Severna Park Library. 410-222-6290, aacpl.net
Riverfest
Art showcase, cardboard boat races, children’s activities and more. Free; some activities require a fee. 11am-4pm. Chestertown. 410-778-6300, chestertownriverarts.org
Art in the Park
Celebrate the end of summer with art, music, food and fun in Downtown Stevensville. Free. 9am-4pm. Stevensville. msac.org
Sunday, September 23
Science Sundays
Explore the natural world of science. Hands-on exhibits, outside hikes, crafts and more. All ages. Drop-in program. Free. 10am-noon. Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills. 443-738-9200, explorenature.org
KidFest
This family-friendly festival celebrates creativity and innovation in the STEAM world by exposing kids to hands-on maker learning, including robotics, engineering, interactive art and biotechnology. Noon-5pm. Free. Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring. kid-museum.org
ZooFiesta
See animal demonstrations and learn about animals native to Latin America, meet zoo experts and more. Free. 11am-3pm. National Zoo, Washington, D.C. nationalzoo.si.edu
Saturday, September 29
STEAM Fair Maryland
Chesapeake Family Life’s very own STEAM Fair will have fun activities for the whole family, demonstrations, a paper airplane contest, art contest and a whole lot more. Annapolis Area Christian School, 11am-3pm. steammaryland.com
Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival
Live performances, world foods, vendors, children’s tent and more. Free. 10am-7pm. Susan Campbell Park, Annapolis. kuntakinte.org
Sunday, September 30
Oktoberfest
Street fair with german (and other) food, drinks arts and craft vendors, oompah band, and kid’s activities. Free. 9am-5pm. Annapolis and giddings streets, in West Annapolis. visitannapolis.org
Annual Annapolis Italian Festival
Italian food, drinks, live music and more. Free. 10am-6pm. 620 Ridgely Ave, Annapolis. facebook.com/events/2192527591029703
Family Movies on the Potomac
“The Lion King” will be shown on the Plaza screen. Bring chairs. Free. 6pm. National Harbor. nationalharbor.com
