Looking for some summer fun that won’t cost a dime? Here are a number of events in the Annapolis/Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area from festivals to concerts to puppet shows that are totally free. So grab the family and get ready to have some fun that won’t break the summer budget.
Dad and son wait for the Ocean City Air Show4 Thursday
Authentic Australia
Interactive program about Australia. Animals, art, music and more. For ages 2-7. Free. 11am. Edgewater Community Library, Edgewater. 410-222-1538, aacpl.net/location/edgewater
5 Friday
Frederick Festival of the Arts
June 5-7. Juried fine arts festival featuring over 110 artists from across the country, live entertainment, artist demonstrations, children’s activities, food and more. Free. Fri., Special Meet-and-Greet from 6-9pm; Sat., 10am-6pm; Sun., 11am-5pm Sunday. Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick. frederickartscouncil.org.
6 Saturday
Bark B Que and Meow Mixer
Blessing of the animals, pet demonstrations, ask the trainer and more. Free. 10am-3pm. Calvert Animal Welfare League, Prince Frederick. cawlrescue.org
Anne Arundel County Historical Society Strawberry Festival
Crafts, demonstrations, strawberry wine, shortcake, children’s entertainment and more. Free. 10am-4pm. Benson-Hammond House, Linthicum. aachs.org.
Cape St. Claire Strawberry Festival
Parade, music, food, games, contests, children’s activities, live demonstrations, beer garden and strawberries in every form. Free admission. 10am-7pm. Cape St. Claire Firehouse, Cape St. Claire. cscstrawberryfestival.com/2015-strawberry-festival-overview
Bowiefest
Rides, performances, contests, food and drink, arts and crafts fair, business expo, local organizations and more. Free. 11am-6pm. Allen Pond Park, Bowie. cityofbowie.org.
Community Family Day
Music, crafts, kid’s games and more. Free. Noon-4pm. Downs Park, Pasadena. facebook.com/FriendsOfDownsParkInc
7 Sunday
Children’s Day at the Farm
Oxen cart and pony rides, tractor parade, face painting, magic show and more. Free. 11am-5pm. Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, St. Leonard. 410-586-8501, jefpat.org.
Annapolis First Sunday Arts Festival
Arts and craft show featuring 100 local and regional artists, live music, dance, street performers, food and more. Free. Noon-5pm. Calvert and West streets, Annapolis. firstsundayarts.com.
9 Tuesday
Puppet Show: A Fox Tale
Learn about the nighttime world of animals at Patuxent Research Refuge. All ages. 10:30am and 11:30am. National Wildlife Visitor Center, Laurel. fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent/visit/NWVC.html
10 Wednesday
Nano Small Wonder Experience
Hands-on activities to teach science, engineering and technology. Free. 10:30am-12:30pm. Robinson Nature Center, Columbia. 410-313-4700, Howardcountymd.gov
11 Thursday
Summer Reading Kickoff Evening Story Time
Evening story time helps kick off Summer Reading Program. Free. 6:30-7:15pm. Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch, Chesapeake Beach. 410-257-2411, calvert.lib.md.us/twin.html
12 Friday
OC Air Show
June 13-14. Air show featuring military jet demos, aerobatic performers, formation flight teams and parachute teams. Free; premium beach viewing and VIP seating tickets available for $19-219. See website for schedule. Beach near the Show Center, Ocean City. ocairshow.com.
Colonial Market Fair
June 13-14. Event features costumed craftsmen, tradesmen and musicians; children’s games and crafts and more. Free, $5 per car parking fee. 10am-4pm. Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, Catonsville. benjaminbanneker.wordpress.com/colonial-market-fair
African American Family Community Day
Live entertainment, exhibits, children’s arts and crafts, games and more. Free. 11am-5pm. Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, St. Leonard. 410-535-2730, jefpat.org.
Maryland Traditions Folklife Festival
A celebration of traditional arts, music, crafts, and foods. Free. 11am-7pm. Creative Alliance, Baltimore. msac.org/folklife-festival
Juneteenth
Celebration of end of slavery in U.S. with live musical, dance performances, exhibits, food vendors, children’s activities and more. Free. 1-5pm. Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro. pgparks.com/juneteenth.htm.
Summer Block Party
Moon bounce, balloon artist, autographs by a Bowie Baysox player and their mascot and more. Free. 11am-2pm. Festival at Riva Shopping Center, Annapolis. facebook.com/shopriva
14 Sunday
Maryland Avenue and State Circle Irish Festival
Old-fashioned street festival featuring vendors, food, children’s activities, dining and Irish music and dance. Free. 10am-5pm. Maryland Avenue and State Circle, Annapolis. marylandave.com
Frederick Summer Concert Series
June 14–Aug. 30, Sundays weekly. Weekly musical entertainment from a variety of artists, with food vendors available. See website for performance schedule. Free. 7pm. Baker Park Bandshell, Frederick. celebratefrederick.com/events/summer-concert-series.
Click next before for more free fun in June
