Looking for some free fun in October in the Annapolis, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., area? Here are tons of events from festivals to parades to teen activities that are completely free. There’s no need to spend money when there are so many events for kids of all ages that don’t cost a dime. Check out the list and line up some free fall fun.
1 Thursday
Shake It Out Music and Movement
Music and movement help children learn social, emotional and physical skills. Free. 10-10:30am. Calvert Library Southern Branch, Solomons. 410-326-5289, calvert.lib.md.us/southern.html
2 Friday
Chestertown Harry Potter Festival
Oct. 2-3. Harry Potter-themed activities for all ages. Check website for schedule. Fee for some events. Various venues, Chestertown. chestertownhpfest.org
U.S. Naval Academy Fall Formal Parades
Oct. 2 and 23. Watch midshipmen march, accompanied by the Naval Academy band and the midshipmen Drum and Bugle Corps. Free. 4pm. U.S. Naval Academy, Worden Field, Annapolis. 410-293-1520
Leonardtown First Fridays
Entertainment, activities and more. First Fridays monthly. Free. 5pm. Leonardtown Square, Leonardtown. visitstmarysmd.com
3 Saturday
Adventure Scavenger Hunt
Hunt for sculptured stones, mystery objects, plants and animals while learning about the history of the North Tract. Bring a camera or cellphone to take pictures. Hunts are 1-2 hours long. Registration required. Free. 9am-1pm. Patuxent Research Refuge, North Tract, Laurel. 301-497-5887, fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent/visit/PublicPrograms.html
Children’s Creativity Center
Saturdays. Creative activities for children ages 2-12. Free. 9:30am-1:30pm. RiverArts KidSPOT, Chestertown. 410-778-6300, www.chestertownRiverArts.org/kidspot
Artisan’s Festival
Oct. 3-4. Children’s activities, food and music. Free. Sat. 10am-4pm; Sun. 11am-4pm. Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park, Centreville. artisansfestival.net
2015 Bowie International Festival
Entertainment on two stages, food, children’s activities, vendors and more. Free. 11am-5pm. Allen Pond Park, Bowie. cityofbowie.org/index.aspx?NID=1016
Eastport’s Annual Oktoberfest
Beer and root beer races, best-dressed dog competition, arts and crafts corner, and more. Free. Noon-8pm. Eastport Democratic Club, Annapolis. oktoberfestEDC.com
4 Sunday
Columbus Day Parade and Commemoration
Mass and wreath-laying, followed by parade at 2pm. Free. 9:15am. Little Italy, Baltimore. promotioncenterforlittleitaly.org
Annual Agriculture Day
Scarecrow making, pony rides, corn maze and more. Free. 10am-6pm. Y Worry Farm, Davidsonville. aaedc.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
Kinderfest
Clowns, characters, games, rides and more. Free admission with fee for some activities. Noon-5pm. Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro. pgparks.com/kinderfest
5 Monday
Monday Fun Days
Stories, songs and a craft. Ages 3-5 with adult. Free. 11:30am. Howard County Library System Central Branch, Columbia. 410-313-7800, hclibrary.org
6 Tuesday
Cuddle Up and Read To Me Storytime
Short stories, songs and more. Birth to 24 months. Free. 9:30-9:50am. Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
123 Andres! Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Singing, dancing and learning with Andrés Salguero. Free. 10:30am. Crofton Community Library, Crofton. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net/location/crofton
7 Wednesday
Owl Be Your Friend
Learn all about owls. Ages 5 and younger. Free. 10am. Annapolis Regional Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1750, aacpl.net/location/Annapolis
9 Friday
Picture Book Parade
Stories, music, craft and more. 2-5 years old. Free. 10:30am. Howard County Library System, Savage Branch, Laurel. 410-313-0760, hclibrary.org
Xtreme Teens: Open House
Meet the staff, get information on upcoming events and trips for the year, and meet new people. 10-17. Free. 7-10pm. College Park Community Center, College Park. 301-441-2647, pgparks.com
10 Saturday
Rock Hall Fallfest
Children’s activities, live music, crafts and more. Free. 10am-4pm. Main Street, Rock Hall. 410-639-7779, mainstayrockhall.org/fallfest
Patuxent River Appreciation Days
Oct. 10-11. Boat rides, children’s activities and more. Free. 10am-5pm. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons. calvertmarinemuseum.com/311/PRAD
Goshen Farm Fall Open House
Games for kids, music, farmhouse tours and more. Free. 11am-5pm. Goshen Farm, Annapolis. goshenfarm.org
Star Wars Reads Day
Intergalactic scavenger hunt, trivia challenge, crafts and Star Wars characters. Costumes encouraged. Free. 11am-2pm. Severna Park Community Library, Severna Park. 410-222-6290, aacpl.net/location/severnapark
11 Sunday
Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race
Oct. 11-16. Schooners sail to promote awareness of the Bay’s maritime heritage and encourage preservation and improvement of its natural resources. Check website for full schedule. Baltimore Marine Center at Lighthouse Point, Baltimore. gcbsr.org
Seasonal Selections: From Field to Forest
Learn how food was prepared during the 19th century. Free. Noon-3:30pm. Riversdale House Museum, Riverdale Park. 301-864-0420, www.pgparks.com/places/eleganthistoric/riversdale_intro.html
Full STEAM Ahead
Hands-on sessions teach children science, technology, engineering, art and math. For toddlers and preschoolers and their caregivers. Free. 1-4pm. Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Solomons. 410-326-4640, annmariegarden.org
Free Family Sundays
Drop-in art making workshops. Free. 2-5pm. Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore. artbma.org
13 Tuesday
Tracking a Terrestrial Turtle
Learn about box turtles from Master Naturalist Mike Quinlan. Free. 4pm. Crofton Community Library, Crofton. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net/location/crofton
14 Wednesday
Story Time at Barnes and Noble
Story time and crafts. Ages birth-6 years. Free. 11am. Whole Foods, Annapolis. 410-573-1115, barnesandnoble.com
Storytime
Children participate in group activities and make a craft. Ages 2-3. Registration required. Free. 11-11:35am. Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch, Chesapeake Beach. 410-257-2411, calvert.lib.md.us/twin.html
Gala Concert with Coral Cantigas
Latino choral music from Coral Cantigas. Free. 6pm. Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1770, aacpl.net/location/eastport
Click next below for more free fun in October.
