Looking for some free fun for the family this month? Here are 69 events to keep the kids occupied without costing you anything. From fairs and festivals to Memorial Day parades, there are plenty of events for all ages in the Baltimore-Annapolis-Washington, D.C. area.
1 Sunday
The Fleet Feet Moms’ Retreat
Spa morning featuring massages, face mapping, brunch, giveaways and more. Free. 9-11am. Fleet Feet, Annapolis. 410-268-6290. Fleetfeetannapolis.com/our-fun-runs/moms-retreat.
5th Annual Catonsville Flower Fest & Garden Party
Food, music, flowers, crafts and more. Free. 10am-3pm. Catonsville Village, Catonsville. catonsville.org/events/flowerfest.php
State Circle Spring Festival
Old fashioned street festival with handmade jewelry, fashion, crafts, food and more. Family activities and live music. Free. Noon-5pm. First block of West & Calvert streets, Annapolis. 410-263-4012. Firstsundayarts.com
Sykesville Fine Art & Wine Festival
40+ artists, chalk art, model trains, demonstrations, live music and entertainment, wine tastings and more. Free, wine tasting $10. Noon-5pm. Main Street, Sykesville. sykesvillemainstreet.com
2 Monday
Mother’s Day Make & Take
Make a special treat for Mom. Free. 9am-5pm. Deale Community Library. aacpl.net/location/deale
Monday Morning Movies & More
Join staff for dancing, stories, movies and fun. Free. 10-11am. Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291. Calvertlibrary.info
Family Bingo at the Library
Play bingo with family and friends. Small prizes for winners. Free. 6:30-8pm. Broadneck Library, Annapolis. 410-222-7371. aacpl.net/events/family-bingo-73270#sthash.RYrC8iT3.dpuf
Mother’s Night Out
Mother’s are invited to pamper themselves with an evening of adult coloring, music, tea & cookies. Free. 7-8:30pm. Edgewater Community Library. 410-222-1538, aacpl.net/location/edgewater
3 Tuesday
Petite Green Squares
Art show with focus on repurposed materials or environmental themes. Each piece of artwork is smaller than 12 inches. Free. 11am-3pm. Annapolis Green House, Annapolis. annapolis-arts-alliance.com
4 Wednesday
Mother Goose Gala
Mother Goose rhymes, crafts, songs and activities. 5 and younger. Free. 9:30am. Annapolis Regional Library. 410-222-7371. aacpl.net/events/mother-goose-gala-73220
Tom and His Friends Book Discussion
Compare current childhood adventures with the adventures of Tom Sawyer. Ages 10 and older. Free. 6:30-8:30pm. West County Library, Odenton. 410-222-6277. aacpl.net/location/odenton
5 Thursday
Shake It Out Music and Movement
Promotes social, emotional and physical skills. Free. 10-10:30am. Calvert Library Southern Branch, Solomans. 410-326-5289. Calvertlibrary.info
Chesapeake Critters, Annapolis
Weekly nature walk through woodlands past wetlands at Spa Creek Conservancy Park. Free. 10:30-11am. Chesapeake Children’s Museum. 410-990-1993, theccm.org
Cinco De Mayo at the Library
Celebrate Mexican culture with books, songs, and movement. Free. 2-3pm. Severna Park Library. 410-222-7371. aacpl.net/events/cinco-de-mayo-72817#sthash.ip1yVRq9.dpuf
Springfest
May 5-8. Food, entertainment, arts and crafts and more. Free, headline acts require admission. See website for schedule. Inlet Lot, Boardwalk, Ocean City. ococean.com
6 Friday
Tales & Tails
Fridays weekly. Join Irvine Nature Center for a few animal stories followed by an animal meet & greet! Free. 10-11am. Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills. 443-738-9220, www.explorenature.org
Fallen Heroes Day
Honor members of Maryland’s public safety community who died in the line of duty. Parade of color guard units, wreath laying, taps and a flyover. Keynote speaker is reporter Frederick N. Rasmussen. Free. 1pm. Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, Timonium. 410-666-0490, www.dulaneyvalley.com
First Friday in Downtown Chestertown
Longer shopping hours, special exhibits, entertainment and refreshments. Free. 5-8pm. Downtown Chestertown. facebook.com/downtownchestertown
Friday Under the Stars: Tom Sawyer
Outdoor showing of the 1973 movie “Tom Sawyer.” Free. 8-10pm. Park Plaza, Severna Park. 612-238-8010. Neabigread.org
7 Saturday
Lego Challenge
Weekly themed challenge. Legos supplied by the library. Free. 2-4pm. Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291. Calvertlibrary.info
Meet the Friendly Firefighters
Explore a fire truck, meet firefighters and learn about fire safety. Free. 2pm. Maryland City Library at Russett, Laurel. 410-222-7371. aacpl.net/events/meet-friendly-firefighters-73111#sthash.UdspLczB.dpuf
Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival
May 7-8. Sheep shows, sheep shearing, spinning, weaving, family activities and more. Free. 9am-5pm. Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship. 410-531-3647. Sheepandwool.org
Mother’s Day Story Time
Featuring “Mom School” and “How to Babysit a Grandma.” Free. 11am. Barnes and Noble, Annapolis. 410-573-1115. barnesandnoble.com
Solomons Maritime Festival
Exhibit of antique and classic boats, toy boat building, Chesapeake Bay retriever demonstrations, live music, food and more. Free. 10am-5pm. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons. calvertmarinemuseum.com
Galena Dogwood Festival
Parade, re-enactment of the British’s Burning of Georgetown, crafts, amusement park, live entertainment, food and more. Free. 9am-5pm. Locations throughout Galena. galenamd.com
17th Annual Multicultural Festival
Music, dance, food and more. Free. 10am-2pm. Idlewild Park, Easton. avalonfoundation.org
Main Street Festival
Parade, entertainment, food, vendors, bands, arts and crafts and more. Free admission. 9am-4pm. Main Street, Laurel. laurelboardoftrade.net
Greenbelt Green Man Festival
May 7-8. Music, vendors, crafts, environmental awareness, food and fun to celebrate Greenbelt’s commitment to forest preservation. Free. Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm. Roosevelt Center, Greenbelt. greenbeltgreenmanfestival.org
8 Sunday
Mount Clare Mother’s Day Block Party
Mother’s Day Cookout. Food, music, vendors and play activities. Free. 1-5pm. Ramsay St., Baltimore. 667-210-2105, southwestpartnershipbaltimore.org
9 Monday
Babies in Bloom
Songs, action rhymes and playtime. 18 months and under. Free. 9:30-10am. Broadneck Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1905. aacpl.net/events
10 Tuesday
Astronomy Night
Family astronomy event in the field behind the library. Try out telescopes. Free. 8:30-9:30pm. Calvert Library Fairview Branch, Owings. 410-257-2101. Calvertlibrary.info
11 Wednesday
Nature Explorers Club
Investigate an aspect of the ecosystem through presentations, conversations and hands-on activities. Ages 7-11. Free. 4-5pm. Crofton Library. 410-222-7371. aacpl.net/events
Click next below for more free events in May
