Look no further for free summer fun for the family. Here are 76 free events to keep the kids, and you, from getting bored. From fairs and festivals to fireworks and parades, there are plenty of events for all ages in the Baltimore-Annapolis-Washington, D.C. area.
1 Friday
A Red, White, and Blue Celebration
Celebrate the Fourth of July with stories, songs and activities. Free. 10am. Deale Community Library, Deale. 410-222-1925, aacpl.net/location/deale
Improv Workshop
Play games and join in on an improv class. Free. 1 and 2pm. Odenton Library. 410-222-6277, aacpl.net/location/odenton
Independence Day Celebration
Live music, cotton candy, popcorn and more. Free. 5-8pm. Fountain Park, Chestertown. 443-480-1987, downtownchestertown.org
Wild West Fun Night
Western-themed games and activities. Sing campfire songs, make trail mix and s’mores, pan for gold, take pictures in a Wild West photo booth, participate in pool noodle horse races and more. Free. 5:30-7:30pm. The Y in Central Maryland, Arnold. ymaryland.org/contactus
Annapolis Towne Centre Concert
Fridays through Aug. 26. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Free. 7-8:30pm. Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole. visitatc.com
2 Saturday
Celebrate America’s Birthday
Make a card and other patriotic crafts. Free. 1pm. Odenton Library. 410-222-6277, aacpl.net/location/odenton
3 Sunday
First Sunday Arts Festival
Live entertainment, over 100 local and regional artists, food and more. Free. Noon-5pm. West and Calvert streets, Annapolis. 410-263-4012, firstsundayarts.com
Patriotic Program
Musket firing, music, interactive programs and more. Free. 1-4pm. Hancock’s Resolution, Gibson Island. 410-255-0454, historichancocksresolution.org
4 Monday
Four on the 4th
Family-friendly four-mile fun run including games and giveaways. Free. 7:30am. Fleet Feet Sports, Annapolis. fleetfeetannapolis.com
Catonsville Celebrations
Bike ride, games, parade, fireworks and more. Free. 8:30am games, 3 p.m. parade. Various venues, Catonsville. Catonsvillecelebrations.org
Rock Hall July 4th Parade
Old-fashioned parade featuring floats, bands and more. Followed by festival with local food, music, crafts and more. Free. 10am. Main Street and Community Center, Rock Hall. rockhallmd.com
Severna Park 4th of July Parade
Old-fashioned parade. Free. 10am. From St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Church to Cypress Creek Park, Severna Park. severnaparkchamber.com
July 4th Pet Parade
Animal fun, prizes and more. Free. Pet registration at 9:30am, parade at 10am. American Visionary Art Museum, Baltimore. Avam.org
Independence Day Naturalization Ceremony
Historic Annapolis welcomes 40 new citizens into the American family. Free. 10am-5pm. William Paca House and Garden, Annapolis. 410-267-7619, annapolis.org
National Independence Day Parade
Bands, floats, military and specialty units, special guests and more to celebrate America’s birthday. Free. 11:45am. Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C. july4thparade.com
July 4th Festival & Fireworks
Live entertainment on two stages, food vendors, family activities and fireworks over the lake. Free. Some activities require fee. 5-10pm. Columbia Lakefront, Columbia. howardcountymd.gov
Annapolis July 4th Celebration
Community parade, performance from the U.S. Naval Academy Band and fireworks over the harbor. Free. 6:30-9:30pm. Downtown Annapolis. annapolis.gov
A Capitol Fourth
Performances, live cannon fire and fireworks display. Free. 8:30pm. U.S. Capitol West Lawn, Washington, D.C. pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/home
5 Tuesday
Summer Fun
Cantaré introduces audiences to songs and rhythms of Latin America in an interactive performance. For all ages. Free. 10-11am. Twin Beaches Library. 410-257-2411, calvertlibrary.info
Teen Movie Night
Viewing of “Pitch Perfect.” Rated PG-13. Free. 6pm. Glen Burnie Library. 410-222-6270, aacpl.net/location/glenburnie
6 Wednesday
The Magic of Play
Play board games, giant floor puzzles and legos. Free. 9am-9pm. Annapolis Library. 410-222-1750, aacpl.net/location/annapolis
7 Thursday
Elephant and Piggie Party
Read stories, play games, make crafts and celebrate Elephant and Piggie. Free. 10am. Crofton Library. 410-222-1925, aacpl.net/location/crofton
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
July 7-8. Drop your stuffed animal off at the library for a sleepover. Pick your stuffed animal up the next day and see all the fun they had. Free. Drop off from 9am-8pm; pick up from 9am-5pm. Centreville Branch. 410-758-0980, qaclibrary.org
Shakespeare in the Park: Twelfth Night
July 7 and 8. Enjoy Shakespeare’s poetry and songs under the stars. Live music, dance, swordplay, juggling and more. Free. 7:30pm. Magruder Park, Hyattsville. 301-446-3327, mncppcapps.org/calendar/arts
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
July 7-10. Living cultural heritage with opportunities to learn, sing, dance, eat traditional foods and converse with cultural practitioners. Free. 11am-5:30pm. National Mall, Washington, D.C. festival.si.edu
8 Friday
Tales & Tails
Friday’s weekly. Animal stories followed by an animal meet & greet. Free. 10-11am. Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills. 443-738-9220, www.explorenature.org
Summer Fridays
Fridays during the summer. Play cornhole, bocce and other lawn games. Live music by Bobby McKeys and giveaways. Free. 3-9pm. National Harbor, Washington D.C. 1-877-628.5427, nationalharbor.com
9 Saturday
Family Movie: ‘The Good Dinosaur’
Watch movie rated PG. Free. 1:30pm. Broadneck Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1905, aacpl.net/location/broadneck
10 Sunday
Sundae Sunday
Play lawn games and eat ice cream. Free; sundaes cost extra. 1-4pm. Avery Museum, Shady Side. 410-867-4427, captainaverymuseum.org
London Town and Gardens Summer Concert Series
Dan Haas performs. Drinks and snacks available for purchase. Concerts are dog-friendly. Rain or shine. Free, donations appreciated. 5-7pm. 410-222-1919, historiclondontown.com
11 Monday
Preschool Science
Hands on learning about a science topic. Ages 2-5. Free. 10:30-11:30am. Centreville Library. 410-758-0980, qaclibrary.org
Family Bingo
Play bingo with family and friends. Small prizes and books for winners. Free. 6:30pm. Broadneck Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1905, aacpl.net/location/broadneck
Chautauqua Summer Series
July 11-13. Three live performances showcasing important historical figures through performances on the waterfront on the Miles River. Free. 7-9pm. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels. 410-745-2916, cbmm.org
12 Tuesday
Kids Art Day
Various art stations as well as a sensory art program, face painting, music and other activities. Free. 1pm. Muskrat Park, St. Michaels. 410-745-2420, pleinaireaston.com/events/st-michaels-childrens-day-event-0
STEM: The Deep Blue Sea
Develop an awareness of oceans and ocean life. Free. 6pm. Odenton Library. 410-222-6277, aacpl.net/location/odenton
Pizza with a Side of Books
Talk about the book “City of Bones,” share recommendations and eat pizza. Free. 6-7:30pm. Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch. 410-535-0291, calvert.lib.md.us/twin.html
Naval Academy Electric Brigade
Performance by the Navy Academy’s Electric Brigade. Free. 7-8pm. Susan Campbell Park, Annapolis. usna.edu/USNABand
13 Wednesday
Summer Fun
Michael Rosman presents “Amazing Feats of Comedy.” Balancing on a board, on a bowling ball, on a table and juggling torches. Recommended for children 5 and older. Free, 10-11am. Calvert Library, Southern Branch. 410-326-5289, calvertlibrary.info
Wednesday Night Sailboat Races
Sit dockside and watch 150 crews compete in races. Free. 6pm. Annapolis Harbor. 410-263-9279, annapolisyc.com
14 Thursday
Global Playground
Multicultural exploration with music, games, sports and food. Registration not required. Pre-K-5th grade. 2:30-3:30pm. Free. Fairview Library. 410-257-2101. Calvertlibrary.info
Anime Festival
July 14, 21, 28. Celebrate the art of anime. Light refreshments. For tweens and teens. Free. 6:30pm. Odenton Library. 410-222-6277, aacpl.net/location/odenton
Click next below for more free events in July.
