Looking for some summer fun for your family that won’t break the bank? Here are tons of events in the Annapolis/Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area from Fourth of July events to movies to festivals that are completely free for the whole family. Pick a few and make a memorable summer for the whole family.
1 Wednesday
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
July 1-5. Living cultural heritage with opportunities to learn, sing, dance, eat traditional foods and meet cultural practitioners. Free. 11am-5:30pm. National Mall, Washington, D.C. festival.si.edu
Comedian Tom Crowl
Family fun with comedy ventriloquist Tom Crowl. Best for ages 5 and up. Free. 2-3pm. Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
2 Thursday
Superhero Twist and Shout
Be a superhero with music and movement for little ones. Ages 2-3 with adult. 10:15-10:45am. Howard County Library Miller Branch, Ellicott City. 410-313-1950, hclibrary.org
Despicable Me 2
Watch the movie (rated PG). 2pm. Glen Burnie Regional Library. 410-222-1538, aacpl.net
3 Friday
Picture Book Parade
Tales, tunes and crafts. Ages 2-5. Free. 10:30am. Howard County Library System, Savage Branch, Laurel. 410-313-0760, hclibrary.org
Fireworks Over the Bay
Annual patriotic fireworks display over the Chesapeake Bay. Free. Dusk. Rain date is July 5. Waterfront, Chesapeake Beach. chesapeake-beach.md.us
4 Saturday
Four on the 4th
Family-friendly 4-mile fun run from the Annapolis store, including games and giveaways. Free. 7-8am. Fleet Feet Sports, Annapolis. fleetfeetannapolis.com
July 4th Pet Parade
Parade, contests and more. Pets must be leashed or carried. Free. 10am. American Visionary Arts Museum, Baltimore. 410-244-1900, avam.org
Monumental Bicentennial
Celebration marks the bicentennial and reopening of America’s first Washington Monument. Ribbon-cutting, arts and crafts, food and more. Free. 10:45am. 600 block of N. Charles Street, Baltimore. promotionandarts.org
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. 6:30-9:15pm. Downtown Annapolis. annapolis.gov
A Capitol Fourth
Performances, live cannon fire and fireworks display. Free. 8pm. U.S. Capitol West Lawn, Washington, D.C. pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/home
5 Sunday
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
Patriotic Program for All Ages
Musket firing, historic flags, music and interactive program exploring national symbols. Free, donations accepted. 1-4pm. Historic Hancock’s Resolution, Pasadena. historichancocksresolution.org
There Be Pirates!
Explore the world of pirates and how they helped shape the history of the Chesapeake Bay. Free. 2-3pm. Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary and Visitor’s Center, Upper Marlboro. 301-888-1377, dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/southern/merkle.aspx
Artscape Flash Mob Dance Class
One-hour workshop to learn a simple routine to the popular tune “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars. No prior dance or flash mob experience necessary. Free. 3:30pm. Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, Baltimore. 443-263-1800, rflewismuseum.org
6 Monday
ECO Adventures presents The Incredibles
Meet live animals and learn about their super powers. Free. 9:30am. Glen Burnie Regional Library, Glen Burnie. 410-222-6270, aacpl.net/location/Glenburnie
Monday Movies
Watch “Paw Patrol” and color. Free. 10-11am. Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
Monday Memories Tour
Tour the home and gardens of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum. Ages 10 and up. Registration required. 10 and 11am. Free. Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, St. Leonard. 410-586-8578, jefpat.org
Storybook Friends
Enjoy a story and craft with your child. Ages 2-5 with adult. Free. 11:30am-noon. Howard County Library System Central Branch, Columbia. 410-313-7800, hclibrary.org
7 Tuesday
Summer Fun – Baltimore Zoo
Live animals and an interactive presentation from the Zoomobile covering endangered species, animal classification, habitat exploration and more. Ages 5 and up. Free. 10-11am. Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch, Chesapeake Beach. 410-257-2411, calvert.lib.md.us/twin.html
SuperHero Magic!
Meet superheroes in a magic show. Free. 7pm. Crofton Community Library, Crofton. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net/location/crofton
8 Wednesday
Fire Safety Storytime
Meet firefighters, listen to songs and stories, make a craft and see a fire truck. Free. 3:30pm. Brooklyn Park Community Library, Baltimore. 410-222-6260, aacpl.net/location/brooklynpark
9 Thursday
Big Hero 6
Watch the movie (rated PG). 2pm. Glen Burnie Regional Library. 410-222-1538, aacpl.net
Game Night
Play classic and new board games with family and friends. 6:30pm. Broadneck Community Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1905, aacpl.net
The Incredible Hulk
Watch the movie while enjoying a free snack (rated PG-13). 6:30pm. Brooklyn Park Community Library, Baltimore. 410-222-6260, aacpl.net
10 Friday
Bilingual Family Storytime
Stories, songs and movement activities in English and Spanish. Ages 5 and younger. 11am. Marley Station Mall Center Court, Glen Burnie. aacpl.net
Family Movies
Watch “Hercules” (rated G). Free popcorn and drinks. 2pm. Howard County Library System East Columbia Branch, Columbia. 410-313-7700, hclibrary.org
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Movie showing is part of the Lakefront Summer Festival. PG-13. Free. 8:30pm. Downtown Columbia Lakefront, Columbia. columbiaassociation.org
11 Saturday
Butterfly Count
Join the West Anne Arundel County North America Butterfly Association butterfly count. No experience necessary. Registration required. All ages, children under 16 must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Free. 8:30am-4pm. Patuxent Research Refuge – North Tract, Laurel. 301-497-5887, fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent
Taste of Cambridge Crab Cook-Off
Food, live music, children’s activities, craft fair and more. Activities free; crab cook-off, $25-30. 5-10pm. Downtown Cambridge. cambridgemainstreet.com
12 Sunday
Full STEAM Ahead
Learn about butterflies. Toddlers and preschoolers. Free. 1-5pm. Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Solomons. 410-326-4640, annmariegarden.org
Free Family Sunday at the Baltimore Museum of Art
Build a 3D landscape and learn about Van Gogh. Free. 2-5pm. Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore. 443-573-1700, artbma.org
13 Monday
YoJo – Be a Hero: Choose to Read
An interactive and humorous program with YoJo, a friendly blurry creature. Free. 9:30am. Glen Burnie Regional Library, Glen Burnie. 410-222-6270, aacpl.net.
Monday Morning Movies
Watch “Dinosaur Train” and color. Free. 10-11am. Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
Super Monday Movies: Mulan
Enjoy the movie (rated G) and make a dragon. 2pm. Crofton Community Library. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net/location/crofton
14 Tuesday
Summer Fun – Barry Louis Polisar
Five-time Parents’ Choice Award Winner Barry Louis Polisar with funny children’s songs. Best for ages 5 and up. Free. 10-11am. Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch at the Northeast Community Center, Chesapeake Beach. 410-257-2411, calvertlibrary.info
Stay & Play Tuesdays
Join Annapolis storyteller Marcus Zumwalt on the second Tuesday of the month for tales and crafts then stay, play and meet other parent/caregivers and children. Ages 5 and under. Free. 1pm. Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1770, aacpl.net/location/eastport
15 Wednesday
Wee Science
A class exploring simple science concepts through stories, songs and activities. Various food products may be handled. Ages 2-5 with adult. Ticket required. Free. 7-7:45pm. Howard County Library System, Savage Branch, Laurel. 410-313-0760, hclibrary.org
Click next below for more free fun in July.
