There is nothing better than free fun for the family and there is plenty to be had in the fall. Here are 57 free events in October that will keep the kids happy. From fall festivals to Halloween parties and even an air show by the Blue Angels, there is plenty of fun to fill your fall days in the Baltimore-Annapolis-Washington, D.C. area.
1 Saturday
Annual Fam Fest
Interactive games, demos, football clinic, lego zone, meal prep stations, storytelling, inflatable slide and more. Free. 10am-1pm. The Weinberg Y, Baltimore. 410-889-2300, familytreemd.org
Darlington Apple Festival
All-day entertainment, crafts, fall produce, games and more. Free. 10am-5pm. 1024 Main St, Darlington. 410-457-4189, darlingtonapplefestival.org
Kennedy Center Family Day
Performances, demonstrations, photo station, crafts and hands-on activities for youth of all ages, all inspired by Latino culture. Free. 10:30am-4pm. Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. 202-467-4600, kennedy-center.org
Bowie International Festival
Entertainment on two stages, food, children’s activities, vendors and more. Free. 11am-5pm. Allen Pond Park, Bowie. 301-262-6200, cityofbowie.org/index.aspx?NID=1016
LEGO Star Wars Build Event
Participants and Star Wars fans build designs from new film coming out this year. Free. 4pm. Barnes and Nobles, Annapolis. 410-573-1115, stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780061810973-0
Blessing of the Fleet
Oct. 1-2. Water taxi rides, puppet show, fireworks, food, entertainment and more. Free. Sat., 11am-10pm; Sun., 11am-7pm. St. Clements Island. blessingofthefleetsomd.net
‘Flowers Stink’
Saturdays thru Oct. 29. Family friendly musical about a girl struggling with writing a nature-themed poem who gets some help from two zany and lovable plants who magically come to life in her room. Recommended for ages 7 and older. Free. 11am. U.S. Botanic Garden, Washington, D.C. 202-225-8333, usbg.gov
Harry Potter Festival
Oct. 1-2. Magic, trivia, quidditch games, panel discussions, scavenger hunt, costume contest and more. Free, some activities do require a fee and registration. Activity times vary. Various places in Chestertown. chestertownhpfest.org/schedule
2 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@yahoo.com, firstsundayarts.com
Kinderfest
Clowns, characters, games, rides and more. Free admission, fee for some activities. Noon-5pm. Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro. 301-218-6700, pgparks.com/kinderfest
Columbus Day Parade
Parade featuring dancers, floats, musicians and more. Free. 2:30-3:30pm. Starts at Key Highway and Light Street, Baltimore. promotioncenterforlittleitaly.org/columbus-parade.html
3 Monday
Wild about Nature
Nature series for preschoolers. Explore the natural world through songs, stories and experiments. Ages 3-5. Free. 10:30am. Annapolis Library. 410-222-1750, aacpl.net/location/annapolis
4 Tuesday
Toddler Time and Car Seat Safety
Following Toddler Time get your child’s car seat inspected. Plan on 45 minutes per seat. Call to schedule an appt. Free. 10am-1pm. Odenton Library. 410-222-6277, aacpl.net/location/odenton
6 Thursday
Family Movie Night on the Farm
Watch “Hocus Pocus” rated PG. Food and beverage available for purchase. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Free. 5:30pm. Spider Hall Farm, Prince Frederick. 410-610-0094, spiderhallfarm.com
7 Friday
Free Fishing Fridays
Fridays in October. Enjoy fishing and crabbing on the waterfront. Equipment and bait will be provided. Participants that are 16 or older must bring a fishing license in order to keep their catch. Free. 3pm. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels. 410-745-2916, cbmm.org
8 Saturday
Bark in the Park
Dog walk, dog show, 5K family fun run, food, giveaways, children’s activities, music and more. Free to attend. Some events require fee. 8am-noon. Idlewild Park, Easton. 410-822-0107, talbothumane.org
Rock Hall Fallfest
Children’s activities, live music, crafts and more. Free. 10am-4pm. Main Street, Rock Hall. 410-639-7779, mainstayrockhall.org/fallfest
Fall Harvest Festival at Kinder Farm Park
Farm animals, hayrides, arts and crafts, face painting, and more. Free. 10am-4pm. Kinder Farm Park, Millersville. kinderfarmpark.org
Pokemon Celebration
Watch “Pokemon Heroes: The Movie,” rated G. Pokemon bingo, snacks and prizes to follow. Costumes welcome. Free. 1:30pm. Maryland City at Russett Library, Laurel. 301-725-2390, aacpl.net/location/marylandcity
9 Sunday
La Plata Fall Festival
Live entertainment, craft vendors, moon bounce, children’s activities and food. Free. Noon-3pm. Town Hall, La Plata. townoflaplata.org
10 Monday
Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
Explore building techniques and help the three little pigs build a house. Listen to the classic story “The Three Little Pigs.” Free. 10am. Maryland City at Russett Library, Laurel. 301-725-2390, aacpl.net/location/marylandcity
Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show
Oct. 10-17. Celebrate the naval traditions of the Chesapeake Bay. The Blue Angels and other jets will be on display, air shows, music and more. Free. 10am-5pm. Inner Harbor, Baltimore. 866-639-3526, mdfleetweek.com
11 Tuesday
Crazy 8s
After-school math club designed to get kids fired up about math. Build stuff, run and jump, make music, make a mess and more. Registration required. Free. 3-4pm. Hyattsville Library. 301-985-4690, pgcmls.info/website/event/2824667
13 Thursday
Anime and Manga Club
Share in the love of Japanese comics and animation. For long time fans and those who are just curious. Drop in. Free. 3pm. Riviera Beach Library, Pasadena. 410-222-6285, aacpl.net/location/rivierabeach
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