Check out these activities for the family throughout the month of August all completely free. Keep boredom from setting in and your budget intact with this list of festivals, concerts, programs and more.
1 Tuesday
1 TuesdayLakefront Summer Festival
Through Sept. 24. Concerts, movies, dancing and more. Free. Check website for full schedule. Downtown Columbia Lakefront, Columbia. columbiaassociation.org/services/lakefront-summer-festival
Rocket Science
Learn the basics of spaceflight by working in teams to build and launch a gas powered rocket. Ages 11-18. Free. 10-11:30am. Central Branch Library, Columbia. 410-313-7800, hclibrary.org
2 Wednesday
Forensic Science: Chemistry
Learn the techniques forensic scientists use to crack a case. Learn about Document Analysis, Ink Chromatography, Fiber Identification and Trace Evidence. Registration required. Ages 11-18. Free. 2-4:30pm. Savage Branch & STEM Education Center, Laurel. Hclibrary.org
3 Thursday
WTMD First Thursday Concerts
Enjoy live music on the waterfront. No outside alcohol or glass containers. Free. 5:30pm. Canton Waterfront, Baltimore. wtmd.org/radio/first-thursday-concerts-in-the-park
Twilight Thursdays on the Row
Through Aug. 24. Featuring popular musicians performing a wide range of genres. Bring chairs and blankets. Food available for purchase. Free. 6:30pm The Foundry Row, Owings Mills. visitfoundryrow.com
4 Friday
Beach Party on the Square
Music, games, sand volleyball, fire truck hose-down, Annual Running of the Balls and return of historic Buyboats to the wharf. Free. 4-9pm. Town Square, Leonardtown. Leonardtown.somd.com
Dog Days of Summer Block Party
To celebrate dogs. Pools for swimming, tennis balls, treats, family friendly activities and more. Dogs welcome. Free. 4:30-8pm. Creative Alliance, Baltimore. Creativealliance.org
First Free Friday
Museum is open and free to the public. Live music and dancing. Free. 5-8pm. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons. 410-326-2042, calvertmarinemuseum.com
5 Saturday
Quiet Waters Park Concert Series
Through Sept. 3. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. No smoking or alcohol permitted and pets must be leashed. Plan to arrive early for parking. Free. 6pm. Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis. aacounty.org/RecParks/concerts.cfm
6 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
London Town and Gardens Summer Concert Series
Through Aug. 20. Drinks and snacks available for purchase. No alcohol is allowed to be brought but can be purchased. Concerts are dog-friendly. Free, donations appreciated. 5-7pm. Historic London Town and Gardens, Edgewater. 410-222-1919, historiclondontown.com
Gospel in the Park
High energy gospel music. Free. 7pm. Whitmore Park, Clay and Calvert streets, Annapolis. annapolis.gov
8 Tuesday
Sea Squirts: Marsh Detectives
Aug. 8 and 10. Discover music through songs, stories and special activities. 1-3 years. Free. 10am. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons. Calvertmarinemuseum.com
Block Party
Design and build with different kinds of blocks to create structures. Free. 6pm. Odenton Library. 410-222-6277, aacpl.net
9 Wednesday
Escape Room: Mad Scientist
A mad scientist has hidden his secret treasure in the library. Use clues, solve the puzzles and escape the room with your reward. Registration required. Free. 6pm. Severna Park Library. 410-222-6290, aacpl.net
10 Thursday
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Dress as your favorite witch or wizard. Free. 2pm. Glen Burnie Library. 410-222-6270, aacpl.net
11 Friday
Summer Social
Live music, food, children’s activities and more on the waterfront. Free. 5-8pm. West Shore Park, Baltimore. 410-243-3790, waterfrontpartnership.org
12 Saturday
Annual Peach Festival
Aug. 12-13. Peaches, food, music, family activities and more. Free. 9am-7pm. Webers Cider Mill Farm, Parkville. 410-668-4488, weberscidermillfarm.com
Archaeology Dig Day
Help the SERC Archaeology Lab excavate sites. Work alongside researchers and citizen scientists to excavate units, sieve sediment, and wash and sort artifacts. Free. 9:30am-3:30pm. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater. 443-482-2200, serc.si.edu
Solomons Island Kite Day
Bring a kite or make one. Free; kite kits $5. 10am-4pm. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons. 410-326-2042, Calvertmarinemuseum.com
13 Sunday
Science Sundays
Explore the natural world of science with hands-on exhibits, outside hikes, crafts and more. All ages. Free. 10am-noon. Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills. 443-738-9200, explorenature.org
Sundae Sunday
Spend an afternoon at the museum’s waterfront location. Play lawn games and eat ice cream. Free; sundaes cost extra. 1-4pm. Captain Avery Museum, Shady Side. 410-867-4427, Captainaverymuseum.org
Full STEAM Ahead – Gears in Motion
For preschool children. Hands-on investigations and challenges that will help children explore, observe, ask questions and make predictions about the world. Free. 1-4pm. Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Solomons. 410-326-4640, annmariegarden.org
Free Family Sunday
Create a craft with family. Materials provided. Free. 2-5pm. Baltimore Museum of Art. 443-573-1700, artbma.org
Click next below for more free events August 15-31.
