365 Things to do in Howard County MD

10/26/2026

🎃👻 Halloween Fun Is Coming to Downtown Columbia!

Looking for a fun way to celebrate Halloween with family and friends?

Merriweather District's 6th Annual Spook-tacular is coming to Color Burst Park!

Enjoy a festive evening featuring:

🍬 Trick-or-treating at participating businesses

🎭 A group costume contest

🎃 Pumpkin decorating and a pumpkin hay maze

🎶 Music, dancing, and games

📸 Fun photo opportunities and Halloween surprises!

📅 Friday, October 30, 2026

🕕 6–8 PM

📍 Color Burst Park
6221 Mango Tree Road, Columbia, MD

🎟️ FREE admission! RSVP available.

Get all the details here:
https://merriweatherdistrict.com/spooktacular/

Who's ready for some Halloween fun? Tag someone you'd love to bring!

Learn more about Merriweather District's fall favorite, 'Spook-tacular,' an event in Color Burst Park that the whole family will enjoy.

10/23/2026

This family-friendly event celebrates creativity, invention, imagination, and the amazing things people can make.

Explore fascinating projects and enjoy:

🎨 Art, painting, and sculpting

🤖 Robotics and technology

🔧 Creative inventions and demonstrations

🖌️ Hands-on workshops and activities

💡 Opportunities to meet local makers, artists, and inventors!

📅 Sunday, October 25, 2026

🕛 12 PM–4 PM

📍 The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods
10431 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD

🎟️ FREE admission!

Whether you're bringing the children, grandchildren, or just your own curiosity, this is a wonderful opportunity to discover something new right here in Howard County!

Get event details here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-downtown-columbia-maker-faire-tickets-1998781202382

Know someone who loves creating things? Tag them below!

Welcome to the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth - a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness in our community!

10/21/2026

🎃👻 Halloween Fun for the Kids at Clark's Elioak Farm!

Looking for a fun way to celebrate Halloween with the little ones?

Clark's Elioak Farm is hosting its Halloween Costume Parades this weekend!

Bring the children in their favorite Halloween costumes and enjoy a day at one of Howard County's favorite family attractions.

While you're there, explore the pumpkin patch, visit the farm animals, take a hayride, and discover the magical Enchanted Forest attractions!

🎃 Halloween Costume Parades

📅 Saturday & Sunday, October 24–25, 2026

🕚 Parade times: 11 AM and 2 PM both days

📍 Clark's Elioak Farm
10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042

🎟️ Weekend farm admission: $13 per person, ages 1 and up. Some activities cost extra.

🍁 A wonderful way to make some fall memories with the family!

Find details here:
https://clarklandfarm.com/special_weekend_events.html

Do your children or grandchildren have their Halloween costumes picked out yet? 🎃

Clark's Elioak Farm - A Petting Farm In the heart of Howard County

10/19/2026

Something frightfully fun is coming to Howard County!

The Frightreads Book Festival returns to the Howard County Fairgrounds for a weekend celebrating horror, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, and more!

Meet authors, discover new books, browse artwork, enjoy live entertainment, and explore the creative side of spooky season.

📅 Saturday & Sunday, October 24–25, 2026

🕛 12 PM–6 PM both days

📍 Howard County Fairgrounds
2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship, MD

🎟️ Tickets required. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Tickets cost more at the door.

Get tickets and see event details:
https://events.leapevents.com/event/frightreads-book-festival-6

Who would you bring along for a spooky literary adventure? Tag them below!

Tickets for Frightreads Book Festival 6 in West Friendship from Leap. We're back! We're shaking out the cobwebs and ready to deliver our SIXTH year of FRIGHTREADS! You NEED to be here!   WHEN:October 24-25th, 202612-6 PM Both Days WHERE:HOWARD COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS2210 Fairgrounds Rd, West Friends

10/16/2026

📚 Calling All Book Lovers! Something Fun Is Happening in Clarksville!

Looking for something different to do this weekend?

The Clarksville Commons Book Festival is coming this Sunday!

Spend the afternoon browsing books, meeting local authors, supporting small businesses, and enjoying live music.

There will also be activities for children, including face painting, sidewalk chalk, and a coloring corner.

📅 Sunday, October 18, 2026
🕚 11 AM–3 PM
📍 Clarksville Commons, Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD

🐾 Family-friendly and pet-friendly!

Check the event details before heading out:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-festival-october-18-tickets-2003090440429

Know someone who loves books? Tag them in the comments!

Discover local authors, new books, prizes, unique vendors, live music, kids’ activities, good food & more! Come explore & celebrate books! ✨

10/14/2026

🎉 Celebrate Hispanic Heritage in Howard County This Saturday!

Looking for something fun to do this weekend?

Howard County's Hispanic Heritage Festival is happening at the Chrysalis in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods!

Enjoy live music, cultural performances, food trucks, vendors, and family-friendly activities celebrating Hispanic and Latino heritage.

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
🕛 Noon–4:30 PM
📍 The Chrysalis, 10431 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia

For event information and updates:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/human-rights-equity/howard-county-hispanic-heritage-festival

Who else loves discovering the wonderful cultural events we have right here in Howard County?

Join Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, the Office of Human Rights & Equity, La Alianza Latina Commission and Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods as we celebrate the diverse and vibrant cultures of Latino and Hispanic heritage at the 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month Festival! This family-friendly even...

10/14/2026

Teen Rangers!

Calling all Howard County and Baltimore County students ages 14-18! If you are looking for ways to reach your student service learning hours, consider the Teen Rangers program!

Join Rangers on October 16 in the Avalon Area of Patapsco Valley State Park to dismantle dams built through the summer in the Patapsco River. Learn how human impacts affect river health and ecosystems while actively lending a hand in the community! Register here: http://bit.ly/3wusZ23

10/13/2026

HERE's a big scouting event taking place on OCT 26th, for both new and returning families!
DETAILS: Join the Adventure!
Open House - Monday, October 26, 2026, 7:00-8:30 PM
Scouts BSA Troops are for girls and boys (ages 11 - 17).
Meet youth representatives from 20+ troops from across Howard County, and find out how they can help your child develop their leadership, outdoor skills, fitness, STEM skills, and make new friends while having fun. Year-round activities include camping, kayaking, fishing, leadership training, communications, science and engineering, community service, and more!

07/13/2026

Good to know!!

07/12/2026

Upcoming Events at Patuxent!

Wingspan Game Play – July 10, 2026 (10 AM – 1 PM) & July 25, 2026 (10 AM – 1 PM)
Wingspan is an award‑winning board game that celebrates birds. During these sessions, participants will learn the rules while enjoying a friendly and relaxed gameplay experience. It’s a great opportunity to explore nature through strategy and creativity.

Nature Photography Talk/Walk – July 18, 2026 (11:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
Bowie‑Crofton Camera Club members will give a talk highlighting different approaches to capturing memorable nature photographs. The session is designed for beginning and intermediate photographers and will cover plants, landscapes, and wildlife. After the talk, participants will enjoy a guided walk to practice their new skills. Remember to bring your cameras!

Friends of Patuxent’s Local Community Environmental Fair – July 25, 2026 (10 AM – 2 PM)
The Environmental Fair is part of the Friends of Patuxent’s 90th Anniversary celebrations for Patuxent Research Refuge. Visitors can explore exhibits from more than 20 local environmental and conservation groups, enjoy live music, and experience a special film showing of The Extraordinary Caterpillar. Keith Kozloff’s photography exhibit will be featured in the Hollingsworth Gallery, and families can participate in a variety of hands‑on children’s activities throughout the day. This event is happening rain or shine, so plan to join us for a full day of nature, learning, and community fun.