Family Events in Howard County — Columbia & Ellicott City
Howard County consistently ranks among the best places to raise a family in the U.S., and the event calendar reflects it. Columbia's lakefront concerts, Ellicott City's historic Main Street activities, and the county's library and recreation center network offer something every weekend. Many events are free and designed with young families in mind.
Wed, Jul 1· 11am-6pm
Clark's Produce Stand Opening
📍 Clark's Elioak Farm
Clark's roadside produce stand opens for the season on July 1, offering fresh farm-grown vegetables including sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, and watermelon, plus pick-your-own flowers. Open seven days
Tue, Sep 1· Various times
Escape Beetlejuice
📍 Laurel’s House of Horror
45-minute escape room experience with puzzles inspired by the movie Beetlejuice.
Tue, Sep 1· Varies by date
Escape Beetlejuice - Escape Room Experience
📍 Laurel’s House of Horror
A 45-minute escape room puzzle game inspired by the movie Beetlejuice. Solve puzzles in a themed room to escape before time runs out.
Wed, Sep 16· 10:30am-1:00pm, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Toby's Dinner Theatre Presents: Summer - The Donna Summer Musical
📍 Toby's Dinner Theatre
A dinner theatre production celebrating the life and music of Donna Summer with a full meal and live performance.
Sat, Sep 19· 10am-5:30pm
Pumpkin Patch Open
📍 Clark's Elioak Farm
Clark's Elioak Farm opens its pumpkin patch with extended hours, petting farm access, and food vendors offering kettle corn, lemonade, hot dogs, and pizza.
Tue, Sep 22· 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Garden Buddies
📍 Baltimore County Public Library Catonsville
Adult volunteers instruct teens on garden maintenance at the Catonsville Branch Community Garden.
Tue, Sep 22· 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
After-School Hangout
📍 Catonsville Branch - Catonsville Meeting Room
An after-school program featuring crafts, activities, and fun for kids to spend time with friends.
Wed, Sep 23· 5pm-close
Burger Night
📍 Victoria Gastro Pub
Build your own Black Angus burger for $10 with fries included, or try the weekly $10 chef special burger.
Wed, Sep 23· 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Celebration
📍 Baltimore County Public Library Catonsville - Catonsville Branch
A fun story time and party celebrating children's reading progress in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program.
Fri, Sep 25
All Things Go Music Festival – 3 Day Pass
📍 Merriweather Post Pavilion
Multi-day music festival featuring Mitski, Hayley Williams, Brandi Carlile, and many more artists across diverse genres, offering a full weekend of live music entertainment.
Sat, Sep 26· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Sep 26· 11:00am-10:00pm
Oktoberfest at Sapwood
📍 Sapwood Cellars Brewery
All-day Oktoberfest celebration featuring $6.50 half-liter mugs of lager, German-inspired food from Albura, live Maryland Polka Band, and stein hoisting contest.
Sat, Sep 26
All Things Go Music Festival – 3 Day Pass
📍 Merriweather Post Pavilion
A multi-day music festival featuring a diverse lineup of indie, pop, and alternative artists including Mitski, Hayley Williams, Brandi Carlile, and many more. Family-friendly options available across
Sat, Sep 26· 10am-2pm
Saturday & Sunday Brunch
📍 Victoria Gastro Pub
Full brunch service with incredible brunch offerings and lunch selections available every Saturday and Sunday morning.
Sat, Oct 3· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Oct 3· 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Home Depot Kids Workshop
📍 Home Depot Columbia
Free hands-on building workshop for kids ages 5-12. Kids build a wooden project and get to keep it, plus earn a pin and certificate.
Sat, Oct 10· 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Lowe's Build and Grow Kids Workshop
📍 Lowe's Columbia
Free building clinic for kids at Lowe's. Kids build a wooden project with guided instructions and get to keep their creation.
Sat, Oct 10· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sun, Oct 11· 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Michaels Kids Club
📍 Michaels Columbia
Free in-store kids crafting event at Michaels. Kids create a themed craft project. All supplies included.
Sat, Oct 17· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Oct 24· 11am-2pm
Halloween Costume Parades
📍 Clark's Elioak Farm
Family-friendly costume parades held at 11 AM and 2 PM on both Saturday and Sunday, encouraging families to dress up and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Sat, Oct 24· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Oct 31· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Nov 7
Pumpkin Chucking Weekend
📍 Clark's Elioak Farm
A 20-year farm tradition where families launch pumpkins across the farm using a special catapult, either bringing their own pumpkins or using ones provided by the farm.
Sat, Nov 7· 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Home Depot Kids Workshop
📍 Home Depot Columbia
Free hands-on building workshop for kids ages 5-12. Kids build a wooden project and get to keep it, plus earn a pin and certificate.
Sat, Nov 7· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sun, Nov 8· 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Michaels Kids Club
📍 Michaels Columbia
Free in-store kids crafting event at Michaels. Kids create a themed craft project. All supplies included.
Sat, Nov 14· 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Lowe's Build and Grow Kids Workshop
📍 Lowe's Columbia
Free building clinic for kids at Lowe's. Kids build a wooden project with guided instructions and get to keep their creation.
Sat, Nov 14· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Nov 14· Saturday 4:00pm-8:00pm
"Resilient Earth, Resilient Communities" Exhibit Showcase — All Ages
📍 Howard County Recreation & Parks
Exhibit showcase event at Robinson Nature Center for all ages
Sat, Nov 21· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Nov 28· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
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