Father's Day in Baltimore 2026
Here's what's actually happening for Father's Day weekend in Baltimore this year — Sunday, June 21, 2026. Real events with real dates: the Guinness Beer-B-Q, free hayrides for dads at Clark's, dad-bowls-free duckpin in Towson, and splash days at the zoo.
Below that, the spots that do Father's Day for families year after year — the free museum afternoon, the harbor, the farms — so you've got a plan whether you want a one-off this weekend or a standby that always works. One heads-up for the ballgame crowd: the Orioles are on the road this Father's Day, out in LA against the Dodgers, so there's no home game at Camden Yards this year.
Quick Picks
- →Best dad-forward: Guinness Open Gate Beer-B-Q — Father's Day cookout in Halethorpe
- →Best free pick: Stoneleigh Lanes — dad bowls free on the duckpin lanes, Sunday
- →Best with little kids: Clark's Elioak Farm — free hayrides for dads, all day Sunday
- →Best rain plan: National Aquarium or the free Walters Art Museum, both indoors
This Weekend
Dated Father's Day events happening this year. Confirm details on each venue's site before you go.
Sunday, June 21
Guinness Open Gate Father's Day Beer-B-Q
📍 Halethorpe
Guinness throws its Father's Day Beer-B-Q at the Open Gate Brewery on Sunday — a cookout on the brewery grounds with a patio and lawn the kids can spill onto while dad gets a proper plate and a pint. It's the kid-friendly version of the dad-and-a-beer plan. Tickets are on the brewery's events calendar.
Sunday, June 21 — all day
Free Dad Hayrides at Clark's Elioak Farm
📍 Ellicott City
Every dad and grandfather who comes with a kid rides the hayride free all day Sunday, on top of the petting farm and the Enchanted Forest storybook figures. No registration — just show up. Farm admission still applies for everyone else (about $8 a person).
Sunday, June 21
FreeDad Bowls Free at Stoneleigh Lanes
📍 Towson
Dad bowls free on Father's Day at this beloved Towson duckpin house — you just cover the rest of the family. Duckpin is the small-pin, light-ball Baltimore version, forgiving for little hands. A good rain plan too. Call ahead to grab a lane (410-377-8115); it fills up.
Saturday, June 20 & Sunday, June 21
Wild Water Splash Days at the Maryland Zoo
📍 Druid Hill Park
The zoo runs its Wild Water Splash Days right over Father's Day weekend — water slides, splash pads, and bounce houses alongside the animals. Wear swim gear and pack a towel. The splash activities are free with zoo admission (about $33 a person).
Saturday & Sunday, 11am–4pm
FreeFree Family Art at the Walters
📍 Mount Vernon
The Walters is free every day, and runs drop-in art-making for families both weekend days from 11 to 4. The kids make something with their hands while you wander the galleries — an easy, free, air-conditioned Father's Day afternoon if the weather turns.
Always-Good Picks
📍 501 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202 · Ages: All ages
Down on the Inner Harbor, the aquarium is a reliable all-ages day and a good one for the dad who's happiest around animals and water. The walk through the exhibits is stroller-friendly, with enough to hold a wide range of ages. Book timed tickets ahead at aqua.org — they sell out on busy weekends.
💡 Parent tip: Reserve a timed entry before you head down; the harbor is packed on a nice June weekend.
📍 600 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201 · Ages: All ages
Free every day, with drop-in art-making for families both weekend days from 11am to 4pm. The kids have something to do with their hands while you wander the galleries — the easiest free indoor pick in the city for a hot or rainy Father's Day afternoon.
💡 Parent tip: The Family Art Center is on the lower level — head there first with younger kids.
Maryland Zoo
Free📍 1876 Mansion House Dr, Baltimore, MD 21217 · Ages: All ages
A stroller-friendly, all-ages standby in Druid Hill Park, and this weekend it's running Wild Water Splash Days (June 20–21) — water play alongside the animals. The splash activities are free with zoo admission (about $33 a person). The children's farmyard and Penguin Coast are the highlights for the youngest kids.
💡 Parent tip: Wear swim gear under regular clothes and pack a towel for the splash days.
📍 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042 · Ages: Best for ages 1-8
A petting farm in Howard County with the storybook attractions rescued from the old Enchanted Forest park. Animals to feed, toddler-scale play areas, and the free dad hayrides on Sunday (see above). It's the gentlest pick on this list for the under-8 crowd.
💡 Parent tip: Bring small bills if you want to feed the animals, and dress for an outdoor day.
Inner Harbor & the waterfront
Free📍 Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD 21202 · Ages: All ages
If the plan is just to be outside near the water, the harbor walk costs nothing — the promenade past the ships, the paddle boats, and the Harbor Playground down by Pierce's Park. An easy free anchor for a Father's Day afternoon you can build the rest of the day around.
💡 Parent tip: Pierce's Park near the aquarium has a small playground and is the easiest stop with little kids.
Stoneleigh Lanes
Free📍 6703 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212 · Ages: All ages
A beloved Towson duckpin house where dad bowls free on Father's Day (see above). Even off the holiday, duckpin's small pins and light balls make it the most kid-forgiving bowling around, and it's a dependable rain plan year-round.
💡 Parent tip: Call ahead to reserve a lane (410-377-8115) — Father's Day fills the place up.
Upcoming Related Events
🦀Sat, Aug 1
Fall Job Fair
📍 Gaver Farm
🦀Sat, Aug 1
The I-95 TailGOAT: Baltimore Vs Philly
📍 1300 Russell Street
🦀Sat, Aug 1
12th Annual Peach & Blackberry Festival
📍 Weber's Cider Mill Farm Inc
🦀Sat, Aug 1
Teller Ro's One Heck of a Year Anniversary Celebration
📍 R&R Healing Co.
🦀Sat, Aug 1
Sunset Social: Sunflower Night I
📍 Butler's Orchard
🦀Sat, Aug 1
Summer of Love Pet Adoption Store at THE AVENUE at White Marsh
📍 THE AVENUE at White Marsh (Summer of Love Pet Adoption Store pop-up)
Frequently Asked Questions
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