The Natural History Society opens a new billion-year Maryland geology exhibit Saturday morning — free, indoor, a one-time grand opening — and that's the anchor. Around it: $8 peaches at Weber's farm, a free Sunday arts festival on West Street in Annapolis, Weird Al at Merriweather, a downtown tailgate before the Orioles–Phillies game, first-time glassblowing for older kids, and a free Friday concert in Glen Burnie. A full — and mostly free — three days.
Top Pick
Grand Opening: The Making of Maryland — Natural History Society of Maryland, 6908 Belair Rd, Baltimore City Saturday, August 1, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET | All ages | FREE (registration open)
A new permanent exhibit on a billion years of Maryland geology — a walk-through mountain, moon rocks, curators explaining what you're seeing, ribbon-cutting at 10. Free, indoor, air-conditioned, and a grand opening only happens once. While you're there, kids can make and keep a necklace with a real fossilized shark tooth at Chomp & Charm (same day, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET; $20 a person, tooth included).
Quick Weekend Wins
Free, and you can just show up
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Annapolis First Sunday Arts Festival on West and Calvert Streets, Annapolis 150+ artists take over the brick streets, with live music and waterfront dining — the easy, free Sunday. Sunday, August 2, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET | All ages | FREE
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Home Depot Kids Workshop at stores across the metro (Owings Mills, Dundalk, Glen Burnie, Columbia, Bel Air, Annapolis) Kids build a wooden project, keep it, and earn a workshop pin — the cleanest zero-dollar outing of the weekend. Saturday, August 1, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET | Ages 5+ | FREE
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Summer Concert Series: Crush at the Corcoran Pavilion, Glen Burnie Town Center An 80s cover band on the lawn — bring a blanket and start the weekend outdoors for free. Friday, July 31, 7:30 – 9:00 PM ET | All ages | FREE
Ticketed This Weekend
These need a ticket — grab them ahead
- The I-95 TailGOAT: Baltimore vs. Philly at 1300 Russell Street — a pregame tailgate (buffet, lawn games, photo booth, open bar) before the Orioles host the Phillies. Tickets from $40 a person (kids' tier available); the game at 7:05 PM is separate. Geared to grown-ups and older kids. Saturday, August 1, 3:00 – 6:00 PM ET.
- Family Paddle with B'More SUP in Essex — a guided stand-up-paddleboard session, gear provided, capped by the number of boards, so it books out. Saturday, August 1, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET | paid, registration required.
- "Weird Al" Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia — the accordion-and-parody legend on an all-ages tour, a big weekend close. Sunday, August 2, evening (check the venue for showtime) | paid, tiered seating.
Budget-Friendly Finds
A whole farm day for what a movie ticket costs
12th Annual Peach & Blackberry Festival at Weber's Cider Mill Farm in Parkville is the weekend's best value: pancake breakfast, barnyard animals, barrel-train rides, face painting, live music, and peach-and-blackberry treats — all for $8 a person, under-2s free (advance registration). About $32 for a family of four, the whole morning. Saturday and Sunday, August 1–2, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET.
For Toddler Families
- Picture Book Parade with Craft at the Savage branch, Howard County Library — a half-hour of picture books, songs, and a craft built for the 2-to-5 set. Free. Friday, July 31, 10:00 – 10:30 AM ET.
- NEC Drop-In at Cylburn Arboretum's Nature Education Center in Baltimore City — a come-and-go nature activity (this session: homes for bluebirds and pollinators), with 200 acres to wander after. Free, no registration. Saturday, August 1, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET.
- Finger Painting Fun at the Havre de Grace Library — an hour of messy, no-skill-required finger painting and a story. Free. Friday, July 31, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET.
Tween-Approved
Real skills, real bragging rights
- Hands-On Glassblowing at McFadden Art Glass in Baltimore City — shape a real glass piece next to a working furnace and take it home. Ages 5+ can make, any age can watch. Books by reservation; prices aren't posted online, so call ahead (410-631-6039). Friday–Sunday, by reservation.
- Teen AV Studio at the Savage branch, Howard County Library — a free drop-in to record music, mix tracks, and edit video with a STEAM instructor. Bring a friend, leave with a track. Friday, July 31, 2:00 – 4:00 PM ET.
- Five bands at Ottobar in Baltimore City — an all-ages indie show (Peach Face, Fetcher, Thunder Club, and more) at a real venue for $15 — a first-concert night for a music-obsessed 12-year-old. Friday, July 31, 7:00 PM ET.
- Firebringer at the Chesapeake Arts Center — a youth-theater staging of the caveman rock-comedy musical, StarKid-vein sketch comedy that theater kids love. $18–20. Friday–Sunday (check the box office for showtimes).
Mark Your Calendar
Book these now
- August 7 (Friday): August First Friday: Family Fishing Evening at Masonville Cove — a free, guided evening of fishing, lessons and gear provided. Registration required, and spots are limited. 5:00 – 7:30 PM ET.
- August 15 (Saturday): 150 Years & Counting — a Baltimore Heritage guided walking tour of the Maryland Zoo tied to its 150th anniversary. Small-group tours fill up; reserve ahead.
Local Intel
One insider move
Two free, all-indoor stops make a full Saturday: the Making of Maryland opening on Belair Road, then the drop-in nature center at Cylburn — a good rainy-day route if the forecast turns.
Also This Weekend
- Teller Ro's One-Year Anniversary at R&R Healing Co. in Bel Air — a free community celebration with local vendors, food, and raffles. Saturday, August 1, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET.
- Summer of Love Pet Adoption pop-up at THE AVENUE at White Marsh — a rotating weekend adoption store; Baltimore-area shelters bring adoptable cats and dogs. Check the schedule for this weekend's hours.
- Casey Cares 5K Run & One-Mile Walk at the Maryland Zoo — the 17th annual charity run for families with critically ill children. Saturday, August 1, 8:00 AM ET | registration required.
- Heads-up: Fluid Movement's Very Baltimore Water Ballet isn't running this year — set a reminder to grab tickets early next summer.
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